Showing posts with label study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label study. Show all posts

Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors Review

Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors
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Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors ReviewBorn and raised in China, the author, Lian Quan Zhen was trained as a physician who later emigrated to the U.S. Now living in California he holds workshops demonstrating his breathtaking approach to Chinese painting. The author's mastery ranges from strict traditional Chinese painting to combining these methods and style with some Western watercolor techniques.
In the process of "oohing" and "ahhing" over this book I learned many fascinating facts about Chinese paintings. For example, the inks/watercolors are made of plants and minerals and use glues as the binder. I also learned that the papers used for Chinese painting require a different stretching and preparation method than I'm used to for Western-style watercolors. The author also covers the differences between Western brushes and Chinese/Japanese brushes.
Mr. Zhen lists and explains the 6 Laws of Painting that were first formulated by Hsieh Ho of the Eastern Tin dynasty (317 - 420 A. D.) Along the way I learned some interesting historical facts on the evolution of painting in China during the different dynasties. The 3 styles of painting are introduced and later discussed. These are: Detail, which is what a beginner first learns. Spontaneous, also known as the Scholar Style, which is learned much later. And finally a mix of the preceding two which the author simply labels Half-Detail/Half-Spontaneous. Composition explained some of the traditional designs used. S-curve, C-curve, balance and weight, etc. Calligraphy and chops (a type of sigil-mark) are as important as the artwork to the final design.
The rest of the book explores in detail both mini-demonstrations and full step-by-step demonstrations of full paintings in Mr. Zhen's style. He effortlessly moves between traditional Chinese painting to combining it with western watercolor techniques. The result is breathtaking. The subject matter for the paintings are landscapes, birds, goldfish and Koi. There are chapters showing how to sketch and paint each of the animals listed above as well as backgrounds. And this only scratches the surface of the information and how-to's detailed. Anyone getting this book not only gets a great foundation in Chinese painting but also some interesting historical facts which makes it even more fun to read.Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors Overview

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DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School) Review

DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School)
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DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School) ReviewI've been drawing for years, but hit a ceiling of sorts where I wasn't able to teach myself anything new. I've had negative experiences with the strictures of drawing classes. (I confess-I am one of those who have to look at the paper when I draw.)
Then I was lucky enough to come across this book while literally holding "DK Art School: An Introduction To Oil Painting" in my hand. I sat in the store and compared them side to side, page by page. The chapter on oil painting was exactly the same as the book on oil painting. It seems that DK decided to make this a compilation of their other art books. This edition includes:
An Introduction to Drawing
An Introduction to Perspective
An Introduction to Watercolor
An Introduction to Pastels
An Introduction to Oil Painting
An Introduction to Acrylics
An Introduction to Mixed Media
Don't let the price turn you off because you are actually buying seven volumes. Each one sells separately for around half the price of this one. Included are history, materials and technique for each medium described. The only drawback is that you're getting one hulk of a book.
For people like me who have not taken classes, it will prove indispensable. The pictures are great and there are plenty of tips and step by step examples for practice. Not for in-depth study, but a high quality overview. This edition is a great value for any amateur artist and useful for those more experienced as well. Beautiful.DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques (DK Art School) Overview

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The Art of Bop Drumming (Book & CD) (Manhattan Music Publications) Review

The Art of Bop Drumming (Book and CD) (Manhattan Music Publications)
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The Art of Bop Drumming (Book & CD) (Manhattan Music Publications) ReviewI've had this book for about a month now and am reaping increasing benefits from it. I've been playing jazz for 20+ years, and have studied various books during that period, so I wasn't sure what Mr. Riley's book would bring to the table. I was not disappointed.
The beauty of this book is that there is something here for players of every skill level. The explanantions are clear and lucid, the play-alongs are superb, and the subtle insights are priceless (great photos and quotes from the masters too). Well done....and highly recommended. (I'd also recommend Kim Plainfield's "Advanced Concepts", to tighten up your funk, fusion, and Latin chops. If you spend a year seriously studying each of these books your musicianship and chops will thank you.
Have fun...and keep swingin' !!!The Art of Bop Drumming (Book & CD) (Manhattan Music Publications) Overview

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Watercolours in a Weekend: Pick Up a Brush and Paint Your First Picture This Weekend Review

Watercolours in a Weekend: Pick Up a Brush and Paint Your First Picture This Weekend
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Watercolours in a Weekend: Pick Up a Brush and Paint Your First Picture This Weekend ReviewI needed more experience with landscapes in watercolor, so I bought this book. The paintings that you learn to do in it are beautiful and exciting, but not too difficult. Step-by-step instructions are given beginning with the pencil sketch you will need on your watercolor paper and then proceeding to the first wash. Each lesson teaches something new.
The book begins with the usual material needed section, and then proceed to teach the basic painting techniques step-by-step by having you do a simple painting of ex: a simplified tree using wet-wet and then adding the trunk using another technique. Wet on dry is then taught in a 3-step exercise of a cloudy sky, lake and hills (nothing detailed---the book teaches everything in small exercises (paintings).
Next, 2 exercises in the use of masking medium and lifting medium.
Next, there are 2 pages on each subject of composition, choosing warm vs cool colors, perspectives. A few color mixes are suggested that can be safely used for landscape subjects.
The rest (majority) of the book is then dedicated to step-by-step painting projects-- the first several paintings teach you the basics of painting different types of clouds and skies. Next---Water--sunlight on water, reflections in water, moving water, waterfall, rough sea, moody sea. Each of these lessons are taught by following step-by-step directions to make a small painting
Next, mountains and lakes, then, trees and foliage--winter tree, foliage, tree shapes, trees in a setting, autumn trees. Next, a 6-page class on painting a scene of a road surrounded by trees with sunlight beaming through the trees--- as you progress in the book, the paintings you do become more detailed, building the beginner painter's confidence in a stepped method.
Next, Buildings and textures--linear perspective, light and shade--again, a step-by-step painting to do--simple but beautiful. Next, simple brickwork, with a step-by-step instruction to achieve an interesting end- product of a stuccoed wall with bricks showing through a hole and cracks on the stucco.
Next, windows and roofs, then a 6-page class on painting a farm scene-- the sketch to have on your paper is shown, making everything easy and fun.
Next, reflection--puddles on a farm track, buildings reflected in a flooded field, reflected boats, and a denver mill.
Several more beautiful paintings are taught in a stepped method, including winter landscape with a snow-covered tree, shadows on snow, low tide coastal scene, etc..
This is an outstanding book for beginner watercolorists. I was impressed by the simplicity of the paintings that you do, but at the same time, something you can be proud of and build on for the more complicated paintings.Watercolours in a Weekend: Pick Up a Brush and Paint Your First Picture This Weekend Overview

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The Brushstroke Handbook Review

The Brushstroke Handbook
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The Brushstroke Handbook ReviewI already do one stroke painting and found this book a great addition to what I already know. For the beginner who's never done Decorative painting, a few hands on classes and this book and you're good to go. For the artist who's already familiar with painting and strokes (although this book teaches you strokes) it's a wonderful addition full of ideas and techniques.The Brushstroke Handbook OverviewThere's no other book on the market completely dedicated to mastering individual brushstrokes--the essential building blocks of any successful decorative painting project. A must-have reference for painters at every level, The Brushstroke Book:Builds confidence by teaching one stroke at a time through close-up action photosShows readers how to combine strokes to paint flowers, ribbons, lace, leaves, and moreWithout any pressure to complete projects, this book gives painters a rare chance to build skills at their own level and pace!

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