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MIGHTY ART DEMOS and TUTORIALS
PREVIOUSLY FEATURED BOOKS WITH GOOD DEMONSTRATIONS |
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Medium: Acrylic
Category: Varies Demonstrations: - 26 Demos by Sheaks; 10 additional artists also contributed artwork and technical insights The heart of this book is Barclay Sheaks' 26 demonstrations—two on using materials and tools, four on the basics of painting in this medium, and 20 on the technical processes and looks that acrylics can achieve. Acrylic is one of the most versatile mediums of our time and although this is a wonderful characteristic it can also be a confusing jumble of myths and misinformation. Sheaks writes clearly and with authority about the materials, tools and techniques of this medium. Although he acknowledges the usefulness of acrylics as a craft medium, his emphasis is squarely on its application in fine art. An excellent choice among the current books on acrylic for its potential use in saving the beginner months of time and effort in navigating this medium's many techniques and materials. |
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Medium: Oil
Category: Still Life Demonstrations: 16 Demos This is a book about becoming an oil painter. In addition to its techniques and demonstrations it has a philosophy and it goes something like this: The materials and tools of every medium have their own characteristics. These characteristics ultimately determine how they can best be used, and the effects they tend to produce. Overall Bill Creevy offers two important things: He shows how to understand and navigate the sometimes-bewildering array of paraphernalia, and explains as he discusses and demonstrates oil painting techniques, how materials shape and influence them. The Oil Painting Book will be beneficial to artists new to this medium, as well as to those already working with it. A rare 30-step demonstration of the classic oil glazing technique is especially valuable. Bill Creevy's painting style is sometimes painterly, sometimes realistic but in either style he celebrates the luscious surface complexity for which oil is so well known. As an example of this see his extended alla prima demonstration. Check the full listing for Bill Creevy's The Oil Painting Book at Amazon |
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Medium: Watercolor
Category: Landscape, wildlife Demonstrations: 15 complete demos by Cathy Johnson This book offers a friendly guide to painting the natural landscape and its flora and fauna—en plein air. For many the idea of confronting all of the sensory information Nature presents can be daunting. And if no preparation has been made, the experience can be pretty discouraging. But Cathy Johnson lays out an un-intimidating way to make the trip pleasurable and productive. She begins by sorting out the different things that can be painted out there--from mushrooms and insects to far landscape vistas. She suggests materials for a portable kit and some basics of composing and sketching. Johnson also invites use of a camera for reference shots. The balance of the book is devoted to 15 full demonstrations with lively instruction, tips and notes. A nice touch: different habitats are arranged by chapter. Recommended for the artist already familiar with the basics of watercolor and is now ready for a walk in the woods. Water is fascinating but painting it can be elusive. See a complete demonstration from this book showing how Cathy Johnson accomplishes it in simple elegant steps. Check the full listing of "Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide" at Amazon |
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Medium: Graphite, Colored Pencil, Pen and Ink, Digital Although a painter and illustrator-writer of children's books, John Howe may be best known for his moving and dramatic work on J.R.R. Tolkien's books and the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy. His book contains numerous demonstrations and insights into how he works plus generous advice on how to develop a personal style and build a solid portfolio of fantasy art. But this book can also be valued as a collection of art created by John Howe the consumate draftsman and romanticist. A unique art instruction book. Highly recommended. |
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Medium: Pastel In an unusual beginning for an art instruction book—and before the first chapter--Maggie Price rivets attention with a gallery of inspirational pastel artwork by some of the leading artists in this medium along with her commentaries about the techniques they used. Another unusual feature is that the demonstrations begin in the first chapter—yes, the basic chapter that discusses the materials needed with pastels. Throughout this book in fact, most every concept is illustrated and often with full step-by-step demonstrations. It is these demonstrations and Price's technical expertise that make this book valuable. She and the other nine artists she has gathered together tell a pastel story that is bright and exciting. Highly recommended for its reliable instruction and imaginative strategies in every chapter. |
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Medium: Ink and other drawing media On every page of this book J.C Amberlyn reveals a spirited affection for wildlife of all kinds. Her expert instruction in various drawing media is generous and inspiring. Aimed at all skill levels Amberlyn covers basic animal anatomy, body details and how these parts differ from species to species. Her expertise with animal coats and fur throughout this book is eye opening. She also provides insight into building form and figuring proportions and how to handle negative space, contrast, reflected light and much more. After a thorough introduction Amberlyn provides lively step-by-step demonstrations and mini-demonstrations in still poses and in action. Beautifully put together there are 300 drawings and 60 species of wildlife covered (and indexed). 192 pages. Recommended for artists and naturalists. J. C. Amberlyn shows how to draw a gray wolf in pen and ink in a demonstration from_Drawing Wildlife |
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Medium: Watercolor Anne Abgott offers a way to create color that has great vitality, is stunning and emotive yet doesn't ambush composition or subject. Her instruction describes the elegant technique of mingling color instead of thoroughly mixing color. Beginning with a color review, and how transparency, opacity, granulation and staining qualities relate to her mingling technique, Abgott then explains how this technique is done—step-by-step with 24 knockout demonstrations. An additional inspiring section is dedicated to expanding artistic capabilities with the aid of photo references and tissue overlays. She never recommends copying photos, but instead illustrates her method for refining compositions with these aids. Almost every artist who loves color wants it to have impact and resonance but this often seems just out of reach. Anne Abgott removes barriers and de-mystifies this process with charm and an artist-to-artist rapport. View a demonstration from Anne Abgott's book showing how a neutral gray cast shadow |
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| See full listing for Sargent's book at Amazon.com | |||||||||
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Medium: Watercolor Category: Fantasy/SF Demonstrations: 7 projects by James Browne, This is a book about painting fairies. But it is also about creating art that tells tales. The realm of most artwork that illustrates folklore and mythology embodies extremes—of snow and fire, night and dawn, treetops and roots, plants, fungi, and fairies and goblins. The authors skillfully weave this world of fairy lore with technical instruction and well-paced demonstrations/projects by some of the leading artists of this genre, and with styles ranging from painterly to high realism. Highly recommended for its specific demonstrations by different artists as well as its fascinating overview of the fairy and earth-spirits world. Over 24 artists participated in illustrating this book. See a demonstration by Linda Ravenscroft from Watercolor Fairies |
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Medium: Oil
Category: Animals/Wildlifel Demonstrations: 15 projects including 63 mini-demonstrations |
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Sherry C. Nelson's unique instruction in Painting Songbirds will help you paint birds in oil that have an appealing and tactile realism. The book's first part is aimed at beginners and offers solid and specific advice on the initial concerns of setting up to work in this genre. Yet there are also surprising nuggets for more experienced artists. But the real pay-off is Nelson's way of demonstrating. While using 15 different kinds of birds as subjects, she divides each painting into a series of smaller demonstrations of the bird's separate parts for extra clarity. Her instruction in general is outstanding and her depiction of all kinds of feathers is masterful. But it is that special tactile quality that imbues her artwork of songbirds with heart. View a demonstration from Sherry C. Nelson's book. |
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Medium: Watercolor
This remarkable book by Soon Y. Warren may save you months of time and effort in painting flowers and the things around them.
Many art instruction books claim to be for all skill levels. This book truly is. A full one third of it begins with solid instruction on the watercolor techniques Warren uses as well as her thinking behind it, and then relates this to some of the characteristics of specific flowers and leaves. Beyond her basic instruction 18 of her demonstrations include fully developed backgrounds with such things as art glass, metallics, textiles, texture, wood, and reflections. Her exotic and dramatic illustrations are large and well photographed and her explanations concise and thoughtful. An excellent choice for step by step instruction at any skill level. |
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A new edition of Robert Henri's revered art classic (originally published in 1923) is now presented in a larger and easier to read format, and with an updated and reconsidered index.
This book states the essential beliefs and theories of a great American teacher, and contains much technical advice and critical comment. Highly recommended for both instruction and inspiration.
I would give anything to have come by this book years ago. It is in my opinion comparable only to the notes of Leonardo and Sir Joshua...One of the finest voices which express the philosophy of modern men in painting." [NOTE: This book doesn't feature demonstrations.] |
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