Books

Average customer rating:

Great Book

Watercolor Basics: People
Butch Krieger
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Portraits | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Painting People (Watercolor for the Fun of It)
Painting Watercolors That Sparkle With Life
Painting People in Watercolor: A Design Approach (Practical Art Books)
Painting Watercolor Portraits That Glow
The Figure in Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused (Simple Fast & Focused)

ASIN: 1581801483

Book Description

This new title in the Watercolor Basics series provides artists with all the step-by-step guidance they need to bring people and portraits to life through the beauty of watercolor. From achieving proper proportion to rendering skin tones, author Butch Krieger makes mastering the basics--value, shape, line and color--a snap. Seventeen complete demonstrations and thirteen mini demos take readers through every step, everything from selecting materials and mixing colors to creating effects. Whether the reader is an absolute beginner striving to paint people realistically, or a more advanced artist looking to improve a specific technique, Watercolor Basics: People will make a noticeable difference in the quality of their work.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2002-06-10

This book is a great step-by-step guide for portrait painting in watercolor. The importance of value is well illustrated. A wonderful book for the beginner and experienced watercolor painter.

Average customer rating:

Okay, but not worth $65 plus
terrific book to learn from
THE best portrait instuction book I have ever read and read
The best realistic watercolor portraiture resource

Painting Watercolor Portraits That Glow
Jan Kunz
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Painting Beautiful Watercolors from Photographs
Watercolor Basics: People
Painting Watercolors That Sparkle With Life
Painting People (Watercolor for the Fun of It)
Basic People Painting: Techniques in Watercolor (Basic Techniques)

ASIN: 0891342915

Customer Reviews:

Okay, but not worth $65 plus.......2006-03-17

I've seen copies of this book priced at over $100. Before you spend that kind of money, be aware that:
What I consider the most valuable advice in this book on portraits is repeated in Painting Beautiful Watercolors from Photographs, also buy Jan Kunz, and available at a much more reasonable price.
Roberta Carter Clark's How to Paint Living Portraits, which covers oil and watercolor, and charcoal, is a better book over all. Two examples are, how to paint hair, and a much clearer presentation of value in painting. Clark's book even has a better index.
I'm not saying Painting Watercolor Portraits that Glow isn't worth looking at, but borrow it from the library, and make sure before you shell out $100 to buy one.

terrific book to learn from.......2001-11-21

One of the last things I wanted to learn in painting watercolor was painting portraits because quite honestly, I didn't care for it mainly because I didn't know how. But after reading this book, I no longer feel apprehensive about painting portraits. Jan Kunz's book is a terrific instructional guide on how to start, as well as what colors to use and where to use them. The book even includes some step-by-step samples based on real-life models Ms. Kunz has used that you can start off first as a guide.

For beginners, this is a very good book to use to get started.

THE best portrait instuction book I have ever read and read.......1999-06-30

This is the one portrait book I would recommend for artists at ANY level of expertise and for all media., but especially for watercolor artists.

The best realistic watercolor portraiture resource.......1998-10-19

Jan Kunz has written a thoughtful, well-organized, presentation on how to paint watercolor portraits. Her realistic style of painting still manages to be expressive due to her emphasis on careful planning of how the image will be painted beforehand, allowing the artist's brush to put in correct values and hues with freedom and control at the same time. It's where I look whenever I get in trouble painting a portrait.

The Figure in Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused (Simple Fast & Focused)

Average customer rating:

Human figure painting
Mel Stabin...Figures
not for the beginner
An attractive, high quality book but ...
Loose, Wonderful Figure Painting!

The Figure in Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused (Simple Fast & Focused)
Mel Stabin
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Watercolor: Simple, Fast and Focused (Practical Art Books)
The Natural Way to Paint: Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully
Charles Reids Watercolor Secrets
Painting People in Watercolor: A Design Approach (Practical Art Books)
Painting from Life: Explorations in Watercolor

ASIN: 0823016943

Book Description

Following in the footsteps of Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused is Mel Stabin's latest: The Figure in Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused. Capturing a figure's unique personality and multifaceted quality in watercolor is challenging-but Stabin demonstrates, step by step, how the new artist can capture the figure by painting simply, directly, and with intense focus on the "essence" of a person. Readers will discover tested techniques and hands-on tips for painting portraits, people in an environment, and groups of people, as well as for painting people from photographs. They'll also find a treasury of valuable advice on design, composition, shape, value, color, and more!

Customer Reviews:

Human figure painting.......2006-08-09

This is a wonderful book with lovely paintings in it and clear prose to help one improve and try new techniques.

Mel Stabin...Figures.......2006-03-03

An excellent book for those who wish to improve 'figures in transparent watercolor....One of my favorites....Jack, Ohio

not for the beginner.......2005-07-10

I agree with another reviewer who finds this otherwise beautiful book light on instructional details. I happen to love Stabin's painting style, and I do find copying his paintings to be very illuminating. I still rate this book highly because much can be gleaned from studying and copying his work, which is fresh, economical, and transparent. Perhaps I would rather recommend it, though, for the more advanced artist.

An attractive, high quality book but ..........2004-12-30

I prefer Mel's earlier book which is more place-oriented (the term "landscape" seems strangely inappropriate and inadequate) and perhaps because I find his figure painting similar to that of well-known East coast artist Charles Reid. I actually love the figure painting style of both artists but I already have Charles' figure painting book(unique and inspiring) and Mel's first book -- which is beautiful and prescribes a simple approach that I find refreshing and inspiring.

Of course the images here are wonderful (the simplified image of a woman in a hat and skirt in front of a building was particularly striking) and the text thoughtful & direct.

Loose, Wonderful Figure Painting!.......2004-12-22

The photorealistic figure painting in most books is intimidating and, to many, unappealing. Mel Stabin liberates us from this tight, souless style. His people are fresh and fast, and something of their essence of the person is captured.

Stabin's instruction, which could be more plentiful, is full of useful information. Copying his paintings is very instructive. As is his former book Watercolor: Simple, Fast and Focused, this book is a gift to watercolorists and those who love looking at spontaneous, fresh paintings.

Two other painter-authors who use this loose style for figures are Charles Reid and, for the nude figure, Douglas Lew (Painting from Life).

Average customer rating:

Surprise for Painter wife
It's all in the details

Watercolour Flower Portraits
Billy Showell
Manufacturer: Search Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Landscape Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Botanical Illustration Course: With the Eden Project
Drawing and Painting Plants
The Art of Botanical Painting
Botanical Illustration: Painting with Watercolours
Beautiful Botanicals: Painting and Drawing Flowers and Plants

ASIN: 1844480666

Book Description

Learn how to paint exquisite flower portraits in watercolour, following Billy Showell's highly detailed, step-by-step instructions. Packed with stunning pictures and technical advice, this book is truly inspirational. Billy Showell's exquisite and technically brilliant watercolour flower portraits are beautifully presented in this highly informative, lavishly illustrated book. Packed with information on drawing and painting techniques, colour mixing and composition, it is an invaluable source of ideas and inspiration for anyone who wants to develop their flower painting skills, whether or not they have any previous experience.

Customer Reviews:

Surprise for Painter wife.......2007-04-11

My wife was thrilled with this book that was added to her resources. She has used it already.

It's all in the details.......2006-10-05

This book improves on many previous painting books by giving very specific step-by-step instructions. Each step is beautifully photographed and carefully explained. This makes it a must have for both the beginner and painter.

Billy's paintings bring a contemporary feel to botanical art. Her work is meticulous and detailed. The Artist's talks about all aspects of creating a painting including choosing paints, brushes and paper for the execution of your work. Her comments about composition and her approach to painting help guide you to develop your own approach.

I highly recommend this lovely book.

Average customer rating:

The only book you will need on painting watercolor portraits
Get Your Portraits Freer and Looser
This may be the best water color portrait book available
One of two watercolor books worth buying!
Happy colorful pedagogy.

Painting Watercolor Portraits
Al Stine
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Portraits | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Watercolor Portraits Painted on the Streets of Los Angeles
Painting People in Watercolor: A Design Approach (Practical Art Books)
The Natural Way to Paint: Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully
Painting Watercolor Portraits That Glow
The Figure in Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused (Simple Fast & Focused)

ASIN: 0891346414

Customer Reviews:

The only book you will need on painting watercolor portraits.......2001-06-22

Indeed, this is the ONLY book I decided to have a copy of my own on painting watercolor portraits. I purchased this book several years ago, read it, applied it, and found it a real gem. Although my current interest is mostly painting in oil, I still remember vividly my pleasant experiences using the book:

- The author thoroughly presents the topics in the book, from improving your drawing skills, lighting models, to using colors, etc...

- His style is what that is referred as "painterly". The finished paintings are enlightening, artistic, and simply beautiful. I love and treasure the works created by this author, as well as those representing great craftmanship and expressions.

Buy this book if you still can find a copy of it. To fully benefit it, may I suggest:

- First and foremost, focus on your drawing skills. With a tranparent medium like watercolor, drawing skills are more than ever the most crucial requirement for a great final painting.

- Practice, practice, and practice, using advices from the book.

Thank you, Mr. Stine, for a great book!

Get Your Portraits Freer and Looser.......2001-01-24

I don't really use the how-to portions of books like these although I'm sure many artists do. What I like doing instead is looking at the pictures and see what they in and of themselves can teach me. What struck me about this book when I bought it was that if one wanted to make one's portraits a lot freer, more fluid, flowing and looser, this book shows that very well. I would especially encourage any of us working in colored pencils or pastels to consider incorporating watercolor in a mixed media approach towards portraiture. Stine definitely shows more Impressionistic results in portraiture than realistic. However, these are hardly Abstract Expressionist portraits! You can't mix this with oil, of course, so if you are looking at this work compared to your own in oil, you would be contemplating doing a complete 180 degree switch. It certainly would save you an enormous amount of drying time to make the switch from oil to watercolor. The brush work seems as if it would be a lot faster as well. Every page in this book seems to have a full color watercolor portrait featured on it so it is a good value for the money as well.

This may be the best water color portrait book available.......1998-06-29

This book is focusing on contour drawing and the use of water colors for portrait painting. As a matter of fact water colors are mostly used for natur painting and this may be the reason for the very few portrait books avaialble.

The author gives av very good instruction in what colors to use to develope various skin tones and how to paint shapes due to shadows and edges in the motive. This book has in many ways completed my large collection of book about water color painting.

One of two watercolor books worth buying!.......1998-05-17

Faboulous painter with feeling and love for what he is doing.

Happy colorful pedagogy........1997-12-30

The author, Al Stine is able to capture his subjects with a vibrancy and spirit that is alluring - while also teaching the techniques he uses. This book will serve the needs of those looking to improve their portraits.

Painting Beautiful Skin Tones With Color & Light in Oil, Pastel and Watercolor

Average customer rating:

Found the way
Not as useful as I had hoped
A need for an oil painter.
Painting Beautiful Skin Tones: One of the Most Misleading Titles Ever
Painting Beautiful Skin Tones a must for the portrait painter

Painting Beautiful Skin Tones With Color & Light in Oil, Pastel and Watercolor
Chris Saper
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Using Color | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Pastel | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Portraits from Life in 29 Steps
Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right
Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist
The Big Book of Drawing and Painting the Figure
Brushwork Essentials: How to Render Expressive Form and Texture With Every Stroke

ASIN: 1581801637

Book Description

Artists constantly tell us that they need guidance for rendering skin tones in their portraiture. This book helps them overcome this elusive challenge by providing a clear set of easy-to-follow principles for painting a variety of skin tones in three major mediums--oil, pastel and watercolor. The first chapter is rooted in the basics, showing artists how to recognize and use the five major elements of painting: drawing, value, color, composition and edges. From there, artists learn how to work with light, shadow and color to effectively capture the beautiful skin tones of various ethnic groups, including Caucasian, Asian, African-American and Hispanic. Next, artists discover how to execute the principles learned, using detailed instruction for color selection, mixing and application. Four mini-demos, three long demos and many examples illustrate the lessons. Artists will benefit from advice on shooting and choosing photographs to paint, how to edit their compositions and work past their limitations.

Customer Reviews:

Found the way.......2007-02-04

Great work for painters...

The book was ordered to find out what I did wrong in painting portraits in oil. Clearly instructed by the book I now improved my skills dramatically, especially painting eyes... with the look of love.

Not as useful as I had hoped.......2007-01-21

I happen to think the pictures in this book are beautiful. I wish I could achieve the same level of competence with color. By buying the book, I hoped to improve my ability to quickly make sound color choices, but try as I have, I just can't get the needed information from this book. I have purchased quite a few books on painting, and some have really helped me. The really frustrating thing is that it's obvious she knows what she's doing, but equally obvious she has a hard time communicating it.

If you already understood the topic, I'm sure you would get some comforting reassurance from seeing that which you have grasped reaffirmed. If you are not already a good artist, it's pure misery to try and figure out what she is saying. I have read every word and studied every picture in some cases 3 to 5 times, and I have taken little away.

I'm sure that if she were watching me paint, I would eventually understand what she is teaching, but I was not able to get much from the book. I did enjoy looking at the pictures, but the text is pure torture.

A need for an oil painter........2006-11-13

A very excellent reference book. A must for a novice painter.

Painting Beautiful Skin Tones: One of the Most Misleading Titles Ever.......2006-10-23

I agree with several of the previous reviewers. I believe that some of the writing on skin tones offers great insight. I also believe that most of the portraits in the book are garish at best. If there were Sears Portrait Studios around before the invention of photography there is no doubt that their portraits would look like these paintings. I would even be okay with that if it weren't for the fact that the book does not even begin to discuss skin tone until halfway through the book. I would say that 1/5 of the book is actually about skin tone. The rest of the book is just like any other beginners How-To. The basics of painting. Unfortunately there is little about skin tone.

Painting Beautiful Skin Tones a must for the portrait painter.......2006-08-18

This book is excellent. Well written, easy to follow. An abundance of information. Good color information and color wheels. I refer to this book in the planning stage of each portrait.

Painting People (Watercolor for the Fun of It)

Average customer rating:

Painting People (Watercolor for the Fun of It)
Michaelin Otis
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Watercolor Basics: People
Painting Watercolors That Sparkle With Life
Painting People in Watercolor: A Design Approach (Practical Art Books)
Watercolor for the Fun of It: Flowers and Leaves
Painting Watercolor Portraits That Glow

ASIN: 1581805608

Book Description

Watercolor for the Fun of It: Painting People presents simple, beginning instruction in an uncluttered form, using a concrete, realistic style that beginners like to emulate. Readers will find:

* Step-by-step instruction that covers drawing, composition, lighting and techniques to produce reliable results

* 12 step-by-step demonstrations showing various poses, like head and shoulders, seated, standing and profile

* A Quick-Start Guide provides an essential overview of the best materials to use, basic tips and a glossary of terms

Painters can't help but have fun when they follow the reassuring instruction and inspiring artwork.

Average customer rating:

wet and wonderful watercolor expression
Not Charles' best book -- but quite good none the less

Portrait Painting in Watercolor
Charles Reid
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Portraits | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

The Natural Way to Paint: Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully
Charles Reids Watercolor Secrets
Painting Flowers in Watercolor With Charles Reid
Portraits and Figures in Watercolor (Artist's Painting Library)
Painting People in Watercolor: A Design Approach (Practical Art Books)

ASIN: 0823041921

Customer Reviews:

wet and wonderful watercolor expression.......2003-07-11

This is one of the most sought after books on watercolor portraiture. Reid suggests the face and still gets a likeness. He leaves something for the viewer to fill in and be a part of the painting. It takes practice and intuition to bring out the aritists innate intuitive abilities expressed on paper. Reid shows step by step how he approaches his subject. He focuses on contrast and value and immediacy to give the painting life and spontaniety. A valued book to read over and over.

Not Charles' best book -- but quite good none the less.......2002-07-16

...The book is brown, in colour and concept. Charles' book on Natural Painting is much more appealing. However this book is well written and illustrated although not colorfully. There is some interesting insight into portrait technique -- but realistically, I doubt if Charles learned to paint this way himself ... his talent is inborn and self-taught. His portraits are startling and unique in their ability to capture likenesses from a swirling mass of tone and/or color sometimes using only subtlist details of shade and highlight. The facial details that we plebians see (2 eyes, nose, mouth, chin, hair) have little to do with Charles' images -- sometimes many key features are ill defined or undefined ... however he always manages to capture the likeness. He sees in a different way -- I think he sees primarily tones (shades of gray) more than anything -- color seems to be secondary to him (this is apparent in his Natural Painting book too) -- yet he also has a unique and insightful perspective on colors, especially skin tones. A good book.

Average customer rating:

Watercolor WHAT?!?

Jan Kunz Watercolor Techniques
Jan Kunz
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Painting Beautiful Watercolors from Photographs
Watercolor Basics Color: Color (Watercolor Basics)
Jan Kunz Watercolor Techniques: Painting the Still Life (Workbook 1)
Glorious Garden Flowers in Watercolor
Watercolor Basics: Painting Flowers (Watercolor Basics)

ASIN: 0891345671

Customer Reviews:

Watercolor WHAT?!?.......2003-01-23

Just bought this book, and can't express my disappointment enough! This book should have NEVER been titled "Watercolor Techniques"... They should have named it "Paint Watercolors With Jan".

I bought the book expecting techniques - that's what it is called, right?!? Maybe some rules on composition, some suggestions for value, and perhaps even some `rules of thumb' for planning a painting. But at a minimum, I expected TECHNIQUES!

Techniques are the things you do to make something happen. I figured there would be different techniques for brush control, different styles of washing color, suggestions for mixing color to get the results you want - you know... TECHNIQUES!!

Am I angry? Yes! Do I feel ripped off? Yes! Is this book worth buying? Yes - perhaps...

There are less than 10 pages of how to approach a painting. Most of these 10 pages are text, with many examples of Jan's beautiful paintings throughout. (But no TECHNIQUES!!!) The rest of the book is a step-by-step guide for how she completed several paintings. Pictures are plentiful, detail is complete, and she even includes drawings so you can try the same paintings shown step-by-step in the book!

But there aren't any TECHNIQUES!! I learned more about composition, lighting, color usage, and yes - TECHNIQUES - from Jan's excellent book, "Painting Beautiful Watercolors From Photographs". Now THAT is a darned good book!

Caveat emptor, right?!? Illegitimati non carborundum est...

Painting Figures and Portraits in Watercolor: Basic Techniques & Exercises (Basic Techniques & Exercises Series)

Average customer rating:

Painting Figures and Portraits in Watercolor: Basic Techniques & Exercises (Basic Techniques & Exercises Series)
Jose Maria Parramon
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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The Big Book of Watercolor Painting: The History, the Studio, the Materials the Techniques, the Subjects, the Theory and the Practice of Watercolor

ASIN: 0823051307

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