Arts Books

I have a copy of the first edition of this book and am still mesmerized by it. When it first came out, everyone I knew at design school who bought it felt like the information and techniques had given them an out-of-body-experience and it quickly became THE book to own, learn from, and emulate. Anyone who buys this book and applies the material and techniques will become better at drawing, rendering, and creative presentation methods...it is a sure-fire way to achieve "star power" in your office and in front of your clients!

great book! Out of the dozens of hand rendering guides I looked at, this was by far the best and the easiest to learn from. It tells you what pencils, markers, and tools to buy to achieve certain effects, and gives you step-by-step rendering instructions for tons of different types of materials and lighting situations. I highly recommend this- in fact, it should be mandatory for interior design students!

This is an excellent resouce for the study of rendering. After detailing the elements of color and design, it describes, step-by-step, how to achieve many finishes both interior and exterior. It is both instructive and informative.

It's really hard to say too many things about this book. Even older editions of Color Drawing are great, but this newest one goes above and beyond the call of duty. In an age when a lot of books get re-released as new editions with few substantive changes, Color Drawing breaks the mold by updating the techniques with current technology (i.e. Photoshop). It's great to see that the author and publisher realize that pure hand-drawing and rendering is quickly becoming a thing of the past and that the practitioners of today and tomorrow need to have excellent computer skills too. This book is full of very useful tips for combining Photoshop with hand drawings to create great effects. So even if you have an earlier edition, do yourself a favor and buy the new one anyway because you will learn a lot.

This is the standard for rendering in architecture and interior design as far as I am concerned. It will most definitely become a required textbook for my classes in visual presentation in the years to come. Doyle takes you step-by-step into the process of rendering with marker, color pencil, and pastels. But he doesn't just spoon feed you the recipe for each material rendering, he presents the basis for a process that allows you to render virtually any material not found in the book.

This book details the life of Suenaka Sensei and his martial accomplishments
including his relations to some of the greatest martial arts teachers of this century, most importantly his relations with Morihei Ueshiba and Hohan Soken, I don't think there is anyone else out there that has the martial knowledge and lineage similar to that of Suenaka Sensei. This is a excellent book and should be read by anyone who has interest in Aikido.

As a person who recently started training in Aikido, this book was suggested for me as a handy reference. As a beginner I didn't care much about the martial history or the various political factions - I simply wanted to learn Aikido - so I skipped right to the second half.

Of course the book will never replace actual hands-on instruction but as a supplement to training I've found the second half of the book to be extremely valuable. Using it to learn the various Japanese terms, the order of the Taiso, and to see the written descriptions of things I had learned in class, allowed me to retain what I had learned faster, and to begin to see the overall pattern evident in the art.

While this DOES NOT contain an exhaustive collection of Wadokai techniques, it DOES contain a large collection of pieces that the reader can use to discover new techniques on your own. Close study allows the reader to notice the similarities between various techniques, and to apply those principles in techniques not included (except in pieces) in the book. If the reader approaches the book as less of an encyclopedia of possible techniques, and more of a dictionary of individual linked components, he/she will not be disappointed.

After a couple of months, I decided to read the first half of the book. I found it well written and highly entertaining. Despite my initial disinterest in the topic, I ended up reading the first half in less than a day due to these qualities. A good read for anyone who has trained for a while and is interested to learn more about the history of the art.

Complete Aikido? No, of course not. Such a book would be 10 times as long, cost $200, and still omit various combinations and special waza. As a reference for people new to the art, or for people who have been training for years, it still has a lot to offer. Especially if you are creative!

This is another great work. Sensei Roy Suenaka gives a no-nonsense narrative of his history with aikido as well as basic technique and training tips. There is also reference to Seunaka's friendship with one of the founders of the Shorin Ryu style of karate and Suenaka's experiences with Sensei Saotome. Great history, Great technique advice and overall entertaining reading.

Having been involved in Aikido, Judo and Karate for more than 20 years. I am glad that Suenaka Sensei gave his insight into what really happened between Doshu and Tohei Sensei. After practicing with the Federation for sometime I always wondered what happened that caused the split between the Doshu and Tohei. Suenaka Sensei's account has brought all the missing pieces together for me and has answered all the questions I had about one of the most monumental events in Aikido post O'Sensei's passing.

I also found Suenaka Senseis credential very impressive and wish that he had a school in Canada as I would love to have the opportunity to train with someone that has studied with all of the masters he has.

It seem that Suenaka Sensei's Technical part of the book is much more real life oriented than the Aikido that I am used to practicing and teaching. I was amazed to see him actually using a kick in one of his techniques. I have never seen anyone at Hombu do that and I will start to combine my use of kicks as atemi in my own techniques as it really makes sense. Also the use of punches seems to be used in every technique that Suenaka Sensei does which has really made me think about having to combine atemi with everything I do if I want my Aikido to work in the street.

I especially liked all the stories, and I agree that aikido can be very useful in real life self-defense situations, if you learn and apply it in certain ways. Unfortunately aikido as it's mostly taught today, has lost some of it's practicality. But the potential of aikido is great. Just decide what you want out of it. I also recommend The Robert Koga DVDs (Practical Aiki-do) or his biography, for those in doubt whether aikido can "work" on the streets. Also David Dye's DVDs have that approach (Aikido Self Defense for the Modern Warrior). Both of these senseis are ex police officers and have tried and tested their techniques in the world outside of the dojo.

I have briefly looked over some biographies about Marilyn Monroe and have got upset, but this book is the most touching I have read. There is not much truth that is told about the great baseball legend Joe Dimagio and his love for Marilyn. However, it is the Hollywood industry that makes up lies and untruths about her in ruining her image. We need to give credit to the author for being a caring and generous man who deeply respects Marilyn's memory. She would be in approval of this book because it can help her rest in peace. People need to know the truth and should really get to know that she is a good lady.

There has been some confusion about the second edition of this book and the sales information on this site. According to the publisher, Iuniverse, the hardcover edition offered here is actually a "second edition" released in October 2003, although the release date printed is still listed as 2000. This is because it is a "re-do" under the same title previously released by the publisher. The new second edition cover for the paperback and hardcover depicts Marilyn standing beside the gates of her home and sell respectively for $20.95 and $30.95. The first edition was only published in paperback with a different cover for $11.95. The publisher says that vendors will continue to sell the first edition paperbacks until supplies depleted. The second edition contains new images, new chapters, re-worked chapters and information not included in the first. Having seen this book, the quality of photo reproduction in this new version are far superior than in the first. It also includes professional, "photorealistic-style" illustrations by artist Brandon Heidrick depicting the interior and exterior of Marilyn's home and furnishings. The images serve as a "virtual tour" of Marilyn's last home similar to the author's website.

I've been confused about the second edition of this book and the sales information on this site. Having spoken with the publisher, Iuniverse, I learned that the hardcover edition offered here is actually a "second edition" released in October 2003, although the release date printed is still listed as 2000. This is because it is a "re-do" under the same title previously released by the publisher. The new second edition cover for the paperback and hardcover depicts Marilyn standing beside the gates of her home and sell respectively for $20.95 and $30.95. The first edition was only published in paperback with a different cover for $11.95. I understand that vendors would continue to sell the first edition paperbacks until supplies depleted. I have both the first edition and second. The second edition contains new images, new chapters, re-worked chapters and information not included in the first. The quality of photo and illustration reproduction in this new version are far superior than in the first. All around, it is a better product and a great, new look at a lasting legend!

More than 600 books have been written about Marilyn Monroe since her death in 1962. While most of them have focused on the theories surrounding her apparent suicide at age 36, author Gary Vitacco-Robles focuses his new book on the actress' last home. Cursum Perficio: Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood Hacienda/The Story of Her Final Months reframes and redefines Marilyn through the context of her efforts to establish a secure home following a childhood spent in a succession of foster homes. The author theorizes that the actress was trying to correct her past by putting down roots of her own. While several previous authors depict her final months as tumultuous, Vitacco-Robles provides evidence that suggests Marilyn was trying to pull her life together and give it some personal meaning. During the spring and summer of 1962, Marilyn embraced her newfound domesticity by pulling weeds in her garden, writing recipes in her copy of The Joy of Cooking and actually using the pots and pans in her kitchen. The book contains actual photographs of the house, interspersed with realistic renderings of the home by artist Brandon Heidrick. The author divides the photos and illustrations with floor plans for each room and includes pictures of an architectural model that depicts the entire property as it appeared in 1962. After she purchased the 2,300 square foot house, Monroe began extensively researching authentic Mexican design, landscaping and furnishings in an effort to slowly transform it into the home of her dreams. She arranged for an 11-day trip to Mexico where she painstakingly selected fabrics, tapestries, painted tiles, pottery and art. Monroe met the native artists who had made by hand the objects that she would later display in her home. Vitacco-Robles is donating a portion of the royalties from sales of this book to Hollygrove Children and Family Services, formerly the Los Angeles Orphans Home Society, where Marilyn Monroe lived as a child.

When I first received my copy of Cursum Perficio: Marilyn's Brentwood Hacienda, I wasn't sure what to expect. Much to my surprise, I was enthralled and fascinated by the details of Marilyn's final months, so eloquently chronicled by Gary Vitacco-Robles. Void of any media hype and speculation about the cause of her death, Vitacco-Robles explores how Marilyn searched and found the perfect place to call home...a respite from the choatic life she led in the media spotlight.
You will journey with her as she went on shopping sprees for furnishings and ornaments in a quest to make the only home she ever owned a reflection of herself.
The book contains a vast collection of actual photographs, as well as impressive photo-recreations of the home's interior as it looked in 1962 and now.
I applaud Vitacco-Robles for a superb testamant to the woman so many longed to know. This book reveals a whole other side of Marilyn that has never been revealed.
A MUST HAVE for any Marilyn enthusiast!

I love dim sum. But I'll never be able to take my family to a dim sum restaurant because two of my sons have peanut allergies. I like cooking, so I thought I would attempt to make the things I liked best myself, so my kids could experience it.
I think this book is a gem. I really thank the author. She does not bite off too much in this nice little book-- yet many things are there, and many of the dishes I love. I am a busy mom, so I appreciate that she lists at the beginning dishes that can be prepared ahead and frozen without losing anything from them. I like that mostly the ingredients are things I can find in the local supermarket or organic food store. I like (as a healthcare professional who is trying to feed her family healthy food) that there are a variety of cooking methods used-- including steaming and baking and boiling, not solely frying. (although I must confess that I got a deep fryer, and things fried came out nicely too.) Her sample menus at the beginning have a nice balance of flavors, textures, and techniques. (I made a meal with one fried thing, baked pork buns, steamed fish dumplings, and greens. Just right.) My children love the "Chinese food"-- I fed them some tonight for my five year olds' birthdays. this was made easier by having some frozen ahead. I find the author's recipes clear and scaled for a reasonable amount so the cook does not make too little or (just as bad) find herself tired out with fifty more dumplings to go. (Many things make about 24. We're a family of 6 plus a baby, so that's good for now.) I am thinking about who else in my family might enjoy this cookbook. The drawings are beautiful and even relaxing to look at, too. Thank you for writing this book.

A friend has a copy of this book and last night we made the potstickers. Not only were they incredibly easy to make, the illustrations made it a snap to learn the 'fan fold' to make the dumpling pocket. The final product was as good, or better than I've eaten in many restaurants! Can hardly wait to buy my own copy of the book and try MORE recipes!!

I not only loved this as a cookbook but also for the stories that are recounted throughout.

I have loved Dim Sum from my first experiences in Singapore and wanted to try something at home that was more creative than normal. I have already tried 8 of the recipes with varying success (through NO fault of the book - only my lack of practice creating some of the delicate folds in the wheat starch dough).

Couple of hints:
1) Practice, practice, practice
2) Before doing a full meal, there is a resources section at books end that has great suggestions for combinations that can mostly be made ahead.
3) Finally - if you really want to do alot and often, invest in multiple bamboo steamers. I just purchased my fifth and sixth. Dinner table now reminds me of Dim Sum houses from my past...

Never thought I would make my own potsticker dough, but I did! The dough was easy to make and to work with; and it tastes so much better than the Wonton wrappers they have in the supermarket. This book inspires you to try the recipes. Clearly written and illustrated. Highly recommend it to add to your library!

Ellen Leong Blonder, Dim Sum: The Art of Chinese Tea Lunch (Clarkson Potter, 2002)

So we need another dim sum cookbook? Yeah, I think we do, if only because Ellen Leong Blonder does something completely different with this one. You're used to cookbooks with mouthwatering pictures of the food therein (pictures which, of course, your dishes will never look like). Blonder just takes away the pictorial-realism layer of the artificiality and substitutes really, really detailed watercolors. Ironically, the paintings look a lot more like food you could actually make in your home kitchen; there are no fancy backdrops, no hundred-dollar table settings, there's just food on a plate (and Blonder reserves her detail for the food; the plate could be anything). The watercolors alone are reason enough to buy this, but when you do, you will magically gain the ability to make your own steamed dumplings. Well, okay, it's not magic. I've made steamed dumplings before, and I'll tell you, it's a boatload of work even if you use store-bought wrappers (Blonder, of course, offers up a dough recipe). But you'll know how to make them, even if the dumpling fairies won't come and make them for you. And there are few things in life better than a good steamed dumpling. (And many of them are also to be found in the pages of this book.) ****

A very good experience. I received the product in a timely manner and did not incur any problems.

I'm a huge Elvis fan and have read a lot of books on him. This book is one of my faves. It shows a sweet, funny, and sexy side of him before he hit it big. June did a great job on this book and really shows Elvis in a wonderful light. Not only is it a great story about him, but it's a great love story in general. Highly recommended!

Wow, this book actually blows away most other tell alls by former Elvis lovers.

June Juanico retells her precious memories of time spent with The King in utter beauty & vidid detail.

You can tell these two had a very special relationship.

Great read & highly recommended.

The title says it all. The time captures Elvis before and while he was capturing more and more fame. As with the DVD, it has humor and sadness. Beautifully written. I love the book and the DVD.

I could not put this book down, I was just taken back in time to those carefree days of being a teenager. You get to know about Elvis' mother and what kind of normal life they tried to lead. I feel that Elvis would have been more stable if June married him. She seemed to stand up to him. But it takes a lot to share a man with so many other women. She made a choice, and stuck with it.

Good Book, I wish it were updated & re-released!

Finally after all these years we have a book that tells us everything we ever wanted to know about the queen i love my copy since i got it a few weeks ago i've read it fron to back and found out some truly interesting things that i never even knew...hell i always thought i was an expert on Madonna but after reading just a few chapters i realised how little i knew about one of the most contoversial, and diverse women in the business today all the info in this book just go to show there will never be another that could come close to filling her shoes or have the global impact shes had
there never has been, never will or could be another MADONNA!!

There are literally thousands of books that have been published over the years about everyone's favorite Material Girl. Regrettably, the vast majority of these books are incredibly sloppy and aren't even worth lining my birdcage with. But the "Encyclopedia Madonnica" is very unique. This is the most accurate book ever written about Madonna which is also the most informative and detailed. The author, Matthew Rettenmund who wrote this for fans from a fan's prospective speaks to the reader in both an entertaining and enlightening way. You will learn so much about a woman who everyone already thought they knew. If you're a fan who wants to read about Madonna there are really only 3 books you need to get. Besides the "Encyclopedia Madonnica," I also highly recommend I Dream of Madonna & The Madonna Scrapbook. ...Madonna does it best.

Okay. So I bought this back when it came out in 1995. I remember reading it and thinking, "SO, there IS a fan out there that knows almost as much as I do about Madonna!" Although there is a lot of opinion expressed throughout the book and some missing detail, it is a book worthy of your shelf or coffee table. It may be outdated since Madonna has morph like fifty million times since this book was published. It still is a great book to ahve around, even if for camp purposes.

Matthew Rettenmund certainly has done his research. Encyclopedia Madonnica is the most informative book about the Material Girl that has ever been published. After reading this book, you will truly know everything there is to know about the most famous woman in the world. Well-written and organized, it's also chock full of often hilarious tid bits and witty rejoinders. Mr. Rettenmund should do an updated version of this book, to cover the years 1995 to the present. If you love Madonna, then you simply must own this book, along with Michael D. Craig's "Who's That Girl? The Ultimate Madonna Trivia Book!

This is the perfect book for anyone going to school to teach English or already teaching. I wish I had discovered this before I started. It has valuable information in it.

This book was recommended to me by many people--professors in my master's degree program and English teachers. I borrowed a copy and I knew right away I had to have my own. This book has it all--sound theory and excellent examples of practical techniques in action. It even discusses how to get a job. The portions on class room instruction were especially interesting to me because I see discussion as the most important thing that happens in an English class. This book is The Book to get if you're going to teach English (especially high school English). I have enjoyed all of Burke's books and I hope there are more to come.

This is a really good book with lots of great information and good ideas for teachers both new and experienced. However, you'll have to get by his "look at me" pompousness and the many errors. It looks like Mr. Burke decided to edit the book himself, as he's so good at what he does. While I'm sure he is a really great teacher, all writers need a really great editor. The deficiencies can be overlooked because of the variety of quality information. Putting his picture on both the front and back of the book was a bit overdone, though...

Full of Jim Burke's years of experience and his insightful ideas. The writing is very personal, entertaining, and truthful.

This book is very comprehensive in providing all that is valuable in teaching English and Language Arts. I used it has my second resource to prepare me to take the TEXES #117 ELAR 4-8 state exam. I plan on using it to guide me in lesson plan design.

I have always loved Maureen Carlson's work. This book has a lot of fun projects (15 in all) and it is a great way to spend an afternoon. When your project is finished it is sure to make you smile.

The book has great pictures, and just enough detail to create a fairie, troll, etc. Patterns are very helpful for a beginner like me! Over all- it's a start. Marg.

This book fascinates me every time I pick it up. There are so many charactres in here that I want to make. The techniques seem so easy to follow & it drives the creativity in you too. I'm new at this polymer clay thing, but I found so much inspiration in these books, I can't wait to jump in with both feet....guess I should change that to hands!

Also, this was another used book I bought through Amazon and it's affiliates that was a great bargain and in perfect condition. You will save lots of $$ this way! More to spend on your clay and tools.

Full of creative images of fairies, etc. and inspiring ways to use polymer clay. I can't wait to try out the projects in the book! It reads easily and really sheds light on making polymer clay figures. I highly recommend it for those who want to "sculpt" with polymer clay.
Ann Ramsey
www.methetree.com

I found this book while browsing the shelves in a bookstore and my only regret is that I didn't know that the author is offering an autographed copy on her website! I'll probably order one at some point because this book was exactly what I needed to move on to the next stage in my art and I'm forever in her debt. I started sculpting with polymer clay about five years ago and up to now was entirely self-taught when it came to sculpting figures. Just a month or so before finding the book, I attempted faces but knew I had a long way to go. Maureen's book is just what I needed and more.

Her instruction on proportion is excellent and she shares many valuable tips on working with this medium, which can be very sneaky and tricky. From the point of an intermediate level and experienced artist, the instruction is extremely easy to understand and put into practice. Exact measurements are given whenever possible, making each project practically foolproof. I believe that the book is also very valuable to the absolute beginner but would recommend that they take their time and spend a great deal of time becoming familiar with the quirks of polymer clay before expecting to complete the projects quickly and easily. If I had only one tip to offer, it would be that when your clay "turns gumby," as I call it when it becomes stretchy and too soft, put it down and let it rest because you are not going to get anywhere with it until it does.

Every project is adorable and easy to accomplish. In addition to a good variety of characters, projects for props such as tree spirits and fairy portals are also provided so that you can create an entire fantasy village! So far, I've made three of the characters and am very pleased with the results, even on the first try. My first figures turned out a bit larger but it was very easy to scale them down on the next attempt. You'll learn how to create and use armatures and molds and sculpt faces, body parts and even clothing! I love the way that each chapter is written from the point of view of one of the characters, The Storyteller, (who bears a strong resemblance to the author!) and that we're guided through each project with tips from another character, Woodpecker Pete. I own several books on polymer clay technique and this is one of the few that I intend to keep forever. It hasn't made it to the bookshelves since I brought it home and it's unlikely that it ever will. The stock that the book is printed on is also very sturdy and will hold up to many hours of flipping through and holding it open for a reference.

Investing in this book increased my skill level tremendously in a very short period of time. I have already applied so much of what Maureen teaches to my own work in sculpting goddesses and dancers.

I also love the way that the author nurtures creativity by encouraging us to tell stories with our art, as she does. This book is so much more than a technique manual. It's a treasure that belongs in every clay artist's toolbox and a priceless investment.

If you're weary of the stream of pabulum from the glossy tabloids, you need to get a couple of James Parish's books on the wilder and seamier side of Hollywood life as a counteragent. He's been doing this for close to four decades now, with dozens and dozens of books to his credit (as of this writing, I'm expecting two of his compendia on actresses in the mail and am making arrangements to get four more), and his experience and close attention to research show through here and in the other books in his current series (e.g., The Hollywood Book of Death, The Hollywood Book of Scandals). He avoids the extremes, as other researchers have mentioned, of either glamorizing his subjects to excess or painting them in villainously black hues, but instead presents them, sympathetically but truthfully, in their all-too-human complexity. I've started looking for the name James Robert Parish on a Hollywood book when I want the facts (not to mention a good selection of pictures - every story in this book is illustrated with at least one nice B&W photo, many of them not often seen elsewhere), and you should too.

James Robert Parish, the chronicler of all things Hollywood, turns his writing skill to "breakups Hollywood-style" in The Hollywood Book of Breakups. As with all of Parish's books, it's a fun read. His introduction begins with a quote from Sandra Zober Nimoy, Leonard's ex-wife, and her first sentence is a doozie: "It's a pretty mean town." Sad, but true. You'll recognize all the names in the book, and it's likely you might think you know all the stories of the breakups written about here. I doubt it, though. Parish always manages to spring a surprise or two. For example, did you know that Sonny Bono was once married to Susie Coelho, host of HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge? His format for each breakup is quite nice. It begins with general information, then a SHE section, a HE section, and THEY section, and concludes with an AFTERWARD. Lots of pertinent information - and juicy, truthful gossip - in every section. Parish is a good writer, and his words flow along seamlessly, making the book both fun, and easy to read. No only do I recommend the book for reading, it makes an excellent gift for anyone who like film stars or is addicted to "what went on behind the scenes" gossip.

Author Jim Parrish's latest edition to his "The Hollywood Book Of..." series is another endlessly interesting account of the darker side of Hollywood fame and fortune. Parrish's research is clearly extensive and his authority on all things Hollywood is unquestionable. If you're looking for a book on Divorce: Hollywood Style, you pretty much can't go wrong with this one.

What a guilty pleasure! Concisely written, carefully researched, The Hollywood Book of Breakups is a speed read of celebrity couplings gone wrong. Parish doesn't glamorize or trash his subjects, he makes the stars seem all too human. A fresh take on Hollywood divorce, and a crash course in the many, many ways that relationships can burn up and flame out.

James Robert Parish has always had the ability to cut right through the froo-froo icing and get right to cake. That's why so many of his books are on my shelf. With this one, I have to start a new shelf. He packs in a lot of information: mini bios of all the players, what brought them together and the circumstances that drove them apart. He brings each era alive, mentioning timely rumors and headlines, but delivers only the facts, dispelling media speculation in exchange for - get this - the real story! And the variety of couples, from Stanwyck and Taylor, Burton and Taylor, Brad and Jen or Liza and David Gest represents 75 years of Tinsletown romance gone awry.

I, too, write books about Hollywood (Dishing Hollywood, Hollywood Haunted). Our books are often paired; I am very complemented by that because James Parish is really great at what he does.

What a real treat, anyone interested in matte painting or the history of those out of this world shots on the big screen, this book is a must. I can't put it down. Get this one!

Matte artists have always helped bring a movie to life, and until now, they were never really appreciated. In this beautifully layed-out book by critically-acclaimed writer Mark Cotta Vaz and insider Craig Barron, the history of matte painting is finally revealed. Living in Los Angeles, California, I was given the truly remarkable privilege to tour these once forbbiden glass artist studios and see a first hand account of what it was like to be part of the movie-making process. Matte artists have been such great assets to the movie studios in terms of saving a lot of time and money during what would be an other-wise laborious task to build an intricate set. What's great about this book is that it shows comparison views of a shot before and after a matte painting is included. Such famed directors as Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and George Lucas have used the artwork of these amazing artists to create worlds that would be almost impossible to make without. The book also includes a companion cd about the matte paintings, and includes scenes from movies such as "Star Wars," "Casino," and "Titanic." If you hadn't known these were paintings, you would never have guessed. Finally, these truly genuine artists are credited, and Hollywood owes many thanks to the epic scenes they were able to create! So to all matte artists everywhere, THANK YOU!

I bought this book to mainly look at the pictures and thats mainly what I did. The writing of the book was so well done and knowledgable that I read a bit of it also. Before looking/reading at this book I believed that matte paintings were used for primarely sci-fi, fantasy, and other incredible landscape shots. This is not the case as most matte paintings are used for houses, interiors, street scenes, and many other shots that I never would have guessed they were used for. To think that all these years I've been fooled watching so many movies and seeing matte paintings and never even realizing it. An eye opening book to say the least.

I received this book last week, and had time over the weekend to enjoy a lot of it's contents.
Matte Paintings have always been my favourite aspect of SFX, so this book was one I have been waiting for. The price put me off, so I spent longer than I should deciding to buy it.
I diddn't need to worry. If you love the art of the Matte Painting, this is the one book you'll need, and the only one you'll need. From interviews with the Matte Artists themselves, and a complete history of the Matte painting, it simply covers all you'd want. A CD rom is included which compliments the book perfectly.
A beautiful book- Well written, and with the quality of layout that a subject like this deserves. Well done to the creators of this excellent publication!

I grew up in L.A. in the 50's and 60's when it was not OK to discuss matte painting as the studios did not want people to know that they really didn't go on location to film in exotic places. When people asked what my father did for a living, I said he was in "special effects." Then they would say "So, he blows up things?" "No, he paints in things that aren't there..."

Now, everyone can see what it is that he did for so long. He paints in things that aren't there. The authors did a fantastic job of explaining and demonstrating the incredible art of matte painting. Now I have the book to show my kids and others who never quite understood what it was that my father did. Also, this book has a great picture of him dancing with Betty Grable!