Illustration Books

Boris Vallejo is very honest in describing his techniques, and they really work. Even if you are an absolute beginner you should get this book, you will not regret it. At the end of the day, Boris Vallejo is more competent than your local art teacher, and that is a fact.

This is a brief, yet thorough introduction to the methods and history of manuscript illumination. After purchasing this book as a birthday gift for my sister, I read in only four evenings. I meant only to browse; but De Hamel's eloquent, affable writing style provided relaxing, fun and informative non-fiction reading. His logical presentation of technical information and facts are easy to re-assemble into a clear, basic understanding of medieval, European illumination.

Non-European illumination is mentioned but not discussed in this introductory text. Though not picture-laden, images are clearly reproduced and efficiently illustrate concepts discussed in the text. My curiosity is peaked and I look forward to learning more about manuscript production and conservation.

Very highly recommended and informative reading for bibliophiles and students of publishing history, British Wood-engraved Book Illustration 1904-1940: A Break With Tradition by Joanna Selborne is a simply fascinating look at a unique graphic art and an historically important aspect of publishing history -- the art and practice wood-engraved book illustration. From the variety of methods that book illustrators used to transcend older nineteenth-century practices, to detailed publishers' and print societies' archives, British Wood-engrave Book Illustration 1904-1940 presents virtually all there is to know about this striking and specialized illustrative craft over the course of the first four decades of the 20th Century.

C.H. Spurgeon's Sermon illustrations are great and very helpful to read for every christian, plus a lot of quotations from his sermons.

Although this book sadly appears to be out of print, it is worth getting your hands on a copy if you appreciate the work of Maurice Sendak. The book is a collection of essays divided into two parts: the first includes essays about writers and illustrators Sendak admires and has been influenced by; the second part includes speeches, interviews, and miscellaneous writings about his own art. All of the essays give wonderful insight into Sendak's intelligence and creative process, and will provide a reading list to anyone who is interested in the precedents of a master.

Most people who are in love with children's picture books are aware that the Caldecott award is given for the illustrations in picture books. This book gives the origins of the award and the guidelines for selection of the Caldecott Award-winning book.It analyzes specific illustrators/books that have been deemed Caldecott worthy over the past centuries including Chris van Allsburg, Marcia Brown, and David Weisner. Included at the end is a chronological list of every book awarded the prestigious Caldecott award. This is a great supplement to anyone's children's library. It gives great insight into the minds of these incredibly talented illustrators.

"California Cool" is an LP-sized book which collects many of the brilliant album covers produced during the 1950s by such West Coast-based record labels, most notably Contemporary and Pacific Jazz, who get the lion's share of space here. William Claxton is by far the best-known of the designers, and he writes the foreward to "California Cool." Many of the LPs displayed here are still not available on CD, so this book may be one of the only ways to see these graphic design masterworks. All of the great artists are here: Chet Baker, Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, The Lighthouse All-Stars, Dexter Gordon, and Ornette Coleman, among many others. On a personal note: I foolishly passed on buying this book when it was in print back in 1995 and after being frustrated by the exorbitant prices it was fetching on the used market in subsequent years, I had given up all hope of ever getting "California Cool" at a reasonable price, until last year. It only took me 12 years to get it! So if you're mulling over the definitive LP cover book of West Coast Jazz, get "California Cool" and Ted Gioia's excellent history of the West Coast Jazz scene, "West Coast Jazz: Modern Jazz In California, 1945-1960."

I'm considering turning a hobby into a career, and so don't know how professional photographers would rate this book. I thought it was very informative and readable, and especially liked the numerous references and addresses for getting additional information on a particular topic. Chapters include careers in photojournalism, advertising, freelance, travel, government, and medical photography. The book also discusses digital photography, the internet, and the fact that current technology is changing how photographers do their jobs.

Dianna Edwards and Robert Valentine effectively collaborate in Catalog Design: The Art Of Creating Desire to showcase some of the most effective and trend setting developments and examples of the catalog as an American art form in service to the business of selling goods through promoting images. Of special interest is the opening chapter on the history of the catalog and its impact on the popular culture as well as individual aspirations. Profusely illustrated throughout, Catalog Design is highly recommended reading for students of American business, catalog designers, and anyone who ever picked up and leafed through a mail-order "dream book".

i was blown away by the insight, intelligence, and eloquence of this book. its a must have for any aspiring college student!