Instruction Books

I love this book! I especially appreciate the photos included with the projects in all different stages. I will use this book again and again.

I've never done paper mache before and I wanted to make a "Monster under the bed" for a Halloween prop. The book is very easy to understand and follow. It took less than two weeks to make the project and it came out much better than I could of ever imagined. I would highly recommend this book!!!

I am 36 years old and I came across this book when I was in college. I grabbed it up and immediately started in creating my own screamers, using the wonderful photos in the book for inspiration. In no time my apartment was crawling with weird creatures from my imagination. Soon I had too many and had to give them away to friends...they are totally unique gifts. The author of the book provides everything you need: complete supply lists, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions with photos, color images of finished screamers to help jump-start your own creativity, plus there is the added bonus of the writer's tounge-in-cheek writing. Making screamers would be fun for anyone at any age. Buy this book and let out you inner monster!

When I first saw a copy of this book back in '85, I thought it was a really great idea, but I never had time to actually build one. The thought was tucked away in the depths of my memory, however, awaiting the opportunity to be explored and applied. Fast forward to 2000. I was in a puppet troupe for the city of Orlando, Florida, and was required to build sets and props for an original show set in ancient Egypt. A large statue of Bas-tet, the cat goddess, was needed and that old thought jumped to the front of my brain. A quick online session to Amazon.com and a couple of weeks later, I had a new copy of Dan Reeder's Simple Screamer aquiring drips of glue while I created the statue. Great project. Great book.

Before I ordered "The Simple Screamer", I thought this book was going to be flimsy magazine-paper type book. But, I was mistaken (for the better), this book's paper cover, is of a very hard-wearing variety and the pages are of good paper and the photographs very clear. I should also note that the directional photographs are black-&-white, but that does not hinder the information provided through them and no problems should arise because of this.

The directions Dan Reeder provides are easily understood and at times quite funny (there are all sorts of little things that he manages to include that tweak my funny bone, just look at the "items needed" page at the front of each chapter. I also particularly enjoyed looking at his own creations, in full color at the back of the book, they are full of creativity and have inspired many "screamers" from me.

Although there are an infinite types of screamers you could make following the directions in this book, I would also recommend getting the sequel, "Make Something Ugly, For a Change" that book will teach you a lot more techniques for making Screamers, although purchasing it is not necessary (but I highly recommend it all the same!)

Making Screamers is lots of fun, but I probably should lend a few cautionary notices. Some stages can be quite tough, especially the ones with clothes hangers, so completing a Screamer may take a couple days for there are many steps, some of them very hard. Also, I would recommend very strong masking tape for making Screamers, along with an abundance of patience. I have also found that making Screamers with your friends is much more fun than doing it in solitude. There are many more laughs, more patience, and a much more light-hearted attitude (although the downside to group Screamer-making is some unaccountable urge from all to make lame "pun" jokes, so beware).

BOTTOM LINE: Buy this book! Make a Screamer!

You can't lose with Spectrum editions. They are all awesome and inspiring to anyone who loves art. Collect'em all and enjoy the art when ever your in the mood. I've browsed through each one several times and find something inspiring every time. Priceless...

I don't have the others nearby to judge from, but 14 seems thicker than previous installments. This one is paperback, and as usual, the color and print quality are good. Unfortunately, also as usual, cramming three or four pictures on a single page means that many are too small for you to really enjoy the details. Still, if you're a fan of fantasy and sci-fi art, I know of no better yearly collection of some of the best stuff out there.

I have purchased the last five issues of Spectrum and enjoyed this almost as much as Spectrum 12. I have just started puchasing the re-issued original issues and can say that Spectrum 1 may have fewer pages but still is well worth the money. I find myself looking online for the artists that impress me. I just wish there was more information supplied on the art shown. Overall, I would definitely recommend Spectrum 14.

This is my second purchase of spectrum books. 13 was the first one I brought. All I can say is this is one of the most stunning art books I have ever owned...that and after going through this one I may have to pick up all the other books. Every page is full of beautiful work from a wide arrange of different styles. I can't say how many times this book has saved me when It came down to me trying to complete a illustration. It constantly inspires me and makes me want to pick up a paintbrush or any drawing tool for that matter and create.

Spectrum deserves all the praise in the world for the great effort that they put into all these books. To top that off most standard art books like this go for itleast double the cost. Love these books!

Like Santa Claus, Spectrum only comes around once per year and is always highly anticipated. This annual collection of the world's best contemporary fantasy and Sci-fi art is always a favorite not only due to its sheer size and beautiful production, but also because of its diversity in scope. Spectrum presents the best art from the fields of books, comics, advertising, editorial, concept, and even sculpture into each year's volume.

As always, the book begins with a look at the year in review and the trends in contemporary fantasy art before getting into the opening category of advertising art and presenting the first of its gold and silver annual awards to the best in each category. This year's gold winner in the advertising category went to James Jean for his Retro-hip "Spacerace 2020" painting for Nike. This gorgeous pop-art piece is a tribute to Sci-Fi imagery of the `40s and `50s.

I'm not sure how they could have picked a winner in the book category as there are so many outstanding pieces. While Jon Foster's winning painting for Night Shade books was very good, Luis Royo's offering for his graphic novel, "Dark Labyrinth". Adam Hughes took home the Gold Award in the Comics category for his depiction of the sleek and sexy Scarlet Witch from Upper Deck. As a long-time comic book fan I love seeing the industry's artists getting their just due as the outstanding artists that they are. Other standouts included Gary Giannni's standout art from the Prince Valiant comic strip that is in the best tradition of Hal Foster, and Charles Vess/Mike Kaluta's work from the Vertigo Comics series "1001 Nights of Snowfall".

One of the categories I look forward to most each year is the dimensional chapter featuring the year's best sculptures and models and this year was certainly no disappointment. A. Brent Armstrongs mammoth 54" tall piece featuring King Kong atop the Empire State Building is simply breathtaking! The Alex Ross designed Superman resin sculpt by artist Karen Palinko features the distinctive look of Ross as Clark Kent rips open his shirt to reveal Superman's legendary logo. Shawn Nagle's "Tarzan and the Golden Lion" based on art by longtime Tarzan illustrator, J. Allen St. John, is another winner.

Spectrum never fails to deliver a little something for everyone's taste and Spectrum volume 14 may be the best edition yet. Grade A.

We purchased this book in addition to another one on the same subject.

Though both books were excellent and similar in content, this particular book had some different perspectives.

In fact, there are first hand accounts of many different scenarios that have happened to people in the "Lifestyle".

The book answers many of those doubts you have about whether this way of life is cut out for you and your spouse...the author pulls no punches and speaks from first hand experiences as well.

I highly recommend this book for those nagging questions in the back of your mind.

Although this book has been around a while, it is still a great book for beginners and those just curious about the Lifestyle. For those who are trying to determine whether they want to take the plunge and test the waters of swinging, it gives information about many of the important things to consider. This book is highly recommended for beginners, along with two more recent offerings, Swinging: Shared Pleasures Between the Covers and Doin One for the Team: Years in the Swinging Lifestyle. These three books will provide newbies with everything they need to know to decide whether swinging is right for them and if so, how to take the right approach that best suits their individual situation.

Learned alot of information on the Lifestyle. I thought I knew alot, but I only knew a small part of it. Even if you aren't thinking about actually getting into the liefstyle, it has a lot of information to open your mind to new things.

Excellent book, well put together and very informative. Covered all aspects of swinging that a beginner would need to make an informaed decision about the lifestyle. I personally enjoyed the personal stories touch. Thanks, Fred

This is a great book if you are considering entering the swinger lifestyle. Answers lots of questions and gives great advice. Gave me and my wife a different outlook. Very easy and quick to read. Very glad we bought.

Ive read some books that its just too complicated for my level to follow. This book is simple and fun.

If you love loose and juicy watercolor painting, you'll love this book.
It is filled with goodies, wonderful paintings and demos on how they were done. I have many books on the subject and this one ranks as one of my favorites. Landscapes and portraits all done with great flair
and a very high level of drawing skill. There is some similarity in style and approach to my other favorite watercolor artist, Charles Reid.
Mel Stabin is the real deal,very inspiring work of the highest order. Buy this book, you'll love it.

This excellent book is throughly deserving of its 5 star rating. The reproductions of Stabin's watercolors (150 of them) are beautiful. The text is clear and interesting. This is not a Step one-two-three book for beginners, although I think novices would enjoy it. Intermediate and advanced painters should definitely add it to their art libraries.

This is an excellent book for not only water colorists but for all artists...I had to pick up courage to paint in a loose style for years...after going through this book, I attempted loose painting in water color and other media...the approach of "simple,fast,focussed' is indeed essential learning for an artist...Another book that can go with this is Kimon Nicolaides on" The Natural Way to draw"...these two books can let you free and bold in the world of fine art---drawing &painting...

Stabin's book is aptly titled "Simple, Fast, and Focused". His book on watercolor has the perfect balance of visuals and text, each commenting on and highlighting the other. His style is ecclectic and will appeal to any taste, I think, and for a beginner or intermediate paiter, the book can help one make great strides in technique as well as artistic vision. Stabin's video, by the way, (on painting the lighthouse) is a wonderful compliment to the book.

Every quilter should have this book.Great for working out yardage for quilts. Lots of useful information.

This book is a great reference tool for any quilter. Highly recommended resource for your quilting reference book collection.

Really a great read. Concise,quick reference for me to use

This book takes a lot of the guess work out of how much fabric you need for various quilting projects. It has more information than I thought it would. For once I am looking forward to finishing up my projects.

Terriffic info, easily understood, with helpful illustrations. The authors have organized their combined expertise so any question is readily answered. The spiral binding allows it to remain open and lie flat during use. Whether you are a new quilter who wants accurate information all in one place and close to hand, or an aspiring quilt designer puzzling your way through yardage requirements and layout options, you'll be glad you own this book.

While I haven't completely read through this book, what I have read so far is quite informative. It does go beyond the basics, and thus fills the intermediate gap that so often is not usually addressed.

I just checked the website listed below and the book is now $39.95 not including shipping. I have gotten this book several times from the library and I particularly like her use of a "funny brush." And the exercise in the book on mixing greens I did in an art class and that has been very useful. However, the information in the rest of the book can be found in other books. In my opinion, the book is not worth the $46 to $60 it would now cost to buy. Maybe Northlight Books will offer an updated version of this book in the near future ??? If the book was normally priced, I would probably buy it.

A must for all watercolor artists...you will be returning to this book for inspiration and encouragement, over and over again... trust me!!!

*****
I am a total beginner to watercolor---actually, to any type of painting, and this book was very helpful and easy to understand. I expect that the more I paint, though, the more I'll use it, as the information seemed to be insightful ideas that more advanced artists could also use. I read the entire book before I picked up a brush (as it was my sole introduction to watercolor) and I'm glad I did.

The book is organized in a question and answer format and grouped into: paper and painting surfaces; brushes and their care; paints and palettes; combining colors, water, paper, and brushes; tonal values; painting outdoors, on location and from life; and "is this a mistake or a creative opportunity?". The last chapter was most interesting, with actual examples of salvaged paintings---before and after.

The book was peppered with encouraging advice and information about being an artist, a painter. I loved reading it.
*****

As this book is out of print, I tried to buy a used copy. Amazon booksellers are selling used/new copies today for between $45 and $99!

However, I just ordered a copy directly from the authors website - autographed too! - for $24.99 + $6 shipping.
see: www.catherineanderson.net

Maybe this will help others who have been searching too.

The book was better than I expected, and arrived before I expected it to.
Great buy. Thanks. :D

This book is so much fun. I'm a digital artist and use Illustrator as my tool. I learned so many techniques from this book. The pictures are big and bold and the author teaches without making you feel like a novice.

I bought this book for my husband and he loves it. He is constantly drawing little pictures for me. It will certainly bring out the inner artist in you. This book is easy to follow along with.

A casual glance through this book originally made me think it looked too cutesy and not what I wanted. I'll still say that too many of his characters and examples are cutesy, and rather stilted. But there's a lot of excellent material here. I found several tips that I (so far) haven't seen in several other books. I've had several nagging questions: Exactly how do I get things done? How is a finished cartoon created? On what size and kind of paper, using what tools? Blitz walks you through all of that stuff. The section on drawing backgrounds and perspective was also really handy.

I'd say this is the single best book I've seen to get started on cartooning. Even if you want to draw some other, very different style (like, some kind of dark Batman comic or something), if you have little or no cartooning experience, this book will be helpful.

I don't consider my self to possess any artistic abilities when it comes to drawing. I wanted to enter a contest on YouTube where I had to draw pictures of things. I got this book. Followed the easy to use instructions, drew my pictures, entered the contest and won the $5,000 grand prize. I would definitely say I got my money's worth from this book and much much more. Highly recommended.

I can't recommend this book (written by 2 teachers) highly enough. The teaching guide at the back of the book is fabulous for parents and teachers.Filled with 10 pages of questions, activities...to begin teaching young children reading skills. I have been using it with my 4 and 6 year old- they love it- I'm about to buy a new copy-it's so warn. What a chance to participate in their reading experience, develop a love for reading and get them ready for school. Buy it with the second in the series Life's Little Lessons: An Inch-By-Inch Tale of Success- this one is a real bargain at $9.95.

Every parent of a 3-8 year old and teacher should have this on their bookshelf. A fabulous story about self-esteem along with a fabulous reading guide at the end that shows us how to teach out kids reading.I've read this to my 4 year old grandchild at least 5 times and used the guide to discuss the story. These authors also did the same with [[ASIN:1578863368 Life's Little Lessons: An Inch-By-Inch Tale of Success]. Buy them both. You won't be sorry.

Pricey but well worth it. I found another book by these author-educators that also has a reading guide to start the youngest child on learning to read.Absolutely invaluable. Additionally, it is an outstanding storybook to share with children up to 8 years of age with beautiful and heartfelt messages every child will enjoy. Splurge...you will be glad you did. Also check out "Life's Little Lessons: An Inch-By-Inch Tail of Success."

The story weaves several good life lessons into an entertaining
story that children can relate to. The reading guide encourages active parent participation and encourages families to make reading a part of everyday living. I know my grandchildren, Jordan and Isaiah, will enjoy reading it over and over again.

An outstanding book for parents to share with children up to 8 years of age.The beautiful and heartfelt messages along with the funky illustrations will be enjoyed by all. But most of the reading guide that shows and instructs parents how to teach their children reading is invaluable !!!

This is a really interesting look at the evolution of black culture through the lense of music. Some of the author's opinions about later music (50's-60's) may seem out of touch to today's readers, but overall it is well worth reading.

The origin of Africans in America and the music they produced over the last three hundred years was very interesting to read. Mr. Jones provides a chronological and historically based history of the evolution of Black music in America.

He also points out that when black music is accepted by the mainstream it becomes a diluted and pitiful shell of its former greater self. I agree. If anyone notices whenever a beloved artist goes mainstream, generally his or her music is so shallow, you wonder what happened to the real person. I guess it is all about the dollars. They want to get paid. They know that most folks in the mainstream society cannot take or intellectually and spiritually relate to the rawness of our people's music. It is too powerful and personal. The black experience is unique, which affects our worldview and attitudes.

However, the black folk, the masses, always create new music or keep the real music alive. We continuously create, and the mainstream is darn well lucky. If not for black folks, I don't know what in de world they would do with dye selves. Lady this would be such a dull place.

This is one of the most important books on America and American history, culture and citizenship. It would benefit the world if it were incorporated into public education. Someone said that nations are judged by their art and this book examines that subject superlatively. This study of the blues examines the evolving cosmology of the Africans and their journey and creation: the blues, one of the singular most powerful beauties of America. He shows how from the blues came all and embraced all other peoples and cultures. Baraka's ability to live the thoughts of the originators enables us to understand the profoundity of their sorrow and sublimity of their joy.

The other day a friend rashly claimed that art and music were equally hard to describe in words. I asked him to tell me about a certain painting of Picasso's. He did, but claimed it wasn't accurate. "OK," I said, "you're right, but now tell me about Mozart's Jupiter Symphony." He opened his mouth, closed it, looked at me, and said, "Yeah, I see what you mean." Writing a book about the blues would be equally hard, it seems to me. So, LeRoi Jones did what he could, back in 1963, to tie the indescribable to the more concrete. He wrote a social history of African-Americans in the USA through the prism of music or---maybe on the principle of red and yellow tile floors (are they red with yellow designs or yellow with red designs ?)---he wrote a book on African-American music through the prism of social history. It is one of the most important books on American music (and American society) that you can find. It has stood the test of time. He begins from the Africans who came to North America as slaves bearing very different cultures, confronted by an absolutely different view of the world emanating from their new masters. Here he tries to show how African music became transformed into African-AMERICAN music and then American. He continues then up through the generations of slavery, to Emancipation, migration to the cities, World War I, the Depression, World War II and the bebop age of the Fifties. The book is pre-Civil Rights movement, pre-Martin Luther King. Jones may have looked down on the NAACP and its allies as "white liberal supported organizations", I'm not sure, but they don't appear. The times are symbolized by the use of "Negro" throughout. I agree, the tome is dated, but don't reject it, don't pooh-pooh the man. This is a very intelligent, very worthwhile book. Anyone, particularly from outside the USA, who wants to know the history of African-American music within its social environment ought still to read BLUES PEOPLE. He writes, "If Negro music can be seen to be the result of certain attitudes, certain specific ways of thinking about the world (and only ultimately about the ways in which music can be made), then the basic hypothesis of this book is understood." [p.153] Jones goes to great lengths to get to the bottom of those attitudes and thoughts.

My main criticism, apart from the fact that history dictates that we must be left a half century behind contemporary realities, is that though Jones obviously knew and loved the blues and jazz and all the various styles ( if not swing), his approach is coldly academic, highly dispassionate. He may criticize people who tried to make money, he may downplay all those who "abandoned" their roots, but my disappointment is that there is nothing of himself in the work barring a few mentions of his family. He does not share his enthusiasm. Music is beauty after all. I am sure he wanted the book to be taken as a serious essay, which it is. But in keeping himself removed from the discussion, being so analytic and professional in the style of the day, he has robbed us "readers of the future" of many insights.

African-American experience in the USA expressed itself most particularly in the blues, only later did that musical mode become part of the general American culture, often watered down, sometimes imitated by those who didn't wish to fit in or who wished to cash in. When conditions have changed, when the black middle class has entered mainstream America, and the urban underclass is wrapped up in hip-hop, gangsta rap culture, which is relentlessly commercialized by the powerful media, talking about the blues may seem a matter for historians or ethnomusicologists. Still, BLUES PEOPLE resonates strongly if we try to understand where we have been. As for where we are going---that old line sums it up---we're goin where the Southern cross the yella dog.

I actually purchased the first paperback edition this book a long time ago, and I learned that it had been out of print for quite some time. It was a time when I was a casual listener of blues and jazz, and didn't think about the roots of the music I was listening to. The book was interesting enough, but it didn't have information about more contemporary stuff, as it was printed in 1963.

Recently, I found this book in the upper shelves of my library, having completely forgotten about it in spite of my infatuation with the blues for the better part of the last two decades. It was a most welcome surprise for me, as it contained a compact but comprehensive introduction to the time period from the first Africans came to America to the 1920s when their music was first recorded, and laid the groundwork to how this music evolved in a sociological context. The rural lifestyle, the reflections of the exodus from the south on the music and subsequent refined, urban sound are discussed in this framework.

Although it would not really appeal to the casual reader and listener, "Blues People" is invaluable for the serious blues and jazz fan for setting the music into the general context of social life and external effects that made this music what it is today.

This is a great product for Josh Groban fans who want to (attempt to) sing like him. Although the music itelf is simplified, it still gets the point across. I recomend it!

This music book is just what I hoped it would be. Easy to read/play, and the price was great!

This has everything I could have wanted.All the songs are complete and in the rights keys.Nothing is missing.It's magic to play Groban by yourself.Plus it has the English translations to the foreign language songs and great shots of Josh.

The sheet music here is challenging, but playable and close enough to the composition on the CD that it's amazing! the vocal is soprano, the piano moderate difficulty, it's exactly what i expected, and i would encourage it's purchase if you're looking for the sheet music to the Josh Groban Closer album, all songs are in the book.

Love the fact that the words and translations are provided. Not an expert pianist but the music works for my purposes (playing for fun and to sing along with).

Don't love the fact that when I tried to press open the book so that it would lay on the music stand of my piano, the whole cover fell off (cheap binding materials, apparently). But at least now I can use it.