Watson Books

I will enjoy this gem for years. It's a keeper. Again I bought it used and am very pleased with its physical condition.

I have purchased or flipped through dozens of books on watercolor painting, but this one is unique in many respects. First, the instruction level is clear, and easy to understand with beautiful step-by-step illustrations. Next, it is unique in that each demonstration is based upon the work of a famous watercolor painter or painting. For example, there is instruction on painting poppies, inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian. Another demonstrates how to paint a cherry tree using the methods of John Singer Sargent. Each demonstration is preceded by a color photograph of a scene resembling the painting that you are going to make. I would recommend this book for beginners as well as for more advanced artists. No matter how many other painting books you have, make room for this one!

Many aspiring artists, who consider themselves creative individuals, may balk at the idea of copying paintings in a step-by-step fashion. But give this book a chance and you will learn many useful techniques. You will also learn what the masters in this book knew: copying great paintings is a great way to learn. That is how to build a knowledge base that can free you to eventually create fine work on your own. You may ultimately end up painting in a style all your own that will have no resemblance to that of any of the artists in this book. That's the point!

But even if you are not a painter, this book is worth reading if you have any interest at all in the art of watercolor. The first part of the book gives a very valuable overview of the materials used in watercolor, with very clear and accurate information which you may not find elsewhere. There is also a good section on how watercolor has evolved over the centuries. I thought this part was well-researched and well written. Where the author has factual information about how one of the artists worked, he explains it clearly. When he has to conjecture, he explains what his conclusions are based on. Best of all, the many high quality color illustrations cover a variety of styles from different periods-good background for anyone interested in learning about this wonderful art form.

Highly recommended by a raving watercolor fanatic!

Ok, so chances are, you aren't going to be able to paint like John Singer Sergent just by reading this book. However, it is really interesting to read about Sergent's techniques and see the author do a painting in the style of Sergent.

Turner, Cotman, and other masters of the watercolor medium are demonstrated as well. This is a beautifully printed book with lots in it for anyone who loves watercolors. You can develop your own technique by studying the masters; this is a time-honored tradition (you can still see people today in the Louvre, copying the works of the masters as an art exercise.)

This is one of my favorite watercolor books. It's enjoyable just to read and look at the way the author tries to replicate an artist's method of painting, and the examples give you ideas of subjects you can try yourself (for example, a cherry tree by a barn, your kids at the beach, your garden.)

This is beyond all question the best book on portrait painting ever produced.

Kinstler's adroit painterly style reminds me of James Montgomery Flagg [although its been forty years since I've seen a Flagg painting}. I was surprised on rereading the book that a portrait of Flagg can be found on p. 22. Most portrait painting is characterized by a deadly formality. It is, I fear, the nature of the beast. And most portraits in the book are of famous or vainglorious people and are necessarily formal. When he is given leeway with friends such as Thom Wolfe or Katherine Hepburn, his work sizzles. Luckily, he has chosen these very portraits to illustrate his technique. Even the most gifted portrait artist has something to gain from this book.

Do buy this book if you are a serious or beginning portrait painter. It is the very best available!!

Without doubt the best book on portrait painting (or painting in general for that matter) that I have come across.

Kinstler's lively, conversational style makes it highly readable, his paintings make it a visual feast. This book will appeal to everyone: professional artists, amateurs and curious laypersons who have never wielded a paintbrush in their lives.
Apart from the obvious step-by-step painting guides and notes on technique, this book is packed with invaluable practical information. Kinstler provides advice on topics most books of this sort barely touch on: studio layout, canvas stretching, transporting materials, painting on location, lighting, clothing etc.

In short an indispensible handbook for the working artist and a fascinating insight into the world of art for the merely curious.

Has Joen Wolfrom ever written a bad book? She's really amazing. I have four of her books now, and have learned so much from each one of them. The ideas in this book have changed the way I look at quilts. She presents practical, clear methods for modifying traditional designs to make more complex and striking quilts. The color pictures alone are worth the price of the book; the quilts are SO beautiful. Be aware that this is a book intended to provide you with the tools to design your own quilts; it does not include detailed designs, piecing instructions, etc.

This book features some of the most stunning, dynamic quilts I have ever seen. I think the major theme of this book is optical illusion quilting. Most of the compositions aim to tease your depth and/or motion perception. The use of color is also remarkable. This book has inspired me to open up the old scrap bin. Highly recommended!

I love this book. It is a must for any quilter's library. There are many examples of stunning inovative quilts made from traditional patterns. There are also some less traditional art quilts, but the majority are traditional with a punch. I borrowed this book from my library and now I am buying it because I don't want to return it to the library!

PATCHWORK PERSUASION by Joen Wolfrom is more art book than work book, but interesting nevertheless. If you've been making quilts for awhile you will find this book relatively straightforward. If you've never made a quilt or are not terribly practiced then it will prove less useful. Wolfrom provides an illustration of each of the quilts she discusses in the text (there are many of them) and for some, examples of the basic block used in the construction of the quilt.

Some of these quilts are quite literally works of art--many of recent origin, such as "Layfayette Square" (1993) and "Georgetown on the Potomac" (1995). In fact, most of the quilts were recently made by contemporary American artists. Excluding the cover example ('Sunlight and Wheels' by Junko Sawada of Yokohama-shi Japan) my favorite is Carol Bryer Fallert's 'Oswego, Illinois' which shows a stylized idyllic fall river scene viewed through a garden lattice. Consider this book the next best thing to the annual quilt show (or better depending on the exhibits at the show).

Calle summed it up nicely in this book: "I think for me, if I had to state a goal ... my aim would be to help keep alive that huge reservoir of our past, to draw strength and sustenance from it, to build upon it in ways that are new and different, but not reject it." It's an old book now, yet the drawings and methods are as relevant today as any other. I'll gladly keep it as a part of my collection.

What Norman Rockwell did for oil painting, Paul Calle does for the pencil.
Beautiful illustrations, masterful text and instruction.

Like an old "worthless" violin that comes to life in the hands of a master musician, Paul Calle proves that the pencil, any old pencil, can be used to produce fine art in the hands of a master. I have studied his work in this excellent book, and applied his techniques with every kind of pencil from "drawing" pencils to an old stub found in the garage. Drawing is the foundation of the graphic arts, and Paul Calle raises the "lowly pencil" from a medium for quick sketches to the production of stand alone works of art.

This book is partly a text on drawing and partly a portfolio book of artist Paul Calle. Mr Calle is perhaps one of the best graphite artists in the world. His style is realism (photorealism, to be exact) so if your thing is Picasso, this might not be the text for you.

Calle traces his career from his early days in editorial illustration, through his time as a staff artist for NASA during the sixties, to his more recent work celebrating the American West. Along the way, he shares insight into technique and the realities of making a living as a commercial artist. It is perhaps the finest example of pencil illustration I have ever seen. A must for any illustration student. I can't recommend it enough.

Norman McGrath demonstrates what mastering architectural photography is all about. This book is, for a start, properly printed - by this i mean, so many current books on photography are poorly reproducing images. Here, we have a reference point for print results, to start with.
Then , yes, this book is not a step by step, how to, recipe like book, but advises, tips and trick abound, nonetheless. You just need to read slowly, and follow the author in his presentation.
By "reading slowly" Norman does share a lot of insights, secrets, howtos, etc. but there are not obviously highlighted. The gems are scattered in plain text.

The only downside is that the book is not current with 2008 digital photography.

So, i do hope we'll have a new edition coming soon.

It is the perfect balance between architecture and photography. It has helped me tremendously. By the way, if you're looking for a book on how to use your view camera this is not it.

Norman McGrath's PHOTOGRAPHING BUILDINGS INSIDE AND OUT (2ND EDITITON) is an excellent source for information. While view cameras are the way to go, they are not always the most convienient. McGrath discusses equipment selection - camera, lenses, tripods, heads, meters, filters and film. His case studies (taken from his portfolio) show a body of work and what was done to due to the existing conditions: tight spaces, different light temperatures, auxiliary lighting, etc. He also discussed different perspectives of the same room/building, as well as prop suggestions to complement the subject.

It has been said that "Architecture is in the details" so, too, is it with photography. His "numerous case studies to illustrate his methods and techniques... clearly explains his objectives for each shoot and demonstrates how, with attention to the smallest deatails, he achieves successful results every time." (Excerpt taken from the back cover.)

As a designer, I found it very helpful in photographing my own work for my portfolio as well as capturing the spirit of the place. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in photographing architecture and/or interiors for fun or profit.

Anthony

McGrath is one of the most well-published architectural photographers of recent memory, and this book does a great job of highlighting his work in a variety of situations. Unfortunately, this book tends at times to become more of McGrath's portfolio and less a guide to the art and technique of architectural photography. Worth getting just to look at the photos, but also get either Gerry Kopelow's or Michael Harris's books for another perspective.

This book isn't an introductory or comprehensive tome on the PreRaphaelites but I agree with the other reviewers -- it's a delightful, engaging read that fills in lots of blanks. The more you know about the PRB, the more you'll appreciate this book. Without being too dry or too gossipy, it provides fascinating insights into the daily lives of the PreRaphaelites: where they lived, why they moved, how they related to each other, what they thought of each other, which friendships endured, how they aged, and how they died. The book is full of rare photographs and paintings of the PreRaphaelites' homes and gardens, as well as quotes from letters and diaries. My favorite part was the description of William Morris' two boat trips down the Thames -- utterly delightful. Thank you, Pamela Todd, for all the revealing, well-researched details that show us the PreRaphaelites as real people. This is a must-have book for any PreRaphaelite book collection.

I bought this book yesterday and enjoyed it so much.It has very detailed biographies of the artists of this movement,not the sort of factual boring biographies but real actual histories and gives you a much clearer concept of their work and life and how they 'felt' about their work .
The pictures were all pre raphaelite paintings I had'nt seen before and Todd has picked out all the best quotes and facts that make the whole thing read like an interesting novel.

As a fan of both the work of the PreRaphaelites and of the Arts and Crafts era, and as someone who has read a fair number of books on both topics, I thought I really wouldn't enjoy another book on the same old stuff. But I was intrigued by the photos in this book of art-work I hadn't seen in my other books on the same topic and bought it anyway. I was delighted to find that the book reads more like a novel than a history book. It presents the lives and accomplishments of the members of the PreRaphaelite Brotherhood, which includes Arts and Crafts luminary William Morris, in a vivid and readable way. And most of the artists featured here had truly dramatic personal lives -- filled with love, infidelity, and betrayal -- in addition to their artistic acomplishments. Additionally, some interesting lesser-known artists, including women artists, are discussed in detail. I felt the book gave me a comprehensive view of the era and the artists I hadn't had before, in addition to the gossip. It was an utterly delightful read!

I really enjoyed this book. I have read a few books on this art period and this author does her job by "wonderfully" recreating the Pre-Raphaelite world through her words.

I especially liked the way she wrote about the relationships between the artists and their wives and models.

She has done her historical research and she gives the reader interesting facts and engaging antecdotes.

Excellent color print reproductions.

This latest installment in the wonderful "Come and See" Catholic Bible Study program by Fr. Jospeh Ponessa and Laurie Watson Manhardt is a comprehensive look at eleven Old Testament prophets, as well as the Epistles of the New Testament. The book's introduction sets the stage for the study, explaining materials necessary, how to get started, and helpful suggestions for starting a group study. The book has equal value for individuals looking to work their way through the Bible study process on their own. Of particular importance in this study is the fact that it emphasizes the role of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Study participants are directed to relevant and appropriate references in the Catechism to compliment their study of scripture. A great resource for groups or individuals!

My small group selected this book to use as our focus for this year's study. We are about 1/3 through it as I write this. The book is set up in a way that invites a free-flowing discussion, which our small group finds very helpful in faith-sharing. Each chapter has an introduction, and these are tremendously helpful in learning the perspective and context for the book(s) you are studying at the time. There are approximately 20 questions in each chapter, meant to help you think further about the readings. While some questions seem a bit redundant, there are always at least several really thought-provoking ones, and my group tends to concentrate more on these. I recommend this book to anyone wishing to get more knowledge of the prophets and apostles, and wishing to increase their faith.

I have attended and led various Bible studies for 14 years. For a long time our group couldn't even find a Catholic study, especially one that met the needs of the various levels of experience of the people attending the study. This study is very well done, it suits the experienced and the first timers. It is obedient to the teachings of the church. The study's commentaries are excellent!
It gives the Catholic ownership of their faith and educates them in all facets. The study brings into light the Catechism, which I have found to be an undiscovered treasure for most Catholics. It is an awesome experience to see someone who has left the Church or doesn't understand the Church's teachings, come to life and actually become excited about thier faith!

The study addresses the whole person, it allows for the spiritual, the intellectual, and the emotional by providing time for much needed fellowship. I have used these books in small home groups as well as large Parish groups. It works well with both.

Your "Come and See" series is a winner. Its language is simple, clear, consise, not intimidating. Whether you are discovering the Bible for the first time or renewing an old relationship, this particular series is an indispensable guide for the Catholic who wishes to know more about Scripture. In discussing the materials with some of the participants, I can openly say, this is truly a grace-filled read for anyone that would use it.

In all, our facilitators and participants are very pleased with the "Come and See" program and are looking forward to the release of next year's text. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone considering a Scripture Study on the parish level, small group, or for private personal growth.

Paul Thomas Anderson, writer-director of the absorbing Sundance fave HARD EIGHT (1997), the brilliant, sprawling 70s epic BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997) and the utterly enthralling, 3-hour mosaic of pain, sickness, death and loneliness in the San Fernando Valley MAGNOLIA (1999), returns to form yet again with his utterly bizzare and very fascinating sounding 90 minute dark romantic "comedy" PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE (2002). The film stars Adam Sandler and Emily Watson as two nearly insane people. Sandler plays Barry Egan, a lonely businessman (his only friend seems to be a co-worker named Lance, played by Anderson comic relief fave and ensemble lover Luis Guzman) with 7 abusive sisters. Watson plays Lena Leonard, a quirky young Englishwoman who is one of his sister's (Mary-Lynn Raksjub--love her!) friends from work. They get (jokingly) set up on a blind date (I believe they meet first, then go for dinner), and love is in the air. He plans to buy lots and lots (and lots yet again) of pudding for a chance to win frequent flier miles in a contest. This will lead to a Hawaii trip that would go right, but Barry's depressing recent past stands in the way. He was conned upon calling a phone sex line (to a woman named Georgia)--seems she wants more money than he should have to pay and this leads to a dangerous group of Utah thugs coming to the Valley to collect for their sleezy pimp leader (played by the great Philip Seymour Hoffman, the only actor yet to be in all 4 P.T. Anderson pictures). This all combines to what sounds like one of the best new films of the fall season, and possibly one of the best of the year. Ebert and Roeper loved it and it was a hit at many film festivals it attended. Sounds great. Anderson's script is shorter than MAGNOLIA's 194 pages or BOOGIE NIGHTS' 152, and even his debut HARD EIGHT'S (no script published yet--the running time was 101 minutes!). This (literal) change of pace for the Altman-Scorsese-Demme-influenced young auteur promises a "joy ride" of epic proportions, if not length. His scripts (including this) are published as "Shooting Scripts". This means it's gone through some changes since the "Reading Draft(1st draft)", but Anderson thinks visually, directs very much in that vein, and has been known to write very much like that. His scripts contain much camera description and as little scene description as possible. As he said in the BOOGIE NIGHTS script book introduction, "I've come to realize that my function as a director is to be a good writer...My obligation as a director is to deliver the actors a good script, thus making my job as a director describable as 'hanging out' and watching them go. No good actor needs direction beyond 'Let's do another one' and 'Keep it simple.'...There is no flour and sugar...this is a script written for actors. An actor does not need a full description of their character...This is how most screenplays are written... This sort of thing must be written by writers who have no interest in meeting or socializing with actors. If you have written this and you can find an actress to play this part, as described, you will have a bad actress. Actors do not need this, they don't want it. Don't give it to them; they will not read it anyway. This is writing for studio executives. Studio executives do not make movies. They pretend that they make movies. This is a script written for the people who really make the movie, people who physically put it into existence, and all they need are the facts. Pure and Simple." This is a philosophy that is rare and much needed in Hollywood and Independent Cinema nowadays...Scripts rely too much on the "telling" of a story and not enough on the "making" of a story. People who know where their story is going before they pick up a pen, type one letter, or even think of an idea, will never write a great screenplay that way. You have to let it unfold for you and for the audience...

Paul Thomas Anderson, writer-director of the absorbing Sundance fave HARD EIGHT (1997), the brilliant, sprawling 70s epic BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997) and the utterly enthralling, 3-hour mosaic of pain, sickness, death and loneliness in the San Fernando Valley MAGNOLIA (1999), returns to form yet again with his utterly bizzare and very fascinating sounding 90 minute dark romantic "comedy" PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE (2002). The film stars Adam Sandler and Emily Watson as two nearly insane people. Sandler plays Barry Egan, a lonely businessman (his only friend seems to be a co-worker named Lance, played by Anderson comic relief fave and ensemble lover Luis Guzman) with 7 abusive sisters. Watson plays Lena Leonard, a quirky young Englishwoman who is one of his sister's (Mary-Lynn Raksjub--love her!) friends from work. They get (jokingly) set up on a blind date (I believe they meet first, then go for dinner), and love is in the air. He plans to buy lots and lots (and lots yet again) of pudding for a chance to win frequent flier miles in a contest. This will lead to a Hawaii trip that would go right, but Barry's depressing recent past stands in the way. He was conned upon calling a phone ... line (to a woman named Georgia)--seems she wants more money than he should have to pay and this leads to a dangerous group of Utah thugs coming to the Valley to collect for their sleezy ...and leader (played by the great Philip Seymour Hoffman, the only actor yet to be in all 4 P.T. Anderson pictures). This all combines to what sounds like one of the best new films of the fall season, and possibly one of the best of the year. Ebert and Roeper loved it and it was a hit at many film festivals it attended. Sounds great. Anderson's script is shorter than MAGNOLIA's 194 pages or BOOGIE NIGHTS' 152, and even his debut HARD EIGHT'S (no script published yet--the running time was 101 minutes!). This (literal) change of pace for the Altman-Scorsese-Demme-influenced young auteur promises a "joy ride" of epic proportions, if not length. His scripts (including this) are published as "Shooting Scripts". This means it's gone through some changes since the "Reading Draft(1st draft)", but Anderson thinks visually, directs very much in that vein, and has been known to write very much like that. His scripts contain much camera description and as little scene description as possible. ...

One of my new favorites, "Punch-Drunk Love" is a unique and spectacular story about a man who doesn't know how the face the world around him. That man is Barry Egan. He has seven sisters who have verbally abused him since he was little, causing him to, now all grown up, get into violent outbursts. Barry's a quiet and shy guy, but if his button is pushed things can get out of control. He meets Lena, a very strange and peculiar girl herself. Love falls upon these two, but Barry's even facing more problems after being blackmailed by a phone-sex operator. But when all else fails, he knows that he has a love in his life in this very oddball and dark comedy.

I'm glad they came out with a script version of the film that you can buy. Paul Thomas Anderson has written a magnificent picture that's so easy to relate to , it's scary. The stuff that occurs you can see happening in real life. It's realistic and surreal at the same time.

This is the shooting script, on blue, pink, and yellow colored pages that symbolize when the revisions were made. Technical terms such as camera angels are included as well since it is a shooting script. Even little changes are mentioned as well. I love the dialogue that was written and you can tell that P.T. had Sandler in mind for the part, because nobody else would've been able to pull it off. While it's not your typical comedy, I thought it was hilarious. It pretty much follows the movie, although some things aren't there or changed due to changes that occurred during the shooting. It's pretty much all there for the most part.

"Punch-Drunk Love: The Shooting Script" is a great purchase for anyone who loved the film. It may not had been the most popular movie to come out of 2002, but it's #2 on my list. The pages fly by with ease, and when you're done with it you want to read it again. I can't wait for this movie to come out on DVD. I'm counting the days. A spectacular script for a spectacular film.

I love being able to read P.T. Anderson's shooting scripts. His films are fabulous. I believe one of the negative reviewers partially misses the point when harping on the misspellings, the rambling monologues and how PTA's scripts are saved by the actors. The whole point of a script is that it is the first rough draft -- the framework -- upon which a movie is built. Of course there are going to be improvements between the script and the final product. The reason to buy this, or any, shooting script is to see how the project evolved from script to screen. In the case of Punch-Drunk Love -- much more so than Boogie Nights or Magnolia -- it's fascinating to find that almost every important scene was tweaked, sometimes in a major way, before this wonderful film reached the screen. ... It's a great chance to get some insight into the stages of the creative process of one of America's finest directors. ... BOTTOM LINE: Does this book have all the bells and whistles of the Boogie Nights and Magnolia shooting scripts? NOPE. Is it essential for the PTA fan? YUP.

Thoroughly enjoyable! This is a book I will definitely read again. The perspectives of four hard-working actors in Role of a Lifetime are analogous to many careers, it's just so much more interesting to read about an individual's decisions, sacrifices, successes, and determination in the realm of stage and screen. Well-written chronicles of four fascinating journeys!

I highly recommend this engaging compilation of mini-biographies! Each of the four chapters gives the reader such interesting insight into the professional life of a consistently working actor who has performed for decades on the edge of the limelight. Role of a Lifetime celebrates actors and their profession while telling four great stories.

Not since Simon Callow's BEING AN ACTOR has a book so thoroughly explored the life, the passion, and the plight of being in the theater.

Simonson has selected a quartet of very talented but lesser-known performers and created insightful, sensitive but unflinching portraits of each. One closes the book having been exposed to the erratic and always challenging life of an actor. Simonson writes with authority but allows the individual personalities to shape each of the sections.

It is a book not just to be read but to be re-read. I hope that it will soon become a staple in acting classes on all levels as well as for the generally curious.

Robert Simonson has taken 4 working actors and takes us on a wonderful journey about their career and lives. The actors he interviewed are Austin Pendleton, Lois Smith, Gloria Foster and Ron Rifkin. While giving us all the necessary biographical statistics, the actors tell us how they built their careers and how they approached various roles. The thing that makes this book so interesting is the fact that these are not celebrities. They are hard working and respected actors in their profession. Anyone interested in acting or theatre should read this book. It is a great read!!!!

The book I read was published in 1986 and I have not been able to find another copy.

I actually read Sandition. The first 11 chapters were written by Austen, but she died before completing it. The version I read was finished by "Another Lady." She remained faithful to Austen in all senses. The turn of events were really quite amusing.

Every loyal Janeite must read Sanditon. It was destined to be her greatest work, but unfortunately she stopped working on it and died shortly after doing so. Sanditon is unique in its setting,a small seaside resort, and its characters. Jane Austen continued in her sucession of "deficient" men by the name of Edward (those who have read Sense and Sensibility or Love and Friendship know the other two)but, this Edward is perhaps the worst man that she ever created because he "considers it his duty" to seduce women. Do not be repelled by the villany of Edward though because there are many wonderful and deep characters to be found. The Parkers are very amusing. Who could fail to be amused with a trio of Hypochondriacs? There is also the visting Charlotte, the unfortunate cousin Clara, a wealthy young heiress of mixed racial background, and several other characters. You will yearn for an ending (of course as a fragment it does not have one)and if you are like me you will want to know more about Sydney, Mr.Parker's brother who is quite frequently mentioned and praised by the Parkers. Sadly none of the continuations of Sanditon are perfect or seamless as some may claim, however, I believe that the ending by Anna Lefroy is the closest to the intent of the author.

Only 11 of the 30 chapters of this book were actually written by Jane Austen. However, the completion made, though somewhat livelier than I am used to from Austen, fits in quite well with the start that had been made.

The plot is extremely light compared to Austen's other books -- there are indeed, some very annoying characters, but what ill-spirited characters there are give no real distress to the heroine of the book, as is usual in the other books. Many of the "comic" characters are allowed to show some improvement (which is odd compared to such Austen creations as Mrs. Bennett, or Robert Ferrars), but who knows? The 11 chapters written by Austen seemed written in a very light spirit, and perhaps something like this novel would have been the result.

I think it a very good read.