Art Books


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Art Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Art
Our Animal Friends
Published in Hardcover by Random House Books for Young Readers (1984-08-12)
Author: Alice Provensen
List price: $10.99
Used price: $7.61
Collectible price: $60.00

Average review score:

A charming but unsentimental view of animals on a farm
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-09
This is a charming but unsentimental view of animals on Maple Hill Farm. Through wonderful drawings and brief text, animals are portrayed as individual personalities, each with a role to play in farm life through the cycles of life from birth to death. One of my favorite characters is Willow, the cat, who "is not very interesting" because she spends all her time just being beautiful. It is a valuable book for teaching young children that animals should be cherished and cared for for many reasons, that animals are deeply entwined in our lives. It is a deceptively simple book that children and adults can enjoy together and discuss on many levels.

Maple Hill Farm Keeps It Real!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-10
Quite a bit has changed about the world we live in, but it's wonderful to know that our friends at Maple Hill Farm are still keeping it real. This was one of my favorite books as a child and I can't wait to read it to my son (due in January.) I just ordered a new copy of this book and was so pleased to read it again and realize how fun it is to read as an adult. I love that there's no quest, no competition, no major challenges- it's just life on a farm with lots of real animals that have unique personalities.

It's exciting because all of animals are fun and goofy and they do all the usual things that chickens, goats, cats, horses, dogs and sheep do. The cats catch snakes and move kittens around, the horses get dirty and chase each other, the chickens eat ants and take sun baths, the dogs bark at geese and chew up pillows. None of them wear clothes, talk or drive cars, and I kind of find it refreshing. Not that there's anything wrong with fantasy, but I love that reality can be just as entertaining for kids and adults.

And, yeah, I did start crying when I got to the end- the quiet corner of the woods where the animals of the past were buried. It's not maudlin or overtly tugging on your heartstrings- it's just real. That's what makes this book such a great read.

simple pleasures
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-26
my kids love this book and the other in the series. the illustrations are true and simple-just what today's kids need. i would recommend it to any family who has an appreciation or is part of a more meaningful, homegrown lifestyle.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-25
I remember the very first time I read this book...over 30 years ago. I had my infant son sitting on my lap and we were both delighted by the different animals from the farm. I remember going from laughing to holding back tears. It is so true. Our own animal friends have the same affect...from laughter to tears.

Besides being very entertaining, I find a bit of widsom there that is priceless for dealing with the loss of a pet. It has become a tradition over the years to read from the book at our "pet funerals" and I took the book down from the shelf just for myself after the recent loss of a 16 year old cat.

Like many others here, we've worn out our original copy. Mom made sure each grandchild had a copy in their homes and I've done the same with my own grandchildren. We loved it so much, we've had many pets named after the characters in the book.

Our family favorite
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-16
My mom saved the original book for me, and we purchased a new copy (paperback) only after our suitcase containing the original hardback was stolen (!) Our girls (ages 3 and 7) adore this book - and so do we.

The book tells about the different animals on the farm. Over several pages, for example, Mrs. Provensen tell about the four cats who live at Maple Hill farm: Gooseberry, who is a good mother; Eggnog, who is beautiful but not interresting; Willow, who is old; and Max, who is big, likes cottage cheese, but is not very clever with his claws. In a series of drawings, we see what the cats do around the farm. The girls love it - they laugh and giggle and listen intently.

The dogs, horses, sheep, and chickens all get similar treatment. We give this book to friends, as it is off the mainstream 'radar' of good books: we are sure they won't have it, and we are sure their kids will love it as our do.

Art
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts
Published in Paperback by Focal Press (2007-03-02)
Author: Nancy Beiman
List price: $39.95
New price: $26.14
Used price: $28.08

Average review score:

great starting point...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-07
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts - does what it says.
This book will help you create a story and the characters within. I've read other books on storyboarding, but this book should be the one to start with. Then move on to Ron Bluth's - Art of Storyboard & Wendy Tumminello's - Exploring Storyboarding

Storyboarding Student Must-Have!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-27
Ms. Beiman's book is exceptional; it not only discusses storyboarding, but also the entire pre-production process, from character design to art direction to using cinematic lighting and camera angles. I'm never boarding without using tonal drawings again!

I'm going to be the Teaching Assistant for the Storyboarding class at UCLA's MFA Animation Workshop in the fall, and I'm going to tell all the newbies to GET THIS BOOK!!!

Beautiful and informative
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-19
This is a truly wonderful book filled with practical, concrete knowledge about how to plan for an animated production.

In the past, I have seen a few somewhat superficial treatments of similar topics, and I was initially a little bit skeptical of this book. Suffice it to say that my expectations were vastly exceeded. Storyboarding is a central part of animated movie production, and it has finally gotten a definitive treatment in book form. This book is highly entertaining, beautifully illustrated, and really packed with information.

Many readers of my own book Introducing Character Animation with Blender are interested in creating animated movies. I highly recommend that they take a look at this inspiring and informative book to ensure that they get off to a good start.

Excellent and concise source of info
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-31
Well written and well organized, "Prepare to Board!" is a wonderful source for learning the ins' and outs of animation boarding.

Nary a step in the process is glossed over or a stone left unturned. I'm quite impressed with the book all around, and have learned a lot about the inner workings of animation.

A definite recommendation.

A Must-Have for Animators
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-14
Nancy Beiman's book "Prepare to Board" is a must-have for animators. If you're serious about working in the industry then this book is for you.

The quick little lessons are excellent tools for practice and improving skills. This books helps to increase creativity and really gives great advice. No other animation book has achieved what "Prepare to Board" has.

Nancy Beiman knows the ins and outs of the animation world and you can tell why she's worked on so many great projects - she's the best at what she's talking about. Nancy Beiman is a professional and this book will help you along your path to a career.

If you're not lucky enough to know her and have her as a Professor (or even if you do), then it goes without saying BUY THIS BOOK!

Art
Prisoner of X: 20 Years in the Hole at Hustler Magazine
Published in Paperback by Feral House (2006-05-01)
Author: Allan MacDonell
List price: $16.95
New price: $5.23
Used price: $3.57

Average review score:

Down the Dirt Hole
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-08
I met Larry Flynt once. It left an impression on me. It wasn't good. The man just seemed to have sleeze permeate out of his pores. And he seemed all spaced out, like way too many drugs had interacted with way too much debauchery, intermixing in a personality that was pretty degraded right from the get-go. What must it be like to work for such a man?

Allan MacDonell knows, and he tells all the dirt in PRISONER OF X. An inside story of the man who rose to top of the pond scum at Larry Flynt Publications, it is a story well worth reading, boys and girls. Well worth reading.

For some quirk of personality that would require years of therapy to explain, MacDonell had always wanted to work for a smut mag when he finally landed the job at Hustler. What he found was a work environment that was akin to a school of piranhas, with each fish trying its hardest to eat the flesh off of anyone higher up the ladder. And with Larry himself often enjoying the spectacle, like a Roman emperor enjoying the modern day gladiators of smut trying to take one another down. Amazingly, the dude lasted 19 years.

During that time, MacDonell met his share of pornstars, celebrities, and, of course, downright degenerates, many of whom were on the payroll. But many were more famous, and no details are spared. Even if you are familiar with the Godfather of Soul's reputation with the ladies, you wil still be really, really alarmed at what you read here. MacDonell also was there for some of the high times, like when Hustler took down Congressman Livingston, who was set to become Speaker of the House, or the offer to Jenna Bush to pose naked for a cool $10 million.

Often hilarious, often mermerizing, PRISONER OF X also often leaves you with the same feeling as you have after looking at porn. You known, all empty inside and a bit embarassed. But for some reason, you keep going back, don't you? Yeah, you know you do. And you want to check out this book, too. Don't you? Well, do it. It won't leave any permanent damage.

Interesting Book From A Real Insider
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-27
This is an interesting book by a writer who worked his way up the ranks at Hustler magazine for twenty years. He's brutally honest about the inner workings of the magazine including his descriptions of the pedophile Dwaine Tinsley and the sociopathic Larry Flynt, as well as about his own moral and social failings. This is good reading for anyone interested in the history of the magazine or in learning about what it was like working inside the porn magazine industry during the latter part of the Twentieth Century. As to be expected it's sexually explicit so if that bothers you, you might want to skip this one. The sexual descriptions were not gratuitous and I felt they were necessary for the honest story-telling this book provides.

Even if you haven't been let go from Hustler, you will love this book!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-14
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish that once in a while you had actually read some of the articles. This book is as hilarious as Hustler often was during Allan's tenure. A common misconception about this book is that it is about Larry Flynt. This book is not about Larry Flynt--it is about Allan MacDonell. If you want to learn more about Larry Flynt, you should probably visit his website. If you want to learn more about what it is REALLY like to oversee the day-to-day operations of America's most notorious stroke rag--penile scabs and all--then this is the book for you! My only complaint about Prisoner of X is that Allan has not yet recorded an audio-book version, but that's coming up next, right Mr. MacDonell?

Hey, I really did buy it for the articles!!!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-05
Is it possible to write a book where the main character is yourself and you are the hero only because everyone else is insane, a sleazebag or just generally unpleasant? The author, MacDonell, at least, proves that you can. I kept thinking, "Boy, this guy's a jerk," at the same time I feverishly sped through his 20 year memoir of working at Hustler magazine. The stories he tells are at times shocking, sad, hilarious, occasionally boring (but these bits pass quickly), titillating and raucous (hey, kind of like Hustler magazine itself!). One can't help but feel for the guy at the same time one might not want anything to do with him.

The first half of the book is probably the toughest on his character (and interestingly he doesn't spare himself much). He was abusing drugs, women and himself, paranoid that he would be fired on a daily basis, and basically existing hand to mouth on his low wages (dating a girl at one time because she owned a VCR!). At a certain point time (after a particularly scaring DUI incident) he gets cleaned up and doesn't even drink. It's somewhat downplayed, but his success at the magazine soars at this point.

While he bashes almost everyone, (name dropping Dennis Hopper, Frank Zappa, who at times were friends of Flynt or connected to the magazine, and he cares for neither), he is particularly nasty to his fellow inmates at the asylum and of course hardest on his pyscho boss, Larry Flynt. (Once again these people probably deserve even worse criticism), but it would be nice to hear a more good tales (he admits at one point that his staff - when he rises to power - was actually a good one).

Comparison's have been made to Hunter S. Thompson, and while I think these are somewhat accurate as far as characters and subject matter, that should not indicate that the writing (and or editing) is nearly in that league. The book feels a little flabby (and repetitive near the end), and probably could have been 50 pages shorter.

Another complaint is no photos - it would be nice to know what some of these people looked like. The great cover art is by Daniel Clowes but there are no further illustrations (that would have been better than photos!)

Besides all the juicy gossip about the mag there is also some poltical stuff that is very fascinating (as they destroy one Republican senator's career, defend Clinton and try to trash Bush (Jr.). If you've ever read the magazine this book will be of interest to you. Even better on the porn industry itself is "The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral Histroy of the Porn Film Industry" by Legs McNeil (also reviewed by yours truly).

Hilarious, Crazy Book!!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-23
Although the prose is a little self consciously rich at times, this is the most laugh out loud funny book I have read since Howard Stern's Private Parts memoir.The most inside look at not only Flynt and Hustler but the entire porn scene from the 80's and 90's. His description of porn legend Tori Welles on page 118 is uncanny-"Complexion the color of cinnamon or bourbon, brunette mane of body and bounce, flaunting the defiant cheekbones and chin of an urchin empress, the sublime Ms. Welles stepped with the self-assurance of the lifelong stone fox." (See what I mean about the prose?) When he's done describing her, you will know exactly what she looked like and what her sexual magnetism was all about even if you have never seen her. Hilarious, insightful, sarcastic. Would make a great movie.

Art
The Quilts of Gee's Bend: Masterpieces from a Lost Place
Published in Hardcover by Tinwood Books (2002-09-23)
Authors: William Arnett, Alvia Wardlaw, Jane Livingston, and John Beardsley
List price: $50.00
New price: $29.29
Used price: $34.85
Collectible price: $50.00

Average review score:

The True Beginnings of Modern Art
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-28
I was fortunate enough to see the Gee's Bends quilts when they toured in Houston, and they are astonishingly beautiful. The women who made these quilts found an artistic outlet in their functional craft, and these quilts represent the truest form of modern art, sewn well before painters used oil and canvas that mimic the quilt designs. This book does a beautiful job of presenting the quilts for the enjoyment of all those who can't see them in person.

The Quilt of Gee's Bend
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-03
In July 2006, I saw the exhibit of the Quilts of Gees Bend at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco I didn't fully realize the importance of the quilts, so I didn't buy the book and regretted it. The quilts and their story, are haunting. Since then I have heard the quilts referred to as the the most outstanding example of US art.

Whenever I talked to quilters, I wished that I had the book to show them. Now I have it and I am very happy with the purchase. The book is beautiful and the photograhs of the quilts are great.

I love folk art of any kind
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-09
Because of the personal stories, the beautiful layout and large, clear colorful pictures this book was like candy to read. I learned about the history of the area, the closeness of the community and families, and the sharing and pride of a folk art. I love when people find an outlet for their art in surprising and practical ways.

Great Book wonderful info and history
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-13
The book "The Quilts of Gee's Bend" by William Arnett is a great book of history within a particular culture that is rich in resourcefulness and creativity. It easy to read if one enjoys life stories that are true and down to earth. The pictures complete the full circle of this culture- use what is available and enjoy the outcome. The world could learn a lot from this book. The Quilts of Gee's Bend: Masterpieces from a Lost Place

exceptional
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-30
I remember the first time I saw photographs of the quilts of Gee's Bend in a magazine about seven years ago. I couldn't wait to learn about the amazing artists whose vision the quilts portray. This book is more outstanding than I imagined it could be. It is powerful, beautiful, sensitive, and historically accurate. I recommend The Quilts of Gee's Bend to anyone with an eye for artistic genius and a love for discovering a community of women willing to express themselves outside the box of convention. How refreshing and inspiring! Simply Exceptional!!

Art
The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving And the Joy of Being Loved
Published in Hardcover by Wheeler Publishing (2006-03-22)
Author: Matthew Kelly
List price: $28.95
New price: $28.95
Used price: $6.10

Average review score:

Bought this for my fiance...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-25
I never read it. I gather she liked it. Once you have achieved coming together as one and lost all sense of time and space I think you're a little past the seventh level.

The first step towards resolving intimacy issues
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-02
Wonderful book on intimacy and it's necessity to the totality of the human being. The book has a neatly laid out theory or look at intimacy and even includes some great practicals on how to work towards intimacy in your relationships. Great read.

The Seven Levels of Intimacy
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-14
Fabulous book, more people should read it and it would make the world a better place with better people.

confirmation
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-22
we all know-more or less-the things necessary for a successful, fulfilling relationship. however, too often we struggle with how to achieve one. kelly offers some (common sense) insight and suggestions on perspectives and approaches to accomplish the relationships that we wish for. it confirmed much of what i knew yet was very practical. i highly recommend it.

Should be must reading
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-16
We are all involved in relationships. But most do not achieve real meaningful ones. Our relationships don't turn sour, we just become indifferent.

We have been bombarded by messages that promise fun, excitment, pleasure and possessions are the answer to our emotional needs. But those are all feelings. And feelings change. They are not permanent. So no matter how much fun and excitement we pursue, it will not satisfy the basic need for intimacy. Our wants - material possessions - cannot fulfill our need for intimacy.

Matthew does and excellent job of exploring what intimacy is and what it is not. Most people have a misconception of what intimacy is.

The book is filled with very valuable information about the various types of intimacy - physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Matthew also provides the basis for a strong relationship. If you read and accept his premise, you will change the way you look at your relationships. You will understand that most relationships are self-centered and therefore almost always doomed to fail.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part defines intimacy, the second part discusses the seven levels of intimacy and the last part discusses the 10 reasons why people do not have a great relationship and how to design a great relationship.

Your primary relationship will have a huge impact on your quality of life. This is very valuable information and should be read by everyone who has not commited to living as a hermit.

Art
Silver Threads: Making Wire Filigree Jewelry
Published in Paperback by Kalmbach (2006-08-01)
Author: Jeanne Rhodes-Moen
List price: $22.95
New price: $14.20
Used price: $11.52

Average review score:

Soldering knowledge a huge plus!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-19
Wonderful book on the subject of producing what can be called silver lace by some. However, I encourage all newbies to metal out there to learn, practice and become confident in the soldering process in order to produce these designs on your own. Using other metals may be helpful, but as the author states, it is imperative to pickle after each soldering in order to remove the oxidation - critical. Otherwise you will produce pieces that do not have the shine, true metal appeal. Follow guidelines carefully and as these are copyright designs, practice on your own designs after thorough sketching prior to implementation so you don't waste the precious metal (especially with the cost of metal these days). I often wonder at copyright jewelry designs (and other art media - some acceptable others...to be debated in another forum) as her designs are based on old pieces from Norway, Egypt, Bali, Russia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, Scotland, Morocco, etc...and so many of them have the same general designs incorporated. So perhaps look to the past (uncopyrighted designs) and use them as inspiration in making your own designs - just as the author did (although she focused primarily on Norway due to family). Vintage jewelry is another source for inspriration. Use this book to get the techniques down from an expert as Rhodes-Moean and become confident in your own abilities and then design away. And learn the safety and practices of good soldering especially with silver.

LOVE this book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-14
The projects are absolutely beautiful, and the instructions are clearly written. Can't wait to produce my own jewelry!

Excellent instructions but puzzling copyright on non-unique patterns
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-28
I found "Silver Threads" in my local library and was pleased with the clarity of the instructions. I'm puzzled, though, that the author notes her designs are copyrighted and cannot be made for sale (only for personal use or to be given as gifts). Yet series of joined ogees and nautilus spirals have been used throughout jewelry-making history by filigree artists in various countries; they are hardly unique. See the British Museum's "7000 Years of Jewelry" for examples of related jewelry designs.

Lovely Wire
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-17
I love this book completely! The illustrations, the size, the information. I really like the way the author gives technical information along with practical recommendations about filigree. She explains everything very clearly and includes personal tips along the whole book. It covers information about wire, soldering, filigree shapes, templates, projects, suppliers and a lot more.

Well worth purchasing!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-29
Having seen this author's jewelry and her projects featured in magazines, I couldn't wait to get her book. I'm pleased to say that I wasn't disappointed. While not for the beginner, it's an excellent reference for someone who's somewhat familiar with jewelry making, yet just starting with solder work.

Ms Rhodes-Moen opens the book by giving a brief history of filigree jewelry and showing a variety of it's styles. She goes on to offer information on suggested supplies and equipment, and how to use them.

The following projects are lovely and her step-by-step instruction is detailed and easy to follow. You are even told how to correct pieces that don't turn out quite right. The book ends with samples of her own work and by giving insight into how to move on to designing your own pieces.

This is a must for your jewelry making library.

Art
Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet
Published in Hardcover by Peter Smith Pub Inc (1981-12)
Author: Gail Grant
List price: $12.50

Average review score:

Great Resource
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-19
This book really helps me learn all the ballet steps and poses. Anyone can read it and understand it. It teaches different styles, such as Cechetti, Russian, etc. I highly recommend it for any ballet lover at any level. This book is an EXCELLENT tool.

A Must Have for Dancers
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-19
If you are a learning (or even trained) dancer,, you should definitely buy this book. Teachers- you should keep a copy in your studio library. My old dance teacher introduced me to this dictionary, and I continued to use it in my college dance classes and when I taught dance on my own.

It's small enough to slip inside your dance bag, so you can take it with you to class. It's a fabulous resource for terminology, which is priceless to learning dancers. Because, there's nothing worse than going to a class when the teacher is of a different methodology. This one features several, including the more popular methods, like Cechetti. There are also some drawings to help you understand more clearly.

This book will help you learn all your arabesques, positions, and more.
A great tool!

Great tool
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-03
It helped me visualize my eight body positions in order to put them in practice. It also helped me with spelling of different positions.

Excellent resource for a more experienced ballet dancer or ballet teacher
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-01
This book best serves those who have had enough experience with ballet to be able to understand the terms within the definitions themselves. Almost all ballet terms in this book contain other ballet terms within the definitions, and pictures are minimal (positions of the feet/arms, body in space, head, stage terms). If the dancer is not familiar enough with ballet terms, technique, and form, then this book can be overwhelming. I recommend this book to all teachers as well as teenagers who are serious about ballet (it's a must have). For younger students (9 years old and up), I recommend any ballet book that contains basic terms as well as pictures showing proper form/execution of these terms (pictures will also include proper alignment and proper turn-out as well as a clear explaination on how to work toward both).

A Great Reference Guide That'll Keep You On Your Toes!
Helpful Votes: 120 out of 121 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-26
First published in 1950, this ballet reference guide has stood the test of time. Who's it for? Ballet students and teachers, choreographers, or any ballet enthusiast. Here's what the book covers:

-descriptions and definitions of over 1100 ballet steps (in alphabetical order)
-how to say the darn words (worth the price of the book alone!)
-illustrations showing you body positions for the more common ballet steps and movements
-cross-references to other names for similar steps/positions that vary from the Russian, French and Italian schools

A must have book that can easily be toted around, I doubt most readers will regret buying it. Other ballet resources I recommend include The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution for practitioners who have trouble with their feet.

Art
The Watercolorists Essential Notebook
Published in Hardcover by North Light Books (2000-03-01)
Author: Gordon Mackenzie
List price: $24.99
New price: $8.95
Used price: $8.80
Collectible price: $24.99

Average review score:

2008 Review
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-11
-I last painted with watercolors when they were in paintbox form -40 years ago in high school art.This book has been a valuable tool in getting me up to speed on present day brushes,paints and techniques.I
am very pleased with the results I have been able to achieve in
just a few months time.This book is a definite buy for newbies or as a
refresher.

Gets You Started and Keeps You Going
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-23
Let's just say calling me an amateur would be an understatement. I bought this book in high hopes of entering the world of watercolor. It hit the nail right on the head.

The text is informative and precise without being overwhelming. Enough different information and very comprehensive. Although perhaps lacking in the texture/details department. Overall the best of the 3 other books I bought. This one may be the best beginner to intermediate book out there!

The only drawback was the fact it doesn't say in the description that it is for tube watercolors, as I want to use pans...but still I think most techniques will work either way.

Nice book
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-23
I like this book because it not only provides you with lots of knowledge but also encourages you to go away from conventional suggestions and create your own style. Its flow is very nice. Its material has been organized properly and I not only gained knowledge but also enjoyed reading it.

Perfect companion for the watercolor artist!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-13
This is THE book that every beginning to intermediate watercolorist must have. I have been studying watercolor for several months, and I learned more from this book than I did in all of my classes combined. The author has a lovely sense of humor, making for a fun read while sharing so many of the tips and tricks he learned from decades of painting and teaching. There are detailed pictures demonstrating his techniques, as well as tips on how to choose paints, paper, and brushes. If you can only afford one book this month, it should be this one! And after you have read this one, check out his other book: "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook: Landscapes". Yet another fantastic book by this gifted artist and instructor!

THE best!
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-25
As a fairly new watercolorist, I have purchased many, many books on the subject in an attempt to gain skills, learn techniques, expand my thinking, etc., etc. Some of those books have been helpful, but usually only a page or two of a 60-page book was exactly what I was looking for. In other words, I was disappointed! Long introduction to say that THIS watercolor book exceeded all my expectations! I am oh so happy with it; I will probably use information on every page of this one. The techniques and skills introduced are interesting and fairly easy to execute; the author provides abundant details all along the way. The book has answered so many of my questions about producing sparkling water, distant trees, various types of skies, clouds, fog, using color schemes effectively, and the technique of "fading out" (which I love). And much, much, much more. It is well worth every penny and then some.

Art
The Writer Got Screwed (But Didn't Have To): A Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry
Published in Hardcover by Harpercollins (1996-04)
Author: Brooke A. Wharton
List price: $22.00
New price: $10.94
Used price: $0.50
Collectible price: $22.01

Average review score:

THE BOOK WHICH STARTED MY CAREER
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-16
After graduating from film school, I had no idea how to start my career as a writer in the film industry. "The Writer Got Screwed" not only showed my how to start my career, but showed me the different kind of careers which exist for Writers in the Entertainment Industry. Most books don't explain what WRITERS working in the entertainment industry need to know: THIS BOOK DOES. If you want to work in the legal department of a studio, take classes in copyright and contracts. If you want to work as a writer in the entertainment industry, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.

One of the Best Re: Writing for the Entertainment Industry
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-27
Very few books explain how to start your career, the different forms of representation (agents, managers, and attorneys), how to protect your work (copyright registration vs. registering with the WGA), how to protect yourself (contracts-what do they mean?) and give lists of available resources (scholarships, WGA approved agencies, production companies, legal resouces/attorneys) for writers working within the entertainment industry--"The Writer Got Screwed" delivers on all of these areas. Whether you are working in film, television, feature animation, soap operas, or interactive, "The Writer Got Screwed" provides interviews with writers who work in these areas and valuable, RARELY FOUND, information regarding how these started their careers. This book is a terrific, must-have book for anyone who wants to write for the entertainment industry, and now is joined by a companion website at [...].

A Must Have for Anyone who Writes
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-03
This book is one of those needles in a hay stack. It's not out there like all the other books for writers. But if you find it... you have found gold. It is written so that it is easy to understand and has tons of great information in it. A must have.

#1 BOOK FOR FILM & TV WRITERS
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-28
There are a lot of books out there on writing for the entertainment industry, but this was the one book that got me started. A lot of writers tend to pass around gossip and poor information, but this book set me straight from the beginning, and is now joined by Wharton's website/blog: brookewharton.com(rated in top 10 for film blogs). This is the one book that anyone writing for film or television should START WITH. I'm mystified by a previous reviewer who said that Wharton doesn't talk about the WGA (there's a whole chapter on the guild), and also that she doesn't discuss acquisitions vs. development (it's called spec sales vs. assignments in the 1st 10 pages of the chapter on writing for film). Clearly this person couldn't have read the book. If you need real answers, buy the book.

Good for newbies
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-21
Given all the 5 star ratings, I expected better. Not that this isn't a good book, but it depends on the reader's sophistication. If you don't know anything about some of the basic legal and business aspects of the publishing biz, this book is a good start. On the other hand, if you're a detail oriented person who really wants to dig in deep into this subject, you may find the content a bit light.

Art
Xena: Warrior Princess
Published in Paperback by Main Street Books (1998-01-20)
Author: Rob Weisbrot
List price: $14.00
New price: $2.99
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $14.00

Average review score:

Only covers the first few seasons...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-24
This coverage of the making and cast of the show Xena: Warrior Princess is downright hilarious. Granted, I have an odd sense of humor, but you can tell that the author went out of his way to make this as entertaining as possible. There are lots of spiffy pictures, and two sections of large, full-color photos. The cast bios are particularly interesting, in my opinion; many things you might not know about these crazy actors/actresses (ie. apparently, Ted Raimi is a fantastic swing dancer; who'd have guessed, oh, wait, I always have...never mind). There are little mini-interviews and comments scattered throughout the pages, along with amusing production anecdotes, and episode synopses in the back (paired with commentary by Lucy Lawless/Xena). My only complaint is that this book only covers the first couple seasons. Perhaps there's an upgrade version that I missed, and if not, there should be. I highly recommend this book for even the casual Xena: WP fan, and particularly the rabid ones, though if you're a rabid fan, you probably already own this...

Speaking for myself, in terms of guilty pleasures...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-16
....being a hardcore nutball Xena fan ranked for me - but only for a short while - among the highest!But then,now that I've embraced this pleasure wholehartedly, let's put things like this: if anyone wants to understand the ideological linings of postmodernity, understanding the Xena phenomenon provides one of the shortest roads, and if anyone wants to study XWP one has to begin gathering extra information here. I would recommend, however to order this book with Ariele Dorfman's & Armand Mattelart's _How to Read Donald Duck_, if the purpose is scholarly; if you just like Xena, order the two neverthless.

A must-have for sword-broad fans!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-20
What can I say? If you love Xena, you gotta have this!

The Passion, The Fury, The Xenaverse
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-03
Robert Weisbrot's paperpback book `Xena: Warrior Princess, The Official Guide to the Xenaverse' is an entertaining and informative presentation which chronicles the first two seasons of the immensely popular television series that lasted six delightful seasons.

Making good use of the same format used in his episode companion for the Hercules series, he provides not only a synopsis of each show from season 1 and 2 but also loads of behind the camera information providing the reader with a thorough grasp of what is involved in bringing the Xenaverse into existence.

Definitely an enjoyable and informative read sure to be treasured by Xena fans everywhere. The only question I have for the author is "When are you going to complete what you've begun and release a follow-up covering seasons 3, 4, 5 and 6?"

Great Book With Awsome Photos! :)
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-05
This book is great. I have the Warrior Princess Costume all ready! Lucy Lawless Looks sharp on the front cover of this book and I got this with my staff at the Joyce Warner House... I really have to say is that it has great pictures! :) <3Cheeeeeyyyyaaa!Young Xena Warrior Princess


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