Paint Books

Quilter or not, Vicki Johnson's techniques will inspire the fiber artist with new ways to express herself. Although the methods were simple, the results are sophisticated. The illustrations of works-in-progress and variations on theme as well as the discussions on problem solving were all quite helpful and well done

This is a love story told in metaphor that makes reference to ALL the colors that come with real relationships, not just the reds and pinks. The moral of the story is: just like great artwork needs darkness and shadows to contrast bright colors and light, love needs a broad spectrum of ingredients to be fulfilling. The illustration is light-hearted so this message is driven home gently, leaving the reader feeling that "real love" can be just as romantic as "story book love." A great valentine's gift - especially for people who have been through the ups and downs of being together.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! We all want to make the right choice when redecorating. Sunny Goode is very experienced and has put her vast knowledge and creativity into beautiful printed pages and easy-to-follow directions. I have done several faux finishing wall/room projects in the past so most of the "how to" sections were a review or variation on techniques. What I loved was the additional ideas and use of stencils. I'll use this book for years!

What a refreshing and beautiful book. The writing flows and the information is exciting and new. A great coffee-table book packed with fascinating insights. Looking forward to Gizowska's next book!

This book had many ideas for various paint effects to help me choose how to paint my bathroom and livingroom. I choose a drag effect for the bathroom and a faux for the livingroom. I was a first time painter and this book shows step by step how to do it correct the first time. I made no mistakes! This book shared excellent unique ideas! HIGHLY reccommended!

I have used and loved this book, and given it to a number of friends - it provides simple, step-by-step instructions for achieving any number of faux finishes and effects for walls and furniture...even for an all-thumbs crafting wannabe like me, this book makes beautiful finishes doable. The author leaves nothing unexplained: strokes, color combinations, equipment, even basic things like using brushes and rollers properly, filling cracks in plaster, calculating the effect of light on color...she covers it all. It's amazing that I've found this book only on bargain book shelves - it's worth MUCH more than I've ever paid for it. Grab it while you can - it's worth every penny. An added plus - the publisher plants a tree for every copy of this book sold. Check it out at www.annesspublishing.com/trees.

This exciting series of design books presents a fresh, contemporary look at popular and traditional design and craft techniques. Each book in the Inspirations Series contains over 20 original projects to enhance the home, shown in easy-to-follow, step-by-step photographs 25 Decorative Projects for the Home Decorative paint techniques provide the quickest, easiest, cheapest and most effective ways to create stylish and eye-catching interiors. Paint Effects presents 25 original treatments from whole room schemes to decorating furniture and home accessories. To create a country look, whitewash the kitchen or use a dry-brush technique to "age" new pine furniture. For a more classical approach: A project shows how to frottage a hallway with a traditional green paint. Trompe l'oeil is represented with a beautiful imitation Tuscan doorway and stenciling with an exciting surface of aluminum leaf.

This breaks each technique (verdigris, liming, stippling, etc.) down into 5 to 7 steps. Each step is shown in a photos. The book is compact, but covers a lot in 224 pages. Some effects I hadn't seen before in books or in the brochures at paint stores. There is one showing painting faux sandstone blocks.
I can hardly wait to get the paint and try one of these effects. They are shown for a variety of surfaces (walls, floors, furniture, accessories).
Highly recommended if you want something besides plain ol' paint.

"Paint it Black" captures that throbbing ache that is being a young girl faced with a great tragedy...made worse by the fact that the tragedy is a Prince Charming-ish first love. Josie, the art model main character, longs, pines, grieves with keen intensity. Her process of mourning is set against a vibrant back drop of 80s punk/alt Los Angeles. Plenty emo. Though the backdrop is vibrant and exciting, the reader can't help but feel the emptiness of this scene when reminded of the heroine's loss. When you don't have that special person to keep sharing life with, is anything worthwhile?
Fitch also crosses into territory that is much in need of exploration in terms of class. This book delineates class differences in America in a very real way...no one talks about this enough. We blindly pretend it doesn't matter. Josie finds out in subtle ways how it does and when it doesn't.
In all, an excellent read for those who dare dive into emotional waters and Angelenophiles.

Just when you think it can't get any better ("White Oleander"), Janet Fitch pulls out all the stops with "Paint It Black". With a shocking start, and rolling poetry, she takes you along on a flying ride through the '80s. Her characters sing on the page, making them palpable. Her descriptions make the imagined more real than life. Here is a writer that knows how to use words to paint a picture......"Paint It Black" was a pure joy to read. When it was over, I wanted to read it again for the first time.