Paint Books

A common lament among users of Corel's popular Paint Shop Pro series of photo editing programs is the lack of advanced tutorial material. Over time there have been a few professionally done video books and texts offered here and there, and author Robert Correll himself has put together two helpful video books based upon earlier versions of PSP, but in general those efforts concentrate on developing basic to low-level intermediate skills at best. Now Correll and Thomson Course Publishing (since become Cengage Learning) have come forth with an advanced PSP tutorial that goes well beyond the basics of photo repair titled Photo Restoration and Retouching Using Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo.

In his new tutorial Correll (the similarity in names Correll/Corel is pure coincidence) has assembled 73 photo projects, mostly casual photos of his wife and children along with those of assorted kinfolk who were smiling into the family cameras as far back as 1919. The color and black and white photographs presented here have suffered a host of indignities over the years; fading, overwriting and smudges of all kinds, scratches, tears and holes in addition to the usual technical defects caused by bad film, poor lighting or poor scanning techniques. There are, of course, the human flaws as well; a pimple here and there, nose hair, dandruff - it's all here in gory high resolution detail, and each Photo Study's source photo is made available for download upon request to the author. I should add that Correll makes himself readily accessible to his target audience via e-mail, keen on cheering them on in their photo restoration efforts.

Basically each Photo Study begins with a brief background about the subject(s) of the photo. Along the way you will meet the author and his wife Anne and their four small children who are introduced in a light-hearted fashion along with Uncle Jim and Grandpa Bud among others. Then the problems in the photo at hand are pointed out, and Correll begins his repair routine in a step-by-step fashion sometimes diverging to try alternative means of solving the issues being confronted. A pre-release version of PSPP X2 was used to do the repairs, but the included screenshots are taken from PSPP XI. I am still using PSP X, and for the most part had no problems following along though the capabilities of some of the tools in my older version differ slightly from those in the more recent PSPP X2. The Levels adjustment tool is one such example. The text and screenshots are of excellent quality and printed in color on high-gloss stock. My only niggle here is that my 73 year old eyes had difficulty discerning the small text shown in many dialogue boxes, and even my magnifying glass sometimes struggled to make out many of the dialogue settings which are not always specified in the explanatory text.

In Photo Study One the author throws the reader off the leaning tower and right into the heart of photo restoration and retouching with a very challenging photo repair study of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I would have preferred easing into things with a more merciful project, but so much for whining. Perhaps Correll was trying to instill from the get-go a necessary sense of patience and persistence which he emphasizes frequently while stressing the need to be discriminating about one's work. He also cautions a light touch that does not render restore operations obvious to the viewer.

One great advantage of the book for me was that I became acquainted with several tools that I had, frankly, not previously employed in my photo restore efforts since beginning to work with PSP about 6 or 7 months ago. The Saturation Up/Down and the Lighten/Darken tools are just two such. I was also introduced to the Displacement Map under the Effects menu. This looks like an interesting Effects routine that I intend to explore further. The final chapter of the book presents a few creative applications using some of the Effects menu options, but frankly the author only scratches the surface here, though his results are impressive. An imaginative author could easily employ the PSP Effects tools in a tutorial presented solely upon their own merits, and I am sure Mr. Correll would be the first to agree.

In addition to the photo exercises, Correll offers interesting background information about scanning photos, organizing and archiving them as well as helpful printing tips. He also interjects along the way a few useful editing tips and tricks that he has discovered through his personal experiences using PSP.

Does the author leave anything left unsaid? Well, in a word, yes. Not every tool and adjustment in the PSP arsenal is acknowledged its fifteen minutes of fame, though all the heavyweights certainly are, but there is an appendix to the book that does give a brief rundown of each and every tool. However, there is no mention of the hidden tools to be found in the Unused Commands section, some of which can be quite helpful in certain circumstances. Plug-ins are not touched upon nor is the use of scripts, even those pre-defined scripts included with PSP. The author has a tendency to use the High Pass Sharpen adjustment as opposed to the Unsharp Mask, but his reasons for this apparent preference are not stated. He also likes to work with photos in .tif format as opposed to the more common .jpg/.jpeg file format, but again reasons are not stated though I presume they have something to do with a lesser likelihood of introducing artifacts into a photo during the restoration/retouching process.

I personally would have liked to have seen Photo Studies that put to work a few PSP capabilities that I am largely unfamiliar with. In this category I would include the Hue Map tool, and a few exercises using the Create Mask from Image procedure would have been a very welcome addition. In fact, I would have liked to have seen a few more exercises using masks in general though there are 3 of them. Masking, I think, is a weak point for many, including even PSP buffs far more experienced than I am.

All in all, however, this is a powerful tutorial that ought to be a part of every PSP enthusiast's personal library - it is a text that is sure to be referred to again and again. It is my hope that Mr. Correll's tutorial does well in the marketplace thereby launching further PSP instructional texts from this very knowledgeable and photo-savvy author. In my book, Correll's tutorial, Photo Restoration and Retouching Using Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo, gets a well-deserved 5 stars.

Pros-finally a book for PSP! Full color! Tons of screen shots! Easy to read.

Cons-The author states that this book does not teach PSP, which is true. But I assumed that meant it would still teach the restoration and retouching tools PSP offers, but it does not. This is my big issue with it. For instance, in PSP with the Highlight/midtone/shadow window, you're given the option of "absolute" or "relative" adjustments. I don't know what the difference is or when to use which. As the author/book does not "teach PSP" I still don't know. The book follows along as the author corrects his own photos, so in the section on this (pg 74), he simply states he used the relative method with no explanation of why. There is very, very, little "teaching" of the various tools/options. So, if you don't know what each option does, for instance, under Digital Camera Noise Removal before the book, you won't after it, as that's not "taught." I didn't want a book that taught me basic PSP use, but I did want one that would teach me when to use Histogram Adjustment versus Histogram Stretch, but it's not this book.

My second issue is with the size of some of the screen shots on the printed page. When the whole screen shot is shown on the printed page, it's about 3" square. The before/after preview window takes up maybe 1" on the page, about the size of a postage stamp. And the author says "see the difference?" Are you kidding me??? I went and got some magnifying glasses and still couldn't make out a difference on something that small. One time I actually carried the book to a light, held it as close to the bulb as I could, put on my magnifying glasses and still could not see the difference between the before and afters! Granted, this is due to my age...I'm at that age where I don't require prescription glasses but my eyes aren't as young/good as they use to be either.

I did enjoy reading the book, and I did get some tips that will be useful, so I am giving it a few stars. But I am still going to have to purchase another book to teach me the actual restoration tools and the theory of when to use what.

I've been using Paint Shop Pro since version 9 and consider myself at the lower end of an advanced user.

I have seven Paint Shop Pro books proclaiming to teach you how to use the program. With the exception of Ken McMahon's book they all fall miserably short.

I was weary of ordering Robert's book thinking it would turn out to be just like the others that sit in the bookshelf collecting dust. Fear not his book isn't a dust collector.

I won't go over what's already been stated in the other reviews. This book is everything the publisher, author, and other reviewers claim it is.

One recommendation:

If you're a beginner to intermediate user of Paint Shop Pro I'd recommend getting Ken McMahon's book "Paint Shop Pro Photo For Photographers" along with this book. McMahon's book covers the program and it's use while Robert's book covers techniques for photo corrections. The combination of these two books will greatly reduce your frustrations and enhance your skills, knowledge & techniques of photo corrections and manipulation using Paint Shop Pro.


Thank You Robert for a great reference and teaching publication.

Others have written enthusiastically about this book. I concur!

I regularly must touch up photographs for web or print use including conversion to b/w for newspaper ads. I'd used PaintShop Pro since V5 for this task but with Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 and this book, everything I've done has moved forward by a quantum leap. People won't notice the fine differences in your work because of your better photographic presentation but it WILL show, and the advice/tips in this book will make you wish you'd found it years ago! I am SO pleased!!!!!

As previously mentioned in other reviews this book assumes you know how to find your way around Paint Shop Pro. It's most compatible with versions X through photo X2. He doesn't go into any tools that aren't in all three of these versions so it covers the general usage of specific tools very well.

The author stresses the importance of not trying to "perfect" your photos. Giving good examples of doing things the right way, the wrong way, and stopping when the photo is "good enough." He explains himself very well and has a good method presenting the information.

His use of actual photos that he's fixed before, and has an actual personal connection with really brings this down to the average user who is just trying to fix those old photos and improve upon ones that didn't come out as well as they could have.

My only real criticism is more of a warning to those of you who learn as I do. I learn by example, or in other words I need to follow along with the book to properly get everything down just right. This book does not include a link for downloading these pictures that I have found so without your own photos to practice on as he goes over the different parts, if you learn like I do, will be difficult.

This book is far more about recognizing the different problems with photos and some tips and tricks and methods that the author himself has discovered that work very well. A lot of what he says comes from personal experience. And he goes through a trial and error process for most of the book demonstrating the different things you might try by using the number of effects options and hands-on tools. And he explains them all fairly well. He doesn't bore you with all of the technical aspects of the tools, he simply tells you what they do and gives you suggestions on their proper use.

All in all the book is excellent, he focuses on basic aspects and information rather than focusing on the photo in specific. If you're fixing cracks he won't go into depth about adjusting the contrast unless it's needed. If he's being artistic he won't lecture you on the proper use of the clone brush. He focuses on the task at hand and only the task at hand. Helping you to identify the various aspects of restoring and retouching a photo individually.

I would suggest this to anyone wanting to use Paint Shop Pro to correct photos.

As an experienced home hobby mechanic, I have many years working on cars but never felt confident in doing body work. This book doesn't cover a bunch of nonsense but has great information that will give me the confidence to take on a body off restoration this winter. I would suggest this over any other books I've seen on this subject. I checked out all the book on this topic at the library and this was by far better than any book in the Library.

This book was not very good. First of all the there are lot of filler pages. Each chapter has two title pages and a page for notes. There is 5-6 chapters. The first chapter is just about how to keep your shop clean.

The book goes from the painfully obvious -don't smoke cigarettes while painting- to vague and incomplete. There is an entire chapter on leading but only a short paragraph about actually melting the lead. Also this guy LOVES bondo.

Overall this book felt like a brief overview of paint and body work written to paint and body professionals. Or a few decent magazine articles spread thin to create a book. It does have lot's of nice color pictures

This book is full of helpful hints on restoring an automobile. My husband watches videos and reads everything he can get his hands on about restoration, as well as researching the internet. You would think there would be nothing left to learn - not true! He really likes this book a lot and is glad he added it to his collection.

Larry Lyles writes a really concise,clear book of how to revive and old tired car body. I have a freind that followed his steps exactly, and the car keeps winning shows. While it doesn't teach how to weld or any of that, a book can't possibly do that well, his book does get through the refinishing steps to achieve a great end point. Well worth the less than $20 price!!!

This book is well written and photographs are nice. The author gives you a lot of basics, but doesn't go into detail on some of the areas of auto body work he covers. In his defense he does mention that, but I would have liked to see more info and examples on metal work. For a beginner, this book gives you just enough info to be dangerous with the tools. I feel like I need another book to supplement this one.

I really like this book. I wish that it shows how to measure/ create something with symmetry (curvy cast iron fences). Great idea for really good price.

I bought this about a year ago because of the airplane on the cover...I decorated my son's room in airplanes and was looking for a mural. I was so impressed with how easy it was to do the airplane, and I was enchanted with the author's other characters, that I also did some of the pond characters over my garden tub, for my son as well! When I get more time, I plan on using other chapters to create murals for my daughter. My mother was so impressed, I am buying her the book as a surprise gift. I highly recommend this book! If you can draw, you can paint these murals!

What a great book! I haven't done any murals yet, but plan to within the month. I imagine it will be relatively easy to do with the guidance of this book. It has great mural ideas, detailed supply lists and recommendations, and it shows how to do some of the smallers elements of each mural step by step. I feel much more confident going into mural painting with this book.

Lots of great ideas in here, with step-by-step instructions about how they are accomplished. I think one still has to have a little skill beforehand, but it is a great guide.

I liked the way this book gave me lots of ideas and how-to tips, and also left it open to add my own adaptions. I will definitely use some of the projects in my granddaughter's rooms when we redecorate them.

As mother of 6 and grandmother of 12, I thought this would be a good purchase for making keepsakes of the grandchildren's handprints for their parents. Very inspirational. Gets the creative juices flowing.

Our elementary school is celebrating 50 years of learning this year. We are in the process of creating a commemorative quilt to be hung in the school. The ideas in this book are outstanding! Instead of designing the squares ourselves, we selected areas of learning for each classroom and asked the children to submit their ideas. The outcome was incredible. The committee plans to use the ideas in this book to embellish childrens' handprints for the classroom squares designed by the students.

This book has some wonderfully creative ideas. My first grade class put together the handprint sunflower with the help of a good seamstress. The end result was very nice.

I love this book! I have made several of the projects in this book. The directions are easy to follow and the projects turn out great every time. I use this to make quilts with the kids at my sons' school to auction as a fundraiser, but these would also make wonderful keepsake quilts for family. Highly recommend.

13 projects. Very simple quilts but lovely ideas - a great starting point for personal gifts and memories of when they were small. Also interesting and different gifts a pre-teen could help with or a teenager could make him/herself.

Layton discusses what to do when you realise you have made a mistake, and how to avoid some of the more obvious ones. I don't like all the quilts she has done - some of the backgrounds and layouts are not my cup-of-tea. However, there is much discussion on how to vary what is there, as well as a "gallery" of wuilts made by her or with her help that show how you can take the ideas presented and display them differently.

I particularly like
- "Happy Hands" - straight out hand prints in primary colours with smiling faces on them. I intend to create this quilt with my two year old niece.
- "Sweet Hearts" - use both hands printed in such a way to create a heart shape. We shall get all the cousins together to make this for Grandma's birthday.
- "Jungle Rumble" and "Circus Fun" - decorate hand prints to create jungle animals such as elephants and lions. I shall be encouraging my 8 year old to hellp make this for a baby cousin.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I felt as though I learned something the minute I opened this book. It is easy to understand and I am very happy with the my results. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is new to oil painting because everything makes sense. It is written so that even a novice like me can come up with a finished project. Love the book. Well worth the money.

I am currently working through this book and it is wonderful... a step-by-step guide that is simple, yet advanced.

Excellent book; I'd give it 4 stars for traditional oil painting. I'm knocking one star off because there is very little about water soluble oil painting, which is an important topic these days.
I wish they had included more about water mixable oil painting facts and techniques. One example would be to warn people that you have to settle on one brand since they are not compatible as they are with traditional oil paints. Also, what about explaining about mediums to use? It's not the same as with traditional oil paints. So I have to go through this book ignoring the talk about how to mix with mediums and thus I have to find that information elsewhere, which interrupts the flow of working through this book.

A couple of minor suggestions also:
Include a checklist of the projects for readers to track their progress.
The painting on page 15 showing the various stages of the painting process - explain more in detail, pointing out examples on the painting itself, maybe with arrows and circles on the painting explaining the different parts.

I sure wish they would come out with a "Soluble Oil Painting for Dummies" book or incorporate it into this book, especially about how to use water soluble mediums.

But otherwise this is an admirable book. I'm glad they wrote it.

I have read through half of the book and, even though I have some experience with oils, am learning something new or different in each section. It is easy reading and is designed to allow you to read each section independently in any order. However, reading it straight through exposes some redundancy - not necessarily a bad thing. The color mixing study, in the end, helps you to understand how to mix colors to create highlighting and shading. But the mixing proportions are not defined clearly enough - so the exercise does not yield accurate results. The author does not explain that the same color in different brands are not truly the same and produce different results. But you get the idea.

This is a great book for all us self-taught artists. It teaches us what all those terms and things are that we never understood, and how to acomplish them. I've been painting for 45 years and this book helped me a lot...."Back to the drawing board!"

This is Joanne Gair's first book and shows the fun you can have with the body painted image using it to illustrate well known sayings, to hide your painted goddess, enhance her (or him) or display them amongst garden produce. These are some of the ideas that are included in this amusing book. It does not feature the well known people that are in her other books and so can show more humour in the art form, almost like an English naughty postcard. This is Joanne having fun and you will laugh along with it, not as sexy as her later books but with a lot of novel ideas not found in her later books. I wholly recommend it as it also shows her flair for the marriage of art and humour with an abundant use of colour giving the pictures a punch.

This delightful collection presents dozens of painted works, all painted on the models' skin and clothing. Although the collection as a whole has a hit-or-miss quality about it, there are plenty of charming and witty hits.

For example, the back cover shows the back of a kilted bag-piper, with his kilt akilter in a gust of wind. Underneath his tartan, we see the same plaid painted across his thighs and rear - so that's what's under the kilt! A piece titled "Feel Free" shows a prison cell with the prisoner camo-painted to blend in with the wall. "Young at Heart" is just one in a recurring theme. Not only has a bathing suit been painted onto an unsuited figure, but the edges of her fleshy form have been made up to match the background leaving a slimmer, sleeker figure drawn across only part of the model's actual width. My favorite, though might be "Santa Trap." A small boy waits up on Christmas Eve to see Santa come down the chimney. His skin is painted over in patterns of gift wrap and christmas tree greenery, making his stakeout very nearly invisible. Not all of these pieces work as well as the best, but the collection as a whole is very enjoyable.

It's cute and clever, but not all of the pieces worked for me. Nudity-shy readers might or might not be put off. Many of models are topless or bottomless, but it takes a very close look to see that they're painted rather than clothed. I honestly can't say whether this counts as nudity or not, but it does contribute a sly edge to a number of photos. No matter, it's all good fun.

-- wiredweird

This book is for everyone! Joanne shows her enormous talent and sense of humor. What a pleasure to look at and share with others. This will be around a long time.

I have long admired Jo Ann Gair for her amazing artistic ability applied to human form. I was so pleased to enjoy the funny and heartwarming work of art by this extremely talented woman. The care, production value and attention to detail in each image is astounding. A true gem of artistry and humor to enchant your friends and family.

OK, the nudity part was what made this book intriguing, but it isn't lewd. GREAT paint jobs. Each photograph or series of photos tells a very short story. They are accompanied by quotations which enhance or explain the photographs. Give this book as a gift to someone who appreciates photography, art, humor and the human experience. The entire volume takes about 15 or 20 minutes to thoroughly enjoy, but you may want to repeat the process a couple of times. Some of the camouflage paint jobs are simply amazing!

This is my first Carla Cassidy book but I did like it. It has the same elements as alot of other books out there, but I have to say this one was well done and I only figured out the killer when the author told us who he was. She leads you on very well and it was a good read.

Vanessa Abbott is a widow, her husband, Jim, was an artist who had mental problems that led to his suicide. She and her son have lived quietly for the last two years, she working at a realty office and spending time in the loving arms of Jim's family. Now she is ready to move on and has allowed a friend to give a showing of some of Jim's paintings.

Christian Conner is a friend of the owner of the gallery where the paintings are being shown. He is not into the artistic communtity and is pleased to find that Vanassa is not either. They meet at the showing and she finds this is a man she would like to know better. With the showing she is finally letting go of the marriage of eleven years to the artist.

But someone is not happy that she has decided to move on. The usual things start to happen. Unexplained roses, moved pictures, old clothing appears, and she begins to wonder if Jim is dead. His body was never found after he jumped off a bridge. As the murders start, no one is able to connect any of the pieces. The murders are all connected to the art community but no particuliar artist.

The police detective, Tyler King, was very well done and I would like to have a story about him. He was unusual in his caring and attitude toward the case. One of the best characters in the book really.


It held my attention, and I liked the romance. Some of it was predictable, but overall I enjoyed the read.

Vanessa Abbott believes her disturbed husband drowned himself until she's spooked by seemingly autonomous items as they are moved about their home. She falls for a new man, Christian Connor, and strange events escalate. Other than her late husband, she wonders who would send her these vengeful messages.

Young widow Vanessa Abbott struggles to support herself and her ten-year-old son as a realtor. Two years before, her husband, a talented but brooding artist, disappeared without a trace except for his car, parked on a bridge. Police are convinced that the artist accomplished suicide by jumping into the swift and murky Missouri River. Vermilion red was the late Jim Abbott's favorite color. In his finished works, he'd featured this color of excitement. He had a strange habit. When he was frustrated with a work in progress, he'd destroy it with a zigzag of red paint.

Vanessa's ten-year-old son, Johnny, shows artistic talent like his father, but she worries over the pressure his paternal grandparents place on him to become famous. Johnny does not display any of his father's dark mental attributes. Otherwise, Vanessa would never have consented to a black-tie gallery event to sell her late husband's remaining paintings. Andre, the owner of the Kansas City gallery, had discovered and encouraged Jim. After Andre's cut, Vanessa plans to place proceeds in Johnny's college fund.

At the time of the celebrated gallery showing, Vanessa is ready to release Jim and stop trying to make sense of his demons. She places Jim's portrait into her dresser drawer. Art critics and buyers describe his landscapes as genius, the way they leave the viewer thinking. Jim's artwork sells successfully. That evening Vanessa meets handsome and robust Christian Connor, Jim's exact opposite. Christian, the owner of a construction company, is in attendance only because of a bet made with his friend, Andre, the owner of the gallery. Normally, Christian would avoid the stuffy upper crust of society that reminds him of his parents. He finds Vanessa attractive but wonders if she is a snob. Nevertheless, he is in the market for a house and asks her to be his realtor. Later that night at home, Vanessa tucks her son into bed. When she sees Jim's portrait on her bedside table, she's spooked.

Jim is alive and watches as others cash in on his talent. He will make them pay but will spare the son who reminds him of himself. His wife is at the pinnacle of his hit list, but he will start at the bottom. Jim's art dealer, Andre, is found dead the next morning by a gallery assistant. His bashed forehead reveals to forensics that he was beaten long past his death. Broad strokes of red paint soak his shirt. Two other victims, Jim's art agent and artist friend, are found dead with the same ritual of paint. The police hold back this information. Vanessa begins to suffer crank phone calls when a muffled voice begs for help with churning water in the background. This echo of Jim's death leaves her horrified, but she suspects a jealous coworker and doesn't go to the police. After Vanessa and Christian begin seeing each other, he is attacked, but a security guard intervenes. This incident jolts Vanessa into realizing how much he means to her, and they begin a more serious relationship. Will Christian have what it takes to live up to her expectations as a stepparent? Will Vanessa go to the police when more eerie events stun her?

PAINT IT RED is a gripping love story and a psychological suspense. Author Carla Cassidy does an incredible job pacing the tantalizing romance between Vanessa and Christian in a story filled with moments of terror. I adored Christian's turning moment as he witnesses Vanessa's concern over her son. Christian is devastatingly likable as he eases into a natural friendship with Johnny. Cassidy portrays Jim Abbot as a complex and evil person with clarity. PAINT IT RED is a thriller that sucks the reader in until the last page.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the main female and male characters and the son Johnny was adorable. The only reason I didn't give this book a 5 is because I thought the author should have developed some of the characters alittle better. Especially the brothers. When someone was talked about in this book, alot of the time I was thinking to myself "Who is that again" and would have to go back and try to figure out who the people were. Overall though I thought it was really good and will definately be reading more from this author.

Vanessa Abbott is finally ready to start rebuilding her life. She has been working hard (as a realtor) to keep food on the table, and living like an island, after her husband's suicide (he jumped off a bridge into the Missouri river), two years earlier. But now after two years, Vanessa wants to love again; a special someone who would fill the void in her heart and soul. And be a good father to her ten year old son.

Johnny is such a cute and intelligent little kid, that the reader can't help loving him. Life hasn't been very easy for him, despite his loving mother, there was always a void in his life, because his father Jim, when alive was absent from his son's life. Johnny is also a very talented painter just like his father.

Vanessa meets Christian, first in the art Gallery where the last of Jim`s paintings are being shown. Christian is a contractor and he is looking for a house to buy. I liked how the relationship between them evolved, from business acquaintances to friendship/attraction to love. They were serious about each other from the start. While Jim had been moody, and brooding, so absorbed in his paintings. Christian is open and honest, and he puts a smile on her face.

But someone is watching from the shadows, someone who will make all of them pay. And when Jim's friends start dying one by one (with a red slash drawn across their chests, the same sign Jim used to draw across the paintings he disliked , and wanted to destroy) and Vanessa starts receiving some chilling phone calls, along with other creepy events, she realizes with dread that perhaps Jim is still alive. And considering how unstable he was the last few months before his suicide... But who is really tormenting her? Is it Jim, come back from the dead, or is it someone else? And in both cases, the question lingers, Why?

This was a very good suspense read. It also kept me guessing till the end. I loved Grandpa John, whom Vanessa remembers throughout. Grandpa John's wise sayings are beautiful and meaningful, adding a poignancy to the story. However, I thought that there should have been a bit more concentration on the romance.

In conclusion, I liked this book. It is a very good suspense story, a good love story, with a touch of poignancy all throughout.

Carla Cassidy's books just keep getting better and better! I was hooked from page one and finished within a day! A great surprise ending. Bravo!

This book was just OK for me. I was expecting more detail and refinement in the paintings which I strive for in my work. The small paintings make a nice price point when you are doing various sizes.

I found this book to be very inspirational. I wish I had thought of it!

This book is not only instructional, but a complete course in painting miniatures -- and fills a vast void in that area. The author not only provides excellent reasons for painting on a small canvas, but gives practical advice on setting up space and equipment, preparing the panel (canvas), and staging & lighting the props for a still life. She goes on to review elements of color theory, and presents her favorite complementary palettes. She discusses methods of 'seeing' in order to get the underlying drawing right, and outlines the most important elements of design: composition, perspective, balance, focal point, and texture. Additionally, several methods of creating depth in a painting are covered. Thereafter, Washor presents a series of step-by-step still-life and landscape demonstrations, each of which illustrates yet other enigmatic features of art. She even discusses framing! This book is packed with practical, useful, and instructive advice, and is filled with gorgeous, painterly examples of the author's work to inspire us. What a find!

Overall, the book was good. I liked the intro and the chapter on equipment. I would have liked more step by step pictures to show the development of the painting. Also, some better descriptions of painting techniques would have been helpful. The book does inspire me to experiment on my own but it doesn't give enough insight to avoid common mistakes.

Disregard the size of the paintings if you like, and just look at the gorgeous colors and brushwork!!!!! So sensuous. The author is very generous with her information. Her color palette is unusual, and the color schemes she uses are really, really lovely. This is one of the top oil painting books around. I highly recommend it.

Colors run together. Other than that it is a good way for a little one to paint using water instead of paints. When the colors run together it looks like the page is all one color.

Bought two different books, Care Bear Water Painting Books. They are just like the ones from when I was growing up, which are hard to find in stores. They're great and all you have to worry about is a small glass of water. These were for a 19 mo. old.

My daughter loved these water color paint books with the paint already on the pages. She just dips her brush in water and paints! My daughter is 20 months, and LOVES this. And the fact that they are the CareBears reminds me of when I was a kid!!

This is a wonderful book with cute pictures and lots of colors but I bought mine at Target for $0.89.

This is a great paint with water book. These are so hard to find these days. My two year old loves it! I like the bright/vibrant colors as well. Clean up is easy and she likes to paint away.

This book is always on my workbench. As stated by another reviwer, the "Suggested Tonal Charts" section has been invaluable, and has inspired me to experiment with colors not on the list. By step-by-step examples, and by showing works of various artists, you really get a sense of color technique. I also recommend this book to model figure painters; after studying this book, the skin tones on my figures have started to look more natural instead of having that "exaggerated theatrical make-up" look!

This book is brilliant. Although it won't teach you how to paint, it will give you the greatest insight into how to mix colours for a near perfect image. Whether you are an amature or a professional, a book like this and at such a small cost is worth having on your shelf as an anytime reference.

I admit it: I bought this book for myself for a Christmas present, and it was well worth the price paid. Here is information I have never gotten in art school. Though it is probably entirely possible to learn to paint the face and figure by being presented with a model in a crowded and badly lit room, there has to be a better way, and I think this book is it. Through a clever system of charts using a palette of only 12 basic colors, author James Horton shows you how to create an infinite array of skin tones for people of pale, mid-tone and dark coloring. Specific modifications for pastellists are included, and though I'm just a beginner, I was amazed what I could do following his directions when I was only about a fourth of the way through the book. I recommend this very highly for all students, whether you're enrolled in an art course somewhere or just slugging it out on your own at home. I intend to finish every exercise in the book before I go back to art school at the end of January. Highly recommended!!!

This book, with its charts of sample mixes and color tones in various media, is a great asset if you are just begining to paint portraits or people. It will give you a good basic understanding of color mixing for skin tones. ( no need to buy premixed colors! Be able to paint the nuance of people, not reduce everyone to the same "skin tones.") In addition, it discussed the effects of shadow and reflected color. Nice illustrations, photos and color charts.

I like this book. It's not the greatest, but it's not bad. If you're starting out painting and need some basic guidance for general skin colors it's probably ok. Where it's lacking is in most anything beyond the basic color of skin. There's no discussion of skin color in shadow, in the halftones where the skin turns away from the light, or where the skin blends into the hairline. Little about the affect of light, surroundings, or location (cheek, chin, forehead, etc.) on skin color either. Those things make or break portraits and some (me) just can't seem to mix the right colors to go with the basic skin tone of the model. I wish that had been addressed in this book... that would make it worth 5 stars (and maybe what people are asking for it these days).