Paint Books

It only gets four stars because it's not a comprehensive book, but a short little booklet (48 pages, with an index and a glossary). It's published by Barron's, who publish all those great, educational "made simple" type books on various subjects.

I've been through most of the books on markers that are out there. This book is the second best I've seen, I think. The very best is "Markers Wet and Wild," also available through Amazon. (Also, see the reviews already posted for the book "Rendering with Markers," They're accurate.) Anyway, this book has a lot for its short 48 pages. It's a good basic primer, and is a good resource if you're just starting to work with markers. It is also an excellent childrens book (see grade levels above).

It covers basic technique, nibs, mixing colors, types of papers good for marker drawing, how to use markers (bullet-tip, chisel point, etc), how to achieve effects (conveying motion and light, etc), then ends with exercises by drawing animals, scenery, rockets, applying markers in layers to achieve good results.

This has a nice low price and is totally worth it.

I have several books on decorative painting, and of course Jocasta Innes' is the definitive work on the subject. However, I would recommend this as a second purchase as not only are the finishes and their processes discussed, actual application is shown. The author demonstrates all her techniques with an actual application in a home or apartment. The book is not only very informative on finishes, but promises many projects for those of us who may have trouble getting our creativity and applications in gear.

This little book was produced in 1982. Stevie's story is about his brand new tricycle. Stevie learns about the parts of a tricycle and uses the tricycle to visit his friend and to take his teddy bear for a ride. Eventually, Stevie rides his tricycle and imagines what it would be like to be a fireman or a sailor. This book will get little tykes into recognizing relationships with relatives, friends, and pets and will introduce them to the art of imagination. A short and good story for youngsters.

This is a good introductory book for engineers and scientists interested in film coating and drying.
It's needless to say that we shall refer to the literature cited when we need in-depth knowledge; nonetheless, it is an important book to find a lead on a matter of concern.

This book provides the information required to determine where, and if an area is suitable for a mural design. It talks about selection of a wall, developing a theme, transferring a sketch to a wall, and even paint mediums. It includes a glossary for those new to muraling and perhaps unfamiliar with "mural art vocabulary." This book is not for backyard graffiti taggers, but for the artist whose well-thought-out ideas become an artistic means of respectful communication and a theme to share within a community. It would have been even better yet had the stetches and mural examples been in color.

My five-year-old daughter received this paint with water book for her birthday and cherishes it because she has an older sister. She spent hours painting each picture to share with her sister. I recommend it for sisters - it's very sweet.

This book was very much what I thought it would be, clear and direct and most useful.

I have been very pleased with the easy-to-follow steps in this book. It contains nearly every faux finish an individual needs to complete his/her home project. Well worth the investment.

I admire Mr. Crawshaw's techniques in many ways; he gives you methods to simplify how you paint people, boats and animals. He's known as an equestrian painter, so it's a bit disappointing that there isn't more in this book about painting horses (perhaps he's leaving that for a separate volume.) I also find Crawshaw's palette a bit dull--he goes for the natural look of muted greens and browns and blues--very realistic but not as exciting as the bright tropical colors that are now more in vogue in painting. This is in the true English tradition of watercolor. Nevertheless, I find that I've learned more by doing Crawshaw's exercises for painting things like trees and sheep than from many other books or videos. To rate this book; visually--it's not so exciting. Technique-wise, if you try out some of these techniques, your brushwork for certain details and compositions will become simpler and less worked-over. Recommended for that reason.

His artwork is good. It is helpful in learning techniques to eventually graduate in doing your own work by just looking a scene or picture. All of his books are great, predictable, but great.