Paint Books

This should be titled something like "Inspirations for Painters". It does not show technique, as the title implies. Each artist talks about their inspiration for the painting they create- but little else is discussed. I was greatly disappointed.

Very short book, much like youth drawing books.

Have you ever seen a nature show where the host, watching something as mundane as a dung beatle pushing a ball of dung, excitedly whispers as though it were the most astounding sight he'd ever seen? That's how this book is written. It does more excited whispering about the artist making the paintings in it than it does about the paintings themselves. If you've ever ordered a book expecting that it would offer you some insight, tips, or real instruction and gotten none of that then you know how you'll feel if you order this one. A huge letdown. Oh, it's a 7x10 book about watercolor painting and the pictures are tiny. .. just so you know.

The style is really bad. To make matter even worse it is sometimes loose in terminology. That might me attributed to the translation. However, sometimes some formulas just jump out of nowhere. But it is still readable if you know subject. But what the point to read the book then?

Possibly of historical interest.
Relies heavily upon use of the toxic, now illegal, white & red lead oxides as well as out-of-use pigments such lithopone (made obsolete in the 1920-1930's by the far superior titanium dioxide).

If you're an artist you won't get anything from this book and if you're trying to learn how to draw you won't get anything from this book. Apparently based on a reoccuring segment from a British TV show, where the author would show celebrity guests "how to draw instantly", this book has all the depth and insight you would expect from such a venue. There are some great books on art technique and instruction, this is not one of them.

the authors use pictures of original masterpieces and try to copy them.

if you expect to read about techniques that were used in the original paintings you are wrong. if you think the authors would explain the styles of the original paintings and how they achieved it, you are wrong again.

in fact there is nothing in this book which could help you with painting in any way. all the explanations go like: first paint the background, then paint the face. now put the highlights on the face. never anything useful at all!

the only reason why it earned this one star is because the pictures of the famous original paintings are fine and there is a small biography of the artist for each of them.
anyway - if you want pictures and biographies, please buy another book!

I love color. I love paint. I love decorating. This book is OK but it's one of those European imports, so the settings don't look quite right. And this book has been around awhile. I just found a new book on the subject called Painted Furniture, which is by the Better Homes and Gardens people. Painted Furniture has complete how-to, fresh color and styles, and it has settings and product lists that apply to American homes.