Customer Reviews (1)

masterpiece book
in fact i found this book one of the most important books readable for bigginers at least,but i wissh to find like this books be translated to many langauges like arabic which be my base langauge, and french, ..ect, tobe usefuleto most people in this career. i know that is not a review forthe book, but i wanted to say my opinion. thank you ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of 19 step-by-step projects will teach the artist simple and effective techniques for creating beautiful floral illustrations using a variety of media. Included are techniques for pencil, pen and ink, watercolour and watercolour with ink, which will enable the artist to create crisp, clean illustrations. These intermediate-level demonstrations will appeal to a wide range of artists, from fine artists who appreciate creating realistic botanical illustrations to decorative painters who wish to include flowers in their designs. ... Read more

Product Description
No holiday has the power to captivate our senses or dominate our memories quite like Christmas. And perhaps no contemporary artist has the power to captivate our imaginations quite like Thomas Kinkade. His tranquil, light-infused paintings evoke a world where love, faith, family, and home provide guiding lights for life. In this enchanting book, Kinkade's luminous paintings are accompanied by inspired and joyful words about Christmas from some of history's greatest writers, poets, and thinkers. The Light of Christmas will shine as a family tradition for years to come. ... Read more

Product Description
Create Better Compositions by Design

The path to better painting begins with Mastering Composition. This effective guide blends clear, visual instruction with 5 step-by-step demonstrations to show you how to plan and paint your best work yet.

Composition is the key, and here you'll learn to design paintings with new skill and confidence. It all begins with the armature or structure of the picture plane. Every great painting has one, and you'll see through several famous examples exactly how the Old Masters used armatures to create movement, narrative, harmony and fluidity. Based on these examples, you'll practice what you've learned following a series of hands-on demonstrations.

Once you understand the basic principles of design, you'll be amazed at how quickly and effectively your compositions come together. Soon you will be painting more boldly and confidently than ever before with less reworking and overworking.

Whether you're a beginner looking for basic instruction or a more advanced painter troubleshooting a specific problem, the proven methods in this book will work for you. Ideal for all mediums, Mastering Composition gives you the knowledge you need to create powerful paintings out of every subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Mastering Composition: Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting (Mastering (North Light Books))
This is a fantastic book. Excellent coverage of an important and often overlooked subject. This is a keeper for any serious student of landscape painting.

Not just for Painters
I got the previous edition of this book out of the Library, and it is brilliant!It improved my Photography immensely.

Are you surprised?

Why?

The essential principles of what make a good picture are the same - only the techniques and media are different.But both painters and photographers are striving for virtually identical goals, and this book WILL improve your work, if you follow the principles outlined here.

But don't just take my word for it, just get this book and build it into the way you work - Painter or Photographer.

Just a note about why only 4 stars.I really get frustrated by all the glowing 5-star reviews, so I refuse to give 5, even though this one does actually deserve it.

Best I've ever seen
I teach art and am a professional artist.When my students ,( who are adults, many professional artists) asked to focus this semester on composition, I found this book in the library.It is by far the best book I have ever, ever seen on composition.It is extremely well-ordered; highly readable, with no wasted words; also contains some of the best sections on other topics (color, edges) that I have ever seen.I ordered one of my own immediatly, as did many of my students.Also, the paintings in it are beautiful--So many "how-to" art books are by artists who are not really artists one would want to emulate. This artist is very, very good.

Unique point of view
Ian Roberts' view of composition was a revelation to me. He describes breaking the picture plane with a structure that draws your viewer's eye into the frame and holds it there, leading it around at your will. To me, that was a whole new way of looking at images. It has stuck with me and influenced everything I've done since.

Mastering Composition is very good
I have been painting for about 12 years, and had lessons with some excellent instructors. This book has added a lot more practical knowledge. I like it very much. Gets just a tad too technical in places, so 4 1/2 stars is the real score!It is certainly worth the money. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

drawing
i can give this three and half stars, depending on what your looking for, it is not a bad book, it can definetly help the beginner

Great job
great job fast service books look newtwo thumbs up

Step-by-step cartooning instructions
Artists of all skills levels will find CARTOONING, CARICATURE AND ANIMATION MADE EASY a simple presentation of step-by-step cartooning instructions presented by professional Thorndike: the result of a republication of two classics SECRETS OF CARTOONING and ART OF CARTOONING, which appeared in 1936 and 1937, respectively. ... Read more

Product Description
Each card in this inspiring deck offers an idea to stretch your approach to observing and chronicling the daily events around you. You'll learn how to harness the power of words (what to write about, and what to write with), explore extreme photography techniques without having any previous photography experience, focus on the little things (like a two-inch section of a painted mural you drive by every day), and discover unusual ways to create a self-portrait (from plastic wrap and tree lights, to close-ups of your hands).Includes 50 cards and a creativity notebook to record your own art-journal explorations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

CONFUSING KIT
When I ordered this item, I was very impatient to receive it, thinking I would certainly learn something quite new and very different.
When I received it, what a disappointment, I had no idea what I was supposed to do with these cards and this little book.
It remained like that for a while, on my shelf, and finally I decided to give it a second chance, so I carefully read every single card and watched the work on each of them, and also read the few comments in the booklet.
So here is my conclusion : some ideas on the cards and advices are interesting, and probably I will try a few, just by curiosity, but honestly, I can't say I am dazzled by such an originality ! It is turned a lot towards photography, but a few advices are for those who don't take pictures. The author is very interested in the TV news, her neighbors, the nature, meaning of life, how boring things can be, but it is rather hard to actually know a little about herself, we almost learn more about her husband ! What is surprising since she doesn't stop saying that a journal must be the reflection of ourselves, but where is she ? I don't know. Her techniques, way of drawing, gluing, stamping, tracing circles (a lot of circles) reminds me a lot of different well-known artists/writers, and according to what she says, she seems to look a lot at other artists works, what probably influences her, but once again, if she hadn't felt the need to please the readers' eyes, what would she do on her own ? I don't know.
A lot of cliches, and it is a pity because she seems to have something to say and some personality.
The only thing we guess is boredom, sadness, insecurity, fear of not drawing well (she says it herself), and it is ridiculous since her drawings are quite correct.
I have a little more sympathy for the author after having gone into details, even if I still don't manage to get her, but I remain disappointed by the lack of originality.
Another thing : I also don't see the point of the whole concept of cards and small book. I thought we had to read the book and decorate the cards, in fact, it is the contrary : we must read the cards (not very convenient) and fill the book, which is, by the way, very small and thin, and already full of the authors' printed layouts, with a few more comments. It doesn't let a lot of space for us, we feel a little invaded... For someone who is frightened by a blank page, it can be perfect, but if you are already a confident artist yourself, you are going to feel a little tight in this background, with no real freedom to express yourself.
I would say it is a "politically correct" book/kit for beginners, with a few elaborate advices about photography. The author is more "intellectual" than practical, it is nice without being amazing, it is interesting sometimes, without being original. I felt the whole thing a little sad.
I just hope the author won't stop here and will try to be herself the next time, and not to work for the others' expectations.
We, (experienced readers), crave to learn more, differently, new things, and we are waiting for sincerity.

Wow, what a novelty - A fresh approach! Loved this kit
In order to jump start more artistic creativity in my journal I switched to unlined pages. Did a drawing or two.Then I bought this kit. I'll admit to being cynical when I saw the journal that came with it. It's a printed version of the author's collages in blank book form for you to write in and embellish.I enjoyed reading the author's comments while paging through it - even if I probably will never write in it.But the cards!I love that this ISN'T one of those "copy my journal, this is how - and yours will be a carbon copy" books.Instead, she gives you TECHNIQUES using simple materials - the creativity comes in trying the techniques and seeing where they can take you. It's admittedly heavy on the photography end - and I love to write and draw.Still, I didn't find the concepts to be strangers to each other.In fact, I used some of the photography as take off points for drawings - which the author also encourages.I haven't read all of the cards yet - I'm savoring them.I don't write a lot of reviews - but I had to tell everyone about this book and rave about it - I heartily recommend it (as if you haven't gathered that by now!) In fact, I'm going to buy a couple more to give as gifts.

Maybe this is for you, maybe not!
As a mixed media artist, I was curious as to what else could possibly be written or shown about journaling that hasn't already been published. I found the box on the shelf of a Half Price store so I bought it at the bargain price. If anything, I thought thepackaging was well designed and I could alter the box myself and use it for my own deck. The enclosed journal is a handy compact booklet that can be used to hold notes and ideas as well. As far as the cards, themselves, some ideas are better than others depending on where you are starting from and if you want to be "edgy". I'm open to all kind of things but I'm not into using my body as a journaling tool ~ something about wrapping yourself in plastic wrap and packing tape. She mentions that journaling is best done in a book instead of loose pages and yet all the cards are reprints of her journal pages and they come as "loose pages".Her words exactly: "Loose pages can be shuffled, tossed, crumbled...it's hard for them to represent some thing substantial."Most of this stuff could have been written about and shared if the artist chose to blog about it but then again there's no profit to be made from that. I don't want to sound totally negative because I am totally in favor of self expression and journaling. So if it gets people to start something and move on with it, fine. Me, I've been journaling all along and nothing in this book will change what I already do. The best book anyone one of us can find about Art Journaling is the one we create ourselves.

Fun for everyone
I bought this on a recommendation and have used the cards to inspire my entire family to be more artistic. We have used some of the suggestions - such as the saran wrap models - and done them as family projects. It has really been a great experience for the kids and I. Highly recommend this product.

A good choice if you're seeking creative inspiration...
If what you want is a guide to walk you, step-by-step, through the process of creating an art journal, something which will provide you with in-depth instruction on specific media techniques, this is not going to be your best choice...but if what you're after is something to kick-start you creatively, you may find "Wide Open" exactly wht you've been looking for. ... Read more

Product Description
Hard on the heels of the Impressionists came artists with a different agenda. Dissatisfied with the essentially short-term effects Impressionism had mastered, they strove in their different ways for an art of a more permanent, structured and expressive kind. By refining and codifying, dismantling and reassembling the procedures of Impressionism, artists such as Seurat, Cezanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh rewrote the rules for representational painting at the turn of the twentieth century. The arbitrary color, exaggerated forms, and abstraction of their works marked a new distance between artist and nature and prepared the public for the freedoms of the next generation of innovators.In this study Belinda Thomson introduces the artists responsible for these important and influential stylistic changes and sets them in their intellectual and historical contexts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not much of a book
This is a little (6.76" W x 9.52" L x 0.37" H) survey (0.57 lbs) with 80 pages, 40 color plates, and 20 b&w illustrations fitting in a big pocket.Belinda Thomson describes the evolution of painting after the Impressionism within its historic context. It is not much of a book. Her ISBN: 0714826626 (titled The Post-Impressionists) is bigger and has more illustrations.Also ISBN: 0297777130, ISBN: 0064304000, or even ISBN: 9990705968 seem to have an advantage. ... Read more

Product Description
Wide ranging and comprehensive, this book covers everything from traditional pastoral scenes to urban and industrial landscapes. There is sound technical information on cameras, film and lenses, plus plenty of practical advice on lighting, composition and perspective. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book for a great price.
Brian Bower does it again with a great Leica book. Many color photos taken by summicrons, summiluxes, and most other Leica lenses on mostly Kodachrome 25 and 64. Great book on how to use the Leica systems to take landscape and cityscape photographs for optimal results. Highly recommend. ... Read more

Product Description
Intended for beginners, this book offers suggestions on equipment and techniques for creating different textures, and gives tips on how to actually see what is being painted. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Basic Watercolor Techniques
Very good instruction for technique, explanation of how various colors work, and paper qualities.I am taking a class at the local college and the book goes along with what I have learned in class.Very informative.

Assumes prior knowledge
The book is comprehensive indeed, but as a BASIC course, the book seems to assume some level of previous art experience. I had questions about brush care and other small details which were not covered.

Easy-to-read
This book is very beginnerish, but is good as a reference for the more experienced artist. It covers a little bit of everything for you and is inspiring. I am glad I own this book. In fact, the spine on it is almostworn out from using it so much.

practical and informative
Inclused useful information about basic materials and techniques. Excellent chapter on mixing colors. Good information about design, value, and saving whites. Chapters on landscapes, plants and flowers, water , thefigure and portraits. ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of show-and-tell how-tos includes a marvelous range of surfaces, paints, tools, and procedures. The techniques shown simulate marble, wood, stone, leather, ceramic, and many other fascinating finishes. A basic instructional for beginners; a thorough reference for professionals. 350 color and 250 b&w illustrations.Amazon.com Review
Aimed at professionals and dedicated amateurs, The Art ofFaux is packed with gorgeous examples of fauxfinishes. Internationally acclaimed, award-winning decorative painterand instructor Pierre Finkelstein covers every aspect of the art formin tremendous detail, beginning with extensive specifics on all tools,materials, supplies, and planning, and including preparation andcleanup considerations. Each of the other 10 chapters concentrates ona wide variety of faux finishes in different categories: marble,semiprecious stone, limestone and sandstone, wood, patinas andtextures, metals and gilding, tile, organic materials (such as ivory,leather, and mother-of-pearl), stenciling, and trompe l'oeil.Thereare even instructions for uncommon faux finishes, such as bamboo,Delft tile, snakeskin, and damask, that are not generally taught inother books on the subject. Every finish is presented as a completerecipe, and the list of ingredients includes not only paints, glazes,and tools, but also difficulty ratings and lists of preparatoryexercises for techniques that are part of the complete finish. Peopleseriously involved in any aspect of faux finishing--particularlypeople considering careers in the field--should invest in theinformation-packed The Art of Faux. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Excellent explanation and photos!!!
I bought this book for a friend, but had a chance to peruse it before giving it.It is exceptionally done in my opinion.I'd recommend this book for sure!

Perfect for Professionals
This book is for professionals who wish to specialize in high-end finishes (in other words, not the housewife who occassionally earns a little pocket cash doing sponge work on her neighbors' kitchen cabinets).

The techniques covered are very challenging, take a lot of time to master and require a superior skill set. Those aspiring to, but not yet at such a level, should seriously consider using this book while taking a class with a qualified instructor (most will have to travel for this, as such instructors are not usually found at typical adult-ed programs). An intermediate-level artist trying to master these techniques from the book alone may end up frustrated.

That said, this is a wonderful book. Both the writing and illustrations are clear and thorough. There is a good variety of topics covered. The asthetic quality of the projects is high. For those who do (or hope someday to do) high-quality work, this book is essential. I can't recommend it enough.

One of the best book on the subject if you are a little more than beginner
Fantastic finishes and good directions. The book is good for someone who has already done anything in this business and understands materials and terms used.

Wonderful, very helpful and informative.
The most in-depth reference book I could have asked for.Exactly what I wanted and needed.

Faux You
I purchased this for my daughter who is a faux painter.She loves the book.She says there are many techniques in here that are new to her and she is enjoying doing them. ... Read more

Product Description
Brings together the foundations and the practice of art therapy. Illustrates how various approaches to psychotherapy are applied in art therapy and presents therapeutic possibilities and an understanding of theoretical constructs. Includes new chapters and commentary on object relations. Previous edition: c1987. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Major book on Art Therapy
I purchased this book to use later in Winter as a text book for a graduate class in Counseling. This is a revision of an older version and I believe is an outstanding introduction to theories and practices in Art therapy. Considerably superior to other books I have seen widely advertised.

Good overview of the field
This is an edited volume with each chapter reflecting the theories and practices of a particular art therapist. The chapters are written by major theorists and practitioners, some of whom are better writers than others. This accounts for the uneven quality of the book, but also gives it the kind of authenticity that may be lacking when a second party attempts to interpret or explain someone else's style and intent.Some chapters reflect the historical basis for art therapy while others reflect current practices. I teach art therapy and use it as a basic text for an therapy class covering methods, theories, and materials in art therapy. It's a good overview. Anyone who looks to this book as a source of ideas for art activities will be disappointed. Anyone who wants to know more about what art therapists do and why will find some good, basic information in this book.

uneven content, too much jargon
This book is interesting, but is filled with jargon and some pretty dated material. As a psychotherapist I felt it did not give me much understanding of the different approaches to art therapy that the author proposes exist. The chapters were uneven in style and content, which did not help the overall content of the book. Perhaps someone will write a good book on approaches to art therapy, this just was not it.

Rubin's Approach to Art Therapy: Theory and Technique is a g
Rubin touches on many points which would be necessity for art therapists to learn.However, this book is so full of terms specific to art therapy that readers need prior understanding of many terms for the book to makemuch sense.This is a book well worth the time to read just not by thebeginner student of art therapy. ... Read more

Product Description
A complete and up-to-date introduction to the materials and techniques of painting and drawing for college students at all levels. Includes all mediums. Illustrated. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

hidden secret
no need to say more, if you are a real painter, this is a gem.

invaluable resource
I have owned this book since it was published many years ago and I have used it for information for my own work and to teach from.The information on the materials and techniqes of oil painting is concise andeasy to follow.There are many great ilustrations of processes, tools and procedures that cannot be found in any other book. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is perfect for beginning watercolorists and artists in othermediums interested in trying something new-particularly decorative painters. It assumesthey have absolutely no prior knowledge of watercolor and proceeds from there. Thebasic questions all beginners ask will be explained and illustrated in simple, step-by-step,fail-proof presentations-questions like:"How wet should my paper be?" "What brush should I use?" "How full of paint should my brush be?" "At what point do I stop and what should my painting look like?"

Claudia illustrates not only the terms and techniques associated with watercolor painting,but also shows many examples of common problems beginners have, whey things can gowrong, and how to fix them. She also includes step-by-step exercises to help readers learnand practice each new watercolor technique.Most of all, this book makes learning about watercolor fun by eliminating frustration andgiving beginners a solid foundation on which they can build.

Claudia Nice is a multi-media artist, but prefers pen, ink and watercolor when working inthe field. She has been an art consultant and instructor, has authored fifteen art instructionbook and travels across North America conducting workshops, seminars anddemonstrations at schools, clubs, shops and trade shows. She has recently opened herown teaching studio near Mt. Hood, Oregon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fabulous watercolor study book
Claudia Nice is a one of a kind watercolorist and her teaching/writing is a wonderful tool for the painter who seeks to improve or expand their technique.Her illustrations are perfect for the one who wishes to paint nature as it truly is.
Nice's books continue to be among the top watercolor books in print.

positive comments
The book is well done for a beginner to watercolor.Illustrations very easy to follow.The book was delivered in a timely fashion.No complaints.

watercolor made simple with claudia nice
I love this book!I have almost all of ms. nice's books and think they are the greatest!I look at them over and over and hope somday to draw and paint as well as she does.Her books are beautiful!!also very helpful !

Watercolor Made Simple with Claudia Nice
Watercolor Made Simple with Claudia Nice is a wonderful book for learning the bare bones of watercolor.It has valuable information on the watercolor wheel. You can keep this book in your library and have an excellent reference in understanding the quality of watercolor. She offers the simple straight forward discussion. Some people may have wished it was printed in a good clean type face as the introduction rather than in typed script. It is a nice script with flourishes.Some I have talked to are distracted by the type. Otherwise a book to buy and maintain in your library in any form available.
Watercolor Made Simple with Claudia Nice

Claudia Nice certainly is!
This book was suggested for me since I am a relatively newcomer to watercolor. The person who suggested it has been a painter and teacher for over 70 years(she is 95 and still teaches a small group). She was right its a great book for people such as myself. ... Read more

Product Description
Learn to play the turntable like your favorite DJs and create your own style! This essential guidebook and companion 2-record set teach you to play the turntable as a musical instrument. Use this first-ever turntable method to effectively master techniques and tricks. Includes step-by-step instructions on: setting up your equipment, scratching, beat matching, mixing, transforming, crabbing, crossfader technique, cutting and stabs. Book includes: photographs and musical exercises, tips on how the pros set up their gear for scratch mixing, and a history of DJing and hip-hop culture, plus interviews with top DJs such as: DJ Swamp (Beck), MixMaster Mike (Beastie Boys), DJ QBert (Invisibl Skratch Picklz), DJ Kuttin Kandi (5th Platoon/Anomolies), DJ A-Trak (Teenage DMC/ITF World Champion), and DJ Craze (three-time DMC World Champion). The companion records (two 7 inch. EPs) provide scorching grooves, phat beats, and wicked scratch material for DJs/turntablists of any level.

The Second Edition includes a pair of new warp-free 7-inch vinyl EPs to practice these techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

DO NOT ORDER THIS FROM AMAZON
This looks like a really cool product.I grew up playing drums, and I think learning the turntable as an instrument rather than spending hours playing around until I find something that "sounds right" is a great idea.

Unfortunately, Amazon could not deliver this product to me in good shape.I tried 2 times, and both times the records were warped.I'm going to try to purchase it from Berklee press directly - perhaps they will know how to wrap and send records.

Woak!
I order this item twice and both time the vinyl were curved!!!!
I really tought that amazon was better then this.....

Good for absolute beginners
The records and book are designed for absolute beginners to DJ'ing. If you don't know anything at all about turntables, this is the book set for you. Otherwise, just go ahead and buy normal battle records and watch battle videos.

Personally, I was not new to DJ'ing, but started using turntables only recently. However, I grew out of this book and the included records pretty quickly, so it wasn't worth the money for me to buy this.

Straight-ahead method, easy to use
I've been a club and mobile DJ for over 12 years, but I've never gotten into scratching, even though I love the way it sounds. This book made it easy, and gave me some background on where the artform came from.The records gives you useful samples, in fact I use them every night in my mobile and club sets to sprinkle in some cuts and stabs. This goes over huge, especially at my high school and college gigs.

Highly recommended, will get you started in no time.

I love this book!
I received a pair of turntables and a mixer for Christmas last year, and this book got me off my rear end and got me practicing.I mastered beat matching in one night.

The book is very easy to follow. The records that come along with it are great, too.

I heard the author on NPR and he was cutting Richard Nixon saying "I am not a crook," which is right off of the records that come with this book!

I also learned about Grandmaster Flash, Qbert and Craze from the interviews and history section.

Well worth the price! ... Read more

Product Description
Christmas evokes some of the most vivid memories we have.Whether it’s the new fallen snow, the smell of gingerbread cookies baking, or decorating the tree, it conjures up recollections of past celebrations. Thomas Kinkade is a well-known painter and author who spreads inspiration through art. Known as the “Painter of Light,” Thom generates joy and beauty in all his creations.A Christmas Celebration features uplifting passages from notables such as Helen Steiner Rice, Charles Dickens, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Thomas Kinkade’s own musings. Each page is designed with an inspiring quote and painting to evoke the true celebration of Christmas. ... Read more

Product Description
Learn from two of taekwondo’s foremost teachers—a champion competitor and a world-renowned master instructor.Their clear instruction will help you master 38 of taekwondo’s most effective breakfalls, stances, arm strikes, kicks, blocks, and steps.

Improve mental and physical preparation.Gain greater speed and power. Develop your own personal moves and combinations. And learn effective self-defense adaptations for times when the rules of the dojang don’t apply.

The Martial Arts Series combines study of the history and language of individual martial art forms with fundamental skill instruction.Each book uses clear language and photographs to teach the most important techniques. Whether used for self-development, competition, or self-defense, this series will benefit martial arts enthusiasts of all ranks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

above
Book was informative and helpful - talked to about the history and roots of Tae Kwon Do.Books are sent in a timely manner, which is appreciated.

Right-to-the-point explanations of TKDo techniques
Excellent book for beginners or those interested in Tae kwon Do.Detailed explanation of Tae Kwon Do history, belt levels and Korean terminology with English pronunciations.Informative overviewand pictures of each basickick,counter attacks, blocks and tournament experience. Highly recommendedfrom beginners to advanced.

Right-to-the-point explanations of TKDo techniques
Excellent book for beginners or those interested in Tae kwon Do.Detailed explanation of Tae Kwon Do history, belt levels and Korean terminology with English pronunciations.Informative overviewand pictures of each basickick,counter attacks, blocks and tournament experience. Highly recommendedfrom beginners to advanced.

Great book on training
This book is based on mostly training for competition, and some forself-defense.It shows one form(tae geuk 1) but that wasn't the intendedpurpose of it.It shows falling and rolling, stances, arm strikes, kicks,blocks, and even things like stepping. It also has good sections onconditioning and competition.The conditioning section has plyometrictraining, various ab workouts, kick and hand strike resistance training,and a very good sectiong on mental toughness(various imagery, meditation,and focused breathing exercises). The bad side is mostly a small lack ofinformation. I felt the kicking and stretching sections could have beenbetter. The kicking section doesn't show any jumping and advancedkicks(like the spinning hook kick), but overall it is a good book. It alsohas a nice price too. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Creative Ideas for Photographs
There are 142 pages, including Intro, Index and Artist's Gallary, in this book. In between are 21 sections/ideas for projects.
Each section contains a list of materials & tools, tips & pointers from Paula, and photos showing projects, beginning and end.
Not all of the techniques interest me, however, I'm going to try at least 13 of them.
Even if I don't try them all, this is a good "how to" and "reference" book that I'll keep on hand.
It is apparent to me that Paula put a huge amount of time and effort into this book. My opinion is that its worth buying.

One of my favorites!!
Lots and lots of different techniques.Samples and step by step instructions on how to procede.Something new to try with each new project I start.Highly recommend it.If you are having an artist block, this book will open you up. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the only comprehensive text that discusses the aesthetics of sound design for the stage. It is a practical and comprehensive guide to the field of sound design, covering the designer's relationships within the theatre community and detailing the process of sound design. The focus is on design approaches and techniques, rather than equipment operation.


For every phase of theatrical production, Sound and Music for the Theatre traces the entire process of sound design from initial concept through finished plan. The book discusses the early evolution of a sound design that supports the play. It discusses how to research sources for music and effects, devise a sound plot, and negotiate in a contract. It explains how to plan the gathering and construction of the sound design elements; how the designer operates in a rehearsal; and how to set up and train an operator to run sound equipment for a theatrical production. The instructive information is interspersed with "war stories" describing real-life problems and solutions that sound designers or composers will be able to apply in similar situations that they may encounter. Also included are two highly informative roundtable discussions with well-respected directors, playwrights, composers and sound designers focusing on sound in the theatre.

Comprehensive text that addresses sound design for theatre
Updated to include digital technology in theatrical productions
Includes new "roundtable discussion" with leading sound designers and composers ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Quick Informative Read
Kaye and LeBrecht's book is a great introduction to the world of professional sound design for theatre. I am an experienced sound engineer and system designer, but was interested in learning the working procedures, protocol, and terminology that my colleagues in the theatre world are all used to. I got that plus some business advise for the independent contractor.

It is a quick inspirational read, especially if you skip over most of the out-dated sections on audio technology and sound systems. I will hold onto this book, though, as a reference for things like sound cue plot diagrams.

-Nathan
[...]

A valuable investment
A great introduction to the world of sound design for the theatre. Not only does it have a chapter on the history and evolution of sound design but it also has a chapter on experiences of sound designers - on how they deal with their work. The excerpts of designers' ideas and comments on a particular concept was very enriching. Add to that, it's an easy-to-read book. Being a sound designer myself, I could say I could relate a lot to their experiences. I highly recommend this book to theatre students taking up sound (design) courses or who wish to try their hands on the field. I personally learned a lot from this book and I have to say this is a valuable investment.

An excellent beginners guide to Sound in Theatre
This book takes you through the basics of how to analize theatre from a sound perspective. It gives examples of system diagrams, run sheets, a sound plot, and includes a glossary of terms. Very insightful for thebeginning sound designer! ... Read more

Product Description
An artist's materials--the bold brushstrokes of a Van Gogh oil painting, the sparkling gold leaf in a Byzantine mosaic, the fragile translucence of a porcelain vase--are not just the accessories of his or her work. They are the physical embodiment of the artist's creative vision and a reflection of the historical context in which they were used.
This latest volume in the popular Guide to Imagery series discusses the materials and processes used in eight media: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, mosaics, ceramics, glass, and metalwork. Within each of these categories, Antonella Fuga examines the range of materials and techniques that have developed over the centuries.For instance, in the chapter on drawing, she analyzes the use of charcoal, red chalk, and pastels, among other media. Capsule descriptions in the margins list essential information about the subject under discussion, and details of the artworks employed as examples are called out. The book concludes with a brief overview of contemporary techniques.
Richly illustrated with artworks from many of the world's important museums, this book provides art enthusiasts with new insights into the creation of many of the world's great masterpieces. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easy Read That is Very Informative for Artists and Art Lovers
I first found this book in my university library.I was quickly sold that this was an excellent book because it rapidly went into descriptions that were not too lengthy but still informative of many different art techniques.It featured many beautiful illustrations of samples of the techniques discussed, along with historical information related to the adoption of the techniques and the artists who used them.These features, along with its great price and relatively small size make it a great addition to any artist or art lover's library.

Artist or Art Historian
This is a great book for either the artist or art historian who wants to know more about any art medium.I used it primarily to review mediums that I have not worked with , but that I reference in the college art history course I teach.I recommend it for the new art student who wants to know more about any medium including some they have probably never heard of before.

Great reference book!
This is a beautifully done reference book.A must have in any secondary classroom. ... Read more

Product Description
For many art lovers and collectors, the term "print" suggests a two-dimensional work on paper made by one of a dozen or so half-understood techniques-aquatints, etchings, lithographs, screenprints, etc. This book shows readers the effort and skill that these techniques entail, how they are used, and how the artists employ them to create specific effects.

This book is both a survey of the best contemporary prints by American artists and a guide to printmaking techniques and effects. Nearly one hundred prints are shown in full color. Works are grouped by technique, and each section begins with an explanation of the process or processes illustrated within the chapter.Print publisher, curator and former gallery owner Chris Byrne has specialized in contemporary fine art prints for the last fifteen years. Using examples from ten of North America's top print houses, Byrne describes both basic techniques and the joint experimentation of artist and master printer as they create new images for an expanding audience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One Warhola of a book
The mass production of this text serves as an aesthetic nurturing for the starving art enthusiasts of our time. Clement Greenberg and Susan Sontag would vehemently disapprove.Byrne sheds light on the multi-valent reality of the collaborative process.Printmaking has never been so sexy. I highly recommend this book.

Useful Survey of Technique
Byrne provides a good introduction to the four major groups of printing techniques -- relief (woodblock, linocut, etc.), intaglio (etching, aquatint, engraving, and so on), lithography and screenprinting -- briefly describing their history, mechanics and characteristic effects.If you are interested in fine prints, this book will give you the vocabulary, although you really have to see some of the techniques in action to understand how they work.

Text is a small portion of the book, which is largely devoted to contemporary prints themselves, with commentary from some of the printers.The book is *not* a general survey of contemporary fine prints, however.Instead, the book seems to have been conceived as a collaboration between Guild.com (an Internet retailer of fine and decorative art) and several of the contemporary fine print publishers who make their work available through Guild (as well as through more traditional distribution channels).Printmakers who do not sell through Guild are not represented, and artists who work on their own (typically in woodblock or linocut, which do not require a press) are similarly excluded.Even so, many of the finest printmakers in the US are included, and the quality and variety of the work displayed is stunning. Color reproduction is quite good, although not perfect. ... Read more