Painting, drawing and art manuals Books

Book SynopsisCharles Reid is beloved as a teacher for his ability to guide students beyond the superficial and straight into the heart of what makes good painting good. In Painting by Design he explains how seeing your painting subjects in terms of light, shadow, shape, value, and color, will help you create striking works that embody effective design while capturing the intangible essence of the subject.A firm believer in drawing as an ideal tool for understanding a subject as an abstract form, Reid opens this book with lessons in contour and rhythm drawing, providing photographs for you to work from. Next comes a chapter on effective and reliable ways to treat color and value in your work. With clear and easy-to-follow pointers on working with oils and watercolors, Painting by Design explains how color functions as an important design element.Reid goes on to cover figure painting and the difficult art of rendering faces with realistic detail and expression, neatly demonstrating how the techniques and strategies learned in earlier chapters can be used to create specific effects. Finally, Reid shares his method of properly balancing a painting. Explaining how to combine what he refers to as "the effect" (sharp-focus, high-contrast compositional elements) with "the big blur" (softer edges, lighter values) to create interesting and dynamic artwork.Packed with assignments, detailed demonstrations, and illuminating examples, Painting by Design provides big-picture strategies and techniques alongside tips for identifying and addressing specific compositional problems. Ideal for any artist who wants to hone their skills and develop their sense of composition, Painting by Design stands out among Reid''s impressive catalog of painting books.Readers interested in related titles from Charles Reid will also want to see: Flower painting in oil (ISBN: 9781626543805), Painting What (You Want) to See (ISBN: 9781626543782), Pulling Your Paintings Together (ISBN: 9781626543843), The Natural Way to Paint (ISBN: 9781626543829).

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Book SynopsisLearn to figure paint in watercolor with a world-renowned instructor! The Natural Way to Paint will teach you a natural approach to seeing and painting the human form in watercolor. By learning to carefully observe and capture the basic shapes and subtle nuances in human figures, you''ll be able to infuse your work with newfound life and energy. Reid begins with lessons and practical exercises in contour and gesture drawing, which will help you learn to see and capture the essence of your subject. Once you''ve established a strong foundation of drawing skills, it''s time to pick up your brush! Reid will guide you through detailed lessons on: Painting technique and color theory Moving from silhouettes to three-dimensional forms Capturing and rendering facial features Composing and designing a variety of figure paintings Packed with examples, demonstrations, and detailed assignments, The Natural Way to Paint is the ultimate guide to beautiful figure painting in watercolor.Charles Reid has long been considered a master painter. His paintings are fresh and spontaneous, displaying his profound understanding of light and color and expert drawing ability. Reid was born in Cambridge, New York, and studied art at the University of Vermont and the Art Students League of New York. He has won numerous awards, including the Childe Hassam Purchase Prize at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Design, and the American Watercolor Society. In 1980 he was elected to the National Academy of Design. Public collections of his work include Smith College, Yellowstone Art Center, Brigham Young College, Roche Corporation, and the National Academy of Design. In addition to painting, Reid teaches workshops around the world. He has written eleven books on painting in watercolor and oil.Readers interested in related titles from Charles Reid will also want to see: Flower painting in oil (ISBN: 9781626543805), Painting by Design (ISBN: 9781626543218), Painting What (You Want) to See (ISBN: 9781626543782), Pulling Your Paintings Together (ISBN: 9781626543843 ).

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Book SynopsisBreathtaking Watercolor Seascapes for the Beginner Painter From ocean sunsets and enchanting woodland lakes to snow-speckled rivers and quiet villages reflected in a serene sea, this outstanding collection of paintings from Kolbie Blume teaches painters of all skill levels to master a range of brilliant waterscapes. Projects like Mountain of a Wave, Through the Fjord, Village by the Sea, Secret Falls and more build your confidence in painting water in all its wild and varied states. The chapters progress in difficulty, with skills building upon each other, helping you to develop and strengthen your abilities as you paint your way through the book. Providing you with all the tips and tricks you need to master the art of painting waterscapes, Kolbie's approachable step-by-step instructions and helpful hints will guide you from burgeoning beginner to pro painter.

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Book SynopsisUnleash Your Creativity with Beautiful Watercolor Blooms From delicate magnolias and zinnias to exotic hibiscus and tiger lilies, you'll be ready to paint an entire garden with 25 breathtaking projects. Renowned watercolor instructor Cara Rosalie Olsen covers everything you need to know to get started-even if you've never picked up a brush! Learn how to select art supplies, blend Cara's unique colors, prepare a palette, master different brush techniques and so much more. Each project provides detailed step-by-step instructions along with helpful illustrations so you can confidently create elegant botanical masterpieces. And with Cara's encouraging and beginner-friendly approach, you'll be inspired to find beauty in everything you paint.

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Book SynopsisDiscover how to draw true-to-life human figures and poses with detailed step-by-step instructions and tips and tricks on the best drawing techniques.Grab your sketchbook, pens, and pencils and follow along as this instructional drawing guide teaches you everything you need to know about creating the most realistic human figures. With more than 150 easy-to-follow illustrations, Drawing People is the perfect guide for aspiring artists looking to develop their people-drawing skills. Start off simple with learning how to draw basic body shapes. By the end, you will have gained the anatomical knowledge you need to make your human figures as realistic as possible including learning to draw: Specific muscle groups Artistic body poses Lifelike portraits And much more! Whether you?re a beginner or a drawing pro, Drawing People is the perfect book for anyone looking to hone their technical drawing skills and take their illustrations to the next level.

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