Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful find.
Review: I just love this book. I bought it 6 months ago, and have read it twice. I know that I will refer to it often, as it is dense with truly useful information. It is true that is a bit small, but so what? I look for solid instruction -- not coffee table material with glossy pictures and fluffy prose. Thanks, Steve.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best current title for the "advanced" beginner
Review: I purchased this relatively small book four years ago when I returned to oil painting after a long absence. I still refer to it and find the information to be exceedingly relevant to my current work. As Allrich justly states in an early chapter, "there really is no shortcut in learning to paint." While instructional material can be helpful it often delays the student painter from the actual task at hand; putting brush to canvas. The search for the perfect book is exceeded only by the relentless quest for equipment as a contributary factor in the retardation of skill development. Having said that I must now suggest that this title is one of the few exceptions. Most reviewers of this title will comment either favorably or unfavorably on the specific palette Allrich has chosen for his work. However, few (other than the previous reviewer who didn't like the "yellow" paintings) can argue that Allrich's work isn't beautifully rendered even if the palette is somewhat unconventional. And no one can claim that his work lacks a unified vision of diverse subject matter yielding that special emotional response that separates art from graphics. Steve Allrich is a fine artist. Buy this book and read it (just don't skim it and look at the pictures). The information contained within it is comprehensive and often universal no matter what style of painting you're into. While there are literaly hundreds of books on oil painting currently in the market place this small gem is one of two or three that I consider essential.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best current title for the "advanced" beginner
Review: I purchased this relatively small book four years ago when I returned to oil painting after a long absence. I still refer to it and find the information to be exceedingly relevant to my current work. As Allrich justly states in an early chapter, "there really is no shortcut in learning to paint." While instructional material can be helpful it often delays the student painter from the actual task at hand; putting brush to canvas. The search for the perfect book is exceeded only by the relentless quest for equipment as a contributary factor in the retardation of skill development. Having said that I must now suggest that this title is one of the few exceptions. Most reviewers of this title will comment either favorably or unfavorably on the specific palette Allrich has chosen for his work. However, few (other than the previous reviewer who didn't like the "yellow" paintings) can argue that Allrich's work isn't beautifully rendered even if the palette is somewhat unconventional. And no one can claim that his work lacks a unified vision of diverse subject matter yielding that special emotional response that separates art from graphics. Steve Allrich is a fine artist. Buy this book and read it (just don't skim it and look at the pictures). The information contained within it is comprehensive and often universal no matter what style of painting you're into. While there are literaly hundreds of books on oil painting currently in the market place this small gem is one of two or three that I consider essential.
Rating: 
Summary: Too late too return!!!!
Review: I wish I had read muriel Geny-Triffaut's review of 2/8/2001 ("A small book, a big disappointment...") before ordering this book. I would hope that the printing of the book was the problem and not Mr. Allrich's paintings which seem lifeless. Another thing, I am always put off by a painter who only exhibits examples of his own paintings.
Rating:
Summary: Too late too return!!!!
Review: I wish I had read muriel Geny-Triffaut's review of 2/8/2001 ("A small book, a big disappointment...") before ordering this book. I would hope that the printing of the book was the problem and not Mr. Allrich's paintings which seem lifeless. Another thing, I am always put off by a painter who only exhibits examples of his own paintings.
Rating:
Summary: Small things sometimes are just small
Review: Reproductions are poor quality. Everything appears to be washed over with yellow. Secondly, the small format is just too small. Book should be the usual art form larger format. The one star rating is simply because the writing is good. The author does make you think about what he advises, but there's nothing to relate to. None of the paintings inspired me because of the bad color reproduction.
Rating:
Summary: I've Been Waiting 39 Years For This Book
Review: Thank you, Steve Allrich, for your insights into the secrets of Art.
All my young life I had planned to become a painter. But when I got into High School, I became the victim of teachers who 1. Did not want to be Art teachers, but music or math teachers, or 2.
Had not ONE IOTA of TALENT!! And did not know REAL talent when they saw it nor how to nurture it along.This one all-knowing teacher hated my always painting horses and Old-West paintings. She said no one would EVER buy paintings of either. Well, need I have to tell you how hot horse art and Old West art is????
By 12th grade, whereas all along in school I had gotten straight A-plusses in art and my talent was shopped around to other classes, I had all but despised art and scraped out with a D minus! I think she would have given me an F, but I would not have been able to graduate. She so destroyed my confidence, I shake even thinking of approaching an easel!
Now "Plan A" of my life was shot; I had not prepared a "Plan B". I was severely depressed and my life became pointless as I drifted from one menial, blue or pink-collar job to the next. I had no idea what art was about. I believed that is was about trying to appeal to the most people as possible (paint what EVERYONE likes)and, of course,that's impossible. So I just started at blank canvasses and then quit for good. I THOUGHT the object of art was to improve on nature and paint only extreme Realism like the Old Masters. I was SO wrong for so many decades.
The secret of a great painting, as Steve Allrich states, is the EMOTION you get when you see a painting. THAT's what you paint.You don't try to compete with a camera! And he's right. You look at some paintings and it gives you a great FEELING; you love a painting, but you don't know why. Well, this is why. Technique you can get in painting classes and everyone's painting looks alike and is stagnant and dead. But to paint from the emotions, is what will sell your work (if you have technique with it.)As important as "how to paint" is the "why."
So now I'm studying Allrich's book, bought new art supplies and have a lifetime of ideas to produce. Thank you, Mr.Allrich, where were you so many years ago. I needed your teachings! And thank you Amazon for putting me on to this book. If you're a serious artist, get this book!
Rating:
Summary: This Is Serious
Review: The keyword for this book is in the title:"Serious". Most books that explain the basics of doing any art form seem to range from a yawn to a belly laugh. If one reads this book carefully, (it is well written) and follows the instructional progression, a happy result will occur. I found the restricted palette (and for me, a very new one) extremely helpful. The bald statement that nothing can save a badly drawn painting gave me further impetus to discipline myself. The steps to building a successful painting are clear and productive. Thank you Steve Allrich, you have made me see differently and paint better.
Rating:
Summary: Think like a painter .... the rest is consequence
Review: This book deliciously approaches the task of becoming an artist.
It teaches you to love art, to think like a painter, to see, to watch, to play like a serious painter.
Giving more attention to motivation, and mind set. It is almost like receiving a letter from somebeody that believes you are a Master who accidentally has yet to start. Very practical and very different from the technique oriented approach, most authors use.
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful, informative book
Review: This book is well written and full of great information. I particularly enjoyed the beautiful examples of the techniques and principles. Highly recommended.
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