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Rating: 
Summary: A Few Appetizers of Eternal Truths
Review: A lot of reviewers give their reaction to the book reviewed. While that's helpful I'm going to do something a bit different. I'm going to show a few examples of some of the "eternal truths" the author gives. 1. The author on beginning a painting of a ballerina and after explaining in detail several of his measurement techniques continues, "Believe Your Eye. But Trust Measurements - ...every professional artist I've ever seen, without exception measures. You need to do it too. ...it will save your artistic life." 2. From the chapter 'Composition - Who Needs It?' - "Not Everything Should Be Equal! - We have a natural (though distressing) tendency to equalize everything in art, which is a problem. Placing equal amounts of warm and cool in a painting, and equal amounts of light and dark, can make a painting look weak and indecisive. Face it: dominance of color or value is easy to talk about, but much harder to pull off. That's one reason why many pros do one or more, sometimes many more, small studies to arrive at one powerful visualization of the intendeded work. Then they'll follow the little study closely to avoid their natural tendency to equalize." 3. From Chapter 6 - "Edges, in case you haven't figured it out by now, are among the half-dozen most important things in a painting."... "The more gradually an object turns away from the light, the softer and wider its shadow edge will be"... "As a shadow goes from light to dark, the soft transitional edge is called the 'core'... "These principles go way back in art. The Impressionists understood them well. Hardly an artist in history, painting a nice pink cheek, would miss the opportunity to make it pinkest just where it goes into shadow." 4. From "30 'Magic' Solutions to Common Problems" - 2. We've all seen the stereotypical artist holding his thumb before his squinting eye. He may be measuring proportions, but he might have something else in mind: comparing relative values of the objects before him. His thumb has a constant value to compare them with. Try it right now and see the revelation." Hopefully this gives an idea of some of the insights this book contains. It's chock full of step-by-step examples demonstrating all the hints, tips and tricks. I re-read this book frequently. Often I'll pick a page and then critique a picture I'm working on to see if I've forgotten or misapplied one of the principles mentioned on that page. Sometimes I'll do the same for a technique. It's a good way to reinforce what I've learned and strive to improve. Artists of any medium can benefit from this great book.
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Summary: My favorite artist and Author!
Review: I first met Harley in a book called "How to be a successful artist" where he told his inspiring start . I really like his honest straight forward writing style (The same way he paints) I just read this book and it has already helped me as an artist. It answers many questions that no other book has,such as what to do with edges. I now know that I have been painting my edges much too harsh..ditto for my shadows. Harley also explains how hair should not be clearly defined but blend into the background and the forehead so as to avoid the wig affect. Good advice. Not only does Harley give good advice for painting,but inspirational advice to avoid ruminating and worrying about outside influences. Freedom from guilt!! The last segment on setting up the studio was very helpful also. Important advice such as adding a paper towel holder to your easel to avoid running to the kitchen. I just moved and have been setting up a room for my studio which my daughter quickly decided to take over because "You aren't using it"..I now have the courage to reclaim it and make the finishing touches with a comfortable easel chair and stereo. Male artists are SO lucky to have wifes who help to insure that there are no distractions. This is impossible as a single Mother, but I have held firm to my committment to being an artist and rely on my talent for my income. However, I haven't painted for my own pleasure and passion in quite some time. Because of Harley..I know that I am on my way! Thanks Harley!
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Summary: One of the best
Review: I had a discussion with the guy at the book store about this book, and he said that the title ended up making people think that if they read this book, they'd be the next Picasso. Of course, that's not possible, but if any book were to come close, it would be this one. It's a great book to get you inspired to paint again, when the paintbrush is just about the last thing you want to see. I think what's best about this book is that it is as well-written as it is. The humor keeps you interested, and I have to admit that as an artist, sometimes the last thing I want to read about is art. Still, you want to read this one. Also, it's comprehensive. I would say that somebody who doesn't know a lot about painting could figure this out. At the same time, someone who does know a lot about painting could enjoy this. How does he do it? Good question! Get it and figure out for yourself!
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Summary: Reviewing the Reviewer
Review: I recieved this book for my birthday last year, and am now ordering 2 additional copies for friends, after fighting for weekend rights to go through it. We have found it to be simply a treasure of a resource book, and *funny*. Art-humour...? *YES* It is a must have on the technical aspect, as well as a must have for inspiration. I really felt as though Mr. Brown was personally teaching *me*. He has every base covered, and all questions answered. He has dared me to go for it, and has placed all the tools on a silver platter.
I know, this will be their favorite Christmas present, that will be used and cherished for many more to come!
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Summary: Probably the most helpful art book I've ever read!
Review: In this book don't expect to be taught every technique for every medium. No, that's not Mr. Brown's goal at all. Instead he's going to share the things that make a painting more interesting, more full of life and quite simply 'work' in a way that draws the viewer into the art. I've been amazed as page after page has been loaded with things that I never knew - that no one ever told me before! - even though I've read dozens of books on technique and have taken classes. These are the eternal truths of composition, dominate tone and color and the list goes on. I can tell that this will be a book I will refer to endlessly throughout my journey as an artist.
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Summary: Probably the most helpful art book I've ever read!
Review: In this book don't expect to be taught every technique for every medium. No, that's not Mr. Brown's goal at all. Instead he's going to share the things that make a painting more interesting, more full of life and quite simply 'work' in a way that draws the viewer into the art. I've been amazed as page after page has been loaded with things that I never knew - that no one ever told me before! - even though I've read dozens of books on technique and have taken classes. These are the eternal truths of composition, dominate tone and color and the list goes on. I can tell that this will be a book I will refer to endlessly throughout my journey as an artist.
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Summary: If I could give it 10 stars I would!
Review: My shelves are full of pastel and other art books but by far, this is the absolute best! Do just as Harley says, and USE it, do not just put it up on your shelf to collect dust. Mine is sitting next to my easel for constant reference. I love this man's work, his writing style is witty and makes it feel like he is talking right to YOU! I have seen a definite improvement in my pastels, just from using this wonderful book!
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Summary: Great tips
Review: There are some good tips. It is like a classroom. You just take it a step at a time. So, you gotta be patient and have to time to try out some of his techniques.
Rating:
Summary: Great tips
Review: There are some good tips. It is like a classroom. You just take it a step at a time. So, you gotta be patient and have to time to try out some of his techniques.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best "how to" books on art I've read
Review: Well, I'm only up to page 39, but I can tell that this is a gem of a book. Harley Brown is an award winning artist that works mainly in pastel--and is very opinionated in a wonderful way. Lewis Lehrman, and artist himself, is a seamless writer--bringing out the very best of Harley Brown's personal teaching style. Though Harley Brown works mostly in pastel, the book doesn't dwell on specific pastel techniques, instead it addresses major issues of design, color, composition and lots of other wonderful "eternal truths"--Actually, I wouldn't call them eternal truths, just the "doink" I knew that, why don't I take that into consideration when I paint! I work in watercolor and find what I've been reading to be invaluable. The section on color alone is worth the purchase. If you are just beginning, some of the content may not be of value, as beginners are just learning to be comfortable with their mediums. I wouldn't get this book if you're looking for specific art techniques. This isn't a painting 101 type book, its more a graduate level type course. Don't get me wrong, even beginners could learn from it, it has been designed so well. But if you are an intermediate painter, or even an advanced painter, looking to rethink your methods of creativity and trying to push yourself to the next level of creativity--this really is the book for you. The writing style is refreshing, with two different colors of text, the black being the formal, complete sentence descriptions, the red is the humorous and short--but meaningful re-interpretation. Then there are little tiny footnotes at the bottom with very personal asides and running up the sides of the page, in the margin, inspirational quotes. Its pretty neat, definately something to read over and over again, and in short, about the best "art how to book" I've read. Its almost like being in the same classroom with the authors.
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