Rating: 
Summary: This book was wonderful-it was a terrific guide.
Review: This book is not only extremely attractive to look at but also thoroughly helpful-every detail is covered for the novice or for someone who has more experience. There is not only advice on how to paint and what materials you need and where to purchase them, but also on what type of photos work best. This book was so good I wound up buying a copy for my brother-in-law, a painter, and one copy for a good friend, who does not paint but who wanted to try her hand at handpainting photographs. Both of them loved it! It's an art book, as well as an excellent guide.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor coverage; too much emphasis on details
Review: This book mainly focuses on one type of oil colouring medium (namely Marshall's photo oils) and explains its use in a detailed manner. Illustrations are quite much detailed. In fact, following only the pictures, you already have a rough idea of the method. Reading the whole text however, does not add much on top of it. The book doesn't cover different approaches and techniques and focuses on a particular method of the author. In this sense, if the name of the book was "How do I handcolour my photographs using Marshall's Oils" it would have been more appropriate. The guidelines given in the book might be useful for some beginners, however they are too much detailed. The author will try to encourage creativity, by giving certain guides which is a big contradiction. Portrait photography and it's colouring is emphasized in this book, which is another limitation.
Rating:
Summary: Too basic; makes it look like Marshall is the only way to go
Review: This book only covers the basics of handpaiting. Most of what's said in the book you can learn it yourself. Furthermore, it looks like a publicity from Marshall. It asumes that Marshall products are the only way to handpaint photos, and never talks about other oils, watercolors, airbrushes, etc. If you are using Marshalls, the tips on how to mix paints can be very usefull.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: This is a wonderful book for creating your own handpainted photographs. It is in full-color on glossy stock with lots of examples. Materials covered include Marshall oils, colored pencils & spot pens. The book starts out by discussing how to select a good photograph. Next, choosing the right film & paper is covered. I found a chart listing various papers along with their texture, base tone, image tone, contrast & surface very helpful. The author does a great job explaining color theory & how to use color appropriately to create a mood. Preparing the photo, basic coloring methods, & blending colors are then demonstrated. The main focus in on portrait painting including a step-by-step demonstration & special tips on coloring hair. Basic landscape coloring is also included. A resource list in the back in a great bonus.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This is a wonderful book for creating your own handpainted photographs. It is in full-color on glossy stock with lots of examples. Materials covered include Marshall oils, colored pencils & spot pens. The book starts out by discussing how to select a good photograph. Next, choosing the right film & paper is covered. I found a chart listing various papers along with their texture, base tone, image tone, contrast & surface very helpful. The author does a great job explaining color theory & how to use color appropriately to create a mood. Preparing the photo, basic coloring methods, & blending colors are then demonstrated. The main focus in on portrait painting including a step-by-step demonstration & special tips on coloring hair. Basic landscape coloring is also included. A resource list in the back in a great bonus.
Rating:
Summary: The hand painter's bible.
Review: This thorough and beautiful collection of helpful hints and wonderful examples guides the novice and the expert through the complex world of hand painted photography. It's the only real source for this subject. Very easy to digest and easier to enjoy. Much of the photography is true art.
Rating:
Summary: A True Photobuff's Delight
Review: This wildly popular and highly comprehensive treatise on Handpainted Photography has become the bible for its genre. (A big seller in Michigan art stores) I noticed that competing publishers (see the phony review by Photobuff) have tried everything to stop this giant, but quality always succeeds. I learned the art of handpainting from Cheryl Dorskind. Great work! Can't wait for your next book.
Rating:
Summary: Good Technical Information
Review: While the subjects of the photographs in this book may be a little too saccharin for everyone, the author makes up for this in content. There is much useful information on techniques, supplies, and use of color. Of the three books I have read on the subject, this is the one I would recommend -- regardless of whether the subject matter appeals to you or not. The information provided can readily be transferred to the subject matter of your choice. If you can only buy one book, buy this one!
| 
