Rating: 
Summary: Great Book for the Basics
Review: All beginning artists, not only those who struggle with capturing equine form and movement, would benefit from this book. The chapter on selecting a medium is a particularly good primer on the qualities and characteristics of materials available to the initiate. Equine anatomy is comprehensively discussed, with clear, instructive drawings and interesting anatomical details which may help add realism to artistic renderings. The elementary concepts of equine movement are crisply defined, and the author's advice on the use of color and technique is helpful. Developing equine artists will find the book to be a great resource in refining their skills.
Rating:
Summary: bravo!
Review: Great job! I found just what I was looking for in this book. The detail has been very helpful and the examples included are a joy to view. I love it for helping with my painting. My daughter loves it for the works of art by the author and others she has included. Thanks
Rating:
Summary: At last, a book that really shows you how!
Review: Having collected books on horses and horse paintings all my life,I feel well qualified to say that this is the best book on equine art to be published since George Stubbs in the 18th-century! Packed with superb paintings past and present, the author does not just tell you that these paintings are great, and why, but she shows you how to achieve similar effects yourself. The most beautiful and noblest of animals is shown in all its splendid manifestations, whether a thoroughbred race horse or a child's pony, a steeplechaser or a fox hunter, a cowhorse or a wild stallion, a show horse or a working farm horse, their variety is infinite, and this is a superb collection of the finest examples of the art. But it is not just the horse itself that is so beautifully shown and explained. Equine painting is still painting first, and she shows you how to incorporate the animal in its natural surroundings to make a whole picture. Whether on a western plain, in the winner's circle, or grazing in a Virginia paddock, the horse stands on the earth. With the author's sound guidance in the most important aspects of any good painting - good drawing, basic anatomy, form, space, design, perspective, color, and light and shade enlivening the sleek texture of glistening coat and flowing mane and tail, she shows you how to paint or draw a horse in its whole context, as a complete picture, and not just, as so often happens, a colored silhouette floating insecurely in space, without solid connection with the ground or with the light and atmosphere around it. If you are an artist who loves this most beautiful of animals, you must have this book! It has only one fault: I wish it could be twice as long, for there is something valuable to be learned on every page.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice BEGINNING
Review: I bought this book because I love Barbara Oelke's work. Unfortunately, not much of it is in this book. Though I realize the importance of the history of equine art and in understanding the anatomy of the horse, I think too much of the book is taken up with these subjects. There is some interesting and helpful information regarding the actual drawing/painting of horses as well as tips on proportion and background considerations, but overall I think Ms. Oelke could have put together a higher level of instruction given her equine knowledge and immense talent. Considering the cost of this book, I expected a more in depth discussion/dissection of her style of painting/drawing, as well as the works of other equine artists. The bottom line is if this is your first foray into the world of equine art then this book is a scratch-the-surface start a beginner is looking for.
Rating: 
Summary: Reconsideration
Review: My original review was too polite and defied the truth regarding this book. Honestly, it is not worth the money, barely deals with the subject matter at all and when it does, it is vague and amateurish. I was so disappointed in this book that I returned it. I really do love Ms. Oelke's paintings. I only wish she had written a book about her work, her style and her techniques instead of trying to hit EVERY aspect of equine art! As a result of this "crazy quilt" attempt at writing, Ms. Oelke has managed to embarrass herself. I hope the next book is REALLY about how to paint horses and ONLY about that.
Rating:
Summary: bravo!
Review: the art in this book, including that by the author/artist, is worth the price alone. I've not had the chance to try the drawing suggested, but the information offered seems really valuable. Worth having if only for the beautiful pictures of horses.
Rating:
Summary: a beautiful book
Review: the art in this book, including that by the author/artist, is worth the price alone. I've not had the chance to try the drawing suggested, but the information offered seems really valuable. Worth having if only for the beautiful pictures of horses.
Rating:
Summary: For anyone contemplating painting horses
Review: The best thing about this book is the outstanding collection of oils and watercolors showing what todays' and yesterdays' great equine artists can do: poses, settings, horses in the landscapes, a variety of moods, painterly and highly detailed approaches. Barbara Oelke includes her own preliminary, but detailed studies, and takes you through photographs of a work in progress. The collection of paintings shows that today is the golden age of equine art!
Rating:
Summary: For anyone contemplating painting horses
Review: The best thing about this book is the outstanding collection of oils and watercolors showing what todays' and yesterdays' great equine artists can do: poses, settings, horses in the landscapes, a variety of moods, painterly and highly detailed approaches. Barbara Oelke includes her own preliminary, but detailed studies, and takes you through photographs of a work in progress. The collection of paintings shows that today is the golden age of equine art!
Rating:
Summary: A must have for the Equine Artist!
Review: The book is a must have for anyone interested in creating or enjoying Equine Art. Author Barbara Oelke touches on the many aspects of creating a complete work of Art without going into dry, boring detail. The paintings and drawings she has included to illustrated her point are 'eye candy'!!
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