Painting the Unposed Figure in Watercolor

Rating:
Summary: Paint People in Everyday Life Activities
Review: First published in Spain in 1996 it is now available here. "Candid painting" is a good way to describe the approach the artist takes to painting people. Some of the paintings have a very loose feel to them. Others are more tightly rendered. Interestingly, each chapter also displays artwork of painting masters such as Sargent, Delacroix, Picasso, Matisse and others. Every painting is examined to see how that artist approached painting people going about daily life.

The first few chapters give the obligatory information on types of watercolors, papers, brushes, surfaces available, etc. Then fundamentals of quick sketching, capturing gestures, combining different components to create original art and details are discussed. Several step-by-step demonstrations (usually 3 per section) follow with detailed descriptions of what the artist is doing and why. Other chapters discuss the solitary figure, use of backlighting, themes and motifs in paintings, the female nude, genre and immaginary world painting (these chapters in particular feature many paintings by famous artists) and even a special chapter on painting dancers.

Over all this is a good book with a lot of information with many paintings to examine from both Mr. Ballestar and famous historical painters. It would make a good addition to any artist's bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners!
Review: First published in Spain in 1996 it is now available here. "Candid painting" is a good way to describe the approach the artist takes to painting people. Some of the paintings have a very loose feel to them. Others are more tightly rendered. Interestingly, each chapter also displays artwork of painting masters such as Sargent, Delacroix, Picasso, Matisse and others. Every painting is examined to see how that artist approached painting people going about daily life.

The first few chapters give the obligatory information on types of watercolors, papers, brushes, surfaces available, etc. Then fundamentals of quick sketching, capturing gestures, combining different components to create original art and details are discussed. Several step-by-step demonstrations (usually 3 per section) follow with detailed descriptions of what the artist is doing and why. Other chapters discuss the solitary figure, use of backlighting, themes and motifs in paintings, the female nude, genre and immaginary world painting (these chapters in particular feature many paintings by famous artists) and even a special chapter on painting dancers.

Over all this is a good book with a lot of information with many paintings to examine from both Mr. Ballestar and famous historical painters. It would make a good addition to any artist's bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: nice
Review: This instructional figure painting book is nice but not outstanding. Much of the book focuses on analyzing work by great artists, to demonstrate techniques. There are also several step-by-step demonstrations. This book is best suited to artists who (unlike me) enjoy learning from examining other artists work.