Realistic Oil Painting Techniques

Rating:
Summary: A good book for beginners.
Review: With over 133+ pages, the author covered quite a few topics in eight chapters: building a foundation for learning art, drawing in charcoal, basics of oil painting, painting the human form, still life, to name a few.

The book is good for beginners who either just started an art program at an atelier or simply learn by themselves. Demonstrations are included in almost every chapter to present how to render still life and plaster cast (in charcoal), landscape, head, still life, floral (in oil).

The authors presented his points in an easy-to-read style. To fully benefit the book, self-taught starters are expected to practice on some projects, using advices provided from the book. Although demonstrations are provided for each topic, beginners at different levels of skills may appreciate more or less details presented in the author's discussions.

The book, however, may be too basics for intermediate painters; that is, who have done some charcoal drawing and have had some experience using oil. In my opinion, beginners who have achieved likeness in rendering their drawings/paintings may have no difficulties enjoying the books. Those have not may find it difficult to achieve what presented in the book without consulting other drawing books.