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readsewknit's review
4.0
I have discovered Quarto Publishing Group to be a thoughtful publishing house as they release art titles, and The Complete Book of Textures for Artists is no exception.
Within these pages, there are detailed instructions to guide artists in the use of colored pencils, charcoal, and paints to add depth by including texture.
I often would gasp at the transformation; perhaps they're conveying how to use charcoal to draw wavy hair, or colored pencils to mimic a rolling stream. There would be a series of four images with accompanying language to point out what should be done at each stage. The first two or three panels, you can tell it is a created image. Often, though, the last image would appear so lifelike that I would be stunned at the skill.
The book shows textures through each of these mediums. It would be a suitable reference book for any artist or aspiring artist. Whatever their medium, they could open to the appropriate page for guidance and inspiration if they are stymied at how to translate a lifelike image to the page or canvas. And for individuals like me, who appreciate art but find our skills in other outlets, it's still a treat to take in the pages, continually being delighted by the transformations. I found my fingers twitching to try my own hand at these recommendations.
(I received a digital ARC from Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)
Within these pages, there are detailed instructions to guide artists in the use of colored pencils, charcoal, and paints to add depth by including texture.
I often would gasp at the transformation; perhaps they're conveying how to use charcoal to draw wavy hair, or colored pencils to mimic a rolling stream. There would be a series of four images with accompanying language to point out what should be done at each stage. The first two or three panels, you can tell it is a created image. Often, though, the last image would appear so lifelike that I would be stunned at the skill.
The book shows textures through each of these mediums. It would be a suitable reference book for any artist or aspiring artist. Whatever their medium, they could open to the appropriate page for guidance and inspiration if they are stymied at how to translate a lifelike image to the page or canvas. And for individuals like me, who appreciate art but find our skills in other outlets, it's still a treat to take in the pages, continually being delighted by the transformations. I found my fingers twitching to try my own hand at these recommendations.
(I received a digital ARC from Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)
simoneclark's review
5.0
Thank you, NetGalley, for a complimentary copy of this book! The following review reflects my personal opinion!
First off, I have to include a disclaimer: When I requested this ARC, I totally misinterpreted the title. When I think of texture, I think of mixed media. This book is strictly a one-media-at-a-time instruction book!
With that being said, I was both disappointed and surprised--disappointed that I didn't get step-by-step instructions for mastering more mixed media textures, but absolutely surprised how good this book turned out!
(1) I like how this book starts out with a "How to use this book" section! That was indeed a very helpful page in this book!
image:
(2) My favorite section--even though my go-to medium is (mostly) acrylic--my favorite section of the book was the section about colored pencil textures.
(3) I love that the book includes not only step-by-step instructions, but also the step-by-step images to go with those instructions. As a primarily visual learner, I totally appreciate that!
(4) The book also includes a lot of helpful tips, e.g., in the colored pencil section, the authors recommend a swatch chart of all the colored pencils the artist has. THAT blew my mind, even though it should be kind of a common-sense thing. It wasn't common sense for me and so I appreciate that this advice was included in the book.
(5) This book shows step-by-step instructions for a very wide range of items, from glass and porcelain to fabrics such as silk and leather, to animal hair and human skin textures, to items such as rocks, sand, tree leaves, etc. Wonderful!!!!
(6) The instructions are short, but easy to understand and follow. I can't wait to try more of these techniques and practice!!
First off, I have to include a disclaimer: When I requested this ARC, I totally misinterpreted the title. When I think of texture, I think of mixed media. This book is strictly a one-media-at-a-time instruction book!
With that being said, I was both disappointed and surprised--disappointed that I didn't get step-by-step instructions for mastering more mixed media textures, but absolutely surprised how good this book turned out!
(1) I like how this book starts out with a "How to use this book" section! That was indeed a very helpful page in this book!
image:
(2) My favorite section--even though my go-to medium is (mostly) acrylic--my favorite section of the book was the section about colored pencil textures.
(3) I love that the book includes not only step-by-step instructions, but also the step-by-step images to go with those instructions. As a primarily visual learner, I totally appreciate that!
(4) The book also includes a lot of helpful tips, e.g., in the colored pencil section, the authors recommend a swatch chart of all the colored pencils the artist has. THAT blew my mind, even though it should be kind of a common-sense thing. It wasn't common sense for me and so I appreciate that this advice was included in the book.
(5) This book shows step-by-step instructions for a very wide range of items, from glass and porcelain to fabrics such as silk and leather, to animal hair and human skin textures, to items such as rocks, sand, tree leaves, etc. Wonderful!!!!
(6) The instructions are short, but easy to understand and follow. I can't wait to try more of these techniques and practice!!
oldsimoneaccount's review
5.0
Thank you, NetGalley, for a complimentary copy of this book! The following review reflects my personal opinion!
First off, I have to include a disclaimer: When I requested this ARC, I totally misinterpreted the title. When I think of texture, I think of mixed media. This book is strictly a one-media-at-a-time instruction book!
With that being said, I was both disappointed and surprised--disappointed that I didn't get step-by-step instructions for mastering more mixed media textures, but absolutely surprised how good this book turned out!
(1) I like how this book starts out with a "How to use this book" section! That was indeed a very helpful page in this book!
image:
(2) My favorite section--even though my go-to medium is (mostly) acrylic--my favorite section of the book was the section about colored pencil textures.
(3) I love that the book includes not only step-by-step instructions, but also the step-by-step images to go with those instructions. As a primarily visual learner, I totally appreciate that!
(4) The book also includes a lot of helpful tips, e.g., in the colored pencil section, the authors recommend a swatch chart of all the colored pencils the artist has. THAT blew my mind, even though it should be kind of a common-sense thing. It wasn't common sense for me and so I appreciate that this advice was included in the book.
(5) This book shows step-by-step instructions for a very wide range of items, from glass and porcelain to fabrics such as silk and leather, to animal hair and human skin textures, to items such as rocks, sand, tree leaves, etc. Wonderful!!!!
(6) The instructions are short, but easy to understand and follow. I can't wait to try more of these techniques and practice!!
First off, I have to include a disclaimer: When I requested this ARC, I totally misinterpreted the title. When I think of texture, I think of mixed media. This book is strictly a one-media-at-a-time instruction book!
With that being said, I was both disappointed and surprised--disappointed that I didn't get step-by-step instructions for mastering more mixed media textures, but absolutely surprised how good this book turned out!
(1) I like how this book starts out with a "How to use this book" section! That was indeed a very helpful page in this book!
image:
(2) My favorite section--even though my go-to medium is (mostly) acrylic--my favorite section of the book was the section about colored pencil textures.
(3) I love that the book includes not only step-by-step instructions, but also the step-by-step images to go with those instructions. As a primarily visual learner, I totally appreciate that!
(4) The book also includes a lot of helpful tips, e.g., in the colored pencil section, the authors recommend a swatch chart of all the colored pencils the artist has. THAT blew my mind, even though it should be kind of a common-sense thing. It wasn't common sense for me and so I appreciate that this advice was included in the book.
(5) This book shows step-by-step instructions for a very wide range of items, from glass and porcelain to fabrics such as silk and leather, to animal hair and human skin textures, to items such as rocks, sand, tree leaves, etc. Wonderful!!!!
(6) The instructions are short, but easy to understand and follow. I can't wait to try more of these techniques and practice!!
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