Connie Kiernan
This is a really great book to get started with, the information is clear and simply laid out, with all the information on what and howyou to begin and produce a successful completed painting. the Basic tecniques and brushstrokes are so useful, he doesnt overburden the reader with lots of brushes or materials required, and the step by step guides are brilliant to follow, cant wait to do more !
Artbookreview.net
I dont normally review reissues, but Search Press have been making such a good job of them lately that these two are definitely worth a mention. Although theyre 10 years old (gold star for mentioning the original publication date on the title page), theyve been completely re-edited and re-originated so that they have all the feel and quality of new books. Printing technology advances so quickly that what was cutting edge last week can look tired and a bit unsharp now. As regards design, its hard to put a finger on whats different in modern terms, or even why it looks so much better, but these have a sparkle and vitality to them that belies their albeit modest age. Given how hard it is to unpick something that was perfectly good in the first place, this is an amazing job.
The approach is the same in both books: an introduction with an overview of the subject in hand, materials, equipment and basic techniques, leading on to a series of demonstrations that illustrate a variety of landscape subjects. As primers for those new to both the medium and to painting itself, the work is first class and definitely worth keeping in print. The fact that a book is older doesnt mean it cant have appeal to a whole new audience. Id say, though, that even if you have the originals, these new versions are well worth a look.
