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I'd recommend this book for anyone with beginning through intermediate watercolor skills. It is especially useful for learning how to create special textures and surfaces such as skin, trees, fish, feathers, et cetera. As the name suggests, it covers technique rather than design, layout, color harmony, and the like. Its focus is on how to create the appearance of various surfaces used in nearly every painting. I think of it as a must have on every student's reference shelf.

Not only are the most basic & most complex techniques explained, the step by step instructions on re-creating their sample paintings are the best. If you do every exercise in the book, you will have all the techniques. Then all you have to do is practice, practice, practice....

I have been looking for an in-depth watercolor reference book for some time and I was not satisfied until I received this book. It is so complete, so perfect, that you'll feel as if you never need another book to draw from. In clear, practical language, combined with vivid illustrations, the book covers all about materials and tools. Then it goes on to cover just about every possible technique and seven basic watercolor subjects. What makes this book so wonderful to me is that it builds its information from beginners level to advanced and it does that so clearly that you have no problem following it or recreating the samples yourself. So apart from being an invaluable reference book, it is also a great confidence builder. Yes, you can paint.

When I was little I used to watch the T.v series, The Animals Of Farthing Wood, and I loved it!!!!!!! It contributed to my love of animals and when I read this first book I found it even better!
This story of how the Animals OF Farthing Wood find their home being destroyed and have to leave is a remarkable tale of love as they have to learn to trust each other, including sneeky Adder. I love all the charcters, especially Fox, Vixen and extremly funny Weasel. This book made me laugh and cry (especially when the hedgehogs got run over!) and I stayed in my room reading for hours. It is definatly a must-read for anyone who loves animals. If you have kids, then read them this book! I benifited hugely from it! I still have the T.v series on tape, even though I hardly ever watch it I won't let anyone tspe over it!
The next books are just as good as the first, and I thouroughly enjoyed the prequel (The Animals Of Farthing Wood, The Adventure Begins.) The next books are great as we learn about Fox and Vixen's cubs (Bold, Friendly, Charmer and Dreamer). Bold runs away from the animal's new home White Deer Park seeking adventure and Charmer typicly falls in love with Scar Face's son Ranger. (Scar Face is her dad Foxe's arch enemy) It's an ace tale and I hope that Colin Dann writes some more books as I've read most of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!xxx

This is a great book and is the best book I have ever read. The book is about a group of wildlife from Farthing Wood who,s homes are being destroyed. The animals do nothing about it untill the humans filled in the pond. Then they all meet in Badger,s set to discuss the problem together but nobody has any ideas untill Toad (who has been missing for over a year) returns and tells the animals that on his travels he came across a Nature Reserve called White Deer Park. The animals agree and the next night they leave led by Fox. But the creatures face many dangers and some die. I realy recommened this book. It is a wonderful tale.

The animals of Farthing Wood is a short but very amusing novel told from the view of a small group of woodland creatures intent on finding a new home. There arn't many books on in this type of category and I must say I fully enjoyed it. The tale goes of how Farthing wood, home of around two dozen creatures is in danger of being destroyed by man. Distraught, the animal's only way of surviving is by reaching a nature reserve - White Deer Park. Led by Fox (a main character)the group takes an oath to not eat each other and travel through danger after danger on their long journey. There are many sequels stemming from this book and the entire story has been adapted by a cartoon under the same name - one of the best I've seen at that. All in all this book is worth reading. An adventure of a different kind.

In Morrison's book, set in Renaissance Italy, the reader learns the way of the artist. Antonio is apprenticed to his uncle to learn how to paint frescoes. With Morrison's full color plates, the reader enters the world of Renaissance Italy with its beautiful full- colored plates.

Morrison has included a very thorough glossary which would be helpful to any novice artist or anyone interested in learning the way of the artist. Helpful for art history buffs, or those interested in Renaissance history. Useful for school children interested in art.

Antonio, a young boy in Renaissance Italy, apprentices with his uncle, to learn how to paint frescoes in the Roman Catholic Church. Techniques used are described by the young author-illustrator. An interesting picture of Renaissance times for younger readers,with enough specific art descriptions to appeal to adults. Glossary included.

With the push of technology we can literally work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For most of us this has meant specialization. Not so in the renaissance. Mr. Morrison's work takes us back to a time of patience, hard work and delayed gratification. It's not surprising that he was recognised for his work by the Academy of Illustrators (a lifetime achievement for most illustrators - rarely bestowed on freshman attempts). Antonio is sure to be a classic for children as well as parents. It is a great model for how "quality time" can be cultured

I bought this book thinking it was about rendering architectural subjects for watercolorists. It is not, so I was disappointed in that respect. But I was not disappointed in the artwork included in what is really a book intended for architects and admirerers of their work.

The drawings and paintings of buildings of all kinds can take your breath away. There are some projects of great magnificence (the proposed Arts and Cultural Center in Rome on the cover is one in particular.) There is a section on different mediums such as ink line and wash, pastel and charcoal, standard watercolor. There is a historical perspective section that includes classic paintings of John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer. In particular, there is a picture of Sargent's of a doorway on a canal in Venice that is familiar--yet set in this book it gives a new insight into how artists can show architecture for not only the features of a facade, but with style. The purely architectural works are more finely drawn and less "painterly" but they are amazing in their own right. My favorite is a picture of the addition to the Jewish Museum in New York, which combines artistic feeling with an informational slant, showing what a modern addition would look like added to the noble French Mansard style original building.

While this book wasn't what I needed for technique, I had a wonderful time drooling over the pages at some really wonderful architectural renderings in watercolor, ink and pencil. A real visual treat.

Schaller's sublime style of rendering is reason enough to buy this book (and perhaps to clip the pages and insert the images into frames that once hosted pictures of your relatives!)

Watercolor is a difficult medium, and this guide, if it was intended to be such, does not serve the beginner well with introductory techniques. However, it does portray stellar examples of watercolor rendering, and a study of Schaller's work can reveal graphic composition/ and color techniques to complement any renderer's toolbelt.

His examples show artistic use of depth, composition, foreground-background balance, dynamism, and shadows.

I've always read the word "spellbinding" in reviews. After this book, I know what that means. I am surprised, after reviewing Schaller's work that he is not renowned as an artist outside the architectural sphere (at least to my knowledge).

You don't have to be an architect to appreciate the architectural artwork included in Thos. Schaller's book, "Architecture in Watercolor." Albeit created for the practical purpose of visualizing architectural projects, the delicacy and skill with which they are executed, elevates many of these illustrations to fine art, reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints in their beauty. With historic illustration references as well as those of his own creation, Mr. Schaller has created a handsome coffeetable book under the guise of a guide to technique.

I bought this book mostly for the artwork but the story behind the pictures also seemed--and is--very interesting. I came across it through a New York Times article and read more about it on Peter Malkins website. This is such a wonderful book. Every page is printed in georgous color and the artwork is fantastic. If you like the sketchbbook style paintings you see here and on his website, you won't be dissapointed. If I had to complain about anything it would be that the pictures run too far into the binding of the book (to help show the original sketchbook) and is sometimes difficult to see the pictures in all their glory.

I didn't expect this book to teach me about the holocaust and world war II. I was curious of the role of Mr. Peter Malkin in capturing Adolf Eichmann. After reading the memories and looking at the woderful paintings in the book, I realize how important life is. And how woderful it is I live in a free country where things like this do not happen. I enjoyed reading the narratives and the paintings in the book, trying to imagine how it was done over 40 years ago.........it is such a good book that I would recommend it. This book is very unique, the narratives about the paintings brings the entire capture of Eichmann to life.

I didn't expect this book to teach me about the holocaust and world war II. I was curious of the role of Mr. Peter Malkin in capturing Adolf Eichmann. After reading the memories and looking at the woderful paintings in the book, I realize how important life is. And how woderful it is I live in a free country where things like this do not happen. I enjoy to digest the narratives and the paintings in the book, trying to imagine how it was done over 40 years ago.........it is such a good book that I would recommend it.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Orthodoxy and its art and philosophy. The book is an absolute pleasure to read - it leads you through the subject matter with a beautiful and poetic voice. You will return to this book again and again.

Evdokimov's book illuminates traditional teachings on both Iconography and the spiritual significance of the subject of beauty within the Orthodox East. The rich heritage of Orthodox tradition, liturgy, wisdom and beauty breaks through in Evdokimov's pages and leads the reader into the depth of traditional Christian belief. The book, rooted in the writers personal expertise with Iconography as well as his knowledge of the writings of the Church Fathers, combine in Evdokimov's book and render it both affectively engaging and intellectually stimulating. Further, Evdokimov's critique of contemporary trends in Art provide a wealth of material on which the reader will spend time meditating. This is a book to be read and enjoyed more than once. This book would be a great resource for any who might want to encounter the historical Orthodox Church through her art and wisdom, for those interested in Art history, and for those familiar with Iconography and would appreciate a clear, informative and thoughtful exposition on the topic.

In this book, Evdokimov poetically meditates on beauty in the Orthodox Christian tradition as epitomized in the art of the icon. His approach is difficult to follow at times, because it is so very dense, but the words eventually flow over and through the reader, leaving him with a sense of having listened to an exquisite concerto of theology. Truly, Evdokimov's "deep knowledge" of the icon comes from his great love and intimate experience in the liturgical arts.

I BOUGHT THIS BOOK BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN AN ART LOVER SINCE I WAS A KID. PART OF THE ENJOYMENT OF ART IS HAVING AN INTERPRETATION TO GO ALONG WITH WHAT YOU ARE SEEING. THIS BOOK WILL EXPLAIN WHY EXPERTS VIEW CERTAIN WORKS OF ART AND PROCLAIM THEM "GREAT". IT TEACHES PRINCIPLES OF ART FROM PAST AND PRESENT PERSPECTIVES IN A UNIQUE, 3-DIMENSIONAL WAY. IT ALSO INCLUDES INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A MOBLILE YOU CAN BUILD AND EVEN CHARACTERS THAT YOU CAN PLACE IN THE PAINTING TO UNDERSTAND CONCEPTS SUCH AS VANISHING POINT AND HORIZON LINE. EVERYONE WHO HAS SEEN MY COPY HAS BECOME ENGROSSED IN IT. EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY LIKED ART!

I am one of the artlessly clueless. This book, and the others in the series, have all been wonderful fun, which is why they are also wonderful learning tools for beginners. Low stress, major payback, and marvelously intelligent all the way through. They won't make you an expert, but you'll have a good time and be better for it, too.

A beautifully designed pop-up book that's a MUST for any collector. Very educational and interactive.

This is by far my most favorite book.......It is inspiring and has loads of ideas and "how-to's" for different techniques!
This is a must-have!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO GET THE JUICES FLOWING. THERE IS NO WAY TO EVEN THUMB THROUGH THIS WORK WITHOUT FINDING SOMETHING TO INSPIRE YOU NO MATTER HOW DEEP OF A SLUMP YOU FIND YOURSELF IN. THIS BOOK IS EQUALY GOOD FOR THE NOVICE OR THE SEASONED PROFFESIONAL. EVEN KIDS LOVE IT!children must be superviced!!! I ONLY HAVE TWO REGRETS, 1 THERE IS NO SEQUEL& 2 I ONLY HAVE A SOFT COVER EDITION WHICH IS MESSY FROM USE. THE LAST THING I,D LIKE TO MENTION IS THAT NON ARTISTS CAN LOOSE THERE FEAR WITH A BOOK LIKE THIS.

As a rubber stamper & paper arts lover I found this book very useful. It is packed with tons of ideas and numerous color photos inspired me. I would recommend this book to anyone who ever runs out of creative ideas or needs some inspiration.

Included in this book are many techniques for creating stunning & unique backgrounds in almost every media type. Ideas include texturing with sand, freezing or microwaving ink, and using a non-stick spray as a resist.

However, this book is not just for backgrounds. Painting techniques for many mediums are also included. There are original and helpful ideas for using pastels, acrylics, oils, inks, gouache and watercolor.

Finally, to my surprise and delight, it also covered encaustic painting, carving on hardboard & then painting it, impasto effects and many original ideas for batik type work. Get this book and use it!

My wife's parents gave this book to my daughter. I was as delighted as she was! I grew up on Babar. What a lovely children's book! My four year old daughter absolutely adores it. Buy this for the children in your life and they will love it.

A balloon ride over Celesteville leads to Babar and Celeste deciding to turn in an abandoned train station into a museum in which they can display their great collection of fine paintings. Everyone in town gets more and more excited waiting for the big day when the museum is opened and everyone can see everything that is hanging on the walls inside. The paintings might be intended for the elephants and other animal friends of Babar and Celeste and this book might be intended for younger readers, but the readers who will most enjoy Laurent De Brunhoff's book are going to be those old enough to appreciate the witty elephant-inspired version of great paintings from Michaelangelo's "Creation of Man" and Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" to George Surat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" and Edvard Munch's "The Scream." There is just something intrinsically enjoyable about taking Leonardi Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and making the lady with enigmatic smile an elephant, and the idea of doing the same thing with Vincent Van Gogh's "Self Portrait" is hysterical since Babar is an African elephant and not an Indian elephant. The more you know about great art the more you will enjoy strolling through the galleries with Babar and his family. The book also includes a pull-out poster of the delightful art found in "Babar's Museum of Art." The adventures of Babar have been delighting children for half a century and this is a charming addition to the series. It should also inspire its young readers to check out the "real" versions of these great paintings so that they can find out what the adults are chuckling about as they enjoy "Babar's Museum of Art." Is it too early to be thinking about books that would be great to give as gifts to young readers for Christmas? This one should be high up on that list.

Some of us remember having "Babar" books read to us when we were children. This book rekindles those warm thoughts while providing an interesting, entertaining look at art and life.

If you were to travel through Europe and wanted to come home with the best photographs of Baroque art, you would hope it would be half as good as this book. Almost 500 pages are filled with photographs which are almost all in colour and always remarkably clear. The views are expertly chosen for the best angle with vivid details. If you are interested in Baroque art, you will love this book, it has everything. As expected from the title, it covers Baroque painting of the seventeenth century. Sculpture and architecture are explored in the late Baroque and Rococo movements.

The appendix includes an excellent glossary of art and architecture terms, complete with sketches, when necessary.

Another wonderful feature: if you are reading about art or architecture from another book, this one is likely to have all the photographs the other is missing. What good is a mention of an art work without seeing it in front of you? This will solve that frustration. This coffee table volume is unsurpassed in picture books on Baroque Art.

What do you expect from Konneman? If they keep churning out quality books like BAROQUE at such criminally low price they will exterminate all competitions. I had to miss half-day of work just to go through half the book.

The cover alone will stop you in your tracks, a magnificent photograph of the Hofburg Library in Vienna. Open the cover and you will find page after page of amazingly detailed color photos of architecture, sculpture, and paintings. And to top it off, the text is generally interesting without any mindnumbing pedantic nose-in-the-air commentary. I have been an architect for 25 years and have never stopped searching for a reasonably priced book of Baroque with high quality pictures and text. This is it.