The Artist's Eye: A Perceptual Way of Painting [Paperback]

Harriet Shorr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001

In this book, Harriet Shorr demonstrates her method of direct painting in which the subject is divested of conventional understanding and seen, instead, simply as shapes, colours, and tones. These are painted as they appear to the field of vision, rather than to a fixed point of view. The hand then responds to what the eye sees and the gesture of the brush is an expression of feeling aroused by the perception. The subject matter is still life, which Shorr believes is most compatible with her method of painting, with the result that her work has a refreshing immediacy.

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The "Atelier" series by David & Charles continues to offer personal apprenticeships with accomplished artists in book form. Previous entries, such as Trevor Chamberlain, a Personal View: Light and Atmosphere in Watercolor (LJ 11/15/99) and John Yardley, a Personal View: Watercolor (LJ 7/97), were particularly successful. Corsellis is another artist known for a sensitive interpretation of light and mood. What distinguishes this volume, however, is her mastery of both oil and watercolor and her ability to interpret the same subject in each. Thus, each medium informs the other. We're also allowed glimpses into the mind of the artist as she does both oil and watercolor studies before refining her ideas into a single, light-saturated oil or watercolor painting. Her subjects span interiors in Malaysia, beaches on Long Island, terraces in the south of France, landscapes in Umbria, winter scenes in London, and a variety of still lifes, figures, and buildings. Shorr, a professor of painting at the State University of New York at Purchase, attempts a similar method of personal art instruction. Through journal entries and a broad variety of still-life oil paintings and pastels, she imparts her method of direct painting, without preliminary sketches. For her, the basic elements of painting color, light, and shape can be seen as assemblages, apart from their literal significance. She strives to paint freely, without preconceptions. This book will inspire advanced artists but is not an essential purchase for general collections. Jane Corsellis and the other "Atelier" series entries mentioned above are highly accomplished works and highly recommended.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823002985
• ISBN-13: 978-0823002986
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,709,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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