Customer Reviews

Artist's Photo Reference: Flowers

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gary Green has created a dream book for artists who specialize in flowers. Using many different angles and showing all stages of growth, he has compiled a fabulous reference for those of us who are unable to keep flowers on hand. My only question is, "When will he come out with his next book?"

If you love to draw or paint flowers you will love this book. It's really nice reference book for those who don't have a garden with dozens of flowers year round to go pick or photograph when they want to create their next masterpiece.

The book contains over 500 clear quality photos. There are about 50 different flowers in all. Each is show in several different perspectives from up close petals, to stems, in large bunches and even inside the flowers.

As a bonus there are five beautiful step-by-step demonstrations on how to draw the flowers as well. The examples include Chrysanthemums in acrylic, Dahlias in pastel, Sunflowers & Orchids in colored pencil & Pansies in watercolor.

At first glance, I was disappointed. I expected the photos to be somewhat more artistic. However, after sitting down and read it, the photos are very detailed, and that's why I wanted to order this book in the first place. It contains several photos in a page that shows the different views of a flower: close up of pedals, open & close etc - which I find very useful as a design reference. However, I must say I am not very impressed with the demonstration of the teaching, how to paint or photograph a flower. I think if the author is going to enclose this part in his book, it should be in detail, or else better off just leave it.

I liked the book. It has lots of useful photos, and the author, being an artist himself, designed the book with the artist in mind, which I found wonderful. The only reason I did not give it a "perfect" score, is because I think there are some very common flowers "missing", such as hollyhocks, violets and a few others. But considering that there are hundreds of flowers, it is understandable that these flowers are not there.

This is an excellent book to practice drawing or painting from because the flower photos (over 500) are high quality, sharp, and color saturated! There are multiple views for each flower. This book contains photos of 49 flowers: amaryllis, anthurium, aster, azalea, begonia, bird of paradise, calla lily, camellia, carnation, chrysanthemum, cineraria, columbine, daffodil, dahlia, daisy, foxglove, fuchsia, gaillardia, geranium, gerbera daisy, gladiolus, gloxinia, hibiscus, hyacinth, hydrangea, iris, bearded iris, kale, lily, lupine, magnolia, marigold, nasturtium, orchid, pansy, peony, petunia, poinsettia, iceland poppy, oriental poppy, primrose, rhododendron, rose, salpiglossis, snapdragon, sunflower, tulip, water lily, zinnia. There are five step by step demonstrations included also: chrysanthemum in acrylic, dahlia in pastel, orchid in colored pencil, pansy in watercolor, sunflower in ink and colored pencil.

This is a really nice photo reference, with lots of pictures of different kinds of flowers. I do feel, however, that there could have been more pictures of individual flowers. But it's helped me in my art somewhat.

Greatbook for inspiration in photographing flowers. I'm using it as a springboard for painting flowers with oils on fabric.

This book is excellent for anyone painting flowers as the pictures are brilliant for reference.