The Big Book of Painting Nature in Oil [Paperback]

S. Allyn Schaeffer (Author), John Shaw (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1991

Depict the spidery delicacy of sycamore branches outlined against a brilliant sky. Capture the feeling of dawn creeping over the horizon. Interpret the drama of waves surging toward the shore. The Big Book of Painting Nature in Oil provides 135 stimulating demonstrations in painting trees, skies, and water from beautiful photographs by one of the world’s leading nature photographers. This book will be invaluable to landscape artists. The 600 magnificent illustrations and engaging text cover the entire range of oil painting techniques and give the artist in-depth instruction in painting beautiful images of the natural world in all seasons, weather, geographical variety, and at every time of day. Many of the lessons are followed by assignments designed to help you apply what you have just learned to new situations.

The Big Book of Painting Nature in Oil is a must for everyone who wants to master the techniques for becoming a first-rate landscape painter.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

S. Allyn Schaeffer studied at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design in New York. The author of Color, Composition and Light in the Landscape (Watson-Guptill), he is also a noted teacher and conducts workshops and demonstrations for Winsor & Newton. His artwork appears in many public and private collections. John Shaw is one of the world’s leading nature photographers. His work has appeared in such magazines as Audubon and National Wildlife, and in numerous books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (February 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823005038
• ISBN-13: 978-0823005031
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.8 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Oil Painting

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, shows reduction of detail from photo to painting., June 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Book of Painting Nature in Oil (Paperback)

This book shows how a painting can capture the essence of a landscape photo without the complexity of every bush tree and rock contained in a photoghaph. There are sections on changing the natural focal point away from animals to a prominent landscape. The sequencing of the development of the painting is easy to follow and little interpretation is required. It's very well presented with a great amount of detail which covers a vast number of settings. Seashore to mountains to forests, plains, and eastern lakes and streams are shown. A great addition to your how to and how to solve library.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding comprehensive visual aid for painting, March 24, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (New York's Hudson River Valley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Book of Painting Nature in Oil (Paperback)

I own many art books, but this one is impressive. The author shows photographs and resulting paintings for 135 different landscape painting situations. I find it extremely helpful to see not only the final painting, but also the original photographed scene on which it was based. To me this book is invaluable. I also love the artist's personal style, which is expressive yet realistic. In fact, I love the whole book and return to it again and again for help and inspiration and sometimes just to admire the wonderful paintings! This is a must-have for landscape artists.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful book especially for "home schooled" painters, April 12, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Book of Painting Nature in Oil (Paperback)

I didn't know what to expect when I purchased "The Big Book of Painting Nature in Oil". But, after my initial misgivings, I have found it enormously useful as a reference for composition, color selection and methods to paint difficult subject matter (for a beginning artist with no formal art education) such as forests, fog, grass. When I paint outside, I take it with me. It has helped me be more selective in setting up my painting and helped me to simplify. Wonderful book! I'm glad I bought it.