Capturing Soft Realism in Colored Pencil [Hardcover]

Ann Kullberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

There's a trick to painting realistic subject matter without including every last little detail. It's this "soft realism" approach to coloured pencil that Ann Kullburg shares in her insightful new technique book. Kullberg teaches artists how to faithfully capture the essence of any subject without wasting time on excessive detail work. Step-by-step she presents 35 popular subjects and describes techniques for adding rich texture, depth and form in the most simple and straightforward way possible. Insights on getting a realistic effect include: * Mapping out a complex subject to make it easier to paint * Changing pencil strokes to create different textures * Mixing hues for greater visual interest * Creating softer, more natural edges by varying the pressure of the pencil It's all the instruction a coloured pencil artist needs to effortlessly add gorgeous details to every piece they create.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

An accomplished portrait artist and author, Kullberg begins her book in a defensive tone. Why, she asks, write a book about the details of hedges, apple blossoms, striped couches, and keyholes-the things that fill in the background and foreground of portraits? It's clear, though, that any artist will advance his or her colored pencil technique immeasurably through this book. The use of reference photos, demonstrations of feathering vs. definite strokes and the dense vs. airy approach, and excellent "Frequently Asked Questions" boxes all make for a significant contribution to the teaching of this style of drawing. This is a fine advance for students who have mastered Bet Borgeson's Basic Colored Pencil Techniques.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Ann Kullberg is the author of Colored Pencil Portraits Step by Step. She is a popular coloured pencil workshop instructor and is also an active and honored member of the Colored Pencil Society of America. She lives in Federal Way, Washington.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1 edition (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581801696
• ISBN-13: 978-1581801699
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #582,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Colored Pencil

More About the Author

I have been hugely blessed with the chance to make a living at all the things I enjoy - drawing, writing, teaching, and the internet.

How lucky am I??!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU can paint realistically in colored pencil., February 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Capturing Soft Realism in Colored Pencil (Hardcover)

As a relatively new "convert" to colored pencil from watercolor, I was amazed to see the realism Kullberg can attain while still maintaining a slightly loose, soft technique with her colored pencils. I would have thought that she spent countless hours on tiny details...but in this book, Kullberg literally shows you, how to see and paint only the ESSENTIAL details in order to create masterful realistic paintings without hours of painstaking detail work.

After buying her book, I visited her annkullberg.com website and found that she also has a Video Workshop CD to go along with the book. The CD includes 2 full hours of video instruction, plus line drawings, plus extra hints, plus palette lists. I ordered the CD and have to say that it is an absolute MUST HAVE for anyone who wants to "fast forward" into colored pencil technique!! The video lessons seem somehow to have been filmed right over Kullberg's shoulder, so you literally see her every stroke as she demos, from start to finish, 6 of the subjects featured in "Capturing Soft Realism in Colored Pencil". Actually seeing Kullberg work on colored pencil paintings was a huge eye-opener for me, and well worth the affordable price!!

One last thing....don't be fooled by the cover of this book. It is not just another "Kullberg Portrait" book...but instead, covers foreground and background elements often found in portraits, and is divided into "Interiors" and "Exteriors" sections. Although I rarely do portraits, Kullberg's book will not be leaving my drawing table's side, as she covers landscape and still life elements.....and most importantly, really shows how YOU can paint realistically in colored pencil.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful instructional text, November 16, 2002

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Capturing Soft Realism in Colored Pencil (Hardcover)

Soft realism is the ability to create a realistic artwork without including all the fine details. Ann Kullberg is a master of the technique and in "Capturing Soft Realism in Colored Pencil" she teaches the reader how she does it.

In a step by step manner the reader learns how to capture the essence of a subject in sufficient detail to create a somewhat realistic work of art.

"Capturing Soft Realism in Colored Pencil" begins with the basics of the materials needed, stroke types, density, and building color. From there it moves to various projects dealing with interior subjects (wicker, windowsills, wood grain, etc.) and then to various projects dealing with exterior subjects (various flowers, hedges, grass, trees, water, stones, etc.). From developing the right hues and textures to resolving problems and providing shortcuts and solutions, it's all here in this book.

Well illustrated and sufficiently detailed to actually teach the techniques, it is highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn how to work with colored pencils.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ann's Book and Companion CD are the very best!!!!, February 13, 2003

By 

L. Hampton "lovestitchn" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Capturing Soft Realism in Colored Pencil (Hardcover)

Ann's Soft Realism book is fantastic but you can't just purchase the book, you MUST HAVE THE COMPANION CD! It's better than a vhs video tape. It's truly awesome and I don't say it if I don't mean it. Ann shows you step by step how to use the colored pencils and the techniques and guides you through so many demos, plus she supplies line drawings and palettes, hints, and other goodies to use and when used with the book, you can't beat it except to be in one of her workshops personally. It's so down to earth basic for the beginner and yet great for more advanced I am sure. I love that I can use the CD on the computer, it is so much faster and more fun than vhs. You can replay each segment without fussing with rewind too. Can't be beat. I think the CD companion and the book together is the best idea I have seen yet! I like that you chose different textures and materials to color. I feel that I got more than my money's worth.
. I hope you do more video workshops like this cd and hope you do it real soon Ann. Her newsletter is super too. Always a lesson to learn step by step using colored pencils. Great work Lady! I'll bet others copy this idea, but you are the first and the best!!
Hugs
Lucy H