Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice (Hardcover)

by Juliette Aristides (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Students of art hailed Classical Drawing Atelier, Juliette Aristides’s first book, as a dynamic return to the atelier educational model. Ateliers, popular in the nineteenth century, teach emerging artists by pairing them with a master artist over a period of years. The educational process begins as students copy masterworks, then gradually progress to painting as their skills develop. The many artists at every level who learned from Classical Drawing Atelier have been clamoring for more of this sophisticated approach to teaching and learning. In Classical Painting Atelier, Aristides, a leader in the atelier movement, takes students step-by-step through the finest works of Old Masters and today’s most respected realist artists to reveal the principles of creating full-color realist still lifes, portraits, and figure paintings. Rich in tradition, yet practical for today’s artists, Classical Painting Atelier is ideal for serious art students seeking a timeless visual education.

About the Author

Juliette Aristides, whose beautiful art is featured throughout this book, is the instructor of the Aristides Classical Atelier at the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, Washington, where she lives. Her work is exhibited at the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco and can be seen at the Art Renewal Center, www.artrenewal.org.

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Product Details Hardcover: 256 pages Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 1st edition (April 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 0823006581 ISBN-13: 978-0823006588 Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.1 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,250 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #5 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Painting #21 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Instructional & How-To #27 in  Books > Arts & Photography > History & Criticism

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	80% buy the item featured on this page: Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice 4.7 out of 5 stars (22) $23.10
	7% buy Classical Drawing Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice 4.5 out of 5 stars (32) $19.77
	5% buy The Artist's Complete Guide to Drawing the Head 4.3 out of 5 stars (23) $16.47
	4% buy Oil Painting Secrets from a Master: 25th Anniversary Edition 4.2 out of 5 stars (38) $16.47

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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews 5 star:  (18) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 62 of 64 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!!!, April 3, 2008 By  Atlantic (Boston) - See all my reviews    Juliette Aristides has done it again. She has followed her first book titled Classical Drawing Atelier, with another book on painting. As in the case of the first book, she and the editors/publishers (Watson & Guptill) have created a beautiful book that not only provides helpful instruction, but it's simply beautiful as a work of art itself. It's hard to keep this review short because there's a lot to discuss, but to start I'll admit that I'm biased. I'm thankful that Juliette has taken the time to write it and I hope it goes into its tenth printing in the next two years. The near death of classical painting and drawing at the hands of "modern" art would have been an incalculable loss for western society, but somehow, reason and knowledge remained in the minds of a few, and classical art survived. Many of us recognized all along that it has value and have rejected the alternative, but the pressure to conform to creating the ephemeral and inferior art that society desired was too strong for many. This stunning volume confirms that classical art is coming back and Juliette has helped that process. The book comprises four parts and nine chapters: Part 1) The Artists Studio - describes both historic and contemporary atelier practices; Part 2) Timeless Principals - covers composition, value, and color; Part 3) Timeless Practices - discusses the process, inspiration, and the muse; and finally section Part 4) Masterworks - beautiful images from some of the most important realist painters through out history and some contemporary masters. The author covers processes or "choices" if you will, and most importantly, she conveys "thinking" about those processes. The book will aid those that want or need to understand why things are done in a particular way and by extension, in some cases the reasons you may not want to use a particular method or continue doing what you are now. Illustrative examples primarily include figurative and still life work while landscape is only lightly represented, however, the same principals and processes are applied to all types of painting, not a specific genre. Artists represented include the usual masters such as Rembrandt and Hals, but we also get to see contemporary paintings from Daniel Sprick, Nelson Shanks, Scott Frasier, Jacob Collins, et. al. Each painting shown includes a short description and discussion about the work, talking about the methods employed and the effects achieved. The value in this book is not simply the information provided (it's well written) or the amazing images - a stunning and beautiful selection including one of my all time favorites entitled Roses by A.H. Thayer - but in the larger meaning the book conveys as a revival of intelligent painting. Very few, if any, art schools today can even imagine what artistic training should include. Students attending these schools often learn that it's not about the final product, but simply about the process of making art, and any art is good art. The result is thousands of unskilled, abstract painters and artists "graduating" and thinking everything they do is worthwhile. In their defense, the students have few opportunities to learn real skills because their instructors are products of the same system. The cycle can be broken, and with the help of this book showing what's possible and how it's done, many students can demand more from their schools or simply extricate themselves from the morass and seek an atelier. My hope, and I'm sure it's shared by the author, is that this book will be an inspiration to those seeking more from their instructors or school, and even from their own art. Well done Juliette and thank you for creating another important book. Highly recommended. 10 Stars!!!! 29 of 30 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a Painting book that "puts it all together', April 12, 2008 By  Reviewer - See all my reviews The author called her first book in this series 'the course I always wanted to take' in other words the highlights of all the different instructors and methods she encountered studying. Unless you study at a formal atelier like, say New York Academy or Grand Central Academy, chances are you'll run into a variety of methods and approaches when learning to paint and draw. This book gives what I think is the best comprehensive overview for people who want to become accomplished "realist" or 'classical' painters - its definitely filled in a lot of gaps for me. There is no shortage of information out there about painting...the problem is its not distilled - what this book gives you is the distilled wisdom of the author- an accomplished painter who runs a respected atelier. For example there is a great book about artists materials -but its 900+ pages long (artist materials handbook) - its great to have that information but whittled down materials overview in this book is "useable". Some other key points: The quality of the reproductions is outstanding examples are not only old masters but contemporary realists - and not just the author! Highly recommended and I might add ,an outstanding value. 19 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Oh . . . My . . . God . . . , August 3, 2008 By  Carolyn J. (Ventura, CA United States) - See all my reviews How the heck were great painters of old trained anyway? They were apprenticed in Ateliers. Reading this book is like trying to sip water from the fire hydrant of knowledge. Now I understand why they painted from plaster casts: if you can't paint in black and white from a white object holding still, how can you possibly hope to succeed with a live, flesh colored figure? This book explains a lot, and then has exercises. The first exercise is to Di Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine", in black and white. Then you move up to doing studies in only warm and cool values. Why bother to apply color when the values aren't doing their job? There are many gorgeous pictures, both of famous master paintings so you can examine their techniques, and student works, which are just as well done. If you want to paint realistically, get this book.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Painting I've purchased. I am a current art student and heard about this book from a couple of other students. It has some amazing pointers on how the masters composed paintings and has many great... Read more Published 1 month ago by J. Ferguson 5.0 out of 5 stars classical is right If you are looking for classical training in traditional oil painting, realism, then this book is for you. It is clear, beautifully illustrated, and easy to follow. Read more Published 1 month ago by J. Skrzynski 5.0 out of 5 stars One of A Kind **I dont know the author and was previously unfamiliar with her books or art. More about why I rate it 5+ stars and why someone with MY interests will want this book at bottom of... Read more Published 2 months ago by J. Atlas 5.0 out of 5 stars Classical Painting Atelier A great help for oil painters! Thanks for your Speedy shipment! Jan B. Published 2 months ago by J. Buehring 5.0 out of 5 stars SPECIAL ADDITION TO YOUR ART LIBRARY! This is one of the finest art books available today particularly for art enthusiasts from beginner to seasoned artists. Read more Published 4 months ago by Dyan Law, Skyview Studio 4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent worthy of Examination The language is a bit obstruse, but it is worth the buy. The typeface is smaller than I am happy with and the tone of the writing seems unnecessarily over intellectual... Read more Published 6 months ago by William M. Floyd 2.0 out of 5 stars not enough information I read the entire book and did some of the exercises. The exercises are useful but I would have appreciated more photos illustrating the concepts and techniques discussed; close... Read more Published 6 months ago by Design Maven 5.0 out of 5 stars Classical Painting Atelier In my opinion this is an outstanding book that far exceeds many of the run of the mill How to art books on the market. Read more Published 7 months ago by George H. Seidel 5.0 out of 5 stars Awsome A beautiful and most informative and well written book. I would recommend it to look at or learn from. Published 9 months ago by Franklin Wolf 5.0 out of 5 stars Classical Painting Atelier This is the most inspiring art book I've purchased in a long time. Full of insights and observations and instruction, not to mention stunning high quality color images on every... Read more Published 10 months ago by J. Greig Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 1st edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823006581
• ISBN-13: 978-0823006588
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,250 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Painting
  #21 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Instructional & How-To
  #27 in	Books > Arts & Photography > History & Criticism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!!!, April 3, 2008

By	Atlantic (Boston) - See all my reviews

Juliette Aristides has done it again. She has followed her first book titled Classical Drawing Atelier, with another book on painting. As in the case of the first book, she and the editors/publishers (Watson & Guptill) have created a beautiful book that not only provides helpful instruction, but it's simply beautiful as a work of art itself.

It's hard to keep this review short because there's a lot to discuss, but to start I'll admit that I'm biased. I'm thankful that Juliette has taken the time to write it and I hope it goes into its tenth printing in the next two years. The near death of classical painting and drawing at the hands of "modern" art would have been an incalculable loss for western society, but somehow, reason and knowledge remained in the minds of a few, and classical art survived. Many of us recognized all along that it has value and have rejected the alternative, but the pressure to conform to creating the ephemeral and inferior art that society desired was too strong for many. This stunning volume confirms that classical art is coming back and Juliette has helped that process.

The book comprises four parts and nine chapters: Part 1) The Artists Studio - describes both historic and contemporary atelier practices; Part 2) Timeless Principals - covers composition, value, and color; Part 3) Timeless Practices - discusses the process, inspiration, and the muse; and finally section Part 4) Masterworks - beautiful images from some of the most important realist painters through out history and some contemporary masters.

The author covers processes or "choices" if you will, and most importantly, she conveys "thinking" about those processes. The book will aid those that want or need to understand why things are done in a particular way and by extension, in some cases the reasons you may not want to use a particular method or continue doing what you are now. Illustrative examples primarily include figurative and still life work while landscape is only lightly represented, however, the same principals and processes are applied to all types of painting, not a specific genre. Artists represented include the usual masters such as Rembrandt and Hals, but we also get to see contemporary paintings from Daniel Sprick, Nelson Shanks, Scott Frasier, Jacob Collins, et. al. Each painting shown includes a short description and discussion about the work, talking about the methods employed and the effects achieved.

The value in this book is not simply the information provided (it's well written) or the amazing images - a stunning and beautiful selection including one of my all time favorites entitled Roses by A.H. Thayer - but in the larger meaning the book conveys as a revival of intelligent painting. Very few, if any, art schools today can even imagine what artistic training should include. Students attending these schools often learn that it's not about the final product, but simply about the process of making art, and any art is good art. The result is thousands of unskilled, abstract painters and artists "graduating" and thinking everything they do is worthwhile. In their defense, the students have few opportunities to learn real skills because their instructors are products of the same system. The cycle can be broken, and with the help of this book showing what's possible and how it's done, many students can demand more from their schools or simply extricate themselves from the morass and seek an atelier.

My hope, and I'm sure it's shared by the author, is that this book will be an inspiration to those seeking more from their instructors or school, and even from their own art.

Well done Juliette and thank you for creating another important book. Highly recommended. 10 Stars!!!!

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a Painting book that "puts it all together', April 12, 2008

By	Reviewer - See all my reviews

The author called her first book in this series 'the course I always wanted to take' in other words the highlights of all the different instructors and methods she encountered studying.

Unless you study at a formal atelier like, say New York Academy or Grand Central Academy, chances are you'll run into a variety of methods and approaches when learning to paint and draw.

This book gives what I think is the best comprehensive overview for people who want to become accomplished "realist" or 'classical' painters - its definitely filled in a lot of gaps for me.

There is no shortage of information out there about painting...the problem is its not distilled - what this book gives you is the distilled wisdom of the author- an accomplished painter who runs a respected atelier.

For example there is a great book about artists materials -but its 900+ pages long (artist materials handbook) - its great to have that information but whittled down materials overview in this book is "useable".

Some other key points:
The quality of the reproductions is outstanding
examples are not only old masters but contemporary realists - and not just the author!

Highly recommended and I might add ,an outstanding value.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh . . . My . . . God . . . , August 3, 2008

By	Carolyn J. (Ventura, CA United States) - See all my reviews

How the heck were great painters of old trained anyway? They were apprenticed in Ateliers. Reading this book is like trying to sip water from the fire hydrant of knowledge. Now I understand why they painted from plaster casts: if you can't paint in black and white from a white object holding still, how can you possibly hope to succeed with a live, flesh colored figure?

This book explains a lot, and then has exercises. The first exercise is to Di Vinci's "Lady with an Ermine", in black and white. Then you move up to doing studies in only warm and cool values. Why bother to apply color when the values aren't doing their job?

There are many gorgeous pictures, both of famous master paintings so you can examine their techniques, and student works, which are just as well done. If you want to paint realistically, get this book.