77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
outstanding!, February 22, 2009
This review is from: Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists: Experimental Techniques for Composition, Layering, Texture, Imagery, and Encaustic (Spiral-bound)
An exceptionally well done book. The author goes into great detail of her techniques and processes that she uses to create amazingly beautiful works of art. Easy to read, follow and understand the writing is clear and engaging. The photography is wonderful and you'll appreciate not only the full page views of Ann's work but also the detail shots will do a terrific job of capturing the texture in the pieces. It's impossible not to be inspired by the images in this book. Highly recommended!
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72 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truth In Advertising - this is actually a book that does what it says, April 6, 2009
This review is from: Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists: Experimental Techniques for Composition, Layering, Texture, Imagery, and Encaustic (Spiral-bound)
I am not one to write reviews often - especially on books about art technique, mainly because I am beyond disappointed. HOWEVER, this book, by someone whose website I have visited often, exceeds my expectations.
I am a mixed media artist, self taught, but am always looking to grow my background, to integrate it, to add depth, to make the background work for my piece, and good information is hard to come by. This book gives great examples and instruction, WITHOUT leaving out any steps - which is a real problem with a lot of instructional books by artists. Ann even provides photos of a piece in process (very insightful and reassuring).
There are exercises as well, and Ann provides the colors needed. You will notice that all of the products mentioned are Golden - and Ann is a Golden Working Artist, lucky dog! But you can make do, or experiment, with your own supply of paints. The exercises are more about how color works together to add depth and interest, contrast, etc, than a specific palette.
Best of all, she keeps the language conversational and real. You feel like you could be in a workshop with a friend instead of reading a book. There are wonderful tips and techniques that any artist could adopt (and alter) to enhance their own style. This is how 'how to' art books should be written. Nothing pompous and dry about this book. Just actual useful information, and lots of it. This book is rich with lots of full color photos AND text. Each spread has multiple photographs of work and a lot of information. This book is for artists to use, it is not a vanity book for the author.
I recommend it to anyone working with acrylics - from beginner to an old codger of an artist. I would give it ten stars if Amazon had them!
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51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazed but not surprised ... what a gift!, March 14, 2009
This review is from: Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists: Experimental Techniques for Composition, Layering, Texture, Imagery, and Encaustic (Spiral-bound)
Ann is a most impressive artist and communicator. After one day in a workshop with her, I left with skills and excitement I never expected to have. Now it's simply amazing what she has worked into the 144 pages of this fabulous book ... a wide range of beginner to more advanced techniques ... all approachable with dramatic effect. Included are gorgeous pictures complete with the basics of art and painting, the steps involved, tips, materials and other resources. It's chock full of samples that illustrate her evolving collage and mixed media styles, techniques and sophistication as seen in the works on her website ... all done in a most pleasing, uncluttered format. I love the classy hardbound cover with spiral binding inside allowing it to lie flat for easy reference while working. This makes an excellent reference work and/or gift for aspiring and more experienced collage/mixed media artists.
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