Customer Reviews

The Figure in Watercolor: Simple, Fast, and Focused (Simple Fast & Focused)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One problem I find with watercolor instruction books about painting the human figure is that so few of them are in a style I actually like. Charles Reid has a few, of course, and there are some others that offer insights, but even so the styles are not always what I'm aiming for. Mel Stabin's "Figure in Watercolor" is a happy exception to that lamentable rule, although not without its shortcomings.

Overall, this is a fairly inspiring book with great paintings and a few nuggets of information about painting the figure, but I found that the actual instruction was a bit thin. There are a few step-by-step examples, but most of the book consists of Mr. Stabin's wonderful paintings, along with a paragraph or two about basic composition, studio conditions, or back story behind the painting.

Perhaps the artist was going on the assumption that the student should be given inspiration over step-by-step instruction. That can work very well in some instructional environments (such as college-level courses), but I think I would've found more of the step-by-step examples helpful. What few step-by-step examples there are in the book (three, I think), are condensed at best, and really don't give the student a good sense of how the painting was made (kind of like watching the opening credits, end credits, and a scene in the middle of a movie, and trying to understand what the movie was all about). Here we see an early step, a somewhere-in-the-middle step, and the finished painting. Even with the accompanying text, the complete evolution of the work is still something of a mystery.

One of the few really frustrating things about the book is that several of the large paintings that start the chapters are positioned in such a way that the figures (obstensively the most important part of the painting), are placed right between the inside edges, so that it is almost impossible to get a good look at the figure without flattening out the book (and thereby ruining the spine).

All in all, it's still a great book, but definitely aimed for an intermediate level, rather than the beginner. I'm not sure if that was the artist's intention, but it seemed to be the end result. Even so, the beginner will still find value in the book, in the form of inspiration if not direct instruction.

The photorealistic figure painting in most books is intimidating and, to many, unappealing. Mel Stabin liberates us from this tight, souless style. His people are fresh and fast, and something of their essence of the person is captured.

Stabin's instruction, which could be more plentiful, is full of useful information. Copying his paintings is very instructive. As is his former book Watercolor: Simple, Fast and Focused, this book is a gift to watercolorists and those who love looking at spontaneous, fresh paintings.

Two other painter-authors who use this loose style for figures are Charles Reid and, for the nude figure, Douglas Lew (Painting from Life).

I rate this a good to very good book on loose watercolor figure painting. Stabins flowing line brush drawings of the female figure are outstanding.
THE REASON FOR ONLY 3 STARS,THERE ABOUT 10 OF THE BEST PAINTINGS COMPLETELY RUINED BY BEING ON TWO PAGES. ONE COMPLETE PAGE AND ABOUT 1/3 ON THE ADJACENT PAGE. PROBABLY THE BEST IS OF A DANCER SITTING ON THE FLOOR, AND HER FACE AND SHOULDERS ARE BURIED IN PAGE TO SPINE CURVE. I HAVE THE BOOK AND ONLY WAY I CAN SEE FULL PAINTING IS DISSEMBLE THE BOOK. WATSON/GUPTILL, ARE YOU LISTENING?

I agree with another reviewer who finds this otherwise beautiful book light on instructional details. I happen to love Stabin's painting style, and I do find copying his paintings to be very illuminating. I still rate this book highly because much can be gleaned from studying and copying his work, which is fresh, economical, and transparent. Perhaps I would rather recommend it, though, for the more advanced artist.

I prefer Mel's earlier book which is more place-oriented (the term "landscape" seems strangely inappropriate and inadequate) and perhaps because I find his figure painting similar to that of well-known East coast artist Charles Reid. I actually love the figure painting style of both artists but I already have Charles' figure painting book(unique and inspiring) and Mel's first book -- which is beautiful and prescribes a simple approach that I find refreshing and inspiring.

Of course the images here are wonderful (the simplified image of a woman in a hat and skirt in front of a building was particularly striking) and the text thoughtful & direct.

This book is a treasure. If I could buy only one book on watercolor painting, this would be the book. Each chapter is a small gem of information simply expressed with wonderful accompanying pictures.
The watercolors in the book are delicious to look at. You get to experience Mel Stabin's process and philosophy.The approach is clear and simple, wise and deep at the same time. The approach is inspiring and speaks to the deeper places inside us.

I am so very pleaseed with this book . It is one of the most helpful I have ever had . I highly recomend it to anyone interested in painting figures and portraits.

The book is well illustrated and Mr. Stabin shares quite a bit of information, although it is not as in-depth instruction as a Reid book. Stabin uses an 11 value scale, in contrast to Reid's 6-7. I purchased this as it as the style of painting appeals to me. Illustrations are colorful and fresh.

Very nice work.. a bit looser than I was thinking, but a lot of good info. Alas, I haven't tried to do it yet. Procrastination is king!

I'm quite picky when purchasing books and normally I delegate this task to my daughter.She knows the kind of books I like.This was one of her picks and she didn't made a wrong decision.Excellent book.