Customer Reviews

Helen Van Wyk's Favorite Color Recipes

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was fortunate enough to have studied with Helen at her studio in Rockport MA. She was so giving of her talent, and her teaching is so down to earth and easy to understand. I have all of her books, and refer to them often. She solves just about any problem you may have in painting. How sad that we have lost her, but how great to have her expertise in her books. This book is an excellent reference book as well as a teaching tool. You cannot go wrong buying any of her books.

Because I knew that Helen Van Wyk was a "TV painter" I was skeptical, but I discovered that Helen was light years past any of the painters I ever saw on TV. Her talent was outstanding and her teaching is clear, sensible, and utterly practical for painters at any level from absolute beginner on up. I have a degree in fine art; I make a living painting custom murals, and I'm still learning all kinds of useful things from Helen. My work has definitely improved as a result of applying just a fraction--so far--of the information here. It's a shame this wasn't among our textbooks in college; it could've saved me so much time and struggle. Oh, and money. This book will more than pay for itself in savings on paint and supplies.

Why only four stars out of five? Because this book isn't complete on its own. I'm online today to buy "Color Mixing the Van Wyk Way", which I recently borrowed from a friend and now must own. That one goes into more depth with the entire process of building a painting--some stuff I learned in art school, and a lot that unfortunately I did not, because modern painting instruction is sorely lacking in real foundations. Van Wyk can help you fill the gaps if you've been painting a long time, or start you out right if you're new at this.

If you are going to buy one book about color mixing in painting, this is the one for you. She explains the best colors to use and gives helpful hints as to what mistakes not to make. She does so in a straight forward understandable way. I want to buy more of her books!

I have all of Helen Van Wyk's books (3) and I think they are all excellent examples of how to paint and how to use oil color effectively. I don't know that this particular book is any better than the others, as I use them in tandum. They have good ideas and many examples of how to apply paint that are very helpful. Check them all out!

I love this book. It's been very helpful for times when I just can't seem to mix the color I'm looking for. I look in this book and it always has good information.

Even though I have a BFA many things that would have been helpful in the real world, just weren't taught. This book fills in a lot of blanks.

Helen is a great teacher. I have taken art classes and learned 1/10th of what I learned by reading her book. I am colorblind and people argue with me about it because of my ability to use the right colors. I only wish she was still here so she could produce even more information etc.

I love reading oil painting "how to" books!!! This book covers almost everything you need in an understandable way. It is much more than just a color mixing book. It covers perspective, portraits, landscapes, still lifes, lighting etc etc etc.. Would make a great gift for a novice, hobbyist. Great buy.

Not only are there color recipes there are lots of photo references and color swatches - but the tidbits of info that accompany the recipes are invaluable. This is a GREAT reference and one of the best I've seen. A must have for the artist. It is wonderful to have this information all in one book.

I just hate trying to mix a light red and it turn out to be "pinky." Trial and error will eventually work after spending too much time and too much paint and a lot of frustration. It is such a joy to have some idea in advance whether to use alizarin crimson or cadmium red light. The name of the color on the tube is important. Some colors are thin and won't cover -- which sometimes is a good thing depending on what you are painting. Helen Van Wyk's Favorite Color Recipes has really saved me time and aggravation trying to get the right color. Additionally the illustrations in the book are not only educational but a pleasure to behold. A great book to have!

I find this book very helpfull in learning how to mix colors. She talks about the color tones, hues, complimentery colors. Why she uses what color where. It gets you thinking about color and how to use it in your painting.