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45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
True to it's title, January 20, 2004
This review is from: The Illustrator's Bible: The Complete Sourcebook of Tips, Tricks and Time-Saving Techniques in Oil, Alkyd, Acrylic, Gouache, Casein, Watercolor, Dyes, ... Pastel, Colored Pencil and Mixed Media (Paperback)
So many self education books for artists claim to be definitive, comprehensive, or the only book you'll ever need. I don't know if this is the only book you'll need, but it is a cheaper alternative to paying tuition at an art college. And, unlike many how-to books (and some art colleges), Rob Howard gives very specific and detailed instructions. He's light on the motivational inspiration and heavy on technique. Afterall, a working illustrator (the book's target) doesn't need to get in touch with the inner artist, but rather needs tools to get the inner art out onto the client's desk. Additionally, Rob Howard is quite talented. Often times people with Howard's gifts are so busy with paying customers that they don't have time to put together such a quality book. Every illustration is professional quality and an inspiration in itself!
The book is packed with photos and illustrations. He lists by name and sometimes manufacturer exactly what materials you need. Covers topics from Prismacolor pencils on Denril to Friskets and masking to pastels, acrylics and airbrushing....etc. It's only weakness is that it's due for an update. First published in '92 before the internet explosion and before Adobe Photoshop and Synthetik Studio Artist became powerful enough computer based tools, this book focuses entirely on natural media. Just the same, an illustrator looking to set him or herself appart from the pack might want to set aside the software and use the proven techniques in this book!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Okay, But A Bit Outdated, November 18, 2009
This review is from: The Illustrator's Bible: The Complete Sourcebook of Tips, Tricks and Time-Saving Techniques in Oil, Alkyd, Acrylic, Gouache, Casein, Watercolor, Dyes, ... Pastel, Colored Pencil and Mixed Media (Paperback)
An illustration student, I got this book thinking that it would prove useful for all types of techniques. However, not only is a lot of the information outdated, most of the methods are given only a few pages of description. I was most interested in what he had to say about gouache but there were only one or two pages dedicated to the medium.
Honestly, I was going to say that this book is a good idea for people who have very minimal knowledge of the subject, but it's such a quick introduction that I think anyone, even beginners, would do well to pick up a more in-depth manual. It definitely doesn't deserve the title of "Bible".
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Illustrator's Bible, February 15, 2011
This review is from: The Illustrator's Bible: The Complete Sourcebook of Tips, Tricks and Time-Saving Techniques in Oil, Alkyd, Acrylic, Gouache, Casein, Watercolor, Dyes, ... Pastel, Colored Pencil and Mixed Media (Paperback)
This book offered some good tips for techniques of how to sketch. It also showed in several pictures and photographs some tips and techniques of how to use different medias.
It discussed of different papers and sheets when sketching,drawing and painting.
Some of the book was outdated like when it discussed of scanning and photographing because digital and other newer technology were not used as it is today. (This book was published in 1992).
I would recommend this book for beginners who need tips and tricks of how to copy own drawings and how to do sketching. Also, when you are learning a new media, this book is good to have.
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