An Introduction to Oil Painting (DK Art School) [Paperback]

Ray Campbell Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: DK Art School | Publication Date: March 15, 1998

Whether you've taken art classes or never held a brush before, An Introduction to Oil Painting will show you everything you need to know about working in this challenging -- but rewarding -- medium. Easy-to-follow projects, shown as they were created, teach the essentials while inspiring the student to tackle increasingly complex techniques. Each volume of The DK Art School series focuses on a specific art medium and subject, so you can choose precisely what you want to learn. When complete, the series will offer the widest choice of specific subjects -- from acrylic figure to oil portrait, and from pastel still life to watercolor landscape. Build your own private Art School in your home library.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789432897
• ISBN-13: 978-0789432896
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,864,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for beginners!, December 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: An Introduction to Oil Painting (DK Art School) (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book. It spent two pages on every topic that's important to beginning artists. It never rambled on about useless, trivial information. The author focused in on clear definitions and illustrations. This reader was never confused by the book's precise method in handling complicated exercises. These exercises not only explained the material, but also led to completed works of art. The book also had a small, but vital glossary. The glossary helped to reiterate important concepts, such as scumbling, aerial perspective, fat-over-lean painting and high-key colors (just to name a few). Reading this book is like taking an art class. It focuses in on the most important concepts; and, it explains them in a brief, succinct manner.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice idea spoiled by carelessness, November 28, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Introduction to Oil Painting (DK Art School) (Paperback)

My soft-cover version of this highly-attractive book has plenty of nice features. The overall concept is sound, (although a little cursory in places, even for a book aimed at beginners); the instructional and informational content is generally useful and interesting; the illustrations and reproductions are excellent. There are even some health and safety tips that were very welcome.

So, what's the problem? The low rating I gave this book falls squarely at the feet of the editor(s). Simply put, there are far too many mistakes for a book of this size!

Completely wrong labels on a graph of oil content in paints makes for total confusion, especially if you're trying to come to terms with the "fat over lean" concept or similar technical ideas. Page cross-references that are incorrect are frustrating, but tolerable, in a monthly magazine or daily newspaper, but not in a textbook! There are numerous other little labelling, spelling, word-usage and grammatical errors, as well as a couple of invented words ("sawned off" is going to stick in my memory for a long time!) and a few "explanations" that don't explain anything.

I'm not sorry I bought the book, but it would be so much easier for my wife, who is just starting out in oil painting, and who is not a native user of English, if the information were a bit more reliable.

I purchased another Ray Smith book [Portraits, hardcover] and have no real criticisms of that book. I would consider buying others in the series, but this one is a little disappointing. A very beautiful book spoiled by sloppy editing. It's really a shame!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really lays out the basics well, August 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: An Introduction to Oil Painting (DK Art School) (Paperback)

This is the kind of book that organizes the information you need to know in a logical and straight-forward manner. A great place to start for any aspiring artist.