Customer Reviews

Learning by Designing Pacific Northwest Coast Native Indian Art, vol.1

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've purchased EVERY book I can find on the topic of Pacific Northwest Coast Native Indian artwork (currently I have over 160), and this is one of the best if you want to try your hand at this type of artwork.

This book contains tons of examples, explanations, and a nice amount of info about the tribes and styles. This is the only book I've found with a section that actually takes you step-by-step through the process of creating some Northwest Coast art! (Note that the recently-published volume 2 also does.)

The only downside I can see is that the artwork is relatively "modern" and representational, and does not cover some of the older or more abstract styles. On the other hand, it does not seem to be intended to be complete. The goal of the book is to help someone delve into this sort of artwork, and it does that very well. I've taken in-person classes from several people who are acknowledged experts in the field and/or natives (including a Haida Master Carver), and they teach the same sorts of basics this book does.

If you want to try your hand at drawing this kind of art, I recommend that you buy "Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast" by Hilary Stewart as an excellent book for giving you an overview and feel for the art form, buy this book and volume 2 by the same authors for the extensive examples and how-to information, and I also recommend "An Analysis of Form" by Bill Holm, which is the single most in-depth study of the elements that are used in PNWC artwork.

Talented teacher/author Karin Clark and gifted multi-faceted artist Jim Gilbert have produced a truly remarkable new gem of a book about Pacific Northwest Native Indian art. Called Learning by Designing, this comphrehensive ,innovative and lavishly illustrated book offers not only an interesting and thorough history of the various native art forms indigenous to the Pacific Northwest but includes easy to understand step-by-step instructions suitable for both novice and experienced artists. As a neophyte student of this art form , I was surprised at the quality of my own work. In addition, I found the process to be pleasantly relaxing as well.

This book is an excellent opening into NW Coastal art. It does not address the meanings or legends but mainly how designs are created and build up of elements. Lots of illustrations. Its an excellent reference for the carver or artist wanting to work with the designs (note: no carving techniques etc are discussed; just design but that is enough)

37 pages of curriculum instruction, 3 pages of history/meanings, 11 pages to teach you how to draw two ovoids one within the other...

Nice instructors manual and handout source for a kids workshop, but the lack of _meaning_ and information density is very low.

I felt like more than half of the book is missing, perhaps volume 2 has more meaningful discusion.

All in all, not a bad book, but not what I was hoping for, if you want an intense course on the mechanics of drawing NWNA, then this is it. If you are teaching children, this is a good resource too.

This is an excellent tutorial in some respects. The instructions are step-by-step, and it is packed with illustrations. However, there is little attempt to address the theme behind the art, to establish the "rules of the form" as, say, Aidan Meehan's books have done for Celtic Art. Bill Holm's classic "Northwest Coast Indian Art: An Analysis of Form" remains the best bet in this field if you are interested in creating original designs in this style. If however, you just want to copy preformed designs and get a feel for the modern trends in this style, this is a good introductory choice. And I do mean modern trends. The other glaring insufficiency in this book is its lack of a classic feel. Many of the designs are not strictly traditional, and though some see this as a sign of vitality, I see it as a blemish on a grand tradition.

I bought this book during an Alaskan cruise. By the time we reached our 3rd stop, Ketchikan, we were comfortably literate in North Coast Indian art. (Not experts!) I impressed a carver by being able to identify the animals in the totem pole he was carving. Being able to identify the animals gave our trip a richness we would not have had.
But even better, this wonderful volume, full of instructions, gave me the courage to try to draw something and I am NOT an artist. However, we now have a family totem: a North Coast Indian art version of our Norwich terrier. This book was worth every penny. I can't wait until the volume 2 comes out.

I've used this series to teach design, carving and painting. The books are easy to follow with excellent illustrations and great teaching tools. My thanks to the authors for helping us pass along our heritage! [...]

So these blurbs on the back of Vol 2 explain some of the differences between Volumes 1 and 2 and how they complement each other...

"With Volume 1 laying a solid foundation of the methods, traditions, and disciplines of Northwest Coast Native art, Volume 2 brings the contemporary human touch by showing modern treatment of the art, giving it life through Native Elders and teachers...." - Ron Stacy

"I am even more impressed with this volume than the last. It offers so many new tools and insights that allow one to create imaginative and lively designs that incorporate the numerous elements of the artform. The carver in me got really excited by what I found.... The patterns are beautiful and the combinations almost endless..." - W.F. Judt

"I loved the interviews with a First Nations family [in Volume 2.] Getting their input was wonderful. I also loved the comparisons between the four separate styles of design. Very educational and very informative." - Brad Bigelow

This is the first book of a pair that is very good both from history and applied design techniques.... an Excellent book on the subject of Northwest Coast Native Art. Lots of examples and background information.

An excellent source for learning how to accurately recreate Northwest Coastal art, how to create original works that are faithful to the style, or just to develop an educated appreciation for the art form. Wonderful book.