Customer Reviews

Oil: Landscapes with William Alexander (Learn to Paint Step by Step)

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

 

 

This is an exact reproduction of an older version by William Alexander, titled: Secrets to the Magic of Oil Painting II. Excellent beginner's book for those interested in his wet-on-wet technique. This famous technique should be taken advantage of as it can enable you to produce the basic painting in very little time, after which you can elaborate as it suits you - more details, etc.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of this book on beginning landscape painting. It is a very comprehensive treatise on the basics of his wet-on-wet acrylic (although techniques are transferable to oils) techniques. The book format doesn't really give you an idea as to how quickly a show-off landscape can be created, though.

I really loved the public TV series, the "Art of William Alexander"; weekly, Bill Alexander would produce, from a blank canvas, a virtual masterpiece in a mere 22 minutes. Wet-on-wet means the application of a thinner wet coat over a previously applied thicker coat of paint.

I am retired now, and looking for a new hobby. I believe that Mr. Alexander's tutelage will be a welcome addition to my art aspirations. It is truly amazing what the man can accomplish using only a palette knife. (Hint: it will do so much more than applying spackle to cracks in your stucco.)

If you intend to get just one book on landscape painting direction, you can do no better than Bill Alexander. I just wish his old series on art of landscape painting would be carried on DVD; now that was real folksy
instruction and genuine inspiration, presented with Mr. Alexander's raw humor.

William Alexander is now in his nineties and still actively teaching. He can still be seen on the Visual Arts Network, on some cable networks. Catch him if you can. You won't regret it. He can be a hoot.

The book, Secrets to the magic of oil painting is one of the books to be followed by students of oil painting. This book mainly deals with painting a variety of landscapes, with emphasis on mountains and a wide variety of trees. The author thoroughly explains the kind of brushes and other tools to be used to bring out the real-life effects and also the kind of colors to be used that are not quite obvious to a novice in oil painting. The only drawback about the book is that it could have included more number of paintings and a variety of other landscapes, in particular. However, it provides very good starting tips to any novice in oil painting. A sequel to this book, Secrets to the magic of oil painting - 1 written by the same author is one of the books that can be used by students wishing to master landscape paintings.

I bought this book for my stepson who is quite the painter of landscapes. He wanted it for reviewing since he had stopped painting for a while. Now that he's back in it, he wanted something to review with and remembered that someone had recommended this to him. He says it's a great book, both for those beginning, or those who just want to brush up on information.
I would definitely recommend this book.

I sincerely enjoy these instruction books on my favorite hobby, oil painting. Now all I need is the time and peace and quiet to start yet another landscape.

small small book only 20 pages or less,but in good condition...bob ross books alot bigger

Love the book. Received promptly. Good condition. Very informative. Small book but it has a lot of information
and the pictures are beautiful.

This is a great book. I love painting with directions from William Alexander. I also have the video and
I had guests come and visit and they each painted a canvas using this book and parts of the video.
A great help for painting trees. You will be able to finish a landscape easily with this book.