Customer Reviews

Oil Painting for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

This is a great little book! It is not a "How-to Guide" in the strictest, pedantic sense. It's an honest book by a serious artist intended for those new to oil painting, just as the title suggests. That's not to say, however, that it would not be useful to more advanced artists.

Those features that the book lacks are among its greatest qualities-there are no "10 Commandments" that are usually found in books of this genre. Most artists approached to write a book of this nature feel obligated to forbid X and insist on Y (with some justification, perhaps) but this book is just a well-considered, sincere, very personal discussion of one person's approach to his art and all the craft that it entails.

Allrich's strength as a writer comes from his balanced, encouraging, honest approach to his topic. Basically, in this book, he says what he does and why he does it. He is never condescending when he discusses the techniques that "many other artists" employ. It's more as if he is inviting his readers to see things his way, if they are so inclined, (and to pick up some of his tricks) or to go the way that the Muse takes them.

I'd strongly recommend this book for art students, would-be writers, people interested in the art and craft of oil painting and, of course, to anyone who wishes to "become a good (or better) painter". I'll re-read this book dozens of times!

After giving up art and oil painting in college, and switching my major from art to philosophy, I finally came back to art this summer, 22 years after graduating. At the time I wanted to be an "artist" creating paintings with "meaning." Well, its taken me that long to realize that's nonsense, and it's okay to just make beautiful paintings for myself. With 22 years wasted, I was looking for some instruction to get me kick-started and back in the game. I was first drawn to this book by the beautiful paintings and harmonious color: here, unlike it seems many how-to books by people who didn't know how to paint themselves, was a book by someone who could truly paint. If I could make a painting like that, I thought, I would be very happy with my work. I've read the whole book and return to it for inspiration and tips or techniques. I love it when he writes, "Every time you pick up a brush, you sould try to do the best painting you've ever done--but at the same time you shouldn't concern yourself with the possibility of doing a bad painting, or really even care. I'm convinced that if you focus only on your enjoyment of the process of painting, a good work will follow." This is exactly the advice, or permission, I need to hear as I take up brush and canvas after too many wasted years. I only regret I cannot take lessons from this teacher.

This informative, well written book is not for beginners only, as perhaps the title implies. I was delightfully surprised by the sublety and depth offered by author Allrich. His understanding of and obvious passion for the process of painting infuses this book. Although the writing style is very accessible, I believe that the title"...for the Serious Beginner" does not truly reflect the richness and depth of his instruction. A painter at any level will be able to gain insight that will help push him/her to the next level of understanding. This is a valuable little book that offers far more than its title implies. I have returned to it again and again, and continue to learn. Painting has been a life long passion of mine, and this book has proved to be a valuable addition to my (growing) collection of painting books.

Don't be put off by the size of this book. There's a great deal packed into this little tomb - much more than I've found in the piles and piles of oil painting instructionals that I've perused or (sometimes to my dismay) purchased. Note the title, though. The less-than-serious beginner - but moreso the complete art novice - is going to flounder (as s/he will with most oil painting instructionals, frankly). Steve Allrich is an exceptionally clear and thorough teacher. The chapters are set up logically, and flow easily, with just enough repitition of the important points. If you have a fair amount of drawing or painting background and have always longed to give oils a try, this is the book for you. And it's cheap! The small size is actually a plus: it's easy to keep at hand as you make your first forays into oil. My copy is already well paint-stained.

- Sumptuous paintings, oh so inspirational! My style is more wild than the classical, Winslow Homeresque style of this guy, but I can definitely appreciate his incredibly well steeped knowledge and the way this translates into gorgeous paintings.

- Very good introduction to oil painting techniques, which is more than you get in some college classes these days.

- What is great, though, is that every "rule" comes with the disclaimer that you are free to break it ... to see what happens or to create your own unique style.

- I was even inspired to try still life painting outside of the class room (where it was always kind of a *yawn* type experience)

- My landscapes evolved: better use of color makes them more vivid nowadays (I stripped my palette to the basic tricolor, plus white) & use of foreground/background etc. gives them better depth, when I choose to give that effect ... (sometimes I opt for the "flatness a la gaugin", with more or less satisfactory results! ;)

- If you are a landscape painter, this book will give you a good grounding in classic technique. If you are looking to paint stuff your aunt melda will like, buy the big book of oil painting and get a snap shot camera.

I purchased this relatively small book four years ago when I returned to oil painting after a long absence. I still refer to it and find the information to be exceedingly relevant to my current work.

As Allrich justly states in an early chapter, "there really is no shortcut in learning to paint." While instructional material can be helpful it often delays the student painter from the actual task at hand; putting brush to canvas. The search for the perfect book is exceeded only by the relentless quest for equipment as a contributary factor in the retardation of skill development. Having said that I must now suggest that this title is one of the few exceptions.

Most reviewers of this title will comment either favorably or unfavorably on the specific palette Allrich has chosen for his work. However, few (other than the previous reviewer who didn't like the "yellow" paintings) can argue that Allrich's work isn't beautifully rendered even if the palette is somewhat unconventional. And no one can claim that his work lacks a unified vision of diverse subject matter yielding that special emotional response that separates art from graphics. Steve Allrich is a fine artist.

While there are literaly hundreds of books on oil painting currently in the market place this small gem is one of two or three that I consider essential.

This informative and insightful book is not for beginner's only.I was delightfully surprised by the subtlety and complexity offered by author Allrich. His understanding of "the process" and his passion for painting infuse this book. Although the writing style is extremely accessible, I believe that the title "...for the Serious Beginner" does not reflect the depth and richness of his instruction. A painter at any level will be able to find some insight that will gently push him/her to a deeper level of understanding and working. This is a valuable little book that offers far more than the title implies. I have returned to it again and again, and have continued to learn from it...and I am far from being a beginner. Painting is a life long passion of mine.

I spoke to a gallery selling Steve Allrich's oil paintings. I asked why all the photographs in this book are overwhelmed by a yellow tint but when I view his paintings on various web sites they are not. His agent told me there was "a mistake made at the printer" I'm guessing that since it was printed in Asia,no one from the publishing house could afford to go to a press check. It's a serious error since on some pages he shows how to mix colors. If you mix blue and red together you should get violet but in this book you get a color that is not near violet. Bad news for a book about color.

Bright, inspirational, practical..."Oil Painting For the Serious Beginner" is all these. Author Allrich guides and instructs with thoughtful clear direction, provoking the reader/artist to think about painting in a new and inspiring way. I know several people who have read this book ( and recommended it to me ) who don't even paint themselves...yet! They wanted to learn more about what painting is, and to appreciate the process of oils. I do paint, and I have learned a tremendous amount from this great little book. Don't hesitate...if you love art/painting/creativity...Order it. You won't be sorry!

The keyword for this book is in the title:"Serious". Most books that explain the basics of doing any art form seem to range from a yawn to a belly laugh. If one reads this book carefully, (it is well written) and follows the instructional progression, a happy result will occur. I found the restricted palette (and for me, a very new one) extremely helpful. The bald statement that nothing can save a badly drawn painting gave me further impetus to discipline myself. The steps to building a successful painting are clear and productive. Thank you Steve Allrich, you have made me see differently and paint better.