Customer Reviews

Paint the Sea in Oils Using Special Effects

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was fortunate enough to be at one of E. John's classes when a photographer from an Australian art magazine came for one of the sessions and took photos of that day's work. E. John explained that not only an article was being done, but that he was working on a new book as well. Obviously a book cannot come close to actually being there, but this book does as well of a job as one could expect. E. John's explainations are clear and easy to read, the photo's are great and the general layout is excellent. This book should definately be in the library of any artist interested in the sea, beginner or acomplished.

The most informative exciting sea painting book I have laid my hands on. Very explanatory and easy to follow the demonstrations. I have learnt a lot using this book.

The colour wheel and colours used throughout this book is thoroughly explained. Also the focal point, moving lines and tonal value has helped me create an exciting moving,interesting painting. Very helpful for new beginners.

His exceptional knowledge of the sea and painting it with translucency explaining the use of clear colours and his willingness to share that with others is amazing.

Paint the Sea in Oils Using Special Effects

This is the hardcover edition of the above book. (See more reviews for this book on that other listing).

This book is well worth buying just for the spectacular artwork of E. John Robinson, but the lessons are fantastic, and unlike any I've seen in other books on painting the sea. Even someone who doesn't paint in oils could thoroughly enjoy this book for the knowledge John Robinson shares about his meticulous observations of waves and how they move and how the sunlight plays on the water, etc.. It will make you enjoy the ocean a lot more when you're there, with the deeper understanding of it that John Robinson so graciously shares with us.

John Robinson has spent many hours taking videos of ocean waves, then going home to watch them in slow motion to understand their anatomy as an artist would. He will show you about everything you need to know about painting the ocean and it's many moods, along with rock painting as well, of course. Along with teaching how to paint the sea, Robinson has a very gentle way of teaching which is relaxing and often philosophical. This is a fantastic book that you really will want to keep for quite a while. Robinson's paintings are breathtaking. It's amazing how many different ways there are to paint the sea.

I will give a brief outline of the topics taught, as indicated in his contents page:

Section I: Beginnings

Chapter I Sketching on site

outdoor watercolor equipment, at the site, thumbnail

sketches, stepbystep demonstration in watercolors, outdoor

oil equipment, stepbystep deomonstration in oils

Chapter 2: From sketch to painting

studio equipment and supplies, composition from the sketch,

step by step demonstration

Section II Ingredients for Successful Seascapes

Chapter 3: The Anatomy of Waves

how waves are created from energy, anatomy of swells,

ripples on swells, swells with foam, swell t breaker, the

breaker, translucent water, step by step painting

translucent water, wave scud,

Chapter 4: Sunlight, shadows, and atmosphere

light and shadows: side lightting, front lighting, back

lighting, down lighting, spot lighting, cloud shadowns,

bluff shadows

Atmosphere: moisture in the air, clear weather, cloudy

weather, foggy weather,

Reflecting light and atmosphere:

waves and troughs, wet rocks, ripples on clear water,

reflections on a foamy surface, the mirror effect, sparkle,

glare.

Chapter 5: Rocks, headlands,and beaches

Rocks: rounded rocks, angular rocks, vertical rocks, rocks

in clear water, rocks underwater, rocks in foamy

water, overwash, water spills, trickles, color

exchange, defiant rock, overwhelmed rock

Headlands: Staging for distance, dark headlands, light

headlands, the bluff

Beaches: water's edge, wet sand, beach outlets, driftwood

Chapter 6: Foam and Spray

whitecaps, lace curtains, the roll, foam over a rock,

collapsed wave, foreground surf, blanket foam, surface

ripples, surface contours, holes for direction, patterns on

the wave, slhouette patterns, patterns over clear water,

patterns for directions, anatomy of foam holes, spray and

mist, surf spray, the burst, mist over a rock, overall mist.

Chapter 7: Color for Seascapes

the transparent color wheel, alternate color wheel,

comparing blues, comparing greens, earth colors,

neutrals, subject colors, wave colros, rock colors,

skies with cerulean blue, skies with ultramarine blue,

interplay of warm and cool colros, complementary colors,

triads, glow

Chapter 8: Composition for Seascapes

lines: ouline and implied lines, tranquil lines, opposing

lines, moving lines, buoyant lines, downward lines,

direct and indirect lines

values: three values, three areas, spacing areas,

combining areas and values, light composition,

middle value composition, dark composition focal

points: focal point with contrast, focal point

with color, forcal point with detail.

Section 3: demonstrations

Chapter 9: Rising tide

Chapter 10: Quiet moments

Chapter 11: Passing Storm,

Chapter 12: evening reflections

Chapter 13: Moving shoreward.

Section 4: Gallery

gallery paintings, conclusion, about the artist.

Even if you don't paint in oils, this book is fascinating and mesmerizing. It will make you see the ocean in a whole new dimension.

If you want to learn to paint dynamic seascapes, then this is a must own resource. It is loaded with valuable information by one of the best seascape artists living.

This book is like a box of wonder. Ever page has a gem to learn, it doesnt treat its audience like children and so communicates the wonder and the energy of the oceons. Its treatment of painting is clear and concentrates on the expression of the water waves surf and foam instead of giving a boring forumla.

A wonderful book.

A beauitfly designed and inspiring book. If you love the sea, or just like it, and want to paint it to you heart's constent, this book can be a great help. Techniques are revealing and the color repos are exceptional.

Much appreciated the care and consideration given to my purchase in its safe arrival to my doorstep in Australia. The product (in this case a second hand book) was exactly to the description in Amazon's catalogue. Very happy with the service. Would recommend your company to others.

I AM NOT A BEGINNER BUT CAN SEE HOW ANYONE CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS TERRIFIC BOOK. HE IS A MAREVELOUS PAINTER AND GREAT DETAILS ON HOW TO DO THIS. YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH FROM HIS ILLUSTRATIONS. I HAVE IMPROVED TREMENDOUSLY AND LOVE TO USE HIS BOOK OVER AND OVER. GOOD TO HAVE THE BOOK EVERYWHERE I TRAVEL AROUND WATER SO I CAN READ FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

This miraculous book is well worth buying just for the spectacular artwork of E. John Robinson, but the lessons are fantastic, and unlike any I've seen in other books on painting the sea. Even someone who doesn't paint in oils could thoroughly enjoy this book for the knowledge John Robinson shares about his meticulous observations of waves and how they move and how the sunlight plays on the water, etc.. It will make you enjoy the ocean a lot more when you're there, with the deeper understanding of it that John Robinson so graciously shares with us.

John Robinson has spent many hours taking videos of ocean waves, then going home to watch them in slow motion to understand their anatomy as an artist would. He will show you about everything you need to know about painting the ocean and it's many moods, along with rock painting as well, of course. Along with teaching how to paint the sea, Robinson has a very gentle way of teaching which is relaxing and often philosophical. This is a fantastic book that you really will want to keep for quite a while. Robinson's paintings are breathtaking. It's amazing how many different ways there are to paint the sea.

I will give a brief outline of the topics taught, as indicated in his contents page:

Section I: Beginnings

Chapter I Sketching on site

outdoor watercolor equipment, at the site, thumbnail

sketches, stepbystep demonstration in watercolors, outdoor

oil equipment, stepbystep deomonstration in oils

Chapter 2: From sketch to painting

studio equipment and supplies, composition from the sketch,

step by step demonstration

Section II Ingredients for Successful Seascapes

Chapter 3: The Anatomy of Waves

how waves are created from energy, anatomy of swells,

ripples on swells, swells with foam, swell t breaker, the

breaker, translucent water, step by step painting

translucent water, wave scud,

Chapter 4: Sunlight, shadows, and atmosphere

light and shadows: side lightting, front lighting, back

lighting, down lighting, spot lighting, cloud shadowns,

bluff shadows

Atmosphere: moisture in the air, clear weather, cloudy

weather, foggy weather,

Reflecting light and atmosphere:

waves and troughs, wet rocks, ripples on clear water,

reflections on a foamy surface, the mirror effect, sparkle,

glare.

Chapter 5: Rocks, headlands,and beaches

Rocks: rounded rocks, angular rocks, vertical rocks, rocks

in clear water, rocks underwater, rocks in foamy

water, overwash, water spills, trickles, color

exchange, defiant rock, overwhelmed rock

Headlands: Staging for distance, dark headlands, light

headlands, the bluff

Beaches: water's edge, wet sand, beach outlets, driftwood

Chapter 6: Foam and Spray

whitecaps, lace curtains, the roll, foam over a rock,

collapsed wave, foreground surf, blanket foam, surface

ripples, surface contours, holes for direction, patterns on

the wave, slhouette patterns, patterns over clear water,

patterns for directions, anatomy of foam holes, spray and

mist, surf spray, the burst, mist over a rock, overall mist.

Chapter 7: Color for Seascapes

the transparent color wheel, alternate color wheel,

comparing blues, comparing greens, earth colors,

neutrals, subject colors, wave colros, rock colors,

skies with cerulean blue, skies with ultramarine blue,

interplay of warm and cool colros, complementary colors,

triads, glow

Chapter 8: Composition for Seascapes

lines: ouline and implied lines, tranquil lines, opposing

lines, moving lines, buoyant lines, downward lines,

direct and indirect lines

values: three values, three areas, spacing areas,

combining areas and values, light composition,

middle value composition, dark composition focal

points: focal point with contrast, focal point

with color, forcal point with detail.

Section 3: demonstrations

Chapter 9: Rising tide

Chapter 10: Quiet moments

Chapter 11: Passing Storm,

Chapter 12: evening reflections

Chapter 13: Moving shoreward.

Section 4: Gallery

gallery paintings, conclusion, about the artist.

Even if you don't paint in oils, this book is fascinating and mesmerizing. It will make you see the ocean in a whole new dimension.

I really rely on the reviews to make decisions on purchasing a book, so I thought I would return the favor and write one myself. This book is amazing, and definatley a 5 star! It is loaded with wonderful tips, and technique. Easy to understand text and illustrations on wave anatomy, light, shadows, atmosphere, foam and spray, color, composition, values, and much more. E. John is very talented and there are pictures of his finished paintings to show. Do Not be fooled by the title, I mainly paint landscapes but also love seascapes and I have learned alot of things that I can apply to my landscapes like how to really make the sun Glow!, painting rocks under transparent water, and underpainting. Great Tips you can use on any subject. Do yourself a favor, Do Not pass this book up!!

Thank You E.John