Customer Reviews

The Painter's Workshop: Creative Composition & Design

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best art instruction books that is now available.It is an excellent follow-up to Creative Discoveries in Watermedia published in 1998.Creative Composition & Design is a workshop in book format. Pat Dews warm positive attitude comes across on each page.The book is very well designed with excellent color photographs of art that will inspire you to create.The tips that are listed on various pages are very helpful.The section showing how different artists work on design and composition is an excellent way to gain additional ideas for your own work.The critiques shown of student work places you right into the workshop experience.You will see how paintings are resolved.You will learn a lot from this book and return to it often.I highly recommend this book-it was worth waiting for.If you are unable to attend a workshop with Pat Dews this is the next best thing.If you have been fortunate enough to take a workshop with Pat Dews this book will act as an excellent follow-up.

if you are interested in composition and design, this is a must for your art library. clear, consice, immensely readable, pat dews acts as your personal guide! while her focus may seem in the "abstract vein", there is something for everyone here, no matter what your interest is. warmly written, i found myself reading every word. now that's something for a visual book! her explanations, photos and critiques were helpful and made me want to run to the studio to start my own wonderful discoveries!

the book teaches a lot, and it's great to read how to finish started works. however, you need a background in abstract work to understand her lessons. I have no such background, and her descriptions of the works in progress confused me. as well, her projects require a lot of specialized art supplies - inks and pigments and stuff that I don't have lying around. the projects also require a lot of space - easels w/ full sheets of watercolor paper, storage for scraps, etc. if you want to spend the $$, go ahead. I'm in a dorm and don't have the background, space, or $$ to do the projects.

I have both Pat's books and the video. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Her lesson plans are great and you actually can learn something from these books by doing the exercises. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to loosen up, do something different, or see more abstractly. For beginners, this is great, too. Just have fun with the new techniques and that which is creative will "create itself."

I am an artist. I paint. And I collect books on art. So whatever I can add to my collection, I will. Thanks for the great selection.

Book: Creative composition&design
I am very please whith this book, thankyou.

Have enjoyed using this as a reference after observing her in a demo.