Customer Reviews

Painting Techniques of the Masters: Painting Lessons from the Great Masters, Revised and Enlarged Edition

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I am an artist who has persued the knowledge of classical drawing and painting, (as well as the joys of modern art)for at least a decade, and I believe that along with Robert Beverley Hales masterworks, this great book by Hereward Cooke is one of the most profound I have ever encountered.
It is not one of the typical "how to" art tuition books so prevalent now,those that are really just a sort of long winded advertisement for the artist/writer (and sad to say, often a very embarassing and mediocre ad at that).
This book is not for the hobby painter who just wants a pretty effect. This is a serious and profound study of the thousands of ideas , both simple and subtle, that painters have developed over umpteen generations, and which in the 20th century were almost lost to us. But this is the 21st Century!! Lets learn to match inspiration with inspired technique and understanding. Watson and Guptill really should reprint this gem, REALLY!!

I bought this book based on several recommendations that it is a "life changer." Well, it may not be a life changer, but it sure changed my understanding of painting. It starts out with a brief but amazingly insightful discussion of principles (color, line, form, etc.) that influence paintings and their composition. The remainder of the book is page after page of quality images of master paintings where the author indicates and discusses how these principles were used. I'd rate this the best book of its type I have ever read. PS - The revised edition (1972) has more color plates and larger images than the earlier one (says the jacket).

I have the original "Painting Lessons from the Great Master." It is better for a number of reasons. For one thing it is larger. This is one of the truly good books on seeing and learning to paint. It is worth its weight in gold. J. Carter Brown doesn't spout out alot of mumbo jumbo that intimidates the "I can't draw a straight line' crowd; which is all of us. He is enormously generous with his profound knowledge of art; not like so many pundit/curator types. I truly love this book. I have read it dozens of times, everytime learning something new. If you can get the older version - 1968!

I've read quite a few of these books about the Old Masters, but this one is really good! An elegant treatment of the topic, but not a how-to book either. If you're looking for a how-to book, then look elswhere. Lester-Cook reviews some of the common techniques of the Old Master's then presents a series of works by the masters and how they utilized the techniques. A great book!

Filled with all the hidden information you want to know about the work, fascinating insight and brilliant observations by author. Perfect text accompaniment to the prints.

Hearing so much praise for this book, after buying and reading it I was very disappointed. As an ardent collector of art books my opinion is that there is absolutely nothing here that is not said elsewhere and said better, and I could not disagree more strongly with these holy grail reviews. Examine a copy from a library before spending your money.