Customer Reviews

Painting with Your Artist's Brain: Learn to Paint What You See - Not What You Think You See

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

 

 

This book is very effective in teaching the artist or beginner to see in the language of art, which is shape, color and edge. The medium used in the book is watercolor. The approach to technique is simplified to the essentials to get going in water color, but any medium would apply. I enjoyed the simple approach. The author was a teacher and I'm sure a good one at that. The book wasn't bogged down with unnecessary "how to" stuff. Each chapter covers another aespect of seeing with very understandable text and examples. I found this book to be a good example of how to transulate all that stuff out there into the language of art. If that is what you want to do I recommend it. If on the other hand you wish to spend you time at the art supply store trying all the hundreds of supplies and techniques and not seeing and painting than this book is not for you.
For me the only week part of the book was the last two chapters, but then I've been painting for 25 years.

Besides being an excellent overview of watercolor techniques helpful to the experienced as well as the novice, this book provides valuable guidance for enhacing the "seeing" skills we need for being better artists, no matter what medium is used. Purcell's book is among my favorites and I refer to it frequently.

...and I've bought a lot of them! There are some similar ideas in this book to the those in Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, but this book is all watercolor-specific and boiled down to pack in the maximum information. I like Mr. Purcell's style, as well, which is always a bonus. I found that it inspired me to work harder, and few books can do that. I highly recommend it.

I was hoping this book would be similar to the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". Although it is attempting to show you basically the same principle, in my opinion, it failed miserably. The first 30 pages of the book are devoted to watercolor techniques. The samples and exercises were few. At one point he asks you to draw the dark shapes and "when you do so, you should notice one very big problem with it", but never refers back to that to tell me if I was seeing it correctly. The book was an interesting read (hence the 3 stars), but as a learning tool I found it profoundly lacking and definately not worth the money.

My instructor has many books but suggested this one over all for new students. I found it very helpful and suggest it as a good start for learners. I like the colors used and had good results with the various exercises.

I found this book by accident, started to read it and left without buying it. I was overjoyed at finding a copy on Amazon. This book is loaded with great information, instruction and exercises. I highly recommend getting the book and practicing the exercises, you will learn more that way. I can see why he would be a good teacher. This is no "rip-off" of any other book, especially "...Right Side of the Brain." Completely different approaches to a very sometimes difficult medium! I don't think you can go wrong with this book.

This little book is packed with important concepts for artists. The wisdom presented is essential for visual composition, regardless of the specific medium.

The author's treatment of value is especially valuable (pun intended). Color is important, but value is even more important. He explains why and shows how.

Carl Purcell is not only a talented artist but most practically, for everyone who picks up this book, a clear and gifted teacher!

I've read and studied many books of this genre but THIS ONE is my favorite....

Every page is a LOADED tip sheet of instructions in concise short and to the point lessons.

TWO BRAINS you see... one is your friend/one your enemy (if you are an artist!)

In a room full of painters you can see who is using which brain!

Identify the enemy and watch your work take off....

I AM GRATEFUL to find the book that makes my work satisfying and new.

Just sorry I did not find this jewel sooner....

This is a poor knock-off of the classic book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. Save your money and go back to the original! And if you are a painter, try the new book she has written, called, simply, COLOR. It's fabulous