Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy: Digital Painting [Paperback]

Bert Monroy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321515870 | ISBN-13: 978-0321515872 | Publication Date: March 24, 2008 | Edition: 1

One of the most talented digital artists working in the medium shares his secrets for creating stunning art using Adobe Photoshop. A master class for the experienced Photoshop artist, this beautifully illustrated guide not only shows how to construct digital images, but also the painstaking refinement process required to create truly magnificent work. With the culmination of years of experimentation, Bert Monroy demonstrates step-by-step the essential techniques you’ll need to build awe-inspiring photorealistic paintings.

Learn how to:
• Effectively use the Brushes palette and other Photoshop tools
• Master alpha channels, layers, selections, filters, masks, and clipping paths
• Use highlights and shadows effectively to set the mood and add dimension
• Understand perspective and create eye-catching compositions
• Organize your workflow, take photographs, and collect reference materials to produce an accurate rendering of the subject

Download bonus chapters at: www.peachpit.com/digitalpainting

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bert Monroy is one of the most popular speakers at the Photoshop World conference and travels extensively on behalf of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals teaching seminars about Photoshop and Illustrator. In his consulting business, his clients include Apple Computer, Adobe Systems, Pioneer Electronics, Fujitsu, SONY, AT+T, Chevron and American Express, Logitech, and the National Association of Realtors. Bert has also done a considerable amount of film work for Industrial Light and Magic, Pacific Data Images, and R/Greenberg Assoc. His project work includes Forrest Gump and SPAWN.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press; 1 edition (March 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321515870
• ISBN-13: 978-0321515872
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bert Monroy is one of the most popular speakers at the Photoshop World conference and travels extensively on behalf of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals teaching seminars about Photoshop and Illustrator. In his consulting business, his clients include Apple Computer, Adobe Systems, Pioneer Electronics, Fujitsu, SONY, AT+T, Chevron and American Express, Logitech, and the National Association of Realtors. Bert has also done a considerable amount of film work for Industrial Light and Magic, Pacific Data Images, and R/Greenberg Assoc. His project work includes Forrest Gump and SPAWN.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donny Yankellow's MyMac.com Review, May 8, 2008

By 

Tim E Robertson "Publisher MyMac" (Battle Creek, Mi United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy: Digital Painting (Paperback)

When TechTV and the Screen Savers were around I always looked forward to the segments with Bert Monroy doing a Photoshop tutorial. So, when I had the opportunity to review his new book, Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy: Digital Painting, I jumped at it.

The book may not be what you'd expect. It was not what I expected. It is not a book of traditional how-to lessons, although you will learn how to improve your Photoshop skills. Instead, it is a book by an artist describing the process he goes through in creating his digital paintings. This process not only includes how he made a table cloth with a particular pattern on it, but also going out and taking the right photographs for reference.

In his Introduction Monroy explains how the book started as the traditional how-to book, but he was encouraged by several people to make it about how he paints and works. This decision was made after he started writing the book. As a result, the how-to chapters are available online as a downloadable bonus. Directions for accessing these chapters are in the book.

The beginning of the book describes Bert's process for starting a painting, finding reference materials, and how he determines lighting in a painting.
The book then moves on to its heart, the paintings. There are seven chapters describing the process of creating seven different paintings. Each chapter contains descriptions of how to achieve the same effects in your paintings.

The end of the book contains a chapter full of tutorials. These tutorials might be considered your traditional how-to section of the book.
Overall, this is a fantastic book that presents digital painting in Photoshop in a very creative way. As an artist and an art teacher, I really enjoyed reading the process and thinking that went into these paintings and other painting Monroy works on.

The book is not for the Photoshop beginner. It will not teach you how to use Photoshop. In fact, it assumes that the reader is familiar with Photoshop and many of the tools.

At a price of $[...] (U.S.) it does seem a bit pricey. I would be more inclined to purchase a book like this at the $[...] range. However, if you are a digital artist and a Bert Monroy fan, and you want to drop $[...] down on a book; you won't be disappointed.

MyMac.com rating: 4.5 out of 5
Originally Published at: [...]

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, April 23, 2008

By 

E. Kujan "ejkdesign" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy: Digital Painting (Paperback)

Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy: Digital Painting is another hit. I am a big fan of Bert Monroy. He consistently presents information about digital subjects that are focused, and simplified. I found the first chapter workflow very informative and the rest of the book to be inspiring. This book belongs on your book shelf. Although beginners can learn from this book it is geared for the intermediate to advance user. I give it four out of five stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, May 21, 2008

By 

Selden Jones - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy: Digital Painting (Paperback)

If one word sums this book up its "Amazing". Some other reviews say it is a rehash and I can't address that, but if this is the first of his books you have read it is very well done. His work is unbelievable. You swear you are looking at a photograph. His techniques are easily explained and the reference pictures are perfect for the material. It is a quick read. There are also downloadable pdf files that go into more detail but the book stands on its own to me. Great Work!!!