Portraits from Life in 29 Steps [Hardcover]

John Howard Sanden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1999

John Howard Standen has developed a method of painting portraits over a 30 year period. The technique involves learning 29 steps and this manual illustrates, explains and demonstrates each of the steps in a clear and well-ordered way.'

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two fine books on portraiture complement each other nicely. Sanden, a true master of the genre, has created more than 500 portraits of prominent people and is considered one of the foremost teachers of the art. He has developed a 29-step method for painting a complete pictureAin just one sitting. His premier coup technique combines immediate impression and final effect. At the heart of the book are two complete demonstrations ("The Bishop" and "Nigerian Lady") wisely chosen for varieties in skin, hair, and tones. For those interested in other media and in more basic instruction, Wolf has assembled an excellent compendium of the work of more than a dozen artists and authors. Eyes, noses, and ears get individual attention, as do the different stages of life, from infancy to maturity. The book also features methods of drawing figures in motion and within a broad variety of settings. A fine multimedia and multicultural effort. Very reasonably priced, both books are highly recommended.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

John Howard Sanden's career as a portrait artist has spanned three decades. Since moving from the Midwest to New York City in 1969, he has been called upon by more than 500 of the nation's public and business leaders to portray them in his striking painting style. (In a 1991 New York Post, popular columnist Pete Hamill said that "John Howard Sanden is the closest we have in America to fit the old role of court painter.")

Sanden is widely regarded as the foremost teacher of professional portrait methods in the world today. Founder of the Portrait Institute of New York, he has toured the nation teaching his ideas and techniques to thousands. His books and videos have extended his teaching even further. In a 1984 article in Profile, the magazine of the American Portrait Society, the Society's president wrote, "John Howard Sanden may well be the best known name in contemporary American portraiture." On May 29, 1994, the American Society of Portrait Artists presented Sanden with their first John Singer Sargent Medal for Lifetime Achievement.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891349022
• ISBN-13: 978-0891349020
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good reference book on portrait painting in oil, June 24, 2001

By 

The Artist "The Artist" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Portraits from Life in 29 Steps (Hardcover)

Now this is a hard case when it comes to rating. The fact of the matter is this is a good book about portrait painting in oil; and the paintings presented in the book using Mr. Sanden's approach (plus his over 30 years of experience) are just beautiful. The book, however, does present a method to paint based essentially on products promoted by the author; and this may be too much for some readers.

I thought I'd point out a few points:

STRENGTHS:

- The book presents a step-by-step approach to render portraits in oil. Two demos are presented systematically in 29 steps, which may be easy for starters to follow. This perhaps is the strongest point of the book to be used as a reference.

- The book also introduces the Pro Mix oil paints and brush packages, both promoted by the author. This may be very good for readers who wish to become professional portrait artists, using the approach presented in the book.

WEAKNESSES: The aformentioned strengths, ironically, may also be the weaknesses of the book.

- In his approach, the author refers frequently to the choice of colors taken from the Pro Mix product. In all fairness, the author DOES describe (in the section "The Pro Mix Portrait Palette", pp38-39) the formulas of how to prepare these Pro Mix colors from commercially available basic colors. So the choice is for the readers to make. One could order the Pro Mix product or mix them oneself. Consequently, to maintain the flow of energy and interest while painting, the readers might as well get the product or pre-mix all the tonal colors before trying out these demos.

- The fact that some products are promoted in the book, apparently, has caused some negative responses from other reviewers (as we see here). In my opinion, if one would like to learn this approach and eventually make a living out of it, one might as well buy the ready-to-use Pro Mix colors for convenience.

In closing, I simply find this is a good reference book in portrait painting, whether one will follow the systematic approach presented in the book. Therefore, I'd give it a 4-star rating.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Discipline Combined with Talent. A Powerful Combination, November 29, 2002

By 

Bruce in California (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Portraits from Life in 29 Steps (Hardcover)

The first time I paged through this book, I was struck immediately by Sandin's obvious abilities as a portrait painter, but even more, I was enchanted with the bold crispness of his alla prima paintings and demonstrations. I so envy the confidence, technical skill, and freedom that such paintings radiate. I was also struck at once by the seeming contradictions through out the book. Could someone who looks like a doctor, paints in a tie and lab coat in a pristine, lavishly furnished studio really produce such dramatically rendered work? And then there are the 29 steps mentioned in the title. Twenty nine? Not thirty? Not twenty? And finally, the author's "Pro Mix" paint system seemed a little like a paint-by-number approach. But now, having read this beautiful book dozens of times and painted several portraits under its guidance, I can recommend it without hesitation.
Mr. Sandin has made me understand the importance of discipline in what I do as an artist. His insistance in following a routine (the 29 steps) and using predicable, tested color combinations (his pro mix system) are part of this lesson. Through out the book, he hammers on the concept, "...marshall all your concentration, alertness, and energy so that every stroke of the brush becomes part of the finished statement....concentrate all you effort upon getting it right the first time..." It took awhile and a number of readings before I begin to truely understand, but now my portraits are dramatically improved because of this approach.
As you have read in other reviews here, Mr. Sandin references his color mix system throughout the book. At first I found this inconvenient, since it was necessary to constantly turn back to the part of the book where the mixes are explained. However, this was easily solved by painting a color chart using the mixes, labelling them with his color mix names, and putting it next to my easel. He recommends this as an essential exercise, and I agree. Not only did I create a conversion chart of his mixes, but I learned a lot about cooling, warming and nuetralizing colors. I haven't bought the Pro Mix system, yet I have had great success with his color approach. Don't let this issue keep you from having this invaluable resource book.
I am painting more, and having greater success because of Mr. Sandin's emphasis on discipline in the painting process. It is a constant struggle -the urge to dabble and fuss is powerful - but I constantly remind myself of his direct and controlled process and my paintings are better and better.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This guy is good- so is his book, April 6, 2003

By 

n0s4a2 (Burbank, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Portraits from Life in 29 Steps (Hardcover)

Within the narrow scope of portraiture for the well-to-do, Sanden is the best, and he knows how to teach; the book is as methodical as he is. And his paintings look great- the epitome of a sort of smooth and buttery '50s illustrational style, like Haddon Sundblom, but tighter- very disciplined and technically acccomplished, yet lyrical. Any objections to Sanden's seeming promotion of his "Pro-Mix" brand of paints are unfounded (that's where you order a box of pre-mixed colors made by a company which has a deal with the author). He tells you exactly how to mix the colors yourself out of the usual tubes of paint you can buy in any art store, so you can either order them pre-mixed, or do it yourself, so where's the problem? The delight of this book is looking at the step by step demonstrations of all those juicy, painterly pictures of people with lots of personality. His two hour sketches are beauties (more "artistic" than his finished commissions). I got a lot out of the book, most of which is the wisdom of the ages anyway, but stated in a no-nonsense fashion (maybe a little dogmatic in a few instances, but the guy does a certain style and he has his game down pat, so just pick what you need). Sanden's work is aimed at the tastes of those who have become CEOs, Church leaders, and heads of State, and is frankly corny (unless, like me, you are so modern you get off on that) but his revealing demos really explain the dazzling virtuosity. If you're serious about painting heads, this belongs on your shelf. In and of itself, it won't teach you to paint, but what will?