Customer Reviews

Portraits in Oil the Van Wyk Way

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

 

 

I am new to oil painting and found this book very helpful in many areas. It covers working with live models , when and how to do this. How to begin your painting, color and many other areas in your painting. I think it will be of great help for my success in oil painting. It does not cover types of paint to use but it clearly tells you that is not the books purpose. I have only had it for a few weeks but have already gone thru it completely and feel like I have learned quite a lot.

I am new to painting portraits, and this is the best book I have purchased. It gives you alot of details without having to read so much material. There are alot of photos to help describe how to paint the face. It is right to the point. I wish they had a video of this. I highly recommend this book.

Do you paint portraits in oil? Then you will find yourself referring to this book again and again. No other book breaks it down quite like Helen does. She covers any questions you may have about painting portraits in oil in a clear, detailed way.

While I value Helen Van Wyk's teaching style this is not her best contribution. That being said, it was certainly worth the retail price when it was in print. The recent price escalation since it went out of print bumps it down at least two stars and perhaps four. My advice is to write Helen Van Wyk,s estate/publishing company ( most likely her husband ) and encourage a reprint. In the meantime go to the library, read it, return it, and let the price mongers keep their books.

Art is a personal thing of course and everyone has their opinions on how to do something most effectively. I've found that the way I paint is very much in keeping with the Van Wyk method. I liked this book very much and it helped me to think about what I was already doing and how I could fine-tune my technique and work a painting less. I think working a painting too much is one of the biggest issues that the new painter must learn to overcome. This book helped me in that regard and maybe it can be helpful to you too.

This is a great reference book. The author was a thorough instructor and she makes it easy to use her step by step information. The instructions are written and shown in pictures so the reader can follow them easily. I'd recommend this book to intermediate and advanced painters. It has a lot of good, logical instruction.

I am never disappointed by Helen VanWyk. Here books are always five star and full of great information. A winner with beautiful artwork.