Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right [Paperback]

Gregg Kreutz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Practical Art Books | Publication Date: April 1, 1997

Idea
Is There a Good Abstract Idea Underlying the Picture?
What Details Could be Eliminated to Strengthen the Composition?
Does the Painting "Read"?
Could You Finish Any Part of the Painting?

Shapes
Are the Dominant Shapes as Strong and Simple as Possible?
Are the Shapes Too Similar?

Value
Could the Value Range be Increased?
Could the Number of Values be Reduced?

Light
Is the Subject Effectively Lit?
Is the Light Area Big Enough?
Would the Light Look Stronger with a Suggestion of Burnout?
Do the Lights Have a Continuous Flow?
Is the Light Gradated?

Shadows
Do the Shadow Shapes Describe the Form?
Are the Shadows Warm Enough?

Depth
Would the Addition of Foreground Material Deepen the Space?
Does the Background Recede Far Enough?
Are the Halftones Properly Related to the Background?

Solidity
Is the underlying Form Being Communicated?
Is the Symmetry in Perspective?

Color
Is There a Color Strategy?
Could a Purer Color Be Used?
Do the Whites Have Enough Color in Them?
Are the Colors Overblended on the Canvas?
Would the Color Look Brighter if it Were Saturated into its Adjacent Area?

Paint
Is Your Palette Efficiently Organized?
Is the Painting Surface Too Absorbent?
Are You Using the Palette Knife as Much as You Could?
Are You Painting Lines When You Should Be Painting Masses?
Are the Edges Dynamic Enough?
Is There Enough Variation in the Texture of the Paint?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gregg Kreutz has won numerous honors as a student and professional painter. His paintings have been represented in many juried shows. Gregg is represented by the Fanny Garver Gallery as many others, including the Grand Central Galleries, New York, O'Brien's Art Emporium, and the Dirk Walker Gallery in Brimingham, Alabama. He teaches painting at Scottsdale (Arizona) Artists School, the Fechin Institute (New Mexico), and at the Art Students League in New York City where he lives.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823040976
• ISBN-13: 978-0823040971
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Oil Painting

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite technique book, March 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Problem Solving for Oil Painters (Hardcover)

I stumbled on this book by accident in an art store library. Upon browsing through it, I realized that I was looking at something very different than the bulk of "art instruction" books available. The author is exceptionally knowledgable about the medium of oils, as well as surfaces on which to paint, but most importantly, he shows many color photos of "bad" paintings and how to correct them. He discusses, composition, lighting, unifying color, shadow color,etc. It is an education in itself. An outstanding work.

67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing, August 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right (Paperback)

All I can say is, "Thank you Gregg Kreutz, for writing this book." He is an artist, speaking to colleague artists .. not to potential buyers or to the mirror, which is so very annoying. I never expected to get so much out of a book.
We all have paintings left over in our studios that we don't want anyone to see. We hide them behind boards or stretched canvases with half-hearted intentions to either scrap them, or re-look at them someday. They permeate that certain something that was never resolved into our soul, forever reminding us that we are so far from perfect.
Well, I've dug them out, and am actually staring at them again with new-found interest. I'm even 'enjoying' looking at them, thanks to this book, because they are finally getting resolved.
Wow, do I ever recommend this book.

82 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, beautifully illustrated, April 10, 2002

By 

J. M. Williams (NORTH AUGUSTA, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Problem Solving for Oil Painters: Recognizing What's Gone Wrong and How to Make It Right (Paperback)

You won't go wrong here. This is an excellent book that explains clearly essentials that you'll need in your art work of most any style and technique. I'm taken back at the talent of the author in painting strikingly beautiful works. Some art books are good reference materials, once read I'm willing to sell off and move on to others. Then there's books like this one: a keeper. You just have to see it to appreciate it. These are excellent paintings and the author gives really valuable reasons for why the basics of oil paintings are fundamental in a down to earth, easy to understand way. This is a great buy and well worth your attention. You'll love it.