Customer Reviews

Richard Schmid Paints the Figure; Advanced Techniques in Oil.

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

 

 

My recommendation is based upon the book's content, not collectability value. I have been painting for over thirty years and find the information, techniques and insites in this book very helpful for the figure painter. I often go back to my reference books to rekindle my interest in various techniques and I use Schmid's book when I want to return to oil techniques for figure work. Unfortunatly, most of the good texts on figure work in oil are out of print (like Schmid's). Based on the book's usefulness, I recommend it to any figure artist.

I am a figurative painter and I have read this book. I can only conjecture that all the recent publicity about Richard Schmid has raised the price of this book to the outer limits!
I was glad I didn't fall into this price-hipe trap. The book originally sold for around $12.95 and I think that as a book that is what it is worth. I have the same sentiments for "Richard Schmid paints the landscape". If you are an artist I recommend the most recent book, "Alla Prima Painting " which is still way overpriced at $100. but if it is Mr. Schmid's technique and experience you are after this will help you to understand his thoughts, philosophy and technique a little better. Book collecters may feel differently about the inflated price. I am not writting for their benefit but for the artist or art enthusist.

I have other books by Richard Schmid. The price for this book, however, is extremely overpriced. The range of $200 to $400 for a used book of this size is much too high His later book "ALL I know about painting" is worth much much more. I paid $100 for this book 6 years ago (new).

I find it hard to believe that this book does not have many, many good reviews. This is the ONLY book by Schmid that goes into detail about figurative and portraiture painting. He has maybe one DVD (The Captain's Portrait) about portrait painting but that's about it. Simply stated, this book is a goldmine.

Yes, its no fun to pay the high prices but as mentioned, it is his only figure book and its out of print. My advice is keep your eyes open because it is possible to snag it at lower then average prices if you are patient. I got mine for $130 from an ebay auction. It's like new and absolutely worth every single penny.

This book is similar in format to Schmid's also excellent landscape book of the same time period. After some introductory info about his tools and approach to figure painting, he takes you through many, many figure paintings, utilizing sequential images that are loaded with valuable comments about what he is doing. There are plenty of high-quality color pages in this book, pretty good for the seventies, and the techniques are clearly explained. I've read and reread this book many times.

What amazes me the most is that his techniques have changed very little in the ensuing 30+ years since he wrote this one. I can only assume that some of the poor reviews were from those who maybe just casually glanced at the book and did not read and apply its contents.

Yes, his newer book "Alla Prima" is great but this one is a gem, too. So be patient, shop around a bit. If you like Schmid's technique this is one book you will want to someday add to your library.

"Richard Schmid Paints the Figure" is an excellent book. It demonstrates a number of different media and techniques that Richard Schmid uses to paint a figure or portrait. The artist's writings is very direct and to the point. Many of the concepts expressed in Schmid's later book "Alla Prima" are apparent in this book. The book itself is on par (quality wise) with other books of the time when it was published. The colors are a bit off from the original but acceptable. The text is very readable and the page binding is still strong.


Much of the discussion in "Richard Schmid Paints the Figure" is also covered in Richard Schmid's Alla Prima book (which is also pricey, but much less so). The main advantage of "Richard Schmid Paints the Figure" is that you see the artist develop a figure painting in sequential steps using different techniques and media. "Richard Schmid Paints the Figure" is informative and it is enlightening to see a master artist develop a figure painting from beginning to end. If this book is out of your price range, I would recommend Richard other book "Alla Prima". It has more information and is updated with more of the artist's refined insights and bits of wisdom. But Alla Prima doesn't go into the detail of figure painting that "Richard Schmid Paints the Figure" does, but the concepts are there.

I think this book is a beneficial addition to any painters library. Even if you do not paint in the classical traditions it is an excellent source of techniques and thoughts on painting.

I will have to agree with VRKAYA. This book is not overpriced for being out of print. My husband went to school with Richard Schmid at The Chicago Academy of Art and saw how he quickly fine tuned his painting skills. Our copy is so worn from his referring to it when he does his figure painting. Richard's technique is unique and if you can find a copy of his books (especially the older basic ones) you are fortunate. It is truly a 5 star book.