Customer Reviews

50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship (Dover Fine Art, History of Art)

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4 star:		(3)
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Not a practical guide (despite the title). Learn! How to sleep without sleeping, the correct way to point your mustache, how often to have sex with your wife and when, and a little note here and there on which colors to use and how to draw.

The best thing about this book are the illustrations (mostly pen and ink) which are amazing and reveal the true mastery of technique Dali had. He idolized Valasquez and thought his fellow modern artists were hacks. Picasso (fellow Spaniard) -- talented but misguided. Realism is the goal. That and flat paintings (look at the canvas at an angle to make sure your brush strokes aren't building up any ridges of paint).

Worth $10 fursure.

This is a book on oil painting which is peppered with Dalinian absurdities and illustrations.

I like Dali's writing personality. But if you don't find humor in it, then just skip to the useful parts such as underpainting. I started using his advice for under and over painting colors ('glazes') and the results are wonderful. (soon to be posted on my website) He spells out very clearly how to do this. This is information that is not really spelled out in other books. Check out the oil painting - "Galarina" - of his wife which is reproduced in the book. Hundreds of hours of work.

Amongst some humorous and impractical "secrets" - making medium out of wasps, et al - there is some really sound advice directly from a master. How much would you pay to get two or three private lessons from him?

Humor, unique illustrations, great advice: I think Dali's book is a great bargain. I almost didn't write this review so that I could keep it more to myself!

A unique tome, for sure. I find myself looking for tips from time-to-time - but keep in mind this book was written over fifty years ago and many of the materials that he uses are difficult to find, prohibitively expensive, or just plain wierd. And I love wierd. "the Slumber with a Key" is something I'll have to test someday, but I wonder if I'll ever have the time, space and inclination to construct a retrospective sequence of aranariums.
Of particular amusement is his "Dalinian Analysis" system of rating painters (he even rates himself) according to categories such as Genius, Composition, Mystery, Authenticity,etc. In short, he adores Raphael, Vermeer, and Velasquez; and chaffes at Picasso, Mondrian, and (with grace) really lets Cezanne have it, so to speak. Also amusing are the descriptions of various sympathy/antipathy relationships between counterparts found in nature.

A peculiar and inspiring work.

This book is a must for Dali fans who also have an interest in creating artworks themselves. A good sense of humour is required as much of the writing cannot be taken seriously. Some caution is required when choosing which "practical" suggestions are to be carried out or lessons to be taken literally. Overall a fine light read.

This is an incredible, weird book that every artist should read! Dali has a beautiful, lyrical writings style that's filled with humor. He teaches you all kinds of strange things to do to improve your painting technique, from what kind of pets to keep in your studio (spiders) to how deal with not having the crutch of a grid system when drawing from the model (use actual crutches).

I'm not sure whether he's totally serious about all of this or if his tongue is in cheek, but all of it is highly entertaining. Many of the colors and materials that he writes about are no longer made or difficult to find, but it's still worth reading just for entertainment purposes. His drawing and much of the painting advice is solid, and there is truth in all 50 of his secrets, no matter how outlandish they may seem. His drawing and much of the painting advice is solid. A true love of life, beauty and art shines through on every single page, a joy to read.

This is one of the books every painter should have!
He explains a lot of interesting things about his technique, materials that should be used and that should not, brushes, paints, oils, mediums, siccatives, etc., etc. rules that should be observed and so on ...

Besides, enjoy his mind, is a Crazy Horse!
Besides, the book is very cheap! (there are a lot of expensive books that mean nothing)

If you are a painter, repeat after me : I will have it!

Outstanding! A book to be embraced by one who carries a surrealistic mind. These 'secrets' will continuously be misunderstood by those who 'think' they know what painting is.
This is most definately the true artists bible.

An excellent guide to the development of creative inspiration, whether you are an artist or a writer or a musician. Dali writes with great humor and modesty--just don't take everything he writes literally! The drawings alone make this book a worthwhile addition to anyone's library.

It's been a while since I read this book, but I remember it being hilarious in some parts, and very informative in others. Dali discusses painting techniques, color selection, tools, etc., but also explains things like optimal sleep patterns and other eccentric Dali-esque rules.

This book is magical. So much great information and insight into Dali's demented head. LOVE IT!