Customer Reviews

Silk Painting: New Ideas and Textures

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I almost didn't buy this book because of the nasty review (drama, i guess) but WOW am i glad i did. So much that never would have occurred to me because silk is such a 'formal' kind of fabric. Crayons? Awesome. Sugar? Never thought of it. Basic enough in the begining but not your average 'This is how to pick a scarf' book that frustrates people like me who know enough, but want to know more. I didn't need another 'starter' book although i see no reason a beginner couldn't use it, the projects look harder than they are and everything is explained in a clear and concise manner.

It's also refreshing to read a book that's not 'steamer snobbery' meaning if you don't use a steamer you aren't really serious. This book is inspiring and takes the hesitation out expirementing with silk. I mean, crayons and sugar? There must be even more stuff out there to play with.

The photos are professional, the text is clear and there area LOT of project directions. In fact this is the most project dense book i've seen yet (and i've seen a lot) with the projects all being capable of heading of into different directions with the same technique.

So, ignore the Nasty review and buy it. Oh, and no, i'm not one of the authors...

Finally, a Silk Painting book that inspires you to create your own pieces! Too many how-to books are very short on the nitty-gritty and just show case the author's designs. This book clearly covers the materials, the type of silk used, and the procedure for twelve different silk painting techniques. If you just want designs to copy, there are tons of other books. If you want to learn how to do wonderful designs of your own, get this book.

If Susan Moyer is benchmark for any silk painting books...this author is not far off! Great book with great ideas. She gives you courage to try her techniques. Like Susan Moyer, I think anything by this author is a great investment. She definetely knows her craft. If I ever wrote a book, I hope it would be like theirs. I hope this has been helpful in your quest for a fine book.

This a wonderful book for silk painters,whether beginners or old timers.

You will find so many projects, colors, concepts, and techinques,which are very easy to follow,and conceptualize.

I read the book and applied some of the concepts,and created my own as well.

I just loved this book.

The reader from Ohio who gave the terrible review must have read another book, either that or she doesn't know what she is talking about. Sounds like sourgrapes to me, wonder if she has her own book that isn't doing well. This book is wonderful, clear explanations, clear details on materials needed, fantastic new ideas for silk painting (dyeing). A fabulous book, one of the best, not just for beginners and not a step by step that leaves you in the middle or near the end of the project wondering what to do next. If you buy this book, you WON'T be sorry.

I cannot imagine what the reader from Columbus OH is talking about. I am an art teacher of some 17 years, and have used this book for reference in senior schools with great success.

I bought this book as I am currently doing a creative textile course at my local adult education college, and I am not disappointed. The various techniques are great, I have only used the basic ones so far, but just looking through the book itself awakens your creative brain to so many ways you yourself can create your own individual textile finishes as well as replicating the ones in the book. My tutor has the same book and has completed many more samples from the book, for us to view/create in class, and they do really come out just as in the book. She used the exact same technique and colours for 'Flower Fantasy' and it is brilliant, so alike it could be a photograph too. I can't wait to practice more at home and am looking forward to creating some great personal items as well as pictures etc. Well worth the money paid and in great condition for a used book.

I feel the author of your other review is completely mistaken as to the content of this book. She has a very extreme way of presenting her point of view! Jill Kennedy and I have NEVER had such a crude review - we have sold hundred of copies and have received so many excited silk painters congratulating us on our inspirational work. Do Amazon have any way of checking the reliability of their reviewers? This lady in Ohio has no concept of what ART is about. Jane Varrall Author

Kennedy and Varrell's first book on silk painting was excellent. This is their follow-up one, which just has ugly projects made with ridiculous techniques. (i.e., There is a whole chapter on painting silk with a potato masher - honest!) Skip this book.

If you liked Kennedy and Varrell's good first book, you'll be very, very disappointed with this one. They seemed to use up their good ideas in the first book (which is unfortunately out of print). It is a shame that the names are similar, which is confusing, since the books are so very different. Don't pay attention to the number of "stars" as ratings because the authors rated their own book, and gave them themselves 5 stars (of course).