Customer Reviews

Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing (Splash S.)

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

 

 

Quality Printing, Appears to be a compendium of able, talented artists, who may well be geniuses. I would have to say of it that it's title promises much more than it actually does deliver. It's not a disgrace as such books go, Yet it's focus is more concerned with the promotion of its author, its publisher (North Light Books), other books, as well as, perhaps, The contributing Artists who sample images, and quoted comments are offered for causual examination. There are no revealations to be found here in my opinion. Yet again on the more optimistic side its language is not obstruse, and for the most part tends to be somewhat people friendly. It might make a reasonable gift for young and budding artists.

This book contains some very accomplished work, but also a lot of really weak stuff such as you'd find in a how-to book for beginners. I can only assume they did not get a lot of quality entries from which to choose. If I had seen the book before ordering, I would not have bought it (and I got it used).

If you love to draw this book is filled with inspiration. From the simplest line drawing to a complex work of art, "Strokes of Genius" has it all. This is a chance to observe a wide variety of styles and techniques in one book, and read about how these works of art were created.

Lucille Rella Clohessy

What this book needs is some good editing. Cut out the student grade stuff and put in more work by some of the artists in the book who are truly skilled.

The cover is the by far the best drawing in the book and it's not even a drawing! It's done with oil washes and scumbles. If you are looking for work that looks like the "drawing" on the cover, this isn't the book to buy.

There are some very good drawings in the book (yes there are a some), but the majority of the drawings look like first year art student work, (at the beginning of the school year). Some of the drawings look like copies of snapshots with no thought to composition, design or taste.


Btw, this should have a rating of two stars, not five. Seems to be a bug in the site and I'm not getting the option to give a star rating and when I preview it incorrectly gives five stars. This is not worth five stars!

A great book for artists who appreciate the art of drawing. Sadly. Not all who paint can draw. I have always believed that " a painting without a drawing is like ths body without a skeleton" This book will become a classic for years to come.

This book is worth buying 1st off. I like a lot of the art in here and think there are some very good artist represented in this book, but some of the art is not to my liking witch is like saying I don't like sardines (I do like them),it's personal taste. There is a big mix of styles and artist so there must be some stuff you will like here.
You can always look at the art you don't like and say to your self "I can do better then that" DO IT.

This book is neither the best nor the worst collection of drawings to be had. It has it hits and misses. However, the fact that it raised the ire of several censorious nitwits gives the book real value. And it is invaluable in generating reviews that remind us that narrow minded prudism is not only alive and well, but probably the majority.

Strokes of Genius is an outstanding collection of select works by some of the best artists from around the world. This showcase book provides numerous examples of techniques that artists use to capture an image. From quick sketch to photo-realistic renderings, Strokes of Genius is a gem from cover-to-cover and belongs in everyone's library, whether you're an artist or just appreciate art.

While I happen to be featured on pages 92 & 93, I would still put this book in my collection because of the fantastic works by all of the artists. I'm excited to be included among such talented and creative people.

If you enjoy drawings this is a must have. Some of the best work anywhere in a variety of styles. More than I expected.

I just got this today and I love it. Many beautiful artworks by a great many skilled artists. I draw too, but as a realist artist - one of the things I've often noticed in work in this genre is a loss of expression or life through too much detail. Not so here. This book covers everything from abstract to basic photo-realism, but the pictures overall really snap with expression and interest.

Great eye candy for a realist artist and a good reference source for trying new things and inspiration. Not a how-to book. But a good book for what it represents - especially as there are so few books on the market for general drawing reference.

Only gave it 4 stars because some of the pictures were still a bit junky and I don't like nudes. - Playboy/paintbrush/camera, all the same thing, just different mediums/labels. (A paintbrush doesn't make porn cease to be porn. Neither does the word 'art'.)

But yeah, a book with some real gems in it. Wish the editor had done a whole series of these like the Splash books.