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70 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A real "dream" for those interested in Sumi-e Painting, April 8, 2004
This review is from: The Sumi-E Dream Book: An Impressionist Approach to the Art of Japanese Brush Painting (Paperback)
Being an afficionado of Chinese Brush painting, I was intrigued when I first saw this book. I'm not easily impressed by art books, and I've reviewed hundreds over the years, but this is one of those books that actually surprised me. It really is a dream for artists intersted in the brush painting of China and Japan. Here's why... Mayhall's style is both beautiful and spontaneous, and the imagery in this book is breathtaking. What is really refreshing about this book, however, is that it isn't just another *how to* brush technique book. While she does go into great detail on history, materials, technique, and subject matter, the artist puts you into the mindset of a Sumi-e artist. Rather than simply show her readers "how" to paint, Mayhall encourages them to begin their own journey into Sumi-e "dream" painting, and equips them with the knowledge necessary to find their own artistic voice. She states, "it is not only the subject that gives life to art, it is the spirit that is within the artist's genius." Well said! Material covered in this text includes:
* Chapter 1 - A Brief History of Sumi-e
* Chapter 2 - Studying the Dream Journey Painters of China and Japan
* Chapter 3 - Starting on Your Own Dream Journey (tools, brush strokes)
* Chapter 4 - Practicing the Four Gentlemen (bamboo, wild orchid, chrysanthemum, plum branch)
* Chapter 5 - Beginning the Creative Process (incorporating the four gentlemen)
* Chapter 6 - Learning Advanced Brush Strokes for Birds & Flowers (Yo birds, iris, hummingbirds & its flowers)
* Chapter 7 - Internalizing the Three Essential Elements of Sumi-e (creativity, composition, color)
* Chapter 8 - Planning the Journey (sketching, structure, Exploring new techniques, beginning your dream journey)
* Chapter 9 - Dreaming (more ideas & demonstrations)
* Chapter 10 - Enhancing Your Dream Paintings (calligraphy) If you're interested in the brush painting style of China and Japan, or would like to incorporate these techniques into your watercolor and/or ink painting, I recommend this book along with "Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors" by Lian Quan Zhen... two excellent books to inspire you and bring your own artistic dreams to life.
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good paintings, but not sumi-e, January 18, 2005
This review is from: The Sumi-E Dream Book: An Impressionist Approach to the Art of Japanese Brush Painting (Paperback)
This book might be interesting as some artistic approach to make paintings. the paintings are not bad. But they are not sumi-e. They are rather aquarelle, that mimics eastern paintings.
IMHO the key thing, that makes Yolanda paintings look different is her technique of brushstokes, which are very typical to the western aquarelle school. The original sumi-e brushstrokes are based on brushstokes of chinese (well, and japanese as well) calligraphy, and this is one of the characteristics that variate paintings of differnt masters.
Still, the book text is a good transcription of sumi-e/brush painting concept. Just for the painting examples I'd suggest to look at the works of the "original" artists.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fan of painting wisdom, inspiration, and joy., March 3, 2003
This review is from: The Sumi-E Dream Book: An Impressionist Approach to the Art of Japanese Brush Painting (Paperback)
The Art of Traditional Japanese Painting is a complex and exquisite ancestral Art form, which the Artist- Author Yolanda Mayhall has been able to synthesize, so that any beginner might have full access to one of the most beautiful ways of painting. The Artist's first book initiates us into the basics, and this new one gives us the philosophical background needed to learn and understand it fully. It is a very beautiful book, full of colour and wonderful stories. An excellent company to her recent video, and a wonderful guide to this fascinating Art. The book is enchanting and a must for any Art lover's library, and the wealth of information is so easily understood, that it is a delight for anyone to read. Because we are speaking of one of the most outstanding Western Artist specialised in Sumi-e painting, only she, true to her desire to pass on to others her painting skills, has once again spread out to us her fan of painting wisdom. As a self-taught, and an exhibiting Artist now, I can only say that Yolanda's books have been all along a permanent source of inspiration and joy.
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