Customer Reviews

The Yin/Yang of Painting: A Contemporary Master Reveals the Secrets of Painting Found in Ancient Chinese Philosophy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read the previous reviews, and find that the people with criticism have missed the most important point. For me, it is that by using Mr. Zhang's complementary palettes, a painter cannot create MUD!
There may be other books which describe some of the notions of opposites presented by the authors, but none which provide an artist with such a foolproof method for mixing harmonious paint. After many years of using the classic paint hues of the great masters, I attempted a painting with one of Mr. Zhang's palettes, and found that with respect to color, it is the best and most satisfying work of my life. Now I paint exclusively with them.
I believe that this book is meant for advanced artists, although beginners will find a world of important fundamentals, as well.
For all its valuable lessons, the pages of the book are also filled with absolutely stunning paintings. HongNian Zhang creates sheer visual poetry. His book, so clearly and intelligently written by portrait artist and teacher Lois Woolley, is replete with novel ideas, expert instruction, and edifying demonstrations. But it would also be worth owning for the paintings alone.
I do wish persons who consider writing a review would actually read and study the book, and in the case of an instruction book for artists, that they actually attempt putting to practice the lessons taught -- otherwise they have no basis from which to judge, and no business doing so. I can't recommend this book highly enough -- five stars are far too few!

This book is a must for the master artist who wishes to advance to the next level of color/light mastery. It is not just pages of beautiful illustrations and color tips.Having enjoyed a sucessful art career myself for many years, this the first art book that I have read that speaks on many leverls to the professional artist. It presents useful ways to limit palet choices without limiting color expression. I have given this six copies away of this book to my contempory artist friends and we all agree that it is a MUST HAVE BOOK!

This is my new favorite art book. I am a self taught painter, therefore, I have a large collection of art books. Yin/yang painting has inspired me to paint with much more confidence (which I needed). The book is so well written and examples of Hongnian Zhang's work are incredible. I can't say enough about this book, it has tought me more about every aspect of painting than all of my other books combined.

I thank you Mr. Zhang. Laura Lee Zanghetti

This book is a must for the master artist who wishes to advance to the next level of color/light mastery. It is not just pages of beautiful illustrations and color tips.Having enjoyed a sucessful art career myself for many years, this the first art book that I have read that speaks on many leverls to the professional artist. It presents useful ways to limit palet choices without limiting color expression. I have given this six copies away of this book to my contempory artist friends and we all agree that it is a MUST HAVE BOOK!

Hongnian paints and Lois interperts, thats the Yin and Yang of this wonderful book. His exquisite masterpieces are reporduced in exacting color. Her interpetations bring forward the mood and theroy behind his work that makes it underestandable from novice to connoisseur. I was especially moved by the explantion of using hues to bring forward the mood and intensity of the subject. This book will leave you inspired as it hs me.

Yin/Yang, the understanding of how opposites work together to create unity, is the philosophy used to investigate the painting process. Value contrast, intensity, temperature, manipulation of edges, brush work and texture, and complementary color palettes are explored and explained with a number of color illustrations. The color palettes were the most exciting new information for me. The book shows how limiting a painting's palette to one set of complements with warms and cools of each can yeild an incredible spectrum of unified hues.

I am almost through reading this book and dread reaching the end! It has been such a wonderful adventure absorbing Zhang's approach to color, color palettes, and analyzing the various colors chosen for his yin/yang palettes, not to mention enjoying his beautiful work. I am anxious to give some of his ideas a try.

I would highly recommend this book not only for its unique slant on oil painting, but for the mental exercise it has provided! It's not just your typical same old beginner's book, that's for sure. This one makes an artist THINK!

This is an excellent discussion of how paintings can be enhanced by balancing opposites (light/dark, up/down, left/right, front/back, big/little, warm/cool, strong/soft, complements, thick/thin, transparent/opaque, short/long, slow/fast, blurred/sharp). The paintings are beautiful and the concepts are worth studying in detail.

For almost 30 years, trying to find practical principles to guide me during my creative processes in painting eluded me.
Upon reading about the Yin/Yang of Painting, the authors organization of palettes finally clicked in my brain and the imaginative processes thereafter were unstoppable! Now when I look around outside in the natural world for substantial background scenes, my mind immediately starts applying the principles of Yin/Yang Painting techniques to my intended subject of the picture.
When you get the book, enjoy it slowly with a nice drink or snack and take your time analyzing the painting samples in the book. You will be amazed when you compare how you would have painted it to the thoughts you now engage from the instruction in the book.

There are many, many excellent samples of the artist's work to get your creative juices going! He is very clear in the presentation of the techniques that have worked successfully for him. Combine these two facts and you will have this book beside your painting station for quick reference for years to come! Enjoy!!!

I found this book very helpful, especially in the area of mixing color. I thought the information was put in a way that is easy to remember. Overall, the picture quality is pretty good but I thought this kept the book from being great.