Oil Painting for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Paperback)

by Steve Allrich (Author) "Like so many aspects of painting, the materials an artist uses represent preferences developed through experience..." (more)
Key Phrases: cadmium yellow light, cadmium red light, major shapes, Courtesy of the Blue Heron Gallery, William Merritt Chase (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Priced to reach a broad market, this book offers an inviting introduction to the materials and techniques of oil painting. Allrich begins with an outline of the essential components of good painting, then describes the basic materials and tools of the oil medium. The fundamentals are strongly stressed and lessons on defining concept, toning the canvas, and understaning light sources are covered. 125 color illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; Running PR Mini edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823032698
• ISBN-13: 978-0823032693
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,399 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #3 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Oil Painting
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

137 of 137 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read the full title...get exactly what you pay for!, November 25, 1999

By	Adam Weber "shopmeister" (Toda-Shi, Saitama-Ken Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great little book! It is not a "How-to Guide" in the strictest, pedantic sense. It's an honest book by a serious artist intended for those new to oil painting, just as the title suggests. That's not to say, however, that it would not be useful to more advanced artists.

Those features that the book lacks are among its greatest qualities-there are no "10 Commandments" that are usually found in books of this genre. Most artists approached to write a book of this nature feel obligated to forbid X and insist on Y (with some justification, perhaps) but this book is just a well-considered, sincere, very personal discussion of one person's approach to his art and all the craft that it entails.

Allrich's strength as a writer comes from his balanced, encouraging, honest approach to his topic. Basically, in this book, he says what he does and why he does it. He is never condescending when he discusses the techniques that "many other artists" employ. It's more as if he is inviting his readers to see things his way, if they are so inclined, (and to pick up some of his tricks) or to go the way that the Muse takes them.

I'd strongly recommend this book for art students, would-be writers, people interested in the art and craft of oil painting and, of course, to anyone who wishes to "become a good (or better) painter". I'll re-read this book dozens of times!

114 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, December 2, 2000

By	James Burleigh (West of the Mississippi) - See all my reviews

After giving up art and oil painting in college, and switching my major from art to philosophy, I finally came back to art this summer, 22 years after graduating. At the time I wanted to be an "artist" creating paintings with "meaning." Well, its taken me that long to realize that's nonsense, and it's okay to just make beautiful paintings for myself. With 22 years wasted, I was looking for some instruction to get me kick-started and back in the game. I was first drawn to this book by the beautiful paintings and harmonious color: here, unlike it seems many how-to books by people who didn't know how to paint themselves, was a book by someone who could truly paint. If I could make a painting like that, I thought, I would be very happy with my work. I've read the whole book and return to it for inspiration and tips or techniques. I love it when he writes, "Every time you pick up a brush, you sould try to do the best painting you've ever done--but at the same time you shouldn't concern yourself with the possibility of doing a bad painting, or really even care. I'm convinced that if you focus only on your enjoyment of the process of painting, a good work will follow." This is exactly the advice, or permission, I need to hear as I take up brush and canvas after too many wasted years. I only regret I cannot take lessons from this teacher.

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for beginners only..., June 13, 1998

By A Customer

This informative, well written book is not for beginners only, as perhaps the title implies. I was delightfully surprised by the sublety and depth offered by author Allrich. His understanding of and obvious passion for the process of painting infuses this book. Although the writing style is very accessible, I believe that the title"...for the Serious Beginner" does not truly reflect the richness and depth of his instruction. A painter at any level will be able to gain insight that will help push him/her to the next level of understanding. This is a valuable little book that offers far more than its title implies. I have returned to it again and again, and continue to learn. Painting has been a life long passion of mine, and this book has proved to be a valuable addition to my (growing) collection of painting books.