Architecture, urbanism and history

Customer Reviews:

110 projects copiously illustrated and concise.......2005-07-07

ISBN: 8425214998 ONLY is an exclusively black & white, concise and copiously illustrated paperback survey of 110 major works on 256 pages published by Gustavo Gili (GG) of Barcelona in English and Spanish. A short introductory part on several pages is followed by the main review part presenting each shortly described project in a combination of excellent B&W photos, plans, sections, elevations, hard line presentation drawings, models, sketches, etc. The book is ended with a biography, bibliography, list of collaborators, etc. on several pages. Most of hundreds of only B&W illustrations are technical, but all (incl. B&W photos) are of a good quality, well balanced, crisp and legible. Like all from the Works and Projects series, it is solid among architectural monographs, but slightly smaller than the Studio Paperback series published by Birkhäuser Verlag under ISBN: 37643* (Basel)/08176* (Boston) or Artemis Verlag under ISBN: 37608* (Zürich)/18740* (London).

Average customer rating:

A beautiful presentation, but

Exquisite watercolors? A Simply Excuisite Book!

Fabulous Book!

BEAUTIFUL BOOK!

Beautiful Teaching, Beautiful Art

Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors
Lian Quan Zhen
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Study & Teaching | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Watercolor | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Chinese Watercolor Techniques: Painting Animals

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The Sumi-E Book

ASIN: 1581800002

Book Description

Known for its simplicity and fluidity of line, traditional Chinese watercolors capture the essence of natural objects with a profound, unmatched beauty. Renowned artist Lian Quan Zhen shows newcomers how to paint in this loose, liberating style through a series of basic demonstrations.

Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors:

* Combines classic Chinese painting principles with Western watercolor methods for breathtaking results

* Features 12 step-by-step mini-demonstrations covering everything from brushstrokes to composition

* Combines the use of ink and watercolor

Following Zhen's unique watercolor methods, artists will learn to paint entire compositions based on classic Chinese watercolor subjects, including flowers, birds and fish. Mini-demos ensure that artists will successfully render every detail, including eyes, scales, feathers, beaks, petals and more.

Customer Reviews:

A beautiful presentation, but.......2006-03-13

It wasn't much help beyond some technicalities of brush work and some reproductions of the artist's work. Okay for a pretty intro. and some history. If your goal is to reproduce someone else's paintings, this book does that; but I want to create my own so Chinese Brush Painting: A Beginner's Guide by Pauline Cherrett, actually gives directions: on how to care for your tools, how to compose your own paintings, how to make your paintings vibrant with energy and spirit, with enough "what not to do's" to be truly a useful beginners guide. I don't understand the 5 star ratings on this book. As to technical brush work; Chinese Calligraphy Made Easy: A Structured Course In Creating Beautiful Brush Lettering by Rebecca Yue; gives wonderful step by step directions for brush work that transfers to painting everything else.

Exquisite watercolors? A Simply Excuisite Book!.......2003-09-21

The title "Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors" is, by all accounts, an understatement! Of the countless dozens of art technique books I've read over the years, this one is by far the most captivating, beautiful and unique.

Rarely have I ever been this impressed by a book on any topic, let alone one on art techniques, of which I'm generally rather critical. I'm so used to art books that leave too much information lacking, are unoriginal, show sloppy technique, or simply cannot keep my interest, that this book left me salivating for more! It is truly an exception!

The author, Lian Quan Zhen brings to life an interesting blending of Chinese painting techniques and Western watercolor methods to create a style of painting that is simply, well... exquisite!

The author begins by covering the basic tools and techniques of Chinese painting, from materials and supplies, to mounting of completed paintings. He covers the difference between Chinese paints and watercolor paints, painting in ink, and even shows the *correct* way to hold a paint brush!

Zhen goes on to give one of the best explanations of effective painting composition that I've seen yet. He covers everything from linear perspective and establishing the focal point of your painting (which he refers to as 'establishing priority'), to geometric organization of objects in arcs, circles, triangles, rectangles and s-shapes, and provides clear examples of each.

Next, the author beautifully conveys the three basic styles of Chinese painting, which he identifies as "detail-style" (gongbi), "spontaneous" style, and a blending of the two which he simply calls "half-detail, half-spontaneous," and throughout the book he gives many beautiful examples, and techniques for creating each of them.

Through the rest of the book, Zhen shares the creation of many beautiful compositions, not only in Chinese ink, but also in watercolor using many of the techniques he uses in his Chinese paintings, and showing how the two different methods can be used to create very original, beautiful works of art.

I cannot recommend this book more to anyone with an interst in watercolor, but I must warn that once you see this book, its very likely you will be equally drawn to Chinese painting.

As for myself, and my growing addiction to Chinese painting techniques, I've now traded in several hundred dollars for a plethora of Chinese art supplies, and I couldn't be happier!!

Many thanks to Lian Quan Zhen, for sharing his uniquely beautiful approach to painting with the rest of us, and for introducing me to a brand new way of looking at a blank sheet of paper, particularly xuan paper!

Fabulous Book!.......2003-08-15

I am a beginner watercolorist and I found this book to be a great help! It is so easy to understand and follow.

BEAUTIFUL BOOK!.......2003-05-01

Not only do you get detailed instruction and easy to understand illustrations with complete list of supplies, you have a beautiful picture book as well! Great addition to your art book library!

Beautiful Teaching, Beautiful Art.......2002-05-16

This is one of the clearest and easiest to follow beginning art books that I have ever read. The author manages to weave together traditional, modern and improvisational oriental brush art and watercolor in a practical useful guide. Early in the book, the author gives a detailed guide to mounting sumi-e style paintings made on shuan or rice paper. I haven't found a better mounting guide in any other book. The step by step pictures for mounting rice paper paintings is priceless. In the latter half of the book, the author describes his watercolor techniques and tools. I found this section useful. He emphasizes that you don't need hundreds of colors and dozens of brushes. Beautiful results can be realized on a very modest budget. Too often, beginning watercolor artists spend hundreds of dollars before they even paint a single picture. You don't have to and this book vividly demonstrates that. It is a superb teaching tool and I highly recommend it to student and teacher.

Average customer rating:

Comprehensive AND unique

An excellent book for beginners

A great introduction to scrapbooking

wonderful and helpful book!

The Simple Art of Scrapbooking: Tips, Techniques, and 30 Special Album Ideas for Creating Memories that Last the Lifetime
Scrapbook Guild
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | How-to | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Scrapbooking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Creating Keepsakes Scrapbooking Solutions: A Treasury Of Favorites (Creating Keepsakes: A Treasury of Favorites)

10 20 30 Minute Scrapbook Pages (Memories in the Making Scrapbooking)

Creating Keepsakes' Encyclopedia Of Scrapbooking

ASIN: 0440508398
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Amazon.com

Light on frills, heavy on informative text, this handbook will help beginners and adepts alike make their scrapbooks everything they want them to be. Hundreds of tips on all aspects of the craft lead us through every step, from deciding on a theme and designing the page to journaling, adding mementos, even making over an old album assembled before you knew how to do it properly. The lengthy thematic section offers 30 subject ideas, including scrapbooks for cooks, gardeners, sports enthusiasts, theatergoers, genealogists, pet lovers, and travelers, or those celebrating special occasions. There's also information on "Scrapbook Socials"--organizing scrapbook clubs to turn a solitary creative pursuit into a fun collective endeavor. Other scrapbooking guides may be prettier (this has some black-and-white illustrations and diagrams, but no color), but few are this comprehensive. --Amy Handy

Book Description

Creating a customized family heirloom is easier than you think!

Now you can create a scrapbook to cherish forever--one as unique as the lives it portrays. This comprehensive source book, produced by the experts at the Scrapbook Guild, will answer all your questions and take you step by step through the process of assembling a homemade work of art.

Even if you have no artistic ability, you will learn how to make scrapbooks so full of style, so engaging, they beg to be shared with others, and where turning the pages is as fascinating as walking through a miniature museum.

The Scrapbook Guild provides expert tips, professional layouts, and instructions for using original quality materials to produce a treasure that will last for generations...as individual as your own memories. Discover:

How to get started
Best-for-your-money materials--pens, paper, scissors, album types, and more
Remedies for common scrapbook problems
Layouts and cropping
Border designs, illustrations, textured backgrounds
Storage tips
Arrangements for items other than photos, such as report cards, sports medals, pressed flowers, business cards, or airline tickets
How to hold a scrapbooking bee or get-together
A tremendous resource section--with complete ordering information

Plus Great Scrapbook Ideas:
Wedding * New House * Family Tree * Anniversary * Travel * Pet Layouts and Models for 30 Theme Books!

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive AND unique.......2000-10-12

This guide by the Scrapbook Guild does not have colorful, splashy layouts to study. Rather, it contains solid information for those interested in this growing hobby, with enough inspiration to encourage the reader to create her own unique albums.

Basic terminology and supplies are covered, and principles of good design are thoroughly explained. Several ideas for unique albums are included, such as a reading group album or theater event album. Those readers who feel that only those with kids can create these works of art, take heart. They will find much to compel them to document their own interests as well.

An excellent book for beginners.......1999-08-08

This book gives excellent, step by step instructions on how to start scrapbooking. Although it is in black and white, the ideas for scrapbook themes and the layout examples are unique and inspiring. The section on design is very helpful.

A great introduction to scrapbooking.......1998-12-04

This book offers many styles of scrapbooking for the golfer, cook, artist, etc. Although all graphics are in black and white, the charm of the scrapbooks illustrated still inspires.

wonderful and helpful book!.......1998-11-26

Rose Gonnella's illustrations are simply beautiful! I used this book to create a lovely baby scrapbook. Any one who wants to cherish moments should use this helpful guide.

The Simple Art of Scrapbooking: Tips, Techniques, and 30 Special Album Ideas for Creating Memories That Last a Lifetime

Average customer rating:

The Simple Art of Scrapbooking: Tips, Techniques, and 30 Special Album Ideas for Creating Memories That Last a Lifetime
The Scrapbook Guild; Scrapbook Guild (U.S.)
Manufacturer: Dell Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ONBGSI

Average customer rating:
Herblock At Large
Herbert Block
Manufacturer: Random House Value Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0517050838
Release Date: 1990-03-28

Book Description

This comprehensive reference includes over 4000 international fixed interest market terms and definitions providing descriptions and commentaries on each. An invaluable reference for financial investors and investment professionals.

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