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

Average customer rating:

Misleading ....Title Implies an Overview

good introduction to oil pastels

Good if you are already an artist

fussy but fair

Oil Pastel a medium worthy of more recognition

Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Serious Beginner)
John Elliot
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Study & Teaching | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Pastel | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Pastel | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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The Pastel Book

Oil Pastel: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist

The Encyclopedia of Pastel Techniques

Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Serious Beginner)

All About Techniques in Pastel (All About Techniques Art Series)

ASIN: 0823033112

Book Description

The latest entry in the successful Serious Beginner Series. Now the world's leading authority on oil pastel demonstrates, step by step, how you can become a master of this increasingly popular medium! Oil pastels are easy and flexible to work with, offering artists a virtually unlimited treasury of creative potential. They're also considered a safe alternative to soft pastels. Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner shows both new and veteran artists how to make the most of this fabulous medium. Lessons progress simply and clearly from easy subjects and techniques to the more difficult and complex. First, artists learn how to use oil pastels to create traditional paintings in still life, landscape, and portraiture. Then, they'll discover 12 special, experimental techniques that push the medium of oil pastel to its limits-including impasto, etching, washes, and monoprint; stencil and screen techniques; and even methods for combining oil pastel with soft pastel and mixed media. Whether one is an an amateur artist or experienced veteran, Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner is the ideal one-stop source for mastering of this popular medium.

Customer Reviews:

Misleading ....Title Implies an Overview.......2006-11-23

I am primarily interested in landscape painting, this artist is an accomplished portrait/figure pastellist but his florals and landscapes as evidenced in this book are so poor,,flowers are bright blobs and his landscapes are uninspired heavily into muddy ugly earth colors and of a quality that if i were offered one of his pics I would not give it wall space, The advice in general is pretty good but in no way is this small tome a source of true inspiration,,,unless you are a figure specialist and even then the details as to what hues/actual colors were used are very scanty (if given at all ) To me a near worthless instruction book,,pass on this one as it promises much more than it delivers,,

good introduction to oil pastels.......2006-09-16

The author is a pioneer and talented artist in oil pastel.He gives very valuable info about this medium--a long forgotten and underrated, even though promoted by Pablo Picasso...The book ,however, is 'sketchy' in details and techniques.The illustrations and art work are excellent, but somewhat repetitive...A good introductory book for enthusiasts of oil pastels and beginners, till a better book is written by someone else---after this medium becomes better used and established in the fine art world.Soft pastels have been with us for many decades, thanks to Degas and Mary Cassatt...Oil pastels are still to be pushed by great masters....Fortunately oil pastels are available at various price ranges for students and professionals...One learns more by trying different brands rather that sticking to just a few brands---Holbein or Sennelier...
With increasing concern for toxic dust particles from Soft pastels, oil pastels would be more widely used and this book would serve the newcomers well.

Good if you are already an artist.......2006-05-23

If you are a painter or illustrator who is looking to move from another medium into oil pastels, then this is the book for you. Mr. Elliot is a really talented artist and knows his subject. You will gain a lot from this book.

However, if you have little-to-no drawing/painting experience or you are an absolute beginner (like me), you will find yourself very, very frustrated by this book. I have found a few helpful things here, but overall, I think that I would need a year's study *before* I could effectively utilize Mr. Elliot's book.

fussy but fair.......2006-05-06

This book is a very good book expressly devoted to oil pastels-but that said, in comparison with the only other book on the subject that I know of, it is a distant second. (There are a couple other obscure ones which I haven't seen) My favorite is "Oil Pastel: Materials & Techniques For Today's Artist", by Kenneth Leslie, 1990, Watson-Guptill Pub. Because it is out of print & only available second hand at inflated prices, unless Amazon can bring it back in print, or you are prepared to pay inflated prices (for something you cannot see & evaluate for yourself in advance), we are left with the book by Elliot.
Elliot covers a moderate (compared with Leslie!) amount of basic info & gives you a look at the oil pastel works of other artists as well--something I consider very important, especially if the author's work doesn't grab you, & also because you get to see how other sensibilities handle the medium. And he gives a taste of the history of oil pastels; he talks about various papers, etc; he mentions only two brands: Sennelier & Holbein (both premier brands) but there are others he does not mention which are evaluated in Kenneth Leslie's book. Leslie gives you a ton of facts & ideas: shows you how to make your own oil pastels if you desire, & how to prepare paper, etc., for receiving oil pastels (whose oil content can deteriorate paper) & lots of other info very useful for anyone wishing to know technical stuff about the medium.
Elliot's book is a good companion to the one by Kenneth Leslie, & I consider myself fortunate to have both. But if you could only choose one, & it were available, I would choose Kenneth Leslie's book!

Oil Pastel a medium worthy of more recognition.......2005-10-11

This book is a dream come true for the lovers of the long under-rated medium of oil pastel. Despite the fact that this worthy artists medium was first commissioned by none less than Pablo Picasso, it has remained at most despised by 'serious' artists, as a tool for students or the kindergarten or regarded as a means for sketching or preliminary working of ideas.
John Elliot demonstrates with unbridled enthusiasm that oil pastel is not only an exciting form of expression but perhaps the medium of the future standing along-side oil, soft pastel and the usurper, acrylic as a real option for artistic expression.
The book is a joy to own and J. Elliot leaves no doubt as to the power and flexibility of this medium.
Everything is covered clearly and the illustrations again demonstrate the full versitality of oil pastel, both wax and the new water-soluble media. Instructions are clear and concise drawing from years of experience.
This book is perhaps the 'Bible' of the oil pastel.
At last oil pastel gets the recognition it desesrves.

Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Serious Beginner)

Average customer rating:

not enough "how to"
Good Start for Pastel Artists
useless
One of the Best Books for Beginners on the Market
Beautiful art but not any help...

Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Serious Beginner)
Larry Blovits
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Pastel | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Pastel | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0823039072

Customer Reviews:

not enough "how to".......2007-02-26

Good coverage of concepts, but not enough specifics on color applications, etc. No step by step instructions.

Good Start for Pastel Artists.......2006-08-31

Lots of good information and tips for using pastels. The illustrations and step by step activities were very helpful. The beginning information on supplies is very valuable.
Knowing what type of tools you need and the best types of paper make starting to work with pastels much more enjoyable.

useless.......2005-09-03

From reading the other rewievs it seems like the best book in the world, but somehow this book was of no help for me. I do not particularly like his artwork, neither is the text any help for me. I've had it for about half a year and tried many times to study it, but I keep finding it most frustrating. I am not able to pinpoint what is wrong. Maybe it is something to do with the style of painting and teaching.

One of the Best Books for Beginners on the Market.......2005-06-01

I have used this book now for 2 years and have found it a great help. My first really wonderful painting I did was from this book. I found this book great because it had beautiful paintings that I would want to copy and for the beginner copying others work is usually where you start. The fundamentals on how to use the pastels for different backgrounds is also very good. I hilly recommend this book.

Beautiful art but not any help..........2003-07-13

Mr Blovits is a great artist and his paintings are stunning. But I am a serious beginner and this book was of little help. I need a step by step book that tells me the color and techniques used...There is nowhere near enough step by step technique but the man can paint and shows what is possible in pastel.

Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons on Becoming a Good Painter

Average customer rating:

Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons on Becoming a Good Painter
John Elliot
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N63RO2

Book Description

For 100 years, Steuben glass has represented the epitome of American crystal--internationally acclaimed, a gift of presidents, the treasured possession of generations of collectors. In this lavishly illustrated book, revised and fully updated to celebrate Steuben's centennial, Mary Jean Madigan traces the company's fascinating history and the manufacture of "the most perfect crystal the world has ever known."

Madigan provides an illustrated identification guide to virtually all Steuben pieces made since 1993, from one-of-a-kind museum objects to functional items such as glasses, candlesticks, bowls, and vases.

Customer Reviews:

Still The Essential Reference Work for clear Steuben Works.......1999-03-08

If you are a Steuben collector or simply one interested in the history and work of America's preeminent producer of fine crystal, Ms. Madigan's book is an essential and interesting reference work. The book features many beautiful photographs of important works by Steuben's best designers. The book's most valuable feature for collectors is its comprehensive catalogue of some two thousand Steuben items produced during the years 1933-1981. Although most stock pieces are represented only by line drawings and key dimension (rather than by photography), the information furnished is usually sufficient to facilitate identification of Steuben products, if not especially helpful on issues of valuation. If you love Steuben, you will want to own a copy of this book.

STEUBEN GLASS AN AMERICAN TRADITION IN CRYSTAL

Average customer rating:

STEUBEN GLASS AN AMERICAN TRADITION IN CRYSTAL
MADIGAN MARY JEAN
Manufacturer: Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PGX556

Average customer rating:

Steuben Glass: An American Tradition in Crystal.
Mary Jean MADIGAN
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RJI42U

Average customer rating:

Steuben Glass: An American Tradition in Crystal
Mary Jean Smith; McKee, E. Marie Madigan
Manufacturer: Harry N Abrams Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLZTCO

Book Description

A charming and funny account, by award-winning composer and conductor Robert Ian Winstin, of his battle with a brain aneurysm - and his victory over it.

Set in short story form, this small novel is heartwarming and inspiring.

Customer Reviews:

inspiring stories with more than a dash of humour.......2004-04-09

This book makes you want to go out and do that something you've always wanted to do but were afraid to take the risk. If you're looking for inspiration, this is it.

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Informative, fun, and interesting!

The Early Music Revival: A History
Harry Haskell
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0486291626

Book Description

First comprehensive historical study of the early music revival, tracing its origins back to the 18th century. Mendelssohn's rediscovery of Bach's St. Matthew Passion; influence of Schola Cantorum; period instrument builders and manufacturers; influence of such performers as Wanda Landowska, Alfred Deller, others. Includes 46 illustrations. "Wide-ranging, entertaining, well informed." — Christopher Hogwood.

Customer Reviews:

Informative, fun, and interesting!.......1999-10-28

This guy, Harry Haskell, sure knows his music history. I suppose this book is too esoteric for some, but if you like history and music as I do, then you'll love this book. I highly recommend it.

Customer Reviews:

Positively has mistakes.......2003-01-03

I agree with the other reviewer here, the one named Scott. Some other examples of the book's wrong information are:1) Claiming David Cassidy was 16 playing Keith on The Partridge Family. Cassidy was in fact born in 1950. He first played Keith in 1969 or 1970.2)Claiming Roddy McDowall reprised his film role of Galen in the tv series version of Planet of The Apes. Wrong! In the theatrical films he played Cornelius and Caesar, not Galen.And I would add Grieg has definitly not seen every episode of every tv show he wrote about in his book.

Interesting stuff, but short on facts.......2002-01-27

This book offers a humorous look at our favorite TV hits of the 50's, 60's and 70's. It is comprehensive and includes many neat vittles of information about many popular shows. It is helpful for someone trying to learn about TV and society at the time, or one who may not be familiar with the shows in question.

For TV buffs, the information provided may not be new. Moreover, the book is replete with misinformation and inaccuracies, sometimes causing one to wonder if the author has ever actually SEEN some of the shows. The years of broadcast are often off by a year or two, character descriptions are erroneous, and the descriptions are sometimes just odd. I mean, even a casual fan of Bewitched knows that Tabitha had witch powers, but her brother Adam did not. Unfortunately the book claims both were witches--just an example of the misinformation.

Do yourself a favor and just skip this title.

Average customer rating:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Boomer TV
Murray Greig
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OI5OSQ

Book Description

A decade after the first Canadian telecasts in September 1952, TV had conquered the country. Why was the little screen so enthusiastically welcomed by Canadians? Was television in its early years more innovative, less commerical, and more Canadian than current than current offerings? In this study of what is often called the 'golden age' of television, Paul Rutherford has set out to dispel some cherished myths and to resurrect the memory of a noble experiment in the making of Canadian culture.

He focuses on three key aspects of the story. The first is the development of the national service, including the critical acclaim won by Radio-Canada, the struggles of the CBC's English service to provide mass entertainment that could compete with the Hollywood product, and the effective challenge of private television to the whole dream of public broadcasting.

The second deals with the wealth of made-in-Canada programming available to please and inform vviewers - even commercials receive close attention. Altogether, Rutherford argues, Canadian programming reflected as well as enhanced the prevailing values and assumptions of the mainstream.

The final focus is on McLuhan's Question: What happens to society when a new medium of communications enters the picture? Rutherford's findings cast doubt upon the common presumptions about the awesome power of television.

Television in Canada, Rutherford concludes, amounts to a failed revolution. It never realized the ambbitions of its masters or the fears of its critics. Its course was shaped not only by the will of the government, the power of commerce, and the empire of Hollywood, but also by the desires and habits of the viewers.

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