Simplifying Complex Scenes in Watercolor

Average customer rating:

Title is Misleading

Best watercolour book I have in my collection

Too much detail, not enough drama? Try these lessons

This one's a keeper.

Simplifying Complex Scenes in Watercolor
Malcolm Beattie
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Watercolor | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1929834241

Book Description

The emphasis of this exciting new watercolor title is on "show me" instruction rather than "tell me." Accordingly, everything possible has been illustrated in graphic terms. Author Malcolm Beattie begins with a simple overview of classic watercolor techniques, perfect for beginning and advanced painters alike.

He demonstrates washes, direct painting, glazing, movement, pigment application, directional brushstrokes and modeling for expression. Every element is detailed simply and colorfully.

Beattie also provides twenty-two exercises that follow a logical progression from simple to more complex. A variety of scenes are included, from beaches and boats to figures in the street. Each exercise comes with a list of materials, techniques, and special "Beware!" sidebars that inform readers of the challenges in each scene.

Other topics covered include choosing a subject, composition and design, drawing for simplification, counterchange, limited palette painting and placing figures in the landscape.

Malcolm Beattie is one of Australia's best watercolorist. He has been teaching watercolor to students of all skill levels for many years. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Customer Reviews:

Title is Misleading.......2007-03-19

This book does not do what the title would lead you to believe. It is a beginning book in watercolor, with lessons showing all the basics, washes, dry brush, paint, paper and brushes. It does this very well, but I was expecting more discussion on how to look at a scene and simplify it. If you are a beginner, this is a great book. If you are not a beginner and are looking to take your painting to the next level, look for something else.

Best watercolour book I have in my collection.......2005-02-12

This has to be the best watercolour book written for beginners. Malcolm Beattie is an excellent teacher.He takes us through a wonderful journey covering a variety of subjects. He reveals the various techniques that go into making a mesmerising watercolour painting. My technique has drastically improved after going through this book. Just glancing through his paintings is an uplifting experience.

Too much detail, not enough drama? Try these lessons.......2004-02-22

This is a wonderful watercolor book, and I must have dozens in my library. Malcolm Beattie gets right to the point and shows you how to emphasize the main points in watercolor painting, and how to add punch and drama to each work.

I especially liked his instruction on how to do figures, whether simple and undetailed, or with action in their movement, to add life to the painting. If you like doing landscapes or cityscapes, this book is for you. I really got some useful tips, and of course Beattie's paintings are worth looking at just for enjoyment alone. Great resource.

This one's a keeper........2003-05-12

As a beginner-to-intermediate painter, I have bought several watercolor books and this seems to be one of the best ones for me. It is not a beginner book, as it is targeted more for the intermediate painter; short on fundamentals and long on technique. In reading it, I had more than one "light-bulb moment". The book sets some realistic goals, and accomplishes them. I really enjoy the painting style represented here, fast and loose with implied rather than explicit detail. The book has lots of example excercises and many full blown projects with varying levels of guidance. It will likely stay on the top of my stack for a while.

Average customer rating:

The following text is from the back cover:

A subject covered by one who knows.

Eric Hosking's owls
Eric John Hosking
Manufacturer: Pelham
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Ornithology | Zoology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0720713900

Customer Reviews:

The following text is from the back cover:.......2005-06-07

`A work of great love and skill by Britain's foremost bird photographer...a wonderful pictorial record of Eric Hosking's favourite birds' - Vogue

An enthralling survey of the owl world, illustrated by an unrivalled portfolio of outstanding photographs. The authoritative and highly readable text examines the natural history of the owl in full, with notes on its evolution, taxonomy, distribution, habitats, anatomy, behaviour and breeding patterns. Owls from all over the world, ranging in size from the tiny Pygmy Owl to the majestic Eagle Owl, feature in Eric Hosking's magnificent illustrations.

With over 100 colour photographs and 90 in black and white, this book represents the culmination of a lifetime's observation of owls. Eric Hosking's great love of his subject, matched only by his mastery of photographic techniques, is clearly communicated through his superb photographs.

`The finest collection of owl photographs ever found between two
covers' - Camera

`A beautiful and useful book. . . a vivid testament to Eric Hosking's consummate skill' - Wildlife

`The photography is superb, alongside a text of the highest distinction from Dr Jim Flegg'- The Times Educational Supplement

A subject covered by one who knows........2004-12-22

I was very excited about this book - if only because Eric Hosking's reputation had preceded him. Just as soon as it arrived I knew I had an excellent book to review. Bearing in mind that I actually keep various species of owls and also attempt to photograph them in the wild, I was already aware of some of what this author had to say. It is, however, a testament to this man's overall knowledge that I began to learn something about owls from the very first page.

A quick glance at the contents reveals the way in which the book is laid out. We commence with chapters on; The Fascination of Owls, their Exploits, Way of Life, Breeding, The Tawny Owl and the Barn Owl in Close-up and finally a Gallery of Owls in which so many different species are shown and explained.

This book contains a lot of information about Owls in general and two species in particular - all of which is supported by some excellent photography.

NM

$ERIC HOSKING\'S OWLS$
Average customer rating:

ERIC HOSKING\'S OWLS
ERIC HOSKINGS
Manufacturer: MERMAID (PELHAM BOOKS LTD)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S820OS

Average customer rating:

OWLS
ERIC HOSKING
Manufacturer: Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S5KWA0

Book Description

"Its weirdness will win you over."-DVDVisionJapan.com

The undead warrior Shibito's mission of revenge is interrupted by a band of pilgrims who've become the targets of bloodthirsty bandits. Will the man-monster put aside his bloody agenda long enough to help them? And are the pilgrims better off with the bandits, or this newfound ally stitched together from a dozen corpses?

Average customer rating:

The Sword Of Shibito 2
Hyun Se Lee
Manufacturer: Central Park Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The land of Jin is a prosperous and wealthy country. But with success comes corruption. The leader of a small tribe, Sojon, visits the Goddess Sowang to beg for power. She promises him the glory of Emperorship but also prophesizes his death by his own son. Sojon tries to kill all of his sons, but one survives and is raised by a half-wolf, half-human.

Book Description

Beyond Joseph Campbell and the much ballyhooed hero's journey, Michael Chase Walker takes the aspiring screenwriter into the rarely discusses alternative structures of outlaw stories, inverted myths and Messiah tales.

Customer Reviews:

Earned a Spot Next to McKee's "Story" on my Favorites Shelf.......2005-03-07

This book serves up what I believe every good book on writing technique should: a smorgasbord of useful recipes and theories to experiment with and blend into your own writing.

I found Mr. Walker's buffet to include 12 delicious dishes, some more delectable than others.

Choice number one (he calls them stages) is Theme. Yes, he calls it "Theme". That word seems out of vogue these days with other writers refering to this concept as "the controlling idea", "subjective story argument", "premise" or "story's promise". We are talking here about what you are trying to "say" or better yet "prove" in your story. This is the steak behind the sizzle.

Mr. Walker does a fine job of helping us organize this concept using a sentence structure like "blank - leads to - blank". A simple and straight-forward way of looking at the idea behind your story, much akin to McKee's "controlling idea".

Next is the three act structure. Not much new here except his recommendation that you use the subjective story theme sentence (blank - leads to - blank) as an overlay on the three-act template in order to get an idea what each act in your story will primarily be about.

Third he discusses "premise", and it is the concept of premise I most agree with. The premise as "external" story-line. Using the word "when" to preface the inciting incident then an active verb and the result of that action you can develop what some call a "logline" for your story; the story in a sentence. I found this to be a quite helpful chapter.

Fourth Walker delves into the "heroes journey" ala Vogler/Campbell with several original and inciteful twists. This section on the story's structure is brilliant and worth the price of the book by itself. It was my absolute favorite part of the book.

The fifth stage is internal structure, covered in depth with many details regarding the character's inner flaw, desires, motivations, background (he calls this shadow), and growth through conflict.

Sixth we have a short chapter on character relationships, not as tasty as the preceding chapters.

Next is writing a working treatment; ditto to the above.

Eighth is a long and useful chapter on choosing and developing the world of your story, the setting. I really enjoyed this one and got many new ideas for my own work from Mr. Walkers incites and suggestions of how certain settings better reflect and compliment certain themes.

Next is a fairly lengthy and somewhat interesting discussion of genre. I didn't find this as useful to my own work or inciteful/new as the previous chapter.

Tenth is a short chapter on research ... hohum.

Next a short chapter on image systems.

And finally a couple pages about breaking the story down scene by scene. This is a very important stage, and I have read much more detailed advice in other books. I wish this one was longer.

Walker wraps up with a short troubleshooting section.

To sum up the sections on theme, premise, the hero's journey (a fresh look) and setting are wonderful, and worth the price of the book alone. I recommend "Power Screenwriting" and think every screenwriter (or fiction writer) could benefit from at least one new concept in this book.

And as I said in the beginning, this is what I feel is the mark of a truely great and "useful" book on writing craft.

Thumbs up to Michael Chase Walker - "Power Screenwriting" is definitely a keeper.

Power Screenwriting is Required Reading.......2005-01-03

I have literally read thirteen books on screenwriting technique and story development and this one easily trumps every single one of them. I have used his guide on every screenplay I've ever completed, one of which is already in development.

If you are looking for a book which can expand your ideas into full-length screenplays without having to write to Hollywood's block-buster market, "Twelve Steps" will arm you with the perspective, creativity, courage and form to do so.

Among other things, Walker engages his readers in the creative process, developing one's own voice, and structuring that voice around ancient story-telling techniques (like the warrior myth). In twelve steps, you can easily expand a phrase like "tampering with nature | leads to | nature getting out of control" into an entire film like Jurassic Park. Piece by piece, bit by bit.

Don't get me wrong, the writing process is still long and does require substantial effort, but if you are committed and looking for a guide to take you to the next level, Twelve Steps is the only choice. Everyone has an idea, but unless you know how to cultivate it, it will never see the light of day.

Stodgy and uninsightful.......2004-10-06

Judging from the subtitle (The 12 *Stages* of Story Development) and the back-cover blurb, with its claim to answer such questions as "I've written thirty pages of my script - where do I go from there?", one could expect this book to be about method, namely how to build a scenario, flesh it out, edit it, and present it for submission. In fact, only the last 15 out of 265 pages are really devoted to method, and the methodological contents of the book can be summarized in a small number of guidelines:
. write a 3-part plot outline (opening/body/ending),
. the number of pages in each part of the finished script should be 30-60-30,
. don't start writing until you can use your outline as a blueprint that you can develop without getting stuck,
. use dedicated software to find out exactly what should go into a script before submitting it.
I'm still kicking myself for wasting time reading the book back to back. Skipping to the last chapter after reading the first 3 "steps" (theme, 3-act template, premise) would have saved me considerable time and avoided exposure to sickening repetitiousness and bombast about the Hollywood script writer as a prophet of our time. What is referred to as a "step" is in the best of cases a form of summary or outline (e.g. theme, 3-act template) and in most cases a simple set of staple ingredients of dubious value (the hero as an orphan, the fairy tale as a myth taking place in a provincial world, etc.).

Best of the Bunch!.......2004-03-08

This is simply the best screenwriting book I've read, and I've read them all. I am not a professional. I am a graduate student studying history, but I have always aspired to writing for the screen. If you want to read about style and format, this book is not what you are looking for. However, if you want to read about theme, premise, structure, character development and other important facets of screenwriting this book is right up your ally. After reading this book my passion for screenwriting was reinvigorated and am now finishing up my first script. I hope everyone finds this book as helpful as I did.

The Screenwriter's Philosopher's Stone, Par Excellence.......2004-02-19

It's about being subversive! This famous quote from Quentin Tarantino in the movie, Sleep with Me , drives the central theme for Power Screenwriting: The 12 Stages of Story Development and makes it a classic, must own, guide for every aspiring story-teller. While so-many manuals exploit the 'get-rich' quick titillation of the big buck spec sale, Walker lends his formidable erudition and experience to guiding the writer inwardly to a more profound understanding of his craft, the power of archetypal structure, and the challenges every writer faces in casting off his own artifice, and striving for an original, creative mind. I found this book to be nothing less than a modern day philosopher's stone. It is quite simply, pure excellence. The best I've ever read on the subject and I've read them all.

Book Description

Nelson Riddle will forever be linked with the music and recordings of such unforgettable vocalists as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and dozens of others. Riddle not only helped to establish Nat “King” Cole's career in the 1950s, but was also a major participant in reviving Frank Sinatra's musical career. He served as arranger for many of Sinatra's albums, as well as musical director for many of the singer's television specials and feature films. Later, this renowned arranger was active in writing the scores for such television shows and feature films as Route 66, The Untouchables, Robin and the Seven Hoods, Paint Your Wagon, and The Great Gatsby, for which he won an Academy Award.

September in the Rain is the first-ever biography of the most highly respected arranger in the history of American popular music. This fascinating book is based on more than 200 personal interviews with Riddle's closest friends, family, and colleagues. Readers will receive an inside look at his inspirations, his work, and his creative genius . . . how he revived his own career after the abrupt change in popular music during the '70s . . . and the story of his brilliant association with singer Linda Ronstadt, which resulted in three gold and platinum albums, sold a grand total of 6.1 million records, and earned him one of his three Grammy awards.

For readers who are fans of such great stars as Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, and Judy Garland, September in the Rain provides an exclusive, inside look at the creative genius who helped build these singers into musical legends.

Customer Reviews:

A Long Overdue Tribute to the Greatest Arranger.......2001-12-03

This is a long-overdue biography of the greatest of the musical arrangers of the great period of adult pop music in the 1950s and 1960s. Much has been made of Riddle's contribution to the careers of Sinatra, Cole, Fitzgerald in re-issued album liner notes, but little has been said about Riddle the man and musician independently in his own right. This book goes a long way to redressing the balance.

Unfortunately, arrangers are often the unsung heroes of pop music. They received little public recognition for their outstanding work which is often as intrinsically important to the interpretation of a song as the sheet music, lyrics and the singer themselves. It is nice that Riddle receives a lot of praise here.

The information in the book is mostly cogent and informative. Levinson unfortunately makes some errors that indicates that he (and the editor) is not familiar with all Riddle's work i.e. he says that Riddle's arrangement of "When You're Lover Has Gone" for Sue Raney is upbeat in contrast to Keely Smith's 'downer' arrangement. In fact, the opposite is true; mistakes like this are annoying to a music fan as these works are great Riddle arrangements.

Levinson also glosses over certain pieces of work; Nelson's arrangements for Shirley Bassey and Danny Williams are hardly mentioned. Nelson's arrangement of "What Now My Love" played a big part in Bassey's first breakthrough into pop's top echelon.

Generally, however, this book is a good overview of Riddle's life and career. A detailed discography (LP and CD-reissues) would have been a nice touch and certain areas would have benefitted from more detail but on the whole this is a very worthy endeavour.

Based on over two hundred personal interviews.......2001-11-12

Few may recall Nelson Riddle, but he produced the music which made Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and other vocalists famous. Peter Levinson's September In The Rain is based on over two hundred personal interviews with Riddle's friends and family and discusses his life and many contributions.

Disappointing.......2001-10-28

In comparison with Levinson's book on Harry James (superb) this is disappointing. Levinson admittedly has a problem with Riddle himself, who comes across as a dour, insecure, often bitter, man. He turns-out not to be a great subject, which is a pity, given his undeniable influence on some of the best American popular music of the century. There are some interesting insights into his work with Dorsey, Cole and Sinatra in particular, though I felt the book concentrated too much on the difficulties of his relationship with Sinatra. I don't think any Sinatra fan would deny Riddle's enormous influence on Sinatra's work. Without Sinatra, however, it seems unlikely Riddle would be remembered as he is today. Sinatra, probably more than any other performer, took pains to compliment the work of his arrangers, especially on stage. Riddle and Peter Levinson, unfortunately, appear to have undervalued this. It's certainly worth a read as a contribution to the, fortunately, growing body of literature on the swing era and the big bands, but Trumpet Blues is far superior.

Insightful look into the life of an American pop legend.......2001-10-26

Being a fan of both Nat King Cole's and Frank Sinatra's work, I was intrigued by this book about the man who was pretty much responsible for their successful run of hits in the 1950s and '60s. Not knowing much about Nelson Riddle other than his association with Cole, Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and other singers he arranged material for, I found this book to be very interesting indeed.

Mr. Levinson's "September In The Rain" is a candid look at the life and career of Riddle, which certainly had its ups and downs. Riddle was able to create great music, but he suffered immensely in both his personal and professional life: one wife who turned to alcoholism to cope with her husband's indiscretions, and sometimes reacting with physical violence, and another, who was domineering and had no love for Riddle's children from his previous marriage, and isolated Riddle from people she didn't like; an overbearing and snobbish mother, a weak but loving father, various affairs (most notable was his torrid love affair with singer Rosemary Clooney), not being given credit when it was due, his complex relationship with Sinatra and his children, and much more. Riddle, as talented as he was, was at times doubtful of his abilities, and rarely ever smiled, because he was almost always saddened by SOMETHING and this was true throughout his life.

Reading this book, I found myself bordering between distain and sympathy for Riddle, reading about how he related to his children, the musicians in his orchestra, and the singers who worked with him. But it is my general feeling that Riddle was just like any other person who had a dysfunctional upbringing: it would carry over to his adult life, and ultimately shape who he was to become in later years. But one thing above all must be said: Nelson Riddle was indeed a musical genius, and created some of the most memorable musical arrangements ever of popular standards of the mid to late 20th century. For fans of this type of music, it is worth reading. Find out just what made this man a legend in his own time.

Book Description

This all-new second edition of The Official Scrabble ^® Brand Word-Finder is unique in its organization of officially accepted words, allowing the player to find the highest-scoring word in the shortest time. It reflects additions and deletions from the last three editions of The Official Scrabble ^® Dictionary, and includes a complete list of two-letter words and three-letter words formed from two-letter words, as well as an invaluable and completely new section, "Ten Tips for a Better Game." There are even newly minted words, such as ab, yo, and ed, and a directory of prefixes, suffixes, and plurals. The Official Scrabble ^® Brand Word-Finder is faster than a dictionary and will help you become a Scrabble champion. Scrabble ^® is a trademark of Hasbro in the United States and Canada. ©2001 Hasbro. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews:

not worth it.......2007-08-25

A good idea, but its flaws defeat its purpose. The 2-letter word list is out-of-date: no AG, AL, EX, EM, MO, MU, NE, SH, WO, and XU; and an added DA that shouldn't be there. And the promised 3-letter list is missing.

Extremely helpful.......2006-04-07

I found this book extremely helpful. While it doesn't have every word that can be used, it does have so many words it will have your head spinning! Not every 2 & 3 letter words are in here but it's only the 1998 edition.

A great idea... but..........2003-05-24

This book is a good idea badly executed. The two major flaws are that (1) it is nearly impossible to look things up in it because of a lack of header/footers to tell what section you are in, and (2) it is woefully out-of-date with even the two-letter words being incorrect. I found this out the hard way playing "da" a few too many times.

Fix those two things and include the actual 3-word letter list and you've got a useful book.

Not helpful.......2003-01-04

I found this book to be close to useless--extremely hard to figure out how it's supposed to be organized, close to impossible to find anything.

Fantastic Utility For Scrabble Strategists.......2002-12-05

There are two official Scrabble books that matter. This is the other (the first is a dictionary).

The bulk of "The Official Scrabble Brand Word-Finder" by Robert W. Schachner is word lists. The 'b' words includes (can you believe it?) 'b' words. 'Book,' of course, is in that list, but so is 'vibe,' as it includes a 'b.'

Now, it may seem silly, but they include a surprisingly handy list of two-letter words. Laugh if you like, but at the end of the game, when it is your turn, and you've only got an 'o' and an 'e,' wouldn't you be happy to remember that 'oe' is a completely legal Scrabble word? You betcha! No, I don't know what it means. That us what the other Scrabble book supplies: definitions.

There is an excellent section of prefixes and suffixes, which will help prepare you to think through complex combinations utilizing what's already on the board.

It is not as much fun as a dictionary, but for the function it employs, I fully recommend "The Official Scrabble Brand Word-Finder" by Robert W. Schachner.

Anthony Trendl

Average customer rating:
The Official Scrabble Word-Finder
Robert Schachner
Manufacturer: Macmillan General Reference
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8PEEK

Average customer rating:
Official Scrabble Brand Word Finder
Robert W Schachner
Manufacturer: WORKMAN PUBLISHING @ CO INC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VVI9SI

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