Book Description
This book is perfect for beginning watercolorists and artists in other mediums interested in trying something new-particularly decorative painters. It assumes they have absolutely no prior knowledge of watercolor and proceeds from there. The basic questions all beginners ask will be explained and illustrated in simple, step-by-step, fail-proof presentations-questions like: "How wet should my paper be?" "What brush should I use?" "How full of paint should my brush be?" "At what point do I stop and what should my painting look like?"
Claudia illustrates not only the terms and techniques associated with watercolor painting, but also shows many examples of common problems beginners have, whey things can go wrong, and how to fix them. She also includes step-by-step exercises to help readers learn and practice each new watercolor technique. Most of all, this book makes learning about watercolor fun by eliminating frustration and giving beginners a solid foundation on which they can build.
Claudia Nice is a multi-media artist, but prefers pen, ink and watercolor when working in the field. She has been an art consultant and instructor, has authored fifteen art instruction book and travels across North America conducting workshops, seminars and demonstrations at schools, clubs, shops and trade shows. She has recently opened her own teaching studio near Mt. Hood, Oregon.
Customer Reviews:
Watercolor made simple....almost.......2006-01-30
Great book, but not simple enough for a total beginner like myself.
A good reference book for all levels.......2005-12-05
This a very good book. It covers many aspects of painting in watercolor, including some difficult-to-find tips like mixing convincing shadow colors, working with color triads (3 colors) to create mood, and a list of common colors that are transparent, opaque, staining, or granulating.
There are troubleshooting tips to help the beginner who wants to achieve certain effects but cannot figure out what went wrong.
The book has only 127 pages, but it is fiiled with useful information about techniques like washes, glazing, layering, masking and spatter. There is also some information about the use of unconventional aids like stamping, sponging, alcohol and plastic wrap. Every page is filled with Ms. Nice's realistic yet magical artwork.
Where to use transparent or opaque watercolor, and how to test pigments for transparency would have been some welcome additional information.
Overall, it is a good book to own, especially for the beginner to intermediate levels.
Customer Reviews:
Briday Gowns: How to make the Wedding Dress of your Dreams.......2007-05-15
The book arrived quickly and in great condition. It looks like it has lots of information to help with making my daughter's wedding gown...I'll begin sewing in September.
bridal gowns; how to make the wedding dress of your dreams.......2006-08-07
Very informative I will use the book alot
Wonderful Resource.......2006-02-01
I am in the Bridal Alterations business and also sew weddings on the side. I am just starting out and wanted to learn more about the insides of wedding gowns. I have used other books by these women (Fit for Real People) to teach sewing classes in local fabric stores and knew they'd put out a great product. Inside they tell you what fabrics to use for interlining, interfacing, step by step construction, patern fitting, and more. There's even a checklist for constructing a wedding gown and yardage and instructions for making petticoats. I REALLY recommend this book!
A Good Guide, But Know How to Sew.......2002-12-12
I was toying with the idea of making my own dress and bought this book. The author is very knowledgeable and the text is well-written. However, if you are a novice you do not want to ACTUALLY attempt a dress without either a.)guidance, or b.)other books to walk you through. This is written for those who truly understand patterns and sewing. However, if you don't sew it is a great book to understand what things you should be looking for if you are having it made by a dressmaker, and the types of fabric/necklines/veils, etc. If you're expecting a step-by-step this is not the book for you.
Wonderful!.......2000-06-07
Well written, clearly illustrated, great on all the details. Obviously written by a pro who is very creative! Highly recommended even if you don't plan to sew your own--you will get lots of ideas to have the perfect dress made for your special day!
Book Description
It is 1576, and the legend of the Belmont family's vampire-hunting prowess still echoes through the Romanian countryside. While Christopher Belmont celebrates his nuptials, dark forces conspire to raise Count Dracula from his unholy slumber. With this ancient evil unleashed once more, young Belmont must to prove he is worthy of the Belmont legacy.
Customer Reviews:
If you love a great read, stay far away from this book........2007-08-03
I read comics all the time, and I read all different kinds. I also play a lot of video games and Castlevania just happens to be one of my favorite series. Having said that, I must say this book sucks. The story is unbearably bland. There is so much good material to pull from with this title and none of it made its way into this book. It stars Christopher Belmont, a lesser know member of the Belmont clan from two lesser know games for the Gameboy. Chris was a terrible choice for a Castlevania comic. So many things were done poorly, like the introduction of the whip and other classic weapons. The ghosts and ghouls that made the games were completely over looked, save one. The battle with Dracula was as uneventful as it could have possibly been.
The art in it would be considered average at best for any other genre, but for a horror story it really sucked. It reminded me of a Saturday morning cartoon. Castlevania has already developed a very distinct style. Even if you chose not to mimic that style exactly, something more gritty would have been nice.
I understand that this title could be enticing for a Castlevania fan. I also know that a fan of the series will probably want to check this book out for themselves anyways. I won't say don't read it, but I will say I warned you.
This was intense!.......2007-01-10
I was expecting to get a cool comic to read, but what I got instead was something like a hardcore manga. It was awesome and all, just more mature then I had expected it to be. So for those of you out there thinking of purchasing this for your little boy/girl to read- think again! If though you would like to keep it to read for yourself, I definitely believe that this book is worth looking into.
Wasted potential . . ........2006-01-13
Words cannot express how excited I was to learn that a Castlevania comic book miniseries existed. Castlevania, for me, has always been one of the highlights of video gaming--a series renowed for its sweeping story telling, incredible action, and deep characters.
Unfortunately, such praises cannot be placed on this book.
I suppose that IDW publishing was hindered before they started; after all, "The Belmont Legacy" is a re-telling of "The Castlevania Adventure," easily the weakest game in the entire Castlevania mythos. That being said, it's sad that they were unable to take that story and improve upon it.
Oh, the book starts off well enough, with a future vision of the vastly superior "Belmont's Revenge" game. Dracula, in this vision, is a positively evil being, one bent on revenge against the protagonist. But, unfortunately, it proved to be only a vision and a hint at a good story.
The book quickly reverts back ten or so years, with the protagonist (that being Christopher Belmont) getting married. Alright. So far, ok. Dracula is then reborn out a blood ritual. And then reborn in a blood ritual again a few pages later.
Woah. Back up. We see Dracula getting born twice. Was once not enough? Did he need more power? What's the significance of this act, other than the fact that Dracula somehow fails to find clothing for the entire run of the series?
Yes. You heard me right. Dracula, the prince of darkness, the evil vampire portrayed by Bela Lugosi, the villian of so many movies and books--is butt naked. And seems remarkably uninterested in clothing himself, either.
That's strike two.
Another problem that abounded throughout the story was an over-abundance of characters that truly meant nothing to the comic. Take, for example, the evil countesses' father, who spends all of the first 1/6th of the comic plotting to resurrect Dracula, and then quickly disappears after his daughter gives him a push to the floor.
The book quickly degenerates into a near-unintelligble montage featuring Christopher's party getting eaten, being turned into vampires, getting killed, coming back, and getting killed again, coupled with some damsel in distress scenes, all silly-puttied together with some wonky transitions.
The dialogue, likewise, is ultimately sophomoric. There are few thought bubbles. IDW didn't even get the period costumes right.
Essentially, IDW had a blank slate with which to finally add some depth to "The Castlevania Adventure." At this, they failed.
You have been warned.
A Decent Addition to You Comic Book Collection.......2005-11-03
This is a full color comic book 120 pages long about the Caslevania game staring Christopher Belmont. The art is well done and the coloring is decent. The story itself is a bit short and could have been fleshed out a bit more. If your not a Castlevania fan I recommend you look at the book before you buy it. If you are a Castlevania fan, odds are that you'll probably get a kick out off it.
Book Description
In 1993, network executives abruptly cut the final appearance of comedian Bill Hicks - a scathing tirade of digs on the Pope and the pro-life movement - from an episode of The Late Show with David Letterman. His banning from the show, along with a profile in The New Yorker by veteran writer John Lahr, catapulted Hicks to national prominence. Just months later, at age 32, he died of pancreatic cancer. Now available for the first time are Hick's most critical and comic observations, gathered from his stand-up routines, diaries, notebooks, letters, and final writings. This collection features his controversial humor and witheringly funny attacks on American culture, from its worship of celebrity and material goods to its involvement in the first Gulf War. Love All the People faithfully traces Hicks's evolution from a funny but conventional stand-up comedian into a fearless and brilliant iconoclast.
Customer Reviews:
Good but repetitive.......2005-07-05
There is no doubt that Bill Hicks was a true comic genius. The writings of his contained in this book help to further illustrate this.
Unfortunately, however, the bulk of the book is made up of transcripts of his comedy appearances (mainly from those recorded for CD). Whilst obviously not as good as seeing the man himself deliver the lines, reading them is enjoyable. Reading the same bit 5 times is less so. There is a tremendous amount of repetition in the routines, left in by the author in order to preserve the integrity of the monologues.
As a result, the book is best read in small doses, so as to dissipate the effect. Trying to read it in large chunks means reading the same material again and again in short succession.
Captures the genius of a legend who died before his time. .......2005-05-04
Bill Hicks, in the short time he had here on this planet, was a stand-up comedian that truly stood out among the rest. He was never afraid to say what was on his mind, and he didn't care if that islolated his audience or brought them closer. He never sold out for commercialism, and was always himself. This book, has transcripts of his famous routines, his lyrics, and his writings are all here in this book. This book does cover a lot of issues that are more relevent today than when he was talking about them over 10 years ago. In these transcripts and his audio recordings, you can hear a deep hate for the present condition of the world, and the way it is run. But underneath all of the hate, lies a deep love for humanity, and a very spiritual individual just trying to make sense of a mixed-up world. If you have heard any of Bill's recordings buy this book. It might give you a little more insight into the man he was, (and still is.)
Bill Deserves Better.......2005-01-20
I just finished this book. My main problem with it is this: about half the book is made up of transcripts of Bill's comedy routines. The same ones you have on CD. And without Bill's expert comic delivery, they just don't translate that well on the printed page. On the other hand, the letters and interviews offer a more intimate look at a sensitive, serious man. It would have been better to cut out the transcripts, and give us more of Bill's writings and unreleased stuff. On a technical note, the book apparently was never proofread; it is rife with misprints and errors. And many of the entries are not clearly identified. For instance, we learn that Bill wrote for The Nation, but are these the political articles that are included? It's not clear. Dispite being poorly executed, if you are looking for more insights into the mind of Bill Hicks, you will want this book. If you merely want to enjoy his comedy genius, get the new DVD instead.
This edition is NOT A HARDCOVER!!!!!.......2005-01-04
Haven't read the book yet...just received it today. I just want to make sure that ANYONE purchasing the Constable edition expecting a Hardcover edition should know that Amazon's description is WRONG. It is a trade paperback (aka: a larger than 'normal' paperback)......NOT A HARDCOVER!!!!!
The only reason the price is higher is because it's a UK import......
Excellent tribute to an inspirational genius.......2004-12-27
A superb collection of live transcripts, interviews, letters and writings from the late great stand-up comedian and confrontational visionary extraordinaire. The spirit of Bill Hicks lives on. Over ten years after his death, some may feel that we need his vision, sanity and humour more than ever. This book is a great reminder of just how brilliant and hysterically funny he was. Several recordings of live performances are also available on c.d.
Relentlessly, Bill rips into the hypocrisy and ridiculousness of much of so-called civilization with astonishing wit and intelligence. "I am available for children's parties", quips Bill after another story involving topics such as pornography or drugs. Other targets include religion ("God, I pray the Christians get the message soon"), America ("There is freedom of speech to the highest bidder"), and global economics and poverty ("Take all that money that we spend on weapons and defence each year, and instead spend it feeding, clothing and educating the poor of the world").
But however political or controversial Bill gets, you sense that here is a loving but troubled soul with an open mind and an open heart. A man who desperately wanted to see more truth, laughter, love, compassion and understanding in the world. God bless the Spirit of Bill Hicks.
Book Description
Cinephilia and History, or The Wind in the Trees is in part a history of cinephilia, in part an attempt to recapture the spirit of cinephilia for the discipline of film studies, and in part an experiment in cinephilic writing.
Cinephiles have regularly fetishized contingent, marginal details in the motion picture image: the gesture of a hand, the wind in the trees. Christian Keathley demonstrates that the spectatorial tendency that produces such cinematic encounters—a viewing practice marked by a drift in visual attention away from the primary visual elements on display—in fact has clear links to the origins of film as defined by André Bazin, Roland Barthes, and others. Keathley explores the implications of this ontology and proposes the "cinephiliac anecdote" as a new type of criticism, a method of historical writing that both imitates and extends the experience of these fugitive moments.
Average customer rating:
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Mel Bay One Hundred Favorite Fiddle Tunes
Bill Guest
Manufacturer: Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Strings
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0871669226 |
Product Description
One hundred great fiddle solos and duets on reels, waltzes, jigs, hornpipes, two-steps, breakdowns, clogs, and schottisches by well-known Canadian fiddle Bill Guest. This book was compiled mainly for the violin student who is interested in learning to play old-time fiddle music. Suggested bowings are marked in some tunes. Chord symbols are included for accompaniment.
Book Description
Developing plans of action based on positional analysis: weak and strong squares, control of open lines, pawn structure, more. 20 problems.
Customer Reviews:
Concise and Entertaining - An Excellent Tool for Quick Game Improvements.......2006-08-06
I believe this book is most useful for novice and average players. The book helps in improving your game by showing the typical chess mistakes one makes during play. I found it to be very clear, concise and to the point. Another thing I liked about the book is that is written in a conversational way, such as the one of a lecturer, so anyone can understand the principles laid out by the author.
The book uses descriptive notation, but I guess this is just a matter of preference that doesn't affect the quality and usefulness of the information presented. Nevertheless you should take this into account in case you prefer algebraic notation.
In this edition, the editors added a series of quiz positions to the original text. By applying oneself to these positions one gets to practice the principles to find the solutions to the various problems presented to enhance the learning experience. All the positions are taken from master's games. At the end of the book the solution to each problem is presented.
Quality read, but nothing mandatory.......2005-04-17
Znosko-Borovsky's "How not to Play Chess" is much different than its title suggests. One immediately assumes that this will be a book of tactical gaffes and poor move choices in a one-move type setting, when infact this book is basically concerned with the formation of plans within the game.
Also, this book is quite offbeat in that it has very little to do with game analysis and long-winded calculations and is more a narrative of the game of chess itself by the author. Any chess enthusiast should find the commentary useful and understandable.
The author throws around a number of messages and instructions in the form of one sentence suggestions throughout the book, but these ideas are so quickly discussed that you never really have any time to dwell on them.
This book could very easily(and perhaps should have been) called "Making Plans in Chess", since that's really the main theme of the book and is most likely the only thing you'll take away from it, besides some added appreciation for the game itself.
The book proper is a very short read - only about 80 small sized pages - with about 15 diagrams using a hideous set of symbols for the pieces(I think this is sometimes called the "Leipzig" set). At the end of the book, 20 problems were added by tactical guru Fred Reinfeld(starting with number 18 for some reason). These puzzles are decent, and actually quite solvable, unlike some books whose post-mortem questions are beyond the reader(Seiriwan, et al).
A small note: This book is in descriptive notation. Read some of my other reviews for thoughts on this subject, but the author makes key references to squares(such as White's intention to make use of the QB5 square, for example) quite frequently, and thus a solid understanding of said notation is needed. Still, DN(Discr. notation) is easy enough to learn and the book is very cheap due to the author's choice to use it.
I would really have liked to have given the book four stars, but I can't help but feel that I'm not going to become a better player because of reading this book. I certainly enjoyed reading through it, moreso as an avid chess fan, but the themes of the book are encompassed in many greater texts of the modern age.
If you truly love the game of chess, spend a few bucks and read through this book, but if you're out for solid chess improvement, I would look somewhere else.
An Incredible Chess Book.......2005-03-28
"How Not To Play Chess" by Eugene A. Znosko Borovsky is a superb book. Weighing in at 119 pages, it is full of information. Another reviewer was precisely right when they said it contains more information than "The Amateur's Mind." The meat of the book is only about 90 pages long, the rest consists of a group of puzzles created by editor Fred Reinfeld. Anyone who knows anything about Mr. Reinfeld knows the quality of his combinations. The 20 positional challenges he creates for "How Not to Play Chess" taught me more than Silman's "Reassess Your Chess Workbook"'s middlegame section!
E. A. Z-K breaks up the game into simple logical factors, and then continues to deeply analyze the game:
Eugene Aleksandrovich Znosko-Borovsky vs Hermanis Karlovich Mattison, 1926
This classic is well worth the miniscule price, and if descriptive notation causes no trouble, you would do well to purchase it!
Good little instructional book........2005-03-14
Don't let the old style and skinniness of the book fool us.
This book is a good instructional one. The author did not provide many examples, but gave the main brief principles and elaborated more with words. His explanation is clear and deep if we pay attention to the details. His 70 plus pages contain as much information as 300 pages in Silman's The Amateur's Mind. His book is to help the intermediate level to improve.
There are many principles still very applicable in the modern chess:
a) Do not believe all that you are told. Examine, verify, use your reason.
b) In war, topography dictates the operations.
c) Do not leave any pieces where it has no range of action...
d) Haste, the great enemy.
All great advises.
However, there are some that the intermediate level has problem with or makes the modern players think "hmm."
a) Avoid mistakes. How?
I recall some GM's comment of the intermediate's move: "When the intermediate moves a piece, he makes a tactical mistake; when he moves a pawn, a positional mistake. Well?
b) Do not modify your plan. What? Any player knows that not all plans work out correctly, while both sides try to interfere with the other's plan. The battle plan has to adjust according to the situation. A rigid plan fails.
And there are some advices conflicting each other. On the blockade of the passed pawn, on page 81, he wrote, "If your opponent should have a passed pawn, your first and most urgent duty is 'mechanically' to stop its advance--blockade it."
If the passed pawn is not mobile (or we have control of the square immediately in front of it) then the blockade is not that urgent (H.H.). He wrote, "Unless you analyze the position, you will achieve nothing" (on page 42) and "Do not play to quickly" (on page 48.)
The advices from this book are still very applicable in this modern time. But the offensive and defensive techniques have advanced significantly, some advices need adaptations.
Superb.......2004-07-02
This book is indispensable. Yes, it is indispensable! Once you get over the fact that the notation is descriptive you will be fine. I don't mind reading books in descriptive notation and considering the content of the book this is just a minor inconvenience [Speaking of which, have you noticed how cheap are books in descriptive?]
Znosko-Borovsky is entertaining, engaging and profound. The whole purpose of the book is to make you aware of the need to analyse the position both from the internal and the external points of view. In other words: How to make an inventory of who has the advantage in tempi, material, and space and how those factors compensate to determine which side has the advantage over the board. As a consequence of this analysis the author shows how to make a plan and execute it over the board. Sounds simple? It becomes simple after reading Znosko-Borovsky's book. Why is it that few people write in this manner nowadays? Why is it that authors can not be entertaining?
I read this book at least once every month and have given it to some friends to help them improve their chess. At first sight it doesn't look like much but once you take the time to read it, understand it and go back to it, you will see what a treasure you have in your hands. For the prize of the book you get a lot and this is that rare type of book that read again and again and again...
Average customer rating:
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How not to play chess
Evgeniĭ Aleksandrovich Znocke-Borovskiĭ
Manufacturer: Sterling Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Chess
| Board Games
| Puzzles & Games
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Puzzles & Games
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B0007E020C |
Book Description
Managing employees in today’s rapidly evolving workplace can sometimes feel like negotiating a minefield. Such recent new trends as flextime, telecommting, 360-degree feedback, the flattening of hierarchies, and the increased use of temps and contract workers present tough new challenges for supervisors in every field. This timely, completely revised and updated edition of Ferdinand Fournies’s classic management coaching "bible" shows you proven ways to get workers to perform at the highest level while eliminating the self-destructive kinds of behaviors that have become increasingly prevalent in recent years.
In this book, you’ll be taught specific face-to-face interventions you can use to enhance performance in every kind of workplace situation--from sales to creative brainstorming. There are also interventions uniquely suited to resolving problems ranging from low productivity to absenteeism to conflicts between individuals. You’ll learn precisely what to say and do so that each person you supervise will want to give you his or her best work--even when that person was previously thought to be a "problem employee." Packed with brand-new case studies from Fournies’s latest research into the dynamics of the modern workplace, this classic guide takes all the guesswork out of becoming the kind of inspired, "hands-on" manager that every company today is looking for!
Customer Reviews:
A valuable reference on an important skill.......2007-09-02
This is an excellent book on coaching. You will read other views here to the contrary, but that is largely due to the many interpretations of the word "coaching." My primary focus is coaching managers and salespeople in a highly demanding, very technical field. There are many useful and effective tools presented in Fournies' work. Not everything will be applicable in every situation, but this book will give you many ideas for respectful, empathic coaching. If you are a "life coach" or a "mentor" you may prefer other techniques, but you'll still find some good advice here. Looking for achievement and opportunities to provide reinforcement can hardly be considered bad advice. Many managers simply don't know how to make the transition from technical expert or great performer to someone responsible for the performance of others. Fournies gives some valuable tips on doing so.
My recommendation is to read several books on coaching, beginning with John Whitmore's 3rd edition of Coaching for Performance. If you coach salespeople, also read Managing Major Sales by Rackham and Ruff. And if you are coaching others, read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman; coaching others requires, first and foremost, self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy. Goleman's book will raise awareness of the importance of these qualities in business and in life.
Great Handbook for New Managers.......2007-04-03
I have been a sales manager for 10 years. In that time I have read close to 100 books on management and leadership. this is one of my favorites. It is an easy read, it makes solid points and it provides clear direction on what a manager needs to do to help get the most out of their people. I highly recommend this book.
Best business book EVER.......2006-11-10
This is a must have for anyone in a supervisory or managerial role. Simple concepts, easy read...with actual dialogues to help you practice the coaching techniques discussed. And best of all, IT WORKS.
One of the most useful management books yet.......2006-11-06
I wish I had found this book when I started managing people 20 years ago, it would have saved me a lot of painful trial and error. It is a remarkably practical guide that addresses the main problem that many managers face: how to confront performance issues in a way that will yeild a positive outcome, while not crushing or otherwise demotivating the employee. It includes examples of realistic conversations (including the extended silences that often happen, and the brush-off responses, the stalemates). It is also a book that can be constructively shared with your entire team - including those with performance issues - as it helps defuse all emotion and keeps the conversations on the actual and observable behaviors that are getting in the way of the business.
Most Disappointing.......2006-08-24
Having worked in the mental health community for sometime, I was already familiar with this technique and have been using it already. I felt the book was really droll and somewhat condescending in tone. I wouldn't purchase it again. His companion book "Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed to Do and What to Do about It" is a more practical read and enjoyable too--I would recommend that one.
Books:
- Women Artists and the Surrealist Movement
- Ziggy'S Divine Comedy
- 1000 Extra/Ordinary Objects
- 52 Great Art Projects for Kids (52 Decks)
- Across the Aegean
- Against Voluptuous Bodies: Late Modernism and the Meaning of Painting (Cultural Memory in the Present)
- An American Impressionist: The Art and Life of Alson Skinner Clark
- An Ode to Joy: Posters, Prints and Other Work of Frank Kozik
- Anchoring the Altar: Christianity and the Work of Art
- Antony Gormley: Inside Australia
Books Index
Books Home
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- Fundamentals of Organizational Communication
- Church Symbolism: An Explanation of the More Important Symbols of the Old and New Testament, the Pri
- Core Virtues : A Literature-Based Program in Character Education
- Dead Frenzy
Painting With Watercolor, Pen & Ink
Creating Textures In Pen & Ink With Watercolor
Drawing in Pen & Ink (First Step Series)
Painting Weathered Buildings in Pen Ink & Watercolor (Artist's Photo Reference)
Painting Country Gardens in Watercolor, Pen & Ink
