Art Studio: Horses & Ponies by Walter Foster Creative Team

Art Studio: Horses & Ponies by Walter Foster Creative Team ISBN-13: 9781633226951 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: March 19, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Including more than 50 step-by-step projects of a wide range of horses and ponies, beginning artists will learn the basics of working with graphite and colored pencil; acrylic, oil, and watercolor; pastel; and pen and ink.

By experimenting with these different tools and techniques, artists will build their artistic skill level, discover their own unique style, and gain confidence in the process. Filled with a combination of traditional and contemporary art styles, there is something for every aspiring fine artist desiring to master the craft. Tips for rendering details, an introduction to tools and materials, and an overview of techniques for each featured medium round out this helpful reference.


My Review:
Art Studio: Horses & Ponies is an art instruction book focused on drawing and painting horses. They started with some brief descriptions of art materials and techniques. Then they moved on to step-by-step portraits of horses and ponies: different breeds, adults and colts, and viewed from different angles. They had several demonstrations each for pencil, oil and acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and colored pencils. They assume you have some skill in your chosen medium, so the directions were basically 'use these colors to draw these things in this order.' If you have trouble creating the correct coat color or getting the horse in proportion, this book will probably be helpful.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Can You Crack the Code? by Ella Schwartz

Can You Crack the Code? by Ella Schwartz ISBN-13: 9781681195148 Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books Released: March 26, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Codes can carry big secrets! Throughout history, lots of good guys and lots of bad guys have used codes to keep their messages under wraps. This fun and flippable nonfiction features stories of hidden treasures, war-time maneuverings, and contemporary hacking as well as explaining the mechanics behind the codes in accessible and kid friendly forms. Sidebars call out activities that invite the reader to try their own hand at cracking and crafting their own secret messages. This is the launch of an exciting new series that invites readers into a STEM topic through compelling historical anecdotes, scientific backup, and DIY projects.


My Review:
Can You Crack the Code? is a children's nonfiction book about how codes have been created and cracked throughout history. The author talked about early ways people used to keep a message hidden and then delved into codes. She talked about ciphers, encryption, and decryption at a level that was easy to understand. She talked about the development of different encryption strategies intended to make it more difficult to break ciphers. There was also trivia about specific ciphers used in the past, especially unsolved cipher messages. She explained older, simpler methods (which the reader can use to create their own coded messages or to decode the messages she puts in the book) as well as modern, complex methods used in cybersecurity. This book is interesting enough for an adult to enjoy while simple enough that child can understand. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Organic Painter by Carne Griffiths

The Organic Painter by Carne Griffiths ISBN-13: 9781631596087 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Quarry Books Released: Feb. 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Bored with the same old paints? The Organic Painter introduces innovative techniques for using non-traditional "paint" derived from materials like coffee, tea, and alcohol, to encourage freedom and expression!

This inspiring book gives you all the techniques and ideas you'll need to boost your creativity, learn natural paint-making, and be more resourceful with your art materials. Imagine the unique things you'll make when you create natural paints from coffee, tea, and berries.

Each project in this guide book comes with instructions on how to make the paint, and also includes experiments and explorations for you to try. Plus, a simple painting accompanies each featured material and combines it with other materials or techniques, so you'll never lack inspiration.


My Review:
The Organic Painter is an art instruction book about using unusual (and sometimes homemade) "paints" in a somewhat abstract, watercolor style. The author explained how to make things like tea or coffee for use in painting and tips on what he's discovered about using them. He taught the process that he uses, not just how to replicate several of his paintings. Even with the projects in this book, he explained the process so you gain experience with the things he's teaching, but you end up with a unique piece of your own.

He talked about using ink that spreads when touched with water, tea, coffee, alcohol, salt, soot, adding thread (mixed media), unusual ways to apply the paint (spilling, blowing, stamping with your own rubber stamps, turning the paper while adding paint, using thread, etc.), using boiling water to erase, using metallic paints and gold leaf, and more. He did a good job of explaining how to do the different steps and how to make your own inks and paints. He empowers you to use your own creativity and inspiration using these paints. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in using unique, organic paints in your painting.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.