Painting Masterclass by Susie Hodge

Painting Masterclass by Susie Hodge ISBN-13: 9780711241251 Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: White Lion Publishing Released: May 28, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
This book examines 100 of the most fascinating paintings by the world’s greatest artists: the way they were made, what they do well, and how and what we can learn from them. With detailed analyses and instructive creative tips sections, you can learn how to convey movement like Degas, apply acrylic like Twombly, and command colour like Matisse.

The book explores the act of vision in each artwork, describing how the images were created and including practical tips and advice, allowing you to weave some of this magic into your own work. The paintings are organized into chapters which cover the important genres: nudes, figures, landscapes, still life, heads, fantasy, and abstraction. Selected masterpieces serve as perfect examples of a particular quality in painting; light and shade, rhythm, form, space, contour, and composition are all covered in detail. Perfect for students as well as professional painters, and with a broad historical and global reach, this book is an indispensable introduction to the rich history and practice of painting.


My Review:
Painting Masterclass looked at 100 paintings by 100 different artists, spanning the last 500 years. The paintings used different styles (from realism to abstraction) and different materials (watercolor, gouache, tempera, fresco, oils, acrylic, etc.). The author pointed out things an artist might learn and use from each of these different paintings, but this was more art history and appreciation than art instruction. You can pick up some new ideas (especially if you're a beginning artist), but we're only given a sentence or two of description on how a technique can be accomplished.

The author started with a short history of painting, including the major trends and the development of new materials and tools. She then looked at each of the selected paintings, loosely grouped together as 16 paintings of nudes, 21 of human figures, 14 landscapes, 10 still life, 15 portraits, 14 mythology and symbolism, and 10 abstraction. For each painting, we're given a brief biography of the artist and a description of the painting (these figures are these people doing this) and how it was received at the time it was made. Each painting had 1-3 side boxes with some brief tips about the techniques used in the painting under headings like: line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, composition, proportion, space, form, colors, materials, light, subject, or source. The paintings usually crossed the center of the page in a two-page spread. It was difficult to get the full impact of the painting's composition and such when read on a tablet, so this is probably best read as a physical 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Palaces of Pleasure by Lee Jackson

Palaces of Pleasure by Lee Jackson ISBN-13: 9780300224634 Hardback: 320 pages Publisher: Yale University Press Released: June 25, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Victorians invented mass entertainment. As the nineteenth century’s growing industrialized class acquired the funds and the free time to pursue leisure activities, their every whim was satisfied by entrepreneurs building new venues for popular amusement. Contrary to their reputation as dour, buttoned-up prudes, the Victorians reveled in these newly created ‘palaces of pleasure’.

In this vivid, captivating book, Lee Jackson charts the rise of well-known institutions such as gin palaces, music halls, seaside resorts and football clubs, as well as the more peculiar attractions of the pleasure garden and international exposition, ranging from parachuting monkeys and human zoos to theme park thrill rides. He explores how vibrant mass entertainment came to dominate leisure time and how the attempts of religious groups and secular improvers to curb ‘immorality’ in the pub, variety theater and dance hall faltered in the face of commercial success.


My Review:
Palaces of Pleasure looked at some popular public entertainment choices that arose in England during the 1800s. The author looked in depth at gin palaces, music halls, public halls, dancing halls, pleasure gardens, exhibitions, seaside resorts and sea bathing, and football (soccer) matches. He described how each developed from a small scale origins to mass, public entertainment. He quoted from newspapers and court cases. He described the controversies that arose due to concerns that these entertainment spots led people into immoral or self-damaging behavior. He often explained the usual layout of that type of building. He described the types of entertainments that they provided, as stated in newspapers, ads, and personal records of what a person saw when they visited the place. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in a high level of detail about these public entertainments.


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.


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The Art of Jin Shin by Alexis Brink

The Art of Jin Shin by Alexis Brink ISBN-13: 9781982130930 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Tiller Press Released: June 25, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Balance your body, mind, and spirit and heal yourself with your own hands using this clear, step-by-step illustrated guide to the practice of the ancient Japanese healing art of Jin Shin—written by a trained expert with nearly three decades of experience.

You might be surprised to learn that the majority of today’s most common ailments including anxiety, backaches, colds and flu, digestive issues, immune disorders, migraines, and insomnia, can be alleviated naturally by restoring and harmonizing blocked, stagnant energy. The art of Jin Shin, based on the Japanese healing art of energy medicine, is practiced throughout the world. While related to acupressure and massage therapy, this holistic practice uses only minimal pressure and gentle touching with the fingers and hands to redirect or unblock the flow of energy along the body’s fifty-two points (twenty-six on each side of the body)—called Safety Energy Locations, or SELs—areas where energy tends to get congested. This simple, non-invasive process allows your body’s energy to flow smoothly, and with balance restored, you will experience a sense of wellbeing and calm.

The Art of Jin Shin explains all the basics of this healing art and provides you with the knowledge you need to practice it on yourself—with exercises ranging from simply holding a finger for a few minutes to spending twenty minutes to harmonize a specific circulation pattern.


My Review:
The Art of Jin Shin explains how Jin Shin works (gentle touches and deep breathing) and some positions that a person can do on themselves to help with things like headaches, a cold, insomnia, dizziness, stomach aches, etc. The author started with a basic introduction to and history of the Art of Jin Shin. While Jin Shin can be applied to others, the focus of this book is how to apply it to your own body. The author provided an overview of how to do the technique and where the points you will touch are located on the body. She talked about some short routines to do for everyday care, organ flow routines, and positions to use for specific problems. There were pictures of people doing each position, so you can see clearly were to touch. She's a little less clear on how long to hold a position as that seems very variable and dependent on being able to feel when the energy becomes unstuck.

Many of the positions quickly get tiring to hold, so I'm not sure if I'm doing them long enough. Also, some positions (especially in the organ flow routines) require a flexible body to touch the two spots at the same time. Due to my rheumatoid arthritis, I'm not flexible enough to do most of the holds for the organ flows nor the one for autoimmune conditions, though I can do the arthritis hold for a short length of time. Does it work? I haven't seen any improvements in my RA, but it did seem to work quite quickly on a mild headache that I had. I'll keep trying it for a while since you can't hurt yourself by doing it. Anyway, if you're interested in The Art of Jin Shin, this book will get you started in applying it to yourself. I was left with some questions after finishing the book, but they weren't the sort that would prevent me from using the holds in the 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 Happy Balance by Megan Hallett, Nicole Jardim

The Happy Balance by Megan Hallett, Nicole Jardim ISBN-13: 9781781318607 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: White Lion Publishing Released: May 28, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The human body is complex – it is a delicate balance of systems working together to keep us at optimal health. And we are disrupting it. Instead of working with our bodies, we are constantly stressing them, with toxins and pollutants, with unhealthy lifestyles and high stress levels, with nutrition-poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. We have become hopelessly out of sync with our natural rhythms. With expert advice, lifestyle tips, and delicious plant-based recipes, let The Happy Balance be your trusted guide to a vital and energized life.


My Review:
The Happy Balance provides an overview of hormones related to the menstrual cycle and natural ways to balance those hormones, plus recipes. The author started with a "crash guide" to the hormones and menstrual cycle. She then talked some about how to balance your hormones through nutrition, exercise, managing stress, avoiding toxins and pollutants, and how some medications can affect your hormones. This is not a comprehensive or highly scientific guide, but it may be useful to those who know little to nothing about the topic.

She included 60 recipes (plant-based and mostly whole-food, minimally processed ingredients) for things like smoothies, juice, and other drinks, main meals, salads, soups, sides, snacks and desserts, nut butters, dressings, and dips. She also indicated what recipes are good for different times in your cycle. She often used greens that I'd never heard of before and (non-gluten) grains that are also pretty hard to find even when it comes to my health food store. While she did point out specific ingredients in each recipe that were good for hormone health (and why), it wasn't entirely clear if the other ingredients could be changed if the named one isn't available. I'll just assume they can be, though obviously it'll change the taste. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who have PMS or irregular periods.


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.

Drawing: Trees by William F. Powell

Drawing: Trees by Walter Foster ISBN-13: 9781633227798 Paperback: 40 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: May 7, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
With tips on drawing root patterns, branches, fallen trees, and bark and simple techniques for rendering cast shadows and ground foliage, Drawing: Trees with William F. Powell teaches beginning artists how to draw a wide variety of trees in graphite pencil, from basic shapes to final details. Learn about basic tree shapes and leaf types, as well as the fundamentals of shading, composition, and perspective. This book demonstrates how to start with basic shapes and use pencil and shading techniques to create varied textures, values, and details for a realistic, completed drawing.


My Review:
Drawing: Trees is a short art book providing tips on how to draw trees with graphite pencils. The author spent a few pages discussing tools, materials, and basic graphite techniques, then he briefly covered shading, values, perspective, composition, and the basic shapes that make up trees. These may provide some new tips for beginners but aren't detailed enough to teach drawing to a complete beginner.

The finished trees were often more like sketches than highly detailed graphite drawings. The basic technique was to rough in the basic shapes, refine those shapes, then add shading and some texture. He gave examples of the basic shapes and finished look for several different kinds of trees. There were step-by-step drawings (with 2 to 6 steps) showing how to draw tree trunks, branches, the base of the tree, foliage around the base, and a fallen tree. There were 3 landscape projects that focused on: a large oak, a pine, and a sycamore.


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.

Plant Parenting by Leslie F. Halleck

Plant Parenting by Leslie F. Halleck ISBN-13: 9781604698725 Paperback: 264 pages Publisher: Timber Press Released: June 11, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It’s easy to make more of your favorite plants! Plant Parenting, by horticulture expert Leslie F. Halleck, is a beginner-friendly introduction to plant propagation through cuttings, layering, dividing, and more. Halleck details the basic tools necessary, demystifies seed starting and saving, and shares easy-to-follow instructions for the most practical techniques. She also provides additional information on controlling pests and diseases and transplanting seedlings and cuttings. Charming, richly illustrated, and accessible, Plant Parenting is for beginning gardeners, houseplant fans, and anyone looking to make more of their favorite plants.


My Review:
Plant Parenting provides tips and step-by-step instructions on how to successfully grow plants from seeds, bulbs, cuttings, division, and more. The author started by explaining what tools are useful for plant propagation and how they're used. She then explained how to grow plants using many different methods: seeds (included seeds that are difficult to start), bulbs, tubers, water or soil rooting from cuttings (stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, etc.), using layering, through division, and more. The step-by-step directions included pictures that show what to do. She concluded with a brief section on how to avoid or treat pests and diseases and how and when to move your new plants into bigger pots or outside. I've grown plants from seeds and done some water rooting, and these instructions seemed very clear and do-able. I look forward to trying more of these techniques. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in doing plant propagation.


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.

Drawing: Flowers by William F. Powell

Drawing: Flowers by Walter Foster ISBN-13: 9781633227774 Paperback: 40 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: May 7, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Learn to create detailed, realistic flowers in graphite pencil from basic shapes.

Drawing: Flowers shows you how to render a variety of beautiful flowers in graphite pencil, with tips on choosing materials, building with basic shapes, and shading to develop form and realism. With a wealth of detailed step-by-step projects, among the flowers you'll learn to draw are: Regal Lily, Daffodil, Carnation, Hibiscus, Peony, Chrysanthemums, Bearded Iris.


My Review:
Drawing: Flowers is a short art book with step-by-step illustrations showing how to draw flowers using graphite pencil. The book briefly talked about tools, techniques, and flower anatomy. The general method is to sketch a basic shape defining the flower's outer edge, then indicate where the inner shapes (petals, etc.) are, add details and shading, and smooth the lines and erase guidelines. He provided demonstration projects for drawing many different types of flowers, including from different viewing angles and in various degrees of growth (from bud to full flower).

The step-by-step demonstrations usually showed 4 or 5 steps, and most took one page per flower. The drawings were generally easy to understand plus the text briefly explained what he was doing in each step. He covered 2 types of tulips, a magnolia, 2 types of dogwood flowers, a regal lily and a lily bud, a daffodil, carnation, English wallflower, begonia, poppy, pansy, dendrobium, primrose, hibiscus, fuchsia, peony, foxglove, columbine, tea rose, rose, thistle, gladiolus, aster, iris, and chrysanthemum. Overall, I feel like this book has helped me to improve my flower drawing skills, and I'd recommend it.


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.

Painting: Land & Sea by Vernon Kerr

Painting: Land & Sea by Vernon Kerr ISBN-13: 9781633227774 Paperback: 40 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: May 7, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Featuring the artwork of Vernon Kerr, Oil & Acrylic: Land and Sea includes a variety of easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects that are approachable for the beginning artist, including dynamic landscapes and seascapes. Aspiring artists will discover the basics of oil painting through useful artist tips.

Artist Vernon Kerr shows you his step-by-step process for painting seascapes and landscapes in oil. He demonstrates how to capture the beauty of nature in all its seasons and at different times of the day, as well as the importance of making small color studies. You’ll also discover tips for using color effectively, with additional helpful information on composition, perspective, texture, and contrast. And along the way, you’ll learn special techniques for creating dramatic skies, luminous waves, and lush landscapes.


My Review:
Painting: Land & Sea is a short art instruction book providing tips on how to paint seascapes and landscapes with oil paints. The book briefly talked about tools, oil painting techniques, and color theory before moving on to the studies and demonstrations. While the author did show three steps and then the finished painting, the brief instructions were often tips about creating specific effects with oil paint rather than on how to paint. Which means I got some interesting tips out of it, and so will a beginner, but this might not be what a complete "tell me every move" beginner is looking for.

There were a lot of good tips on how to use certain color combinations and contrasts to create certain visual effects. He also talked about things to consider when painting and why you should do things in a certain order and why. The author's method is to paint in the basic shapes and tones using a neutral color, then add colors and details on top of that base layer. There were several studies (sky, wave, rock, snow) along with tips on painting those elements. The 11 demonstrations covered several sea waves against rocks or cliffs, sunset and shorelines, trees in fields, and forest scenes as well as a mountain scene, sand dunes, and fall leaves on a forest floor. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in color tips and learning to paint sea and landscapes, but I wouldn't recommend it to complete beginners.


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.

Drawing: Horses by Walter Foster

Drawing: Horses by Walter Foster ISBN-13: 9781633227712 Paperback: 40 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: May 7, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Drawing: Horses shows you how to render a variety of beautiful horses in graphite pencil, with tips on choosing materials, building with basic shapes, and shading to develop form and realism. Walter Foster (with assistance from Michele Maltseff) explains not only a number of drawing techniques and special effects but also his own method of developing a drawing. You will learn about various horse breeds—including quarter horse, Clydesdale, Arabian, and Shetland pony—and their proportions, starting with their heads and then progressing to full bodies. Drawing: Horses also contains beautiful equine drawings you can both copy and admire!

Designed for beginners, the How to Draw & Paint series offers an easy-to-follow guide that introduces artists to basic tools and materials and includes simple step-by-step lessons for a variety of projects suitable for the aspiring artist. Drawing: Horses demonstrates how to start with basic shapes and use pencil and shading techniques to create varied values and details for a realistic, completed drawing.


My Review:
Drawing: Horses is a short art book providing tips on how to draw horses with graphite pencils. It's for beginners, but the author assumed that you know the basics of drawing. The book briefly talked about tools and techniques and horse anatomy. It then provided examples of different facial features (eyes, ears, nose) and hooves from different view points along with some tips about drawing them. There were drawings of horses in various poses with brief tips about how to draw a foal, two poses for an adult horse, four different breeds (Quarter Horse, Clydesdale, Arabian, Shetland pony) from different points of view, three poses of horses and riders in different gear, two poses of a horse galloping, two poses of a horse (and rider) jumping a fence, a polo pony and Western horse with their riders.

This book focused more on tips on unique points to pay attention to for the different ages, breeds, and poses rather than detailed step-by-step demonstrations. However, it did provide the basic steps to drawing a head and a few steps (outline, add details, add shading, finished horse) for most of the horse drawings with brief comments about things like the direction of your strokes. I'd recommend this book to artists who want some help specifically with drawing horses.


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.