Books

"Drawing on the right side of the brain", by Betty Edwards, was really good - I learned a lot from it about how "it's not a leg, it's a line that goes from here to here in a more or less straight-ish line" I've worked through two books by Andrew Loomis, "Figure Drawing for all it's worth" and "Drawing the head and hands" - I learned a fair amount from both. Finally, I enjoyed "Classical Drawing Atelier", by Juliette Aristides, because it suggested ideas about layout and composition without trying to teach me to draw. I'd be cautious about anything that promises to be a one-stop shop to creating greatness; it's putting itself out there as all things to all people and surely that cannot work at any price.

We're talking about 'how to' books. I have two of those, my other art books are just full of paintings. The first requirement for a 'how to' book for me is the 'wow' factor...I really have to admire the author's work, in fact I'd say I have to wish I could paint like them. A book I've had a long time is Patrick Woodruffe's 'A Closer Look.' He was an illustrator mainly for fantasy work, and wrote and illustrated his own books. He died recently. The book is crammed with his working methods, and just as importantly, stacks of examples of finished work. He begins by saying he's explaining how HE works, he's not telling the reader how to paint. The book covers most mediums. He was self taught. He rarely uses reference photos, thinking it vital that art should be a work of imagination. Don't know if it's still in print. The second is Mary Whyte's 'Painting Portraits and Figures in Watercolour'. Definitely a 'how to', but full of beautiful paintings. Got it a couple of years ago...still available on Amazon. These books are a constant source of information and inspiration...I'd love to be able to paint like either of them. In fact, I don't paint like either of them, but I value them and think they have some influence on me...don't ask me to say how, I couldn't pin it down. Weird! (I mainly use watercolour, but I'm not really a watercolour artist, I bumble along doing my own thing and just happen to use watercolours.) Lew.

I absolutely love a book called Experimental Drawing by Robert Kaupelis. Its brilliant if you want/need a shake up, and fab to refer to for great ideas and experimenting, particularly in one's sketchbook. I got mine on eBay for very little.

The most useful book I have - and I still have it, having sold or given away many of my books when I last moved house - was by Ray Smith, How to Draw and Paint What You See. It was a Dorling Kindersley publication, and so far as I know it's out of print, but there may still be copies available. It should be back in print - I hope it will be. Then there's Traditional Oil Painting, by Virgil Elliott, a US painter - that's been out of print for a while, but I hear it's being re-published by Watson-Guptill, and is well worth getting hold of. For watercolourists, there are several books by Rowland Hilder, which I wish I hadn't sold! But I did. They're not your style of painting, David, but still valuable - I've forgotten the titles, unfortunately. Teach Yourself Painting, by R O Dunlop RA, was a favourite of mine for many years, and I still have that - but it's badly out of date now; what a great series of books that was, though. There's a very good book on anatomy for the artist, which I can see from my desk but can't reach, nor, thanks to my peculiar eyesight, can I read the title and author - I live in a degree of confusion, but if anyone is interested in anatomy for the artist I'll move a small cupboard out of the way, get down on my hands and knees, and fish it out..... (I realize this sounds pathetic, but I'm somewhat disabled, and in a small flat it can be difficult to get at things!) Then, there's my own modest publication, in e-book form only at present, and it needs some revision, entitled Oil Paint Basics. I have plans for an extended version, and also for an e-book on acrylics, but I am as slow as refrigerated death to start work on a big project. It's not bad, though I says it as shouldn't, if you want a ground-floor level entry system to painting in oil, but for anything more advanced, wait for Virgil's book to be re-published, it's a fine work. I think the trouble with most books for beginners is that they all seem to assume a level of knowledge which by definition beginners don't possess; and there are also some outright bad art books. Don Harrison's book on Chromacolour is useful, not only for users of Chromacolour but for those interested in acrylics generally, and even watercolour - he is a fine watercolourist. Published by Wm Collins. Murray Ince, an old mate of mine, wrote a book on painting with water miscible oils, specifically Artisan - which we have discussed elsewhere. It was out of print, but deserves a re-print; I must ask him if it's still available. And if you can find anything by the late Norman Battershill, grab it - he wrote principally about oils, and he was a lovely painter, and a good, succinct writer who didn't mystify you with technical terminology - he knew what neophyte oil painters want to know, and unlike some he actually told them. So there we are: the basis for a painter's library, together with the suggestions already made. And we shouldn't forget Haidee-Jo Summers' recently published book on oil painting, either. It's only fair to warn you though that when you start to buy art books, an addiction tends to set in - and if you try to break it by selling a few, instant pangs of regret, sadly long-lasting, tend to set in.

By the way, Lew - you don't have to paint like the authors of books you admire, do you? But you can still learn an awful lot from them. For example, Daveyboyz paints nothing like Rowland Hilder, and might even find his work dark and his palette overly limited: but he could still learn a lot from his writing - I certainly did, and I'm miles away from Hilder's treatment of landscape (miles away from his level of talent in watercolour, too, sadly). I was wondering whose work yours resembles, and who might have inspired it - but I can't tell, because you've your own style (and maybe should write your own book). Go on - still time! And what might Syd produce, if he could distill 70 years of painting experience into a book - or Alan Owen; or Alan Bickley, less encumbered by years, but with vast experience to call on? Perhaps we should just be grateful for what we HAVE got. I'd like to list the books on painting that you should avoid, but I don't know - I think Dawn might take a dim view of that.

I can relate to this addiction, buying art supplies comes equal with buying plants for the garden! And have also bought a number of books, both how-to and those with paintings.

Yes Robert you definitely can learn something from any art book, even if you don't like the author's paintings. This thread is about 'buying' books. Before I part with my hard-earned, I DO have to admire the author's own painting...the book has to be both informative and inspiring. The two books I mentioned do that for me...they may not for other people. I use the library often (while we've still got em), and on occasion borrow a 'how to' book...even then I pick those where the examples of work shown interest me. (Doesn't everyone?)

Robert, I've just bought "Oil Paint Basics". It looks as if it will be really useful. Once I've read it I'll put a review on Amazon.

Nice choice, Syd. Even if you don't paint like him, you have the inspiration to get on and paint, and that's what its all about. David Bellamy has a great selection of 'how to' books his was one of the first I bought when I first started out with watercolours. The latest purchase is one of his - Winter Landscapes in watercolour - I think its brill.