These are a Few of my Favorite Things
Have you ever made a list or thought about your favorite things? If so
then I’m sure that somewhere on that list you will find a favorite book. Well
I have some books that are very special to me as well. Actually I have more
than just a few, I have many books about art that I read and refer to quite
often. However for now I’d like to share just three books that have been
very helpful to me and perhaps they may be of benefit to you too. They are
my favorite because I often go to their pages for help before and during the
painting process. Perhaps if you paint, or just like to read, they may be of
interest to you too.
The very first book that I purchased when I began painting was titled,
features painting animals using pastel. Beautifully illustrated paintings by
Ms. Harrison are inside its 125 pages. What I really like about this book is
that she teaches you her technique for achieving success with pastels.
Step by step instructions are given to help you learn about pastels and how
to correctly use them in painting. The viewer goes from, “How can I
possibly paint like Mrs. Harrison?” to thinking, “Ok, maybe I can really paint
with pastels!” Whether you are a beginner or more advanced in painting,
this book is definitely one to add to your library.Another favorite of mine is a book called,
with ideas on ways to achieve freedom in your watercolor paintings.
Blending control with spontaneity fill its 143 pages. Engle stresses
throughout the book to paint what motivates you. You must find your
deepest passion and go with it. Paint what you feel in your heart, not what
you think others are wanting you to paint. The driving force behind
successful painting is your desire. Techniques of painting with watercolor
are splashed onto every page. Each method, whether it be splattering,
pouring, painting with a knife, or using a brush, is more beautiful than the
one before. The finished paintings shown within the pages of this book are
sparkling with elegant beauty that can be achieved, and she shows you
how to accomplish this task. Within the pages of her book you will find a
complete chapter on strategies, problems, and solutions. This is an
example of one ways she helps you with a problem. Have you ever
looked at a painting and thought that everything seemed right, but
something about the painting was boring? Engle explains exactly what to
do to solve this problem. She suggests that the solution to this problem
could be that the light is missing. She says that “light” in a painting
becomes “Life”. A handy flashlight might just be the key to finding where
your art needs “life”. This is truly a book full of so many possibilities and
ways to achieve some remarkable art!
Color Mixing Recipes by William F. Powell is the last title that I’d like
share with you for now. Usually several times during each painting, I refer
to this informative book. After painting with pastels I especially found this
book to be very helpful. With pastels, there is no mixing of paint. The
colors are there for you in pencils or sticks and you can easily select the
color needed. It is true that layering color in pastel is the most successful
way to achieve the final look, but the initial color is already there in stick
form. However when painting with a brush, colors straight from a tube are
rarely used because they can be garish, or perhaps too light or too dark.
Some type of mixing is usually always necessary. Many times, especially
the color green, can ruin your painting if not properly mixed with another
color. So mixing is definitely required. Colors that are mixed incorrectly can
end up as the color of mud, which is not what anyone wants in a painting.
So this book teaches you how to mix warm and cool colors, tints, tones,
and shades. It teaches color values, color harmony, and ways to keep all of
your mixing lively and fresh. It is a rather small book having only 37 pages,
but one that is full of great information.
Although these three books are just the beginning of my long list of
favorites, they are at the top. If you are considering painting or perhaps
you already paint, I hope you will take a closer look at what these authors
have to offer. Believe it or not, each new painting presents itself with its
own set of issues and problems. So it’s wonderful to have a resource
handy with helpful suggestions and answers in finding a solution.
