Art

"The art of portraiture approached its apex during the sixteenth century in Europe with the discovery of oil painting when the old masters developed and refined techniques that remain unsurpassed to this day. The ascendance of nonrepresentational art in the middle of the twentieth century displaced these venerable skills, especially in academic art circles. Fortunately for aspiring artists today who wish to learn the methods that allowed the Old Masters to achieve the luminous color and subtle tonalities so characteristic of their work, this knowledge has been preserved in hundreds of small traditional painting ateliers that persevered in the old ways in this country and throughout the world. Coming out of this dedicated movement, Portrait Painting Atelier is an essential resource for an art community still recovering from a time when solid instruction in art technique was unavailable in our schools.

"Of particular value here is a demonstration of the Old Masters' technique of layering paint over a toned-ground surface, a process that builds from the transparent dark areas to the more densely painted lights. This method unifies the entire painting, creating a beautiful glow that illuminates skin tones and softly blends all the color tones. Readers will also find valuable instruction in paint mediums from classic oil-based to alkyd-based, the interactive principles of composition and photograph-based composition and photograph-based composition, and the anatomy of the human face and the key relationships among its features."

"A comprehensive guide to oil painting practice and technique, this reference offers an informative A-to-Z section of valuable skills such as how to build up a painting and how to make brushwork describe forms and textures--as well as a wealth of stimulating ideas for the canvas, including combining oil paints with other media, mixing paint with sand and sawdust, and applying it with such tools as knives, rags, or even the fingers. The second half of the book shows all the techniques in context. Illustrated with a gallery of paintings by well-known artists and full of detailed, step-by-step demonstrations, the guide shows how each artist applies knowledge of oil painting techniques to the interpretation of a subject, whether landscape, portrait, or still life."

"Oil painting doesn't have to be difficult! This is a no-fear, no-experience-required guide to enjoyable painting and happy results, from first strokes to finished paintings. The DVD workshop features the author creating two paintings from start to finish."

In complete step-by-step demonstrations painted in oils on canvas, popular painter Dorothy Dent shows you how to create romantic country scenes in all seasons. From pastoral farmlands to breathtaking mountain vistas, woodland streams to historic old mills and coastal lighthouses, clear photos show how to achieve consistent highlights, shadows, light and dark contrast and textures for realism in landscape painting.

"Painting instructor Staiger (Vero Beach Museum of Art, Florida) has been teaching a course in the fundamentals of oil painting for a number of years. This volume was developed from that course. Each of seven lessons features hands-on exercises and step-by-step demonstrations. Sample topics include capturing the illusion of three dimensions, mixing colors, and creating a landscape painting. Illustrated throughout with full color examples."

"If you're interested in painting with water-soluble oils, but don't know where to start, this is the perfect book for you! With this innovative medium you can achieve the rich look of traditional oils without the hassle of working with messy, toxic solvents and pungent paints."