Art

The Oil Painting Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist

By Bill Creevy

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Presents detailed discussion of materials and tools; basic oil techniques; glazing and scumbling; and alkyds, oil sticks, and water- miscible oils. Abundantly illustrated with the author's works, many shown both in-progress and completed.

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The Joy of Art: A Creative Guide for Beginning Painters

By Serge Clément and Marina Kamena

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"The inventive, colorful, intricately detailed pages of this hand-painted, hand-lettered book exude the playful experimentation and imaginative spirit that are integral to creating art. Part art instruction and part art history lesson, The Joy of Art introduces the world of pigments, lines, landscapes, portraits, perspective, and much more. On each double-page spread, the authors' own original art is juxtaposed with reproductions of paintings by Rembrandt, Bosch, Michelangelo, Degas, Seurat, and Warhol, among others. Written to encourage people of all ages to pursue their creative impulses, this artists' book about how to make art -- the only book of its kind -- reveals the sheer joy of art on every enticing page."

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The Complete Oil Painting Course

By Jean Wetherburn

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This course has been designed to encourage amateur artists, who might otherwise regard oil painting as only for professionals, to discover the pleasure of oil painting.

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The Complete Painting Course

By Wendon Blake

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"This volume was compiled from ... 'The Acrylic painting book' (1978), 'The Oil painting book' (1979), 'The Watercolor painting book' (1978), and 'The Portrait and figure painting book' (1980)."

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How to Paint Successful Seascapes: Techniques in Oil

By Roger W. Curtis

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Extend your love of the waterside by capturing it on canvas.

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How to Discover Your Personal Painting Style

By David P. Richards

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Richly illustrated with work from 31 acclaimed artists in various mediums, this guide shows artists how to use their unique way of seeing to create expressive paintings.

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Color Mixing the Van Wyk Way

By Helen Van Wyk

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In this practical guide to color from one of America's best known artists, color mixing is explained clearly. Oil and acrylic painters will learn how to put color theory into action. This book is a tremendous help to the artist struggling with color composition.

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Steampunk'd Books

Altered book - Doors

Wires were being bent, watches broken, and the scent of hot glue was in the air. The chatter of teens and a few adult artists filled the air as copiously as the junk that littered the table. The sounds and sights of books being “remade” were a little bit unnerving even to the librarians that planned the program, but there was no doubt about it – Steampunk’d Books at the Salem Church Library was a hit.

Paris in the Spring with Picasso by Joan Yolleck

Paris in the Spring with Picasso

Imagine receiving an invitation to a soiree at the home of Gertrude Stein--number 27 Rue de Fleurus in Paris.  If you read Paris in the Spring with Picasso, by Joan Yolleck, you will feel as if you have.  This is an imaginary tale written by the author after a trip to the library where she passed the time reading about Stein.  She created a story about famous artists and authors as they prepare for an evening's festivities.  The young reader is introduced to such characters as Pablo Picasso and Alice B. Toklas.

Art Books for Young Readers

Look! Look! Look!

 My week has been filled with art! Last weekend, my husband and I enjoyed the Picasso exhibit at the Richmond Museum of Fine Arts. This week, I have been working with colleagues on the 16th Annual Teen Art Show. Both are awe-inspiring and worth a trip! There is a charge for the Picasso, in Richmond through May 15th, but the teen art is absolutely free and runs through March 30 at the Headquarters Library. If you attend either event, or know a child who’s interested in art, there are books to enrich their experience. 

 Three mice find a postcard that was delivered in the people’s part of the house. “Look! Look! Look!” they cry, in this book of the same name. On one side is a beautiful painting of a woman. “They looked from top to bottom, side to side, bottom to top.” One mouse, cuts viewing frames out of pieces of paper. Using their frames they discover the painting in new ways. They notice the patterns on her dress and the way her hand looks so real. They see each individual color and notice which ones are missing. Inspired, they draw the lady using only lines, but soon they recreate her using shapes and before long, are making completely new art. This book, written and illustrated by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace with Linda K. Friedlaender, is a wonderful introduction to not just looking at art, but truly seeing it.