Best-Loved or Longest-Loved Art Book?
Thursday July 16, 2009
What's the title/author of the art book you've (1) had the longest and (2) used or enjoyed the most? Mine are:
1. Successful Watercolour Painting introduced by Rowland Hilder OBE, published 1986, bought 1990. At 224 pages it's longer than most how-to books. It contains explanations of techniques and terms, with step-by-step demos showing these in use in a painting. The paintings are by an array of watercolorists and I still look at them today for inspiration when using watercolors.
2. Bright Earth: The Invention of Colour by Philip Ball, published 2001, bought 2003. I love art, I love color, and I love history. No wonder I love this book. My copy is annotated all over the place, as well as having various sticky notes attached.
Painting newsletter subscriber Margaret Mollick says the art book she's had the longest is a 1969 edition of Kimon Nicolaides The Natural Way to Draw (Buy Direct). "I have loaned it a couple of times (I rarely loan my books because they're my friends) and both times made sure it was returned. It is such a good 'back to basics' primer and so easy to read.
"The one book I've probably used the most is Helen Van Wyk's Your Painting Questions Answered from A to Z (Buy Direct). She was a favorite inspiration for me as I got into painting on a regular schedule and I still admire her style. My book is dog eared and notated by me extensively.
So, what art book have you had the longest and/or do you love the best? Post a comment below to let us know.
See Also:
• New Additions to My Art Library
• My Favorite 10 Art Books of 2008
• Recommended Painting Books
1. Successful Watercolour Painting introduced by Rowland Hilder OBE, published 1986, bought 1990. At 224 pages it's longer than most how-to books. It contains explanations of techniques and terms, with step-by-step demos showing these in use in a painting. The paintings are by an array of watercolorists and I still look at them today for inspiration when using watercolors.
2. Bright Earth: The Invention of Colour by Philip Ball, published 2001, bought 2003. I love art, I love color, and I love history. No wonder I love this book. My copy is annotated all over the place, as well as having various sticky notes attached.
Painting newsletter subscriber Margaret Mollick says the art book she's had the longest is a 1969 edition of Kimon Nicolaides The Natural Way to Draw (Buy Direct). "I have loaned it a couple of times (I rarely loan my books because they're my friends) and both times made sure it was returned. It is such a good 'back to basics' primer and so easy to read.
"The one book I've probably used the most is Helen Van Wyk's Your Painting Questions Answered from A to Z (Buy Direct). She was a favorite inspiration for me as I got into painting on a regular schedule and I still admire her style. My book is dog eared and notated by me extensively.
So, what art book have you had the longest and/or do you love the best? Post a comment below to let us know.
See Also:
• New Additions to My Art Library
• My Favorite 10 Art Books of 2008
• Recommended Painting Books
Mine are Letters of the Great Artists 1425-1951, Thames & Hudson. Letters from all the big names – it’s a goldmine of thought about art, closely followed by Chipp’s Theories of Modern Art (California press). Packed full of original documents about modern art – letters, manifestos (manifesti?) – I’ve owned this book since first year Art History and often turn to it for a quote or insight from one of my heroes. I thought I’d lost it in our recent move, and bought a new copy at a secondhand store. But then it showed up, so now I have two. I should donate one to an impoverished art student.
I spotted a copy of Chipp’s Theories of Modern Art in an Oxfam bookshop long after you’d reviewed it. I remember having an “aha, that’s the book Helen said was so great” moment and whipping it off the shelf.
Letters of the Great Artists 1425-1951 sounds fabulous … definitely going to be added to my wishlist!
I read an art book once, it was green.
Jack — ROTFL. A “Porridge” fan, I’m guessing?!
Richard Schmid…Alle Prima
Mike — I’ve got a copy of that and think it’s fabulous! Both for the info and the beautiful paintings.