The Bottom Line
Each recipe is explained in a two-page, illustrated step-by-step, which makes it look easy. The fine art effects are spectacular, but don't expect to produce the same in minutes just because you can read the explanation quickly. However, the time you invest will be rewarded, you just need to decide if you want a Van Gogh, a Warhol, a Seurat, a Rembrandt...
- Explains how to use Photoshop to recreate digital art in the style of famous artists
- Collage artists can learn how to recreate the feel of old-style photos and polaroid prints
- Each digital fine art effect is explained step-by-step, from start to finish
- A great way to get into digital art, and to expand your skills
- Each recipe has a short piece on the artist or the origins of the technique
- Some degree of proficiency with Photoshop required to tackle the techniques
- Each fine art effect explained in two pages only, so some step descriptions are a bit concise and
- Needed a CD with photos, though you can get them online if you know where
Description
- Softcover book (with flaps). 176 pages.
- Read Table of Contents and sample chapters with Impressionist Recipe and photo recipes.
- Published in the UK by Ilex. ISBN 1-904705-74-X. UK Title: Photoshop Fine Art Cookbook.
- Published in the USA by O'Reilly ISBN 0-596-10062-0. USA Title: Photoshop Fine Art Effects Cookbook.
- 26 'recipes' for simulating a wide range of painting and printing styles, including Van Gogh, Hokusai, and Warhol.
- 36 'recipes' for simulating a wide range of photographic techniques and print types, from daguerreotypes to Polaroids.
- Short Tricks of the Trade section introduces some essential Photoshop skills, such as working with layers and filters.
- Author John Beardsworth is a London-based photographer and writer.
- The photos are available online to try out the recipes. The URL is on the book's contents page (though it's not obvious).
Guide Review - Book Review: Photoshop Fine Art Effect Cookbook
Photoshop is synonymous with doing wonderful and weird things with digital photos, but exactly how is it done is the question many a beginner digital artist want answered (and, let's be honest, many non-beginners too). This is where John Beardsworthy's Photoshop Fine Art Cookbook steps in, providing 62 'recipes' for turning your photos into digital artwork in the styles of various fine artists and types of photo.
It's a book that will be of interest to a wide range of people, from those just starting to get into digital art, to collage artists, to digital artists wanting to expand their skills. You'll need some Photoshop knowledge (About's Graphic Design Guide has a free online course for Photoshop newbies) as the Tricks of the Trade section in the book doesn't teach you how to use the program. Rather it provides an overview of the essential digital art tools and techniques for implementing the recipes, such as working in layers, using the selection tools, applying filters, and making your own brushes.
The techniques aren't all based on a specific artist's style, some are based on a style of art e.g. Romanticism or Expressionism. The step-by-step explanation shows you exactly what menus to work with (and in places why a particular option is best), provides photos of the work-in-progress, and the initial photo and the final result. As well as teaching you how to produce the fine art effect, it also teaches you what characterizes a particular artist's work.
Collage artists are sure to enjoy the recipes for producing various styles of historic photographic print and more modern arty methods (such as Polaroid lifts). I can also see great potential for this in art journalling.
If you're an artist who enjoys a creative challenge and have a desire to expand your digital art repertoire, you'll enjoy trying the recipes in Photoshop Fine Art Cookbook.
