Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

de Kooning: An American Master

by Mark Stevens, Annalyn Swan

Willem de Kooning is one of the most important artists of the twentieth century, a true “painter’s painter” whose protean work continues to inspire many artists. In the thirties and forties, along with Arshile Gorky and Jackson Pollock, he became a key figure in the revolutionary American movement of abstract expressionism. Of all the painters in that group, he worked the longest and was the most prolific,... (more)

Painting Light and Shadow in Watercolor

by William B. Lawrence

It takes more than copying what you see to create powerful, eye-catching paintings. This illustrated guide reveals the secrets to creating artwork, starting with simplifying the subject into a few large shapes of light and dark before concentrating on details.

Hans Hofmann (Modern Master Series, Vol. 10)

Hans Hofmann (Modern Master Series, Vol. 10)

by Cynthia Goodman

Goodman's book, with essays by Clement Greenberg and Irving Sandler and the artist's own statements, provides an excellent introduction to the life and work of the man frequently called the dean of the New York School of Abstract Expressionism. However, most of the information is available elsewhere. Greenberg's essay is a reprint (see his Hans Hofmann , Editions George Fall, 1961). The views of both Sandler and... (more)

Webb on WatercolorFrank Webb

Webb on Watercolor

by Frank Webb

Going beyond the usual array of technical exercises and exploring the philosophy of art, Webb offers an unusually sophisticated and idiosyncratic approach to watercolor. The book wisely seeks to inspire artistic self-discovery rather than merely to teach Webb's particular style. Since, in his words, "painting is more caught than taught," he stresses the importance of how one sees before the painting process... (more)

Water Media: Processes and PossibilitiesStephen Quiller, Barbara Whipple

Water Media: Processes and Possibilities

by Stephen Quiller

Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines: A Positive Approach to Negative Painting

Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines: A Positive Approach to Negative Painting

by Linda Kemp

This is the only title on the market that gives readers a comprehensive look at negative painting. Linda Kemp shows beginning and advanced artists how to harness the power of these often overlooked areas around a painting's focal point. The book is brimming with easy-to-follow, interactive elements, including: *Step-by-step techniques, exercises and projects *Do-it-yourself tests and worksheets ... (more)

Blue and Yellow Don't Make Green

by Michael Wilcox

Artists, designers, printers, and crafters alike would agree that the selection and use of color is of great importance to their work. And yet, a great deal of misunderstanding surrounds color mixing. Michael Wilcox offers a total reassessment for the principles underlying color and color usage. This revised edition of the original Blue & Yellow Don't Make Green--the first major breakaway from the traditional... (more)

The Joseph Cornell Box: Found Objects, Magical Worlds

The Joseph Cornell Box: Found Objects, Magical Worlds

by Joseph Cornell, Joan Sommers

Working with found objects, pages from old books, and dime-store trinkets, self-taught artist Joseph Cornell (1903–1972) transformed everyday materials into extraordinary universes. By collecting and carefully juxtaposing his treasures in small, glass-front boxes, this pioneering artist invented visual poems exploring themes as varied as the night sky, the romantic ballet, glamorous movie stars, and bird... (more)

Color Choices: Making Color Sense Out of Color Theory

Color Choices: Making Color Sense Out of Color Theory

by Stephen Quiller

Internationally renowned artist and best-selling author Stephen Quiller shows readers how to discover their own personal "color sense" in Color Choices, a book that offers readers a fresh perspective on refining their own color styles. With the help of his own "Quiller Wheel," a special foldout wheel featuring 68 precisely placed colors, the author shows artists how they can develop their own unique color... (more)

Zoltan Szabo's Color-by-Color Guide to Watercolor

Zoltan Szabo's Color-by-Color Guide to Watercolor

by Zoltan Szabo

This easy-to-use reference guide is a must-have for artists of all skill levels. In it, they'll learn the keys to choosing the right color every time and solving a wide variety of color-mixing dilemmas. The special qualities and uses of most standard colors are also discussed individually. Analogous, complementary and triadic sample palettes are provided, each with two step-by-step demonstrations. A color... (more)

Master Class in Watermedia: Techniques in Traditional and Experimental Painting

Master Class in Watermedia: Techniques in Traditional and Experimental Painting

by Edward H. Betts

Using the author's luminous work as an inspiring point of departure, participants in this master class learn to work with a broad range of watermedia, pushing beyond realism to build images that have urgency and power. Readers are encouraged to take risks that will help them abandon usual methods and embrace fresh ways of painting with watercolor, gouache, casein, acrylic, and mixed media, using collage,... (more)

Painting from the Inside Out: 19 Projects and Exercises to Free Your Creative Spirit

Painting from the Inside Out: 19 Projects and Exercises to Free Your Creative Spirit

by Betsy Dillard Stroud

Artists can sometimes feel as though they're in a creative rut. With Painting From the Inside Out, readers will use fun and inspiring exercises to break out of that rut and create exciting, innovative new paintings every time they pick up a brush! Each chapter highlights demonstrations and inspirations that will enable readers to push past boundaries and explore new ideas, including exercises for loosening... (more)

Flying Colors: Library Edition

by Tim Lefens

A READER'S DIGEST BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF 2002 Ten years ago, Tim Lefens was introduced to a group of severely challenged students living at the Matheny School in New Jersey. None of them could walk, only one of them could talk, and all lacked the use of their hands. As a painter facing the gradual loss of his own eyesight, Lefens had come to fully appreciate the power of art, and he was determined to enable... (more)

Secrets in a Box (Adventures in Art)

by Joseph Cornell, Alison Baverstock

Published to coincide with the centenary of Joseph Cornell’s birth, this child’s-eye view of one of America’s best-loved artists includes guidelines for making your own Cornell box. Children relate to the art of Joseph Cornell. Look in their pockets and under their pillows and you’ll see the same kinds of treasures Cornell transformed into brilliant assemblages. This delightful, interactive exploration... (more)

The Art of Richard Diebenkorn (Ahmanson-Murphy Fine Arts Book)

The Art of Richard Diebenkorn (Ahmanson-Murphy Fine Arts Book)

by Jane Livingston, John Elderfield, Ruth Fine

Recognized as a major figure in postwar American painting, Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993) was an artist strongly identified with California. Published to coincide with the first retrospective of Diebenkorn's work since his death, this catalog is the most comprehensive volume on the artist now available. 192 color illustrations.

How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself: Experimental Techniques for Achieving Realistic Effects

How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself: Experimental Techniques for Achieving Realistic Effects

by Nita Engle

A guide to the use of watercolours, this book demonstrates the many experimental techniques which will produce a realistic effect. Using exercises and step-by-step projects, it shows how to combine spontaneity and control to produce lively, luminescent paintings.

Watercolor: Simple, Fast and Focused

by Mel Stabin

"Let Mel Stabin teach and inspire you to follow his "Big Three" watercolor concepts and go beyond technical proficiency in your painting: simplicity is a powerful force; the worth of your painting does not depend on how long it took to paint it; and clarity of thought and emotion are essential in art."--BOOK JACKET.

Hilary Page's Guide to Watercolor Paints

Hilary Page's Guide to Watercolor Paints

by Hilary Page

The definitive, buyers guide to watercolor paints, Hilary Page's Guide to Watercolor Paints, will SAVE YOU MONEY because you will avoid buying duplicate paints. The Guide will enable you to buy the best paints possible for your individual needs and budget. The Guide rates each paint according to the "Ten Desirable Paint Qualities" including lightfastness with visual samples of nearly 1, 500 paints from the... (more)

The World of Marcel Duchamp 1887 -

Exploring Color

by Nita Leland

This text illustrates the principles of using colour with numerous paintings and exercises designed to demonstrate how to use colour to plan stronger designs, develop better compositions, and convey moods and emotions.

Shelfari Book Activity

Tags: best art books

by Mark Stevens, Annalyn Swan

by William B. Lawrence

by Cynthia Goodman

by Frank Webb

by Stephen Quiller

by Linda Kemp

by Michael Wilcox

by Joseph Cornell, Joan Sommers

by Stephen Quiller

by Zoltan Szabo

by Edward H. Betts

by Betsy Dillard Stroud

by Tim Lefens

by Joseph Cornell, Alison Baverstock

by Jane Livingston, John Elderfield, Ruth Fine

by Nita Engle

by Mel Stabin

by Hilary Page

by Nita Leland