ISBN: 1-929834-39-X

Summary:

Welcome to the latest title in our innovative 6-Volume series. Each volume contains 100 different interpretations of the subject by some outstanding artists working in the world today - in all mediums.

There are five more Volumes in the series, each tackling a popular subject. Titles you can collect are:

100 Ways to paint Still Life & Florals
100 Ways to paint Landscapes
100 Ways to paint Flowers & Gardens
100 ways to paint Seascapes, Rivers & Lakes
100 ways to paint Favorite Subjects

Turn to page 128 for more details on how you can order each volume.

Studying the work of other artists is one of the best ways to learn, but in this series of Volumes the artists give much more information about a favorite painting. Here’s what you can expect from each of the Volumes in the series.

- 100 different artists give 100 different interpretations of the subject category.
- Each one gives tips, instruction and insight.
- The range of paintings shows the variety of effects possible in every medium.
- A list of colors, supports used, brushes and other tools accompanies each picture.
- The artists reveal what they wanted to say when they painted the picture - the meaning behind the painting and its message.
- Each artist explains their inspiration, motivation and the working methodology for their painting.
- Artists say what they think is so special about their painting, telling how and why they arrived at the design, color and techniques in their composition.
- The artists describe the main challenges in painting their picture, and how they solved problems along the way.
- They offer suggestions and exercises that you can try yourself.
- They give their best advice on painting each subject based on their experience.
- Others explain why they work with their chosen medium and why they choose the supports and tools they do.
- The main learning point of each painting is identified in the headline.

Each of the explanations shown in 100 Ways to Paint People & Figures was generously provided by artists who want you to share their joy of painting. Take the time to read each description fully, because you never know which piece of advice will be the turning point in your own career.

Contents:

For some of us, this need to know “how” simply must be addressed. Of course, whenever we see a painting that takes our fancy we make our own (sometimes wrong) assumptions about it. We recognize certain techniques, and often we make wild guesses about the artist’s master plan. Occasionally, we can identify the tonal and color strategy - we can sometimes work out the big picture. But wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly what the artist had in mind when they painted an exceptional work. Sometimes, all it takes is just one little titbit of information, something you are not doing now but could adopt, that will turn your art around and steer you in a more productive and personally rewarding direction. That is why this book is so valuable - it gives you the opportunity to find out what works!

pretend you are a sponge

In this book you will see various means of expression thrown open to you. And “open” is the operative word. Possibly the most important piece of advice we can offer you is to retain an open mind when you study the paintings in this book and read carefully what the artists have to say. Do not bring your own experience, habits, idiosyncrasies, color preferences or even preferred medium into the exercise. This is where you make like a sponge, and just soak up all the valuable information presented to you by these 100 generous artists. Whenever you read something and hear yourself saying, “Yes, but I would. . .” give yourself a metaphorical slap on the wrist, and continue reading what the artist has to say. Absorb the information, let it sit in your consciousness, because the next time you paint a still life and encounter a problem your marvelous creative mind, that files away countless bytes of inspirational data, could access a relevant solution from something spied in this book, and your painting will flow again.

work at it

Perhaps C. W. Mundy, one of America’s finest artists, said it best when he said, “There is a huge difference between being a painter and being an artist. Stage one is painter. Stage two is the artist. A painter paints with five per cent soul and ninety-five per cent mind, while an artist paints with ninety-five per cent soul and five per cent mind.”

Unfortunately, there is no short-cut to experience. In order to reach the level of “artist” you must be prepared to paint as often as you can. Like any other muscle, your “art muscle” works best if you give it a workout. Practice until you become comfortable with brushes, paints and color mixing. Know which colors are opaque and which ones are translucent. Understand about glazes. Find out how mediums can help you with your oil painting and how pigment strength can help you with your watercolor. Practice your brushwork and experiment to find out the idiosyncrasies of the various weights of paper. Be prepared to experiment.

This is a wonderful journey you are undertaking. It is full of surprises and rewards. Treat each painting as a learning experience and try not to be disappointed if you sometimes mess it up - it is simply part of the pathway to becoming an artist.

what are these artists telling you?

When you appreciate the paintings and then read the accompanying text you’ll keep encountering words like: design, tone, shape, shadows, lights, balance, repetition, contrast, movement, focal point, eye level, color strategy, complementary color, color temperature, and so on.

These words tell you that there is a system in art. There are tools you can use to help you put across your message Ñ as the artists in this book so ably demonstrate. It is vital to know the design principles, to understand the importance of tone (the degree of lightness and darkness) how color works to suggest depth and distance and how shape can unify a painting. These tools are essential to the success of your work. Knowing and using these tools will lift your work from looking amateurish to looking professional.

You will be able to see the results of this knowledge in the paintings featured in this book, and it will give you some grounding in these important tools. However, we suggest you make it your business to learn more about the essential building blocks of art. Ask your bookseller to show you more International Artist titles that cover these subjects.

For your information, at the back of the book is also a list of explanations of some art terms and jargon you should know.

claim your rightful place in the world of art

One of the wonderful things to realize is that you can make your own individual contribution to the world of art. There’s plenty of room for the art that you bring to the table. All the great paintings haven’t been done already, just as all the great books haven’t been written and all the great music hasn’t been composed yet. What an inspiring thought that is. You may only be a short way into your artistic journey, but just think what can happen if you persevere. All you have to do to “get it” is to “work at it”. We believe that the explanations in this book will play their part in your overall progress.

Specifications:

Book Reference No.:B246
Book Cover: Soft Cover
Book Specs: 8 1/2" x 11"
No. of Pages: 128

About the Author

Susan Abbott Anne Abgott Kathryn Aiken Jorge alberto Elizabeth Allen Kathy Anderson Mary Aries Juliette Aristides Robert Armetta Joe Anna Arnett John Atkinson Eric Bader Barbara Benedetti Newton Brian Blood Marci Boone Ginger Bowen Gwynneth Boyce Mary Alice Braukman Daniel Brient Bonnita Budysz Pat Camillo Frank Canning W D Carnning Jcob Chang Ismael Checo Xue Wen Chen Chen Chong’En Christine Chown TK Daniel Chuang Marjorie Collins Rainie Crawford Anita Daab Randolf Dimalanta Henry W Dixon Raenell Doyle Joseph John Dudding Kathy Dunham Cathy Edgar Annie L Ferder Cathy Fink Beth Flor Douglas Flynt George A Gonzalez Gerald Hannibal Julia Hargreaves Grace Haverty Carolyn Hayes Richard William Haynes Susan Flemming Hotard Shirley Howells Nancy Howie William Jaeger Bill James Marvin Johnson Hilde Jones Laurie Kersey Roger Lewis Catherine Lidden Isabel M Lorca Godoy Yvonne Lucas Martin Lutz Barbara Maiser Tricia May Isabel McCauley Laurin McCracken Angus McEwan Judith McNea Hedi Moran Andrew Morris Renato Muccillo Wilda Northorp Anita J Nugent Elaine O’Donnell Laura Ospanik Monika Pate Virginia Peake Marietta Petrini Frank Radcliffe Kelly Reaves Hope Reis Roberta Remy Katerina Ring Mary Rodgers Patricia A Rohrbacher William A Schneider Donald Sinclair Paul Smith Pornparn Sridhanabutr Allayn Stevens Terence Storey Michele Suchland Wei Tai Vivian Thierfelder Dorothy Tiburn Wu Ting-Hsuan Tim Tyler Mary Ulm Mayhew Charles van der Merwe Sam Vokey William C Wright