Product Description
Covering Western art from the ancient Greeks to the present day, this best-selling and authoritative dictionary is more wide-ranging than any comparable reference work. It contains over 2,500 clear and concise entries on styles and movements, materials and techniques, and museums and galleries. It also includes biographical entries for artists, critics, collectors, dealers, and patrons, with places and full dates of birth and death (in many instances correcting misinformation that has found its way into other sources). For this new edition, entries have been thoroughly revised and updated, and more than fifty new entries have been added. Browsers and readers with an interest in a particular area will benefit from the classified list of all the entries in the book. Written in an engaging manner with many entries enlivened by quotations from artists and critics, this dictionary is a pleasure to browse, while its A-Z structure and classified list makes it perfect for quick reference. Previously entitled The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists, this major new edition is essential for anyone with an interest in art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

ok for looking up art and artists, but Google is better
This is a no-frills dictionary of art and artists. There are no images. I get much more information by using Google, and usually the Google search is faster. Also, Google allows me to find historical context for the art and artists. ... Read more

Product Description
With more than 1,700entries, The Concise Dictionary of Art Terms is an accessible and comprehensive A-Z guide covering a wide range of terms from the visual art world, including periods, styles, materials, well-known schools, techniques, and much more. In this new edition, the text has been fully revised and updated to reflect the latest developments in the field, and has been expanded with more than 100 new entries, focusing primarily on modern and contemporary art materials and techniques. The Dictionary has been further enhanced with the addition of over 100 web links to selected entries, which are accessed and kept up to date via a companion website. These linksadd another dimension to the print book by allowing the reader to see illustrations of various materials and techniques, while providing easy access to important collections that are freely available online. From "abstract art" to "woodcuts," and "The Baroque Revival" to "ziggurats," this highly browsable dictionary is the ideal reference for students of art and all related subjects, for gallery visitors, and anyone else interested in the visual arts. ... Read more

Product Description
Ideal for readers who are studying Roman art for the first time, this exceptionally well-illustrated volume explores Roman art in the traditional historical manner—with a focus on painting, sculpture, architecture, and minor arts. It assumes no prior acquaintance with the classical world, and explains the necessary linguistic, historical, religious, social, and political background needed to fully understand Roman art. The authors present the history of Roman Art from the following time periods: Etruscan Forerunners 100-200 BC.; The Roman Republic 509-27 BC.; Augustus and the Imperial Idea 27 BC-AD 14; The Julio-Claudians AD 14-68; The Flavians: Savior to Despot AD 69-98; Trajan; Optimus Princeps AD 98-117; Hadrian and the Classical Revival AD 117-138; The Antonines AD 138-193; The Severans AD 193-235; The Soldier Emperors AD 235-284; The Tetrarchs AD 284-312; Constantine AD 307-337 and the Aftermath. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

fast delivery
Thank you for sending the book so quickly. It arrived before the expected delivery date. In addition, I am pleased with the condition of the book. I definitely recommend buying from [...]. -Lisa :)

I learned to love art history from Nancy Ramage...
I was lucky enough to take two classes from Nancy Ramage and developed a love of art history because of her passion for the subject and engaging discussions in the classroom. I was so excited to see that she and her husband have published a text for Roman Art. One of the best professors I've ever had.

Sets the standard
The Ramage's text is considered the standard in its field, and I purchased it on recommendation of my son, who teaches Art History.In my case I wanted to learn about Etruscan and Roman art in preparation for a planned trip to Italy.The book is well-written and has very clear illustrations, and I anticipate extra enjoyment of my vacation next Spring from having learned about this important cultural history.

Great Price. Great Book!
I'm taking a Roman Art Course and it's an excellent text to start, great images and easy to understand information. I thought it was not going to be in the perfect conditions it came. I feel very satisfied :D

Great Study Guide
I wanted to refresh on a Roman Art History course I took in college, because I'll be going to Italy soon and wanted to remember all the great things I learned in that class.I found this book and it is identical to the book I study years ago.I'm extremely excited I've found this book.And it has brought back all those things I have forgotten about the history of Art is Roman. ... Read more

Product Description
This significantly updated and beautifully produced second edition survey of over a thousand years of Western art and architecture introduces the reader to a period of extraordinary historical and geographical extent ranging from ancient Rome to the age of exploration. The monumental arts and the diverse minor arts of the Middle Ages are presented here within the social, religious, and political frameworks of lands as varied as France and Denmark, Spain and Germany. Medieval Art spans the period from the second to the fifteenth centuries with over 400 illustrations, over 90 in color, four maps, a chronological table, glossary, bibliography, and index.

This significantly updated and beautifully produced second edition survey of over a thousand years of Western art and architecture introduces the reader to a period of extraordinary historical and geographical extent ranging from ancient Rome to the age of exploration. The monumental arts and the diverse minor arts of the Middle Ages are presented here within the social, religious, and political frameworks of lands as varied as France and Denmark, Spain and Germany. This second edition of Medieval Art focuses on all of the major works and monuments, describing each clearly and in detail with descriptions that are also sensitive and articulate, giving the reader a full sense of their beauty. Marilyn Stokstad also teaches her reader how to look at medieval art-which aspects of architecture, sculpture, or painting are important and for what reasons. Stylistic and iconographic issues and themes are thoroughly addressed with attention paid to aesthetic and social contexts. Medieval Art spans the period from the second to the fifteenth centuries with over 400 illustrations, over 90 in color, four maps, a chronological table, glossary, bibliography, and index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

speedy!
good price, great condition sent it out straight away and recieved it 2days before the estimated delivery!

Nice medieval art book
This was an easy read which is not so common in art history textbooks. The pictures were easy to scan and research. I liked that the history was given to the reader in a way so that you don't have to re-read and ponder over every paragraph thinking "WHAT?!"... I'm keeping it as my future reference for any medieval art I come across.

Very comprehensive, not the best.
As an art historian in medieval art I would suggest this book if you are looking for a work that is more detailed than the all-encompassing art historical books on Western Art. However, its content is quite dense, almost cramped, in its attempt to cover so many art objects in such a brief manner. Consequently, the writing can be quite dry and hard to follow. If one is searching for a work that has a more leisurely pace but is just as informative, I would suggest the work by James Snyder of the same title. Its more lengthy, but far more detailed and focused on particular objects--a good basic text for the novice or professional.

the full medival textbook
As an art student, I have found Stockstsd's book a great help and a source of pleasure. The book containes wide and relevant infomation about the art of the Middle Ages - from it's early days to the high Gothics. Thediferrent chapters offer the reader a relevant and comfortable division tochapters and issues. Wide historical backround,suggested by Stockstad inevery chapter, is interesting and important for understanding the caltural,religios and political surroundiung of the special art of these days. Manycolor picture make the book an easser and more pleassurable to read andremember even for a non english reader and the whole experience of the bookcan be summarised into "great". ... Read more

Product Description
Public Art by the Book is a nuts and bolts guide for arts professionals and volunteers creating public art in their communities. Should a public art program depend on public funding, public-private partnerships, or both? What are the roles that citizens can play in their community's public art program? Can artists themselves ever initiate public artworks? With a wealth of wisdom on practical issues, this book offers information on a variety of topics such as public art planning, funding, and governance; establishing legal agreements with artists; and commissioning single artworks or creating comprehensive art programs.

Since the earliest monuments and memorials were installed in the United States, definitions of public art have continued to evolve. Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency saw the creation of the Works Progress Administration and the beginning of comprehensive federally sponsored art programs, and 1950s Philadelphia became the first city to pass percent-for-art legislation. As artists have turned their attention toward creating in the public realm rather than simply placing their art in public spaces, public art has assumed a much broader role in community life than ever before. Since the 1990s, the public art resources available to artists and their communities have greatly expanded.Today there are more than three hundred government-funded public art programs in the United States, in addition to scores of public-private partnerships and private agencies creating art in public spaces.

Public Art by the Book is the definitive resource for information on public art for local government, arts agencies, arts professionals, and artists themselves. Examples included are cited from cities such as Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Public Art, Our Specialty
This Public Art book is highly recommended for artists whom work in this medium.We've searched a great deal to date, and found this text to be the most informative on the current market.

Readers will learn about public art planning, funding, and governance; ins and outs of establishing legal agreements; commissioning single artworks or creating comprehensive art programs; and so much more. ... Read more

Product Description
The best and easiest-to-understand book on how to buy, sell, evaluate, appraise, and collect art. Soft cover; 284 pages.By Alan S. Bamberger, noted art expert, author, and syndicated columnist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good overview about buying art, but too much generic
Good book for an overview about buying art. Actually the book is quite generic, so if you change the title it could be reprinted as 'The Art of Buying Cars' ... I would rather appreciate some specific example with known artists, real and known pieces of art and real prices. The examples are very generic, no names, no references so they seems to be almost invented to sustain the books theories. One more remark is about the excessive emphasis on art gallery dealers. The book is mostly written around them and at the very end you have the impression that buying art is almost impossible without good dealers, that probably is true but at the same time you ask yourself why you bought such book if a good dealer can be considered as an authority and an indisputable subject matter expert about art ... a synthesis of this book sounds like this: 'Buy the art you like from a reputable art gallery, try to bargain for a good price without upsetting the dealer and ask for the receipt ... '

excellent book for art collectors (or those who want to become collectors).
This book is not only packed with information, but also is easy to read, in case if some budding collectors are not familiar with the complicated ways of the art world.And seasoned collectors can learn new information also, for this book. As here is no description, nor the possibility to search what is inside the book, let me tell you more exactly what this book is about, what is The Art of Buying Art.

The book is divided in four parts, plus eleven appendixes listing valuable reference materials.The four parts are: Define ,Select, Research and Buy.

The first parts are more directed toward a novice collector. Define part is about the goals in buying art, how to define what you like-which is very important if someone want to create a real collection, instead of random bought series of art- and how to enter the art world by discovering it, and original art vs. reproduction. Dealing with your budget, and why art collecting is not only for the rich ones is covered also. I don't list the chapter sequentially, but you get the idea).

The Select part is how to deal with the opinions in the art world, and how to take, analyze and and understand the info you get from the art world people. Comparison shopping for art, dealing with dealers,(how to interact, etc. and how to spot good dealers, whom you can't trust,how to behave inside a gallery,how to buy directly from artist, how to be a good costumer,and why it pays to be a good costumer.How to buy on internet and how not to buy art.

The Research part is about how the provenance, physical characteristics, condition of art, and importance of an artist influences the value of art. One chapter how to locate and evaluate the information about the artist, another also how to evaluate physical characteristics of art, provenance chapter deals also, in addition to provenance issues, how to create and maintain the files of the collection. Damage chapter: how to spot damage, or damage susceptible art, and how it can affect value.In addition there is a chapter about forgeries,scams and misrepresentations.
This is about the criminals operating in the art world, and how to avoid rip offs.

Buy part is about the economics of art, there is chapter about facts regarding art and money, another about how to learn to evaluate asking price, how to negotiate (etiquette of negotiation is covered).Make the Buy is about documentation, payment,return and exchange, finalizing the sale, and so on. Two chapters deal with buying art at auctions, regular and internet auction. Those chapters explain the differences between the regular auction houses and internet bidding, how they differ from galleries, auction basics, and common misconceptions,and how to avoid mistakes. There is also a chapter how to built a collection.

Appendixes deal with auction records, price guides, appraiser associations, auction houses, artist dictionaries, encyclopedias, art periodicals, art dealers association, and other valuable references.
I hope the review help you to see what to expect.I hope an editorial review will be posted soon.

If you are just beginning to collect, or are thinking about collecting, this book will not intimidate you, but properly initiate, the language and explanations are very accessible.If you are collecting already, it is a great resource how to do things right. I recommend this book very highly. Don'tforget to do internet research on the author, he is a prolific writer and a gold mine of information. ... Read more

Product Description
Thousands of readers who have profited from engagement with the lively mind of Rudolf Arnheim over the decades will receive news of this new collection of essays expectantly.
In the essays collected here, as in his earlier work on a large variety of art forms, Arnheim explores concrete poetry and the metaphors of Dante, photography and the meaning of music. There are essays on color composition, forgeries, and the problems of perspective, on art in education and therapy, on the style of artists' late works, and the reading of maps.
Also, in a triplet of essays on pioneers in the psychology of art (Max Wertheimer, Gustav Theodor Fechner, and Wilhelm Worringer) Arnheim goes back to the roots of modern thinking about the mechanisms of artistic perception.
... Read more

Product Description
Management and the Arts, Fourth Edition provides you with theory and practical applications from all management perspectives including planning, marketing, finance, economics, organizational, staffing, and group dynamics ALL related to an arts organization. Whether you are a manager in a theatre, museum, dance company, or opera, you will gain useful insights into management. Topics written especially to help you with your management skills include:

* How arts organizations and management evolved
* The theories and processes behind strategic planning and decision making
* Organizing and organizational design
* Staffing and personal relations
* The tools and techniques available from communicating effectively and keeping track of information
* Budgeting, fundraising, and financial management
* Integrating various management theories and practical applications
* How to work effectively with boards
* Sections on e-marketing and Web marketing
* Includes: case studies, statistics, career, and financial information

Revised to reflect the latest thinking and trends in managing organizations and people, Management and the Arts, Fourth Edition features class-tested questions in each chapter, which help you to integrate the material and develop ideas as to how the situations and problems could have been handled. Case studies focus on the challenges facing managers and organizations every day, and "In The News" quotes give you real-world examples of principles and theories. Developing career skills and options, graduate and postgraduate training opportunities, and professional organizations and conferences are highlighted.

*Class-tested questions in each chapter
*In the News quotes give real-world examples of principles and theories
*New info on the hottest topics in management now from board relations to e-marketing ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good for nonprofit startups
This a wonderful look into arts management. Fully detailed, with tips and insights that you can understand, even if you are starting a new business. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a wonderful book to have on hand
Initially, I got this book from our local library and loved it so much that I bought it. My kids and I read one topic per day until we finished the book. My boys are 8 and 10, and while some of the vocabulary was over their heads, they still got the gist of what was being explained. I loved that they were exposed to the names and paintings/works of the world's best artists without being overwhelmed with technical terms. I also like that it is arranged alphabetically (abstract, balance, calligraphy, etc). This mnemonic of sorts helped us remember different terms more easily. There were a few artists I had hoped to see included in the book who were not, but by and large they hit on the most important to help kids be culturally literate when it comes to art. I think children as young as kindergarten could appreciate the pictures and some of the terms, but it is definitely for children a bit older. As an adult, I enjoy it and am learning from it as well. ... Read more

Product Description
This sumptuously illustrated volume analyzes artists' representations of angels and demons and heaven and hell from the Judeo-Christian tradition and describes how these artistic portrayals evolved over time.As with other books in the Guide to Imagery series, the goal of this volume is to help contemporary art enthusiasts decode the symbolic meanings in the great masterworks of Western Art. The first chapter traces the development of images of the Creation and the Afterworld from descriptions of them in the Scriptures through their evolution in later literary and philosophical works.The following two chapters examine artists' depictions of the two paths that humans may take, the path of evil or the path of salvation, and the punishments or rewards found on each. A chapter on the Judgment Day and the end of the world explores portrayals of the mysterious worlds between life and death and in the afterlife. Finally, the author looks at images of angelic and demonic beings themselves and how they came to be portrayed with the physical attributes--wings, halos, horns, and cloven hooves--with which we are now so familiar. Thoroughly researched by and expert in the field of iconography, Angels and Demons in Art will delight readers with an interest in art or religious symbolism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Over-rated
While this is an interesting compilation of angels and demons in art, it is incomplete. There are several key pieces of art that are completely missing and deemed not worthy of mentioning by the author or editors.
The images are poorly reproduced, and so small as to leave me wondering if I was able to interperet the art for myself, or just left be told what I'm supposed to think it means. The orginization of the chapters is well done, even though it roughly follows the biblical presentation of such.

Within seconds of opening the cover, I felt as if it was writing down to the reader. The inane descriptors targeting key points in the presented art work are reminiscent of a children's television show presenting colours and alphabet to pre-school children.

If you are looking for a Cliff's notes book for art interpretation, or a religious education course, this might be a passable resource for one term paper or reference for further research. I personally wouldn't use it as a resource for teaching or writing beyond those means.

Angels and Demons in Art
I first checked this book out at the library. No special reason. I was captivated by the wonderful descriptions of paintings that I had not seen before. Except maybemany years ago in Art history classes. I so loved the book that I purchased it!!! I also ordered another one in the Guide to Imagery series sight unseen.

Perfect!
If there was a review higher than five stars, this book should get it! The cover alone deserves five stars! This book is the single most perfect book I've seen on angels! It's wonderful! The artwork, the explanations of the different categories of angels; it's all perfect! If you're interested in angels, this is a must have for any collection! ... Read more

Product Description
Presents works from the Whitney Museum (WM) of American Art. Highlights different readings of selected works from 1900 to 1950 in the WM Permanent Collection (PC). Chap. 1: a biography of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney; covers the decades that led to the opening of the WM in 1931. Chap. 2: devoted to 26 key objects in the PC -- paintings, sculptures, & works on paper -- are treated from varying aesthetic, social, cultural, & biographical perspectives. Chap. 3: focuses on 10 icons in the PC that call to mind some of the greatest achievements of 20th cent. Amer. art. Each of the 10 icons is accompanied by the words of 3 different writers from different disciplines, 30 writers. Profusely illustrated. ... Read more

Product Description
From antiquity, when the gods and goddesses were commonly featured in works of art, through to the twentieth century, when Surrealists drew on archetypes from the unconscious, artists have embedded symbols in their works. As with previous volumes in the Guide to Imagery series, the goal of this book is to provide contemporary readers and museum visitors with the tools to read the hidden meanings in works of art. This latest volume is divided thematically into four sections featuring symbols related to time, man, space (earth and sky), and allegories or moral lessons. Readers will learn, for instance, that night, the primordial mother of the cosmos, was often portrayed in ancient art as a woman wrapped in a black veil, whereas day or noon was often represented in Renaissance art as a strong, virile man evoking the full manifestation of the sun's energy. Each entry in the book contains a main reference image in which details of the symbol or allegory being analyzed are called out for discussion.In the margin, for quick access by the reader, is a summary of the essential characteristics of the symbol in question, the derivation of its name, and the religious tradition from which it springs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Big Disappointment.
I really thought that it would be a good reference book but it wasn't set up that way. The book is divided into 4 sections: Time, Man, Space and Allegories covering 71 topics. In each section, two pages are devoted to one topic such as "garden". Every topic is listed in the back of the book, but not alphabetically so you cannot look up the symbolism for a topic such as "doves" (which is not in the book) without going through the whole book. Also, there are many topics not covered in the book.

The book is only 5 ½" wide x 8" tall, so the text and reproductions of the artwork are quite small. It is almost impossible to see the detail in some larger works of art such as Michelangelo's The Last Judgment. But on a positive note, they were very broad in their selection artworks from different periods.

Very useful
I love to study classical paintings and to discover their hidden symbols. This book was very useful for me, because there is no definitive books for this subject. Otherwise, English isn't my native language, but I could read the book without difficulty.

Oversimplistic and information-poor
Only the most obvious is stated, and then only in the simplest possible way, with no background information, no "story" behind each symbol, its use by particular artist at particular time in history etc.
On the other hand very visual in presentation, therefore rather clear and simple, easy to understand.
Recommended if you are interested in the subject on a very superficial level.

A Valuable Guide to Understanding References in Paintings
SYMBOLS AND ALLEGORIES IN ART was originally published in Italian by author Mathilde Battistini and is here resubmitted to the art loving public in a translated version courtesy of the Getty Foundation. The book is visually stunning and informative and offers a very handy reference volume for the museum visitor as well as the artist in understanding the derivation of symbols and myths and allegories that have sustained a presence in painting since the Baroque period.

Well designed in a logical way, each symbol or mythological character or even still life component is fully illustrated with a full page painting and accompanied by a terse but informative few paragraphs of explanation. The fine aspect is the manner in which each painting is easily identified at the moment it is introduced, and even though a fine bibliography is found in the back of the book, for once the information necessary to make the 'connect' is right before the eyes of the viewer.

This well illustrated volume is a welcome adjunct to the art history library as well as an interesting companion for the reader whose fascination in mythology is what brings them to art in the first place!Recommended. Grady Harp, February 06 ... Read more

Product Description
Throughout the Middle Ages, sacred Christian art had two objectives: to express veneration for God and to provide illustrative lessons on the Christian faith to a largely illiterate population. Continuing in the spirit of the other books in this series, Old Testament Figures in Art compiles entries on key figures and events in the Old Testament, beginning with the Pentateuch, then drawing from the historical books, the books of wisdom and poetry, and, finally, the prophetic books. The vivid illustrations depict Old Testament scenes that occur most frequently as iconographic prototypes in Western art. Among the masterpieces featured are The Entry of the Animals into Noah's Ark by Jan Brueghel the Elder, The Sacrifice of Isaacby Rembrandt, Samson and Delilah by Peter Paul Rubens, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel by Paul Gauguin, and Isaac Receiving Rebekah as His Wife by Marc Chagall. The accompanying texts illuminate the unique ways in which Old Testament subjects have been portrayed in Western art throughout the ages. To complement the many scriptural references, this handy volume also offers comparisons with other cultures whose stories or myths parallel those represented in the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Art, Worthwile Commentary
I enjoy the entire GUIDE TO IMAGERY IN ART series from the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.The Old Testament volume is as rich and illuminating as the Gospel Figures in Art, Symbols and Allegories in Art and Icons and Saints.Great for the art student, formal or informal.A rewarding way to spend a couple of hours cultivating art appreciation.Affordable and highly recommended.

Wide spectum of art featuring Old Testament figures
Organized into several chapters, the Creation through the Tower of Babel, Abraham, David and Solomon, and others.Each biblical topic is put into context with the Place, Time, Figures, Soursces, and Artistic variants provided.Then for each topic, several representative works of art are shown with explanatory captions.Nice representation of several schools of art, from gothic figures of the late Middle Ages to a heavy emphasis on Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance artists, 17th century Dutch masters and a small number of later artworks.Will mostly devoted to paintings, alternate art forms such as engravings, mosaics, sculptures and bronzes are examined.
Small format makes it a easily portable text.

Great for art study
I have used this book in Bible studies.I like it because it is organized chronologically, making things easy to find.It also gives brief histories of the story and the artist's work and explains some of the symbolism.This book contains work from all time periods, so it would be good to use for comparison/contrast of styles. ... Read more

Product Description
A deep yet accessible analysis of the physics of light and sound, and how our eyes and
ears detect them, is not only intellectually enjoyable, but also useful to understand and
interpret the world in which we live, all the phenomena that take place around us, and how
we perceive them. In short, how we interface with our planet, its inhabitants, and their
creations. Understanding the physics of light and sound may also increase the appreciation
for works of art and for art itself, and even stimulate the artists among the readers to deepen
their knowledge of their media, of how people interface with them, and perhaps improve
their art production.

* Offers an alternative route to science literacy for those interested in the arts, music and photography
* Popular science book with wide readership beyond the classroom at an accessible level
* Material covered at a level appropriate for self-study or as a complementary textbook
* Companion website for Instructors available in Spring 2008 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One Great Science Book
I retired to Madison, WI because the UW-Madison allows seniors to audit classes free. The great majority of my classes have been in the School of Music. I always watch for complementary courses to broaden and deepen my musical knowledge.

That is how I found Physics in the Art, a wonderful course taught by Professor P.U.P.A Gilbert.Her book bears the same title.The course studies the physics of light (think art, painting and photography) and periodic oscillations (think music).High school geometry is the only background you need.

I found the book so interesting that I read it in one sitting.It isthe most understandable and comprehensible science book I have read.It deals with and explains matters we encounter every day but never quite knew how they worked.

I told Professor Gilbert that her book was a spellbinding as any Sherlock Holmes or Dorothy Sayers mysteries (my favorites)

If there is room for only one science book on your shelves, this is it. ... Read more

Product Description
Hailed by Choice as "concise, clear, and very informative," The Oxford Dictionary of American Art and Artists--the first such dictionary to appear in three decades--offers an informative, insightful, and long overdue resource on our nation's artistic heritage. Featuring 945 alphabetically arranged entries, here is an indispensable biographical and critical guide to American art from colonial times to contemporary postmodernism. Readers will find a wealth of factual detail and insightful analysis of the leading American painters, ranging from John Singleton Copley, Thomas Cole, and Mary Cassatt to such modern masters as Jackson Pollack, Romare Bearden, and Andy Warhol. The range of coverage is indeed impressive, but equally important is the quality of analysis that appears in entry after entry. Morgan gives readers a wealth of trustworthy and authoritative information as well as perceptive, well-informed criticism of artists and their work. In addition, the book is thoroughly cross-referenced, so readers can easily find additional information on any topic of interest. ... Read more

Product Description
Traditional anatomy books aren't enough. Comic artists need a reference that covers the kinds of dynamic poses and lighting effects that make comics extraordinary. The third book/CD-ROM set in the best-selling Comic Artist's Photo Reference series, Men & Boys features over 1,000 photos of males of varying ages, ethnicities and body types in poses designed specifically for the comic or fantasy artist. Artists will also learn from the pros in four step-by-step lessons based on photos from the book. The companion CD-ROM includes photos as well as short videos and bonus material.

Book/CD package features 1,000+ color photos of male models of different ages and body types in action poses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Scrap file on steroids
Old time storyboard and comp artists - as well as many illustrators - used to maintain a "scrap file." In case that term is new to you, it meant that they collected photos, tear-sheets and clipped-out pages of magazines to use as reference for illustration assignments. Few artist's can draw a convincing, realistic, image straight from their imagination, so having a handy reference saves much time and frustration. Of course you can stage your own photos as did many famous illustrators, but doing so takes time. Fortunately, Buddy Scalera and his intrepid crew took the time and the result is a stellar collection of carefully staged, and professionally lighted images. Please note that these are not static poses, but artfully composed action images of models leaping, wrestling, fighting, and using weapons. To make the fighting scenes accurate Mr Scalera retained a martial-arts expert. As you might guess, the target audience for book is mainly people drawing for action-oriented comic books or storyboard artists. I have three of these volumes: the other two are Women and Girls, and People and Poses. One final note, these are tasteful books. Mr Scalera had all of the models post in tight-fitting workout clothes. "Tight-fitting" not to please the voyeurs, but to allow the illustrators to capture as much of the musculature as decorum would permit.

The good, the bad and the irritating
I actually picked up all of the Comic Artist Photo Reference Books on the cheap but this one was the first one to get opened so it gets the review:

Cliffs: Overall a good solid book, cons: photos in the book are not on the CD.

The good:
Tight binding and a physically well made book: I've already lugged it around in my gig bag, splashed water on the cover and have yet to crack the spine.

The photos themselves are great.Glossy, full color, well-lighted, dramatically lighted on some, adequatly sized 3 x 4 inches on most with lean and fit models (Yes, I own the Fantasy Artist's Photo reference and ugh).The models have proper action poses unlike some fine art reference manuals where you get the nude in a chair, nude standing listlessly, nude reclining on a chaise.Now you get RAWR, I am EVILY smoking a cigar, Karate chop! and OH crap someone stabbed me!

The how to's are not awesome but they're fun to look at and just a general idea/guidline on how to use the photos, setting up frames, storyboard etc.

The CD doesn't require you to install some crappy proggie on your machine in order to look at the photos.Kudos to them.Extranious software drives me bananas.

Another feature that some people might like is that they use an HTML setup to display the photos in a mouse-click friendly webpage navigator.I happen not to like it but I can see where other poeple could find it very user friendly.

The bad:
The photos that are in the book are not on the cd!Which I don't like because I like porting the photos into photoshop, tracing over them, cutting off limbs and blacking out the eyes and some of the images in the book would be great for that (hey, it's a hobby) but now in order to do that I have to scan, crop, re-size etc.They just should have put them on the disc.It's my biggest gripe about the book is still having to carry around the book.

The CD has a lot of stuff on it (easter eggs--I hate easter eggs btw) but it is stored oddly--which i will cover under the "irritating section".If you were thinking you were going to pop in a disk and DL the images to your HD and start photoshopping away...

Well, if you're [...] about organizing like me--save some time and go to ROOT_DATA\HTML on the disk and start wading through the extras folders to see if you even want any of that stuff.The extras_amy_gallery has pictures of an toy action figure parachuting, camping, in a tree and was done by the editor of the book and while cute I probably wouldn't waste the HD space.

The models' folders are aptly labeled anthony_37, Rory_18, Jarrett_25 and Mark_44

The irritating:
When you put the disc in your drive and it loads up you'll see some folders come up (_notes, ROOT_DATA, Templates) and another one at the very bottom that says "start_here.html".You click on it and it opens up a webpage from your disk drive to where you can navigate the photos on the disk in a very well laid out webpage style format and click your way around, look at the extras and easter eggs and videos clickity click click click.

This is purely from a personal style choice but I find the disc setup pretty irritating I just want the core images.

Excellent Resource
I've been a fan of Comic Artists Photo Reference since the beginning and this last edition in the series (this is the 3rd) did not disappoint.The book builds on the previous editions by adding different poses and a few different weapons and themes.And of course, the models are different as well.It follows the format of the earlier editions by providing 4 different sections with a different model in each - ages 18, 25, 37, and 44.The book crackles with energy and provides page after page of dynamic and energetic poses.The models stand out well from the backgrounds and overall the lighting has been done very nicely... sculpting the bodies and making them pop out 3-dimensionally.The accompanying CD is really nice as well and gives you hundreds of photos that you can put on your computer.One of the ways that I utilize this is to to use a slideshow format (in iphoto or any other program) and draw from the model with timed poses.You can work with a book like "The Natural Way to Draw" very easily this way if it's hard to hire a model or attend classes.This book is also really helpful when studying anatomy.I've used George Bridgeman, Burne Hogarth and others and I like to lay this book out next to what I'm studying to help give my studies depth and such.Some reviewers complained about the ages of the models.There's a great book called "Virtual Pose - Children and Teens - that covers this age group very well(although it lacks the dynamic qualities that Scalera is so good at capturing.Until Buddy Scalera does a book on just children (hint, hint:) Virtual Pose might suffice.But regardless, "Men and Boys" is a great book to add to your library.

No Boys; All Men.
I suppose this sounds a little bit odd - but I was sort of irritated by the misleading title? The youngest model is 18, which I suppose I at 20 would consider a young man rather than a boy. As someone who was illustrating a story that involved a younger boy, I was hoping for some good dynamic reference - of, well, a boy - like the title claimed.

The models range in age otherwise, but not so much in terms of build. It would also have been nice to see a few more for each age group rather than just the one model for each.

I appreciated it because it's definitely a reference for comic artists - lots of cool poses with interesting items; guns, swords, things you don't find in your run of the mill guide. The poses are dynamic and come up often in a typical action-based comic book.

So although I think it could have been better, it would be a lie to say I won't get a lot of good use out of it!

Must have reference for comic artists
This is a great book for anybody who likes to draw comics.As you illustrate stories youll find this book lacks photos of people doing things besides fighting.However action is the most important part of comic books and so this book is integral. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Great variety
This book is great for giving an all around idea of art deco textile, and art detail.However, I would have liked more information on the designers, years these were popular, the artists, etc.

Beautiful And Inspiring
This is an excellent selection of colorful graphic patterns in the deco genre, and should be a useful and inspiring resource to designers, students, and afficianados.

127 Authentic Art Deco Designs
This book represents early Art Deco Designs, perhaps even late Art Nouveau Designs. The strikingly remarkable feature is the color combinations, which show the early flavor of the period. These designs were taken from twoportfolios of 1920's artists.

There is a full range of figures fromantalope and mountian lion to flowers and people. Some of which are highlyintricate and ornate, while others verge on the primative.As a sourcebook for a decorative artist (me), it gives subject and theme for anyperiod compositions which can be mounted.

The art is highly styled andornate, giving a fresh look to the Art Deco Period. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

not worth it
This book only has a subsection of Haeckel's prints.There are NO VERTEBRATES and almost NO PLANTS, despite claiming to have "turtles and hummingbirds" on the back cover.It does have a bunch of his protist drawings.

The quality of the prints in the book is good, but they all have numbers next to them, so you can't frame them.

The pictures in the CD are of poor quality, small, and pixelated.They are adequate for a small picture on a Powerpoint slide, but at full screen size, the pixels are obvious.

Great Book
This is a truly wonderful book of images by one of the world's most talented artists.I disagree that the image quality is poor.Very inspiring and beautiful.

pretty good
The book is all that it says it is. The images are beautiful but all in all they are pretty low quality.

Gorgeous illustrations
The illustrations in this book are a wonder for the eyes. The biologist who did the illustrations was more than a scientist, but also an artist. These images can be found on the web in many places, but the benifit to buying the book is to have the qualityprinted pages and a disk for easy use. ... Read more

Product Description
• Documentary-style wedding photography is the hottest sector of an always-hot market
• Covers art and business, from taking pictures to telling the story to making the sale

Every photographer—and every bride—needs The Art of Digital Wedding Photography! With this book, pros and aspiring pros can get in on the perennially hot wedding market, using the newest digital technology to get compelling, cutting-edge results. And for today’s sophisticated bride-to-be, this is the perfect idea book, packed with great images that will inspire beautiful, unforgettable photos of that special day. Authors Bambi Cantrell and Skip Cohen show how to create traditional formal, photojournalistic, and magazine-style pictures and tell the story of each couple in a unique, romantic way. Their cutting-edge style appeals to big-spending first-timers as well as to the lucrative love-is-lovelier-the-second-time-around crowd. The Art of Digital Wedding Photography is the best book out there for love and money! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

One of the best out there
This book is by far one of the best I've seen in a long time.It came to me highly recommended and I can not agree more. Every detail covered and lots of style...Good work

More of a sales brochure than a how-to book
This book covers some basics of wedding photography, although there isn't much here that can't be found in any other relatively recent how-to book on the subject. Many of the photo examples in the book show technical problems (out of focus probably the most common one), along with a lot of hokey post-processing like colored flowers on a desaturated background. Lots of filter use, lots of infrared, lots of (maybe even excessive) camera tilt, cross processing - all of these "techniques" were already in use before digital, so there's nothing new here, really. The main problem, however, is that this book doesn't go into much detail of how to actually do most of these effects digitally. It just shows you what a certain piece of commercial software can do. In short, this book is really just a thinly veiled sales brochure for certain brands of gear and software, and not an impressive one at that.

exposure information included
This book sets itself apart by providing the exposure information of every photo, and when relevant, the lighting information too (think the cake shots). This alone makes it a keeper because it allows you to better visualize yourself as the photographer. For instance, the focal length tells you where you would have been standing.

Another notable strength of this book is the coverage of a wide variety of techniques. For example, those who have come to rely on auto-focus cameras may struggle on the dance floor. Not if you know the "zone focusing" technique highlighted in this book.

In general, I find the coverage adequate and the photos inspiring. Some reviewers fault the postprocessing part of the book but really it is just a gallery demonstration of what can be done easily with photoshop filters. The subjects of postprocessing and retouching are better covered in other books.

I highly recommend this book and its pre-digital predecessor for those who are already familiar with photography but want to get started at weddings.

Stunning..!
Stunning images and inspiration here! Get this book! And get Glen Johnson's too. The only thing you will find that is a bit odd (but it also makes me feel good in a way, shows pros like Bambi have the same struggles as me!) is that quite a few of the sample images have problems - too dark, blurry or both dark and fuzzy. This is the same problem I have in dark, church settings.

This may not be the place for it, but can anyone recommend a good book on ON CAMERA flash photography (using hot shoe, on and off camera external flashes)? I love 'Understanding Exposure; Revised Edition', every photography needs to read that! But when you add a speedlite (Canon, Nikon or other) the rules change and everything tends to be way too dark, or way over exposed.Anyone found a book that helps with that? For now, it is just trial and error for me, even with the super, ETTL powers that come with our super modern flashes. I don't want to but a Quantum light when I struggle with even mastering the manufactures flash.

Great Wedding Photography Book!
This book has excellent recommendations and techniques for capturing the most beautiful wedding photos. The pictures published in this book alone are worth the cost of the book, IMO. They are beautiful and give great ideas. She tells you exactly how she captured the photo although I would've liked some more technical info on some of the photos. I highly recommend this book. ... Read more