Book Description
This comprehensive resource provides practical information, proven management tips, and over 100 specially selected art projects to help new and veteran K-8 art teachers implement an effective art education program and make art appreciation and activities fun. For easy use, materials are printed in a big 8 ?" x 11" format with lay-flat binding for photocopying of various management aids and student project handouts, and organized into two main parts. Part 1, The Art Program, offers tested guidelines and reproducible tools for building and managing the program. Part 2, The Art Curriculum, presents 102 exciting art projects organized by medium into nine units: (1) Exploring the Elements & Principles of Design, (2) Paper, (3) Painting, (4) Drawing with Pencil, Pastels, Crayons & Markers, (5) Painting, (6) Printmaking, (7) Three-Dimensional Design, (8) Architecture, and (9) Technology: Computer, Photography, Video. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

great resource
This book came at the perfect time.I am a first year art teacher at a K-8 school.I was looking for activities to keep my 7th and 8th graders interested and this book is providing so much more.The information is very helpful for me as well as a resource for the classroom teachers I work with.

Thank you
I am really enjoying the book. I have 14 students ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade. All I can say is thank you so much for such an informative book.

Homeschooler input---
It wasn't quite what we were looking for as homeschoolers. All of the pictures are in black and white and many of them are too dark to even see. I felt that some of the directions were a bit unclear. It does not say specifically what grade level each project is, but that the projects get progressivly more difficult. It does give you adaption ideas for younger students on many things. If your looking for fun, neat crafts to make in school, this probably isn't the book for you. This book does cover good topics such as basic line drawing, value, texture, etc. I feel it is a good book to have in conjuction with other art books.

Images very difficult to see
I am sorry to say that I had to return this book--though I was really looking forward to getting it. Though the lessons look like they have had a lot of thought put into them,(the author did well) it is fairly text heavy and I'll admit I prefer a layout with more images to a wall of text. Also, in my opinion, the printing quality is poor. I could not make out some of the images in the book I received -- because most were dark and smudgy! For a book about the visual arts, this is most unfortunate. At the very least, a new print run lightening up the images (see page 142, for example) would improve it.

Must Have For Art Teachers
This book is a great tool for getting ideas on lessons to teach when your mind has drawn a blank. Lessons are compiled in different sections such as elements based, principles based, 2D, 3D, etc. ... Read more

Book Description
More than 90 percent of all martial arts schools fail within their first year.Starting and Running Your Own Martial Arts School shows martial artists how they can insure the success of their schools-before they put their hard earned cash and reputations on the line.It offers a thorough, practical introduction to the tasks and obligations involved in running a successful martial arts business.And it is the perfect guide for those who dream of opening their own martial arts school, who are currently planning their school, or who already run schools but want to learn how to streamline day-to-day operations so they can have more time for training or spending time with students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Getting started
Excellent book, whether you've had a school for a while or are starting a new one.I found it to be comprehensive, motivating, and helpful- Highly Recommend

Basic Business Book
Much of the book is about business basics.If you took out the word "martial arts" you could replace it with just about any other business.For what it is, the book is well worth the purchase price.

Great , Helpful Book
This book is well worth the money. It contains alot of information and thoughtful ideas. Well written.

Marketing for Martial Artists
As a part-time martial arts instructor who makes a living with his business degrees, I gotta tell you that this is a really well written text. Karen Vactor is a well-rounded martial artist with a business degree who has built three successful karate schools. Susan Peterson, Ph.D. is a professional writer as well as an accomplished martial artist as well. The two have teamed up to create a comprehensive work which, while overly pithy in some areas, is really quite good. Be warned, however, that this book is all about creating and running a commercially successful school. Not all martial artists will agree with the authors' philosophical approach but none can argue with the quality of the materials they provide.

Chapter one covers marketing your identity, whatever it is that makes your school unique and interesting to potential students, including how to choose a name that reflects your image. Chapter two covers the business groundwork, something that very few martial artists really understand how to do properly. It covers advisors (e.g., attorney, accountant) that you might need and how to develop a business plan. Rule number one in retail is location. So is rule 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6... you get the idea. The next chapter not only covers how to find a good location, but also how to figure out what it will cost you, how to negotiate a lease, and how to layout your dojo floor space. Chapter five covers essential legal administrivia like insurance and regulatory compliance.

Chapter six covers student contracts, fee schedules, and hiring employees. Not sure I entirely agree with the author's philosophy here, but the advice is sound nevertheless. Chapter seven covers advertising tools such as brochures, business cards, flyers, and your entrance signage. Chapter eight comprehensively covers basic marketing such as mass mailings, yellow pages ads, etc. Chapter nine goes into more detail on the same subject. Once marketing brings perspective students to your door, chapter ten deals with how to "close the deal" and sign them up. Chapter eleven covers attendance, student tracking, and payment tracking. Chapter eleven covers the how to keep track of your cash flow and create basic financial statements. Chapter thirteen is a good overview of strategies that keep students motivated and interested in coming back. Chapter fourteen covers how to place and sell products associated with your training (e.g., uniforms). It covers the basics of pricing, costs, profits, inventory tracking, and display. The final chapter is a "troubleshooting guide" that can help you solve problems such as high drop out rates, attendance problems, "closing" problems, etc. The glossary of business terms is a great overview for folks who don't really understand all that stuff.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

Good Book by Smart Writers
While not as detailed as similar titles, this is a good overview of running a school.
There is a lot to learn in these pages. ... Read more

Book Description
What do school leaders need to know? Drawing on more than 25 years of leadership experience, Thomas R. Hoerr offers invaluable advice on running a school. From evaluating teachers to working with parents, from managing meetings to making a difference, Hoerr addresses the challenges of school leadership and shares his proven strategies for success.

Hoerr explains that, above all, leadership is about relationships. The best supervisors support teamwork and collegiality, value diversity, and encourage everyone around them to grow. Using examples from his own school, Hoerr outlines ways to become a more effective leader and create a culture of learning. He also discusses the history and future of leadership, focusing on how educators can move schools forward.

With more than 100 quotes on leadership from educators around the world, The Art of School Leadership is a thorough and thoughtful account of what it takes to lead a school.

Thomas R. Hoerr has been the head of New City School in St. Louis, Missouri, since 1981. He is the author of Becoming a Multiple Intelligences School and a regular columnist for Educational Leadership. ... Read more

Book Description
In this elegantly written, passionately argued book, Fowler presents a convincing case for teaching the arts to all children. He argues that, far from a luxury, the arts are a vitally important part of our society and our schools. Highlighting the crucial effect of the arts on learning, this volume shows how the arts can enliven and extend the entire school curriculum by integrating different subjects in innovative interdisciplinary ways. These eighteen compelling essays are a clarion call to action for any teacher, parent, policy maker, or citizen concerned about the fate of the arts in American society and schools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ideas for rescue the arts
The best from this book is the idea to let the industry people to understand the importance of the arts for the job scenario. Mr. Fowler is very focused and well centered in his proposal. As an educator-artist, I have been talking about the same idea but few understand the point; the idea of pushing the arts and it's uniqueness to the academic structure can be a self destructive idea. Let's open our minds and put the effort where it's neccessary. Just read and follow the instructions! ... Read more

Product Description
This inspiring book leads the way to a new kind of advocacy one that stops justifying the arts as useful to learning other subjects, and argues instead for the powerful lessons that the arts, like no other subjects, teach our kids. Jessica Hoffmann Davis, a leading voice in the field of arts education, offers a set of principles and tools that will be invaluable to advocates already working hard to make the case and secure a strong place for the arts in education. She also reaches out to those who care deeply about education but have yet to consider what the arts uniquely provide. This book is for anyone willing to brave a new terrain in which the arts are finally embraced without apology! ... Read more

Book Description
A comprehensive guide for the enthusiastic beginner and the experienced artist alike, An Introduction to Art Techniques embraces seven basic elements of art technique in one comprehensive volume. The subjects included are Drawing, Perspective, Watercolor, Pastels, Oil Painting, Acrylics, and Mixed Media. Easy--to--follow projects ---- from drawing natural forms to creating a photo collage ---- teach you all the essentials of each subject and inspire you to go on to master more complex techniques. Close--up, step--by--step photographs show artworks being created before your eyes, revealing the secrets of how professional artists produce their work. Art Techniques offers the widest choice of specific subjects ---- from mixing watercolors to block printmaking, from tonal drawing to oil painting in layers. You will find clear, authoritative text written by artists who specialize in each particular medium. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Fun reading, good art book, great introduction
This book is a great book for children and adults who want a basic introduction to art mediums.DK always does a good job of describing and it is an enjoyable read.

Art Basics at its best
DK books are always a "best buy" when it comes to bringing clear, concise information on how to do almost anything.

An Introduction to Art Techniques
The book is in wonderful shape! My daughter needed it for a college class so the price helped her out a lot. I am an art teacher and was very impressed with it. I told her when she is finished with it she needn't pay me back...just give ME the book.

It's not a bad book....
I had to get this for school. It's not a bad book and certainly is useful. I flipped thorough it to get some ideas.

I've seen books like these on clearance at book stores, so I think paying full price for this was silly.

An Amazing Value
We bought this for our 14-year-old nephew, who is just starting to exhibit an interest in art. It is truly a great introduction to drawing and perspective, painting (oil, watercolor, acrylics), and even mixed media. Don't expect great depth in any one area, but its easy to read and use, heavily illustrated to keep kids' attentions, has a nice glossary. All in all, a really really great value and a book that is exactly what its title says it is. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

great book
This book is great even if you are experienced or just starting..I call this book my painting bible.

excellent beginners book
Fabulous book, written especially for beginners who know very little about painting, but also has EXCELLENT pointers for those who are good painters, but love those extra tips.

I've got this one at the top of my shelf and I've underlined, bookmarked pages, etc. It really is an excellent read, but most of all, it has really easy-to-follow instructions and doesn't leave you confused.

If you're just learning to paint, then you really have to get this book. You just have to. It is written SIMPLY and is EASY to read and the book is really thick and hardback and will last a really long time. Well worth the money and something you can use as a reference too.

great book
This is a great, comprehensive painting guide for anyone who is interested in getting into oil, acrylics or watercolor painting. It shows all the basics needed including the materials available and needed and it also shows (at least to me) some advanced techniques. Great for any beginner and maybe even intermediate painter. The only complaint I have to make is that I would have liked that the book covered other kinds of painting too, such as glass painting, but I guess it makes sence that they didn't really get into that since it seems to me that it is a classic kind ot painting school.

A huge resource for anyone painting anything!
I am very pleased with the work I have created using this book. I had a lot of questions about watercolor and oil painting.Most of the other books I purchased and studied left a lot of the beginner things out....like how to actually mix colors well.The format is wonderful as well, you can go from one exercise to the next a really get some techniques under your belt.The approach to demystifying the products needed for each media was fantastic.You are shown what each product is for and when you might use it. The instuctions in the book include clear step by step pictures...so you don't start feeling lost halfway through the exercise.The best part?There is no rigid rules, the dialogue is personal and encouraging.You flip through it and start itching to paint! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

serves its purpose
Janet Bush is a leader in Art Therapy so it is only natural that she would write a good book on the subject.This book is NOT intended to give cookbook rememdies for simply doing art with children in the schools.The intention of this book is for those educated and trained as Art Therapists.

Hoping for a more...
As someone who works in schools using expressive arts, I was hopeful when I found this title. However, the content was disappointing and focused on the use of art as a clinical tool in school settings. Given the creative capacities of art with children, particularly those who have special needs, this book fell short in discussing how art can be therapy, rather than just another means of assessment. More description of ways and activities to use with children would have been helpful to this working teacher-counselor I do commend the author for attempting to write a book on this topic and perhaps it will stimulate more work in this important area. Despite my negative review, this book is worth a look by those who plan to use art with special needs and at-risk children in schools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Survival Kit for Secondary artSchool teacher
Great book! Very helpful.Helen D. Hume Has saved my life on more than one occassion.

ho hum
Having purchased the wonderful Survival Guide for the Elementary/Middle School Art Teacher I expected this to also be a spiral bound book filled with tons of great ideas and projects. It is a relatively thin book with a few good ideas and the rest projects that I've done before. Maybe my expectations were too high.

This is it if you have to be a jack of all trades in your art department.
There are not many books out there which is specifically for secondary level. A very resourceful book to have especially when you are in a sole charge department and have to teach across the different art fields at secondary level. It is also handy for those days when your mind goes blank and you have to come up with some quick exercises. Once you have gained confidence, you can also adapt them.

Handy
As a beginner teacher I found this book useful to fill in gaps in my own knowledge. It has step by step instructions for all basic art programs and is a good benchmark for when you are setting up your own programs. Things like plaster casting, clay modeling, pinhole photography, watercolours etc all have units of work.Although I did not use whole units I did use parts of the program to help create a foundation for my own work. Not a book you'd use everyday, but definately handy. I wish I had found it in my first year of teaching!

Great book for advanced art classes, but not for studio art
As a first year teacher I bought this book to help me out with the school year. There are many good projects in here for advanced classes, such as drawing and painting, sculpture, etc. However in this day in age its really sad that half the projects I would want to do for my studio classes I can't because they involve using knives, irons, etc. Its just to dangerous and I hate I have to think about my students stealing knives. Overall this book is great if you are able to teach advanced classes at the High School level. I would not recommend this book if you teach regular studio. ... Read more

Book Description
The teaching program of Frank J. Reilly consisted of communicating an accumulation of knowledge and skills beginning with the elementary and building to the complex. He primarily taught the craft of drawing and then painting the nude figure. Each step in his teaching followed logically upon the step that had been previously taught. This is an honest account of the substance of his teaching as experienced by the author, Doug Higgins, during the four years or so that he was his student and monitor during the 1960s. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

AGreat Learning Tool
Higgins has put together a great little book.
It almost seems as if you are in the "Frank Reilly" classrooom.
Presented clearly and challenges the "Artist" in you to come out.
teaching

don't waste your money
This is practically useless and contains nothing that isn't covered more comprehensively and coherently in many other texts. It seems to consist of old class notes resurrected after many years. Much of it is incomprehensible shorthand. A huge disappointment since Reilly was a very well respected teacher and I was really looking forward to reading it. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (8)

A good book
It is an inspiring book writen by a teacher who deeply respects children's ideas and knows how to stimulate their creativity. She focuses on six basic media (no new techniques).

A helpful book
Going into my first year as an art teacher after many years of not working in the education field, I was nerved up and needed some inspiration and reinforcement of theories, ideas, and concepts I had learned in school so many years before.The book was very readable and enjoyable.The concepts were clear and the anecdotes were very real.The students really came to life and her encouragement and demand for true quality showed in the examples in the book.
The only drawback to this book was that the author obviously came from a school district with much funding and she was lucky enough to have her own art room to present her ideas and use her very creative time savers.As an "art on the cart" teacher in a district with very tight funding, many things did not directly translate.However, the ideas in the book have inspired me to develop time savers and short cuts all my own.
I have found myself flipping though the book several times and rereading sections about materials I am not as familiar with.This was one book that I am very glad to have purchased.

Excellent!
Easy to read with a lot of helpful hints.Straight forward approach including developmental stages.

Great Book
This book made me think...the author has a wonderful way of viewing the art of teaching art.As a new art teacher, reading it has been very thought provoking and I am already applying some of her strategies in my class.

This Book Offers theResource of Experience
This book stands out as a resource for art teachers because it is more than just ideas and directions for projects and crafts. The author shares her experiences and lessons-learned from 25 years of teaching art. As a newly hired art teacher for a private school, charged with creating my own curriculum, this book has become my jewel.
Ms. Beal presents a clearly focused method for teaching art to children with specific information about the developmental stages and abilities of elementary-aged children. She describes lessons and different types of media as they enable children to experience art. Her emphasis is on the experience, not the finished product. By controlling the environment through order and clearly defined limits, children can experience a process and master a technique without becoming confused or frustrated. She focuses on giving children the tools to make art a form of self-expression from the child outward, rather than from the adult in to the child. From her method of teaching, children understand basic concepts and learn that art has many layers -- art class is not just a bunch of arbitrary crafts or projects. This book has geat potential for adaptation to the Montessori classroom because of its hands-on approach and has children involved in every phase of art from the selection of materials to cleaning up.
I already have a fair amount of experience with art and with some teaching, but this book is really good for grounding -- it makes art and art lessons relevant, age-appropriate, logical, and positive. You get the sense that real learning and creativity happen in her classroom, rather than the chaotic, messy, nagging, direction-oriented approach that many of us envision in home or school art classes. ... Read more

Book Description
A practical, professional art course in every volume.

Turn the pages of An Introduction to Drawing -- and discover an exciting art couse that teaches you how to work in this expressive, versatile medium. An Introduction to Drawing is a practical guide to a wide rage of drawing techniques. More than 300 photographs guide the beginner through a series of exercises designed to teach all the essentials of drawing. Revealing projects focus on professional drawings, all shown in the making so novices can follow the creative process step-by-step. Unique gallery pages display works of masters -- drawing that will instruct and inspire every student of the medium. Packed with specially commissioned artworks, clear instruction, and easy-to-follow exercises, The DK Art School offers idea courses for "armchair" art students. The DK Art School series is a new way to learn, improve, or master drawing and painting skills. Carefully constructed courses ensure that you gain both the confidence and the know-how to create imaginative, beautiful pictures. With individual volumes on subjects like still life, portraiture, or landscape, in specific media such as oil, watercolor, or acrylic, The DK Art school series offers something for everyone, and builds into a unique collection of practical art books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lavishly illustrated
Just like other books published by Dorling Kindersley, this one is profusely illustrated by closely-spaced drawings and photographs that almost crowd out text. It's a short book, at 72 pages, but it covers, however briefly, artists' materials used in drawing, as well as a large number of drawing techniques and subjects.

Artists' materials covered include pencils & colored pencils, pens & inks,chalks & charcoal, pastels, watercolors and paper. Techniques covered include ways of working, getting started, linear drawing, tonal drawing, layout & construction, forms and modeling. And subjects covered include buildings & architecture, interiors & exteriors, landscapes, figures & drapery, life drawing & portraits, movements & gestures and drawing for painting.

This is a good catalog of drawing techniques and subjects, but if you're interested in learning to make accurate, detailed, realistic drawings, it's not the one for you. Drawings by the author are quite impressionistic and underworked by comparison with those in, say, How to Draw the Human Head by Louise Gordon or Botanical Illustration in Watercolor by Eleanor B. Wunderlich or Rendering in Pen & Ink by Arthur L. Guptill. ... Read more

Book Description
Relationship expert Regena Thomashauer teaches the lost "womanly arts" of identifying your desires, having fun no matter where you are, knowing sensual pleasure, befriending your inner bitch, flirting (in a way that makes your day, not just his), and more -- because making pleasure your priority can actually help you reach your goals. So if you need a refresher course in fun -- and you know you do -- come to Mama.

Download Description
"The irrepressible founder of a hugely popular ""school for goddesses"" shows you how celebrating your sensuality can help you achieve your dreams. You've heard the saying ""Do what you love, and the money will follow."" Mama Gena takes that sentiment one step further, and exhorts women to do what they love because everything will follow -- success, romance, wealth, fulfillment. Profiled everywhere from The New York Times to The Conan O'Brien Show, relationship expert Regena Thomashauer (a.k.a. Mama Gena) urges women to learn this simple principle: self-indulgence is the key to self-empowerment. But in order to pursue pleasure, one must know pleasure. Believe it or not, most women can't pinpoint what really makes them happy. After all, are women ever taught to celebrate their appetites, whether it's for chocolate ice cream or a more entertaining sex life? In her ""School of Womanly Arts,"" Mama Gena transforms ordinary women into glowing Sister Goddesses -- women fully in tune with the mystical, creative power of their sensuality -- and teaches them how to use their creative power to build the life they want. She explains the lost art of giving in to desires (even if it's just for a new lipstick), seeking fun and plea-sure at home and at work, and navigating the world using feminine power instead of patriarchal rules. This is pleasure boot camp, and be forewarned, the exercises are tough: assignments include flirting for fun, flexing your intuition, buying yourself presents, bragging about your accomplishments, and much more. Sister Goddesses report magical results: they get job offers, fall in love, find new possibilities and passions. Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts will help readers across the country recognize and unleash their full feminine potential -- and have a great time doing it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

She know wherefrom she speaks
I can't remember how many copies of this book I've given away to my girlfriends. It sounds silly, but I'm not kidding: this book has changed my life. Nowhere else in our culture have I found a woman who made such a strong case for women owning their power and enjoying life.

I'm not saying everyone will get it, but I am saying it was nothing short of transformational for me -- it's all about pleasure. GETTING IT, not giving it. Trust me: Mama Gena is right.

Stupid
I've never given a book a one-star review before. The one star is for the exercises in the book but the writing itself is awful. What a waste of money.I'm not even going to give this one to the library -- it's going straight into the recycling bin.

A Classic on Man/Woman Relationships and Pleasure
I love Moma Gena's attitudes about having more fun and pleasure for both the man and the woman. What happens outside the bedroom clearly translates into the bedroom. This book is one of my favorites!

Changed my life
I didn't know what to expect when I read this book, but I heard Christine Northrup mention it in her recent talk and decided to check it out.I wish I had this book when I was twenty, it would have saved me a lot of tears over lost loves-and guilt when it comes to dating several men. But its never too late to read this..Almost 30 years later I'm learning what every mother should be teaching their daughters.Mama Gena gives out exercises-some aren't surprising, but one in particular was well worth buying the book-she refers to it as Bitte et Chat and it really changes the way the world responds to you..Her book gave me the courage to asked a guy to dinner-something I was taught never to do-he was pretty surprised as we had formally talked for months.His first personal question to me was "What do you like to do for fun"after reading her book I now recognize the significance of his question and now know this guy has potential.

A warm and wonderful book
The world can be cold, but Mama Gena is warm.Her book is like a cup of hot chocolate and and injection of womanly wisdom from a grand eccentric aunt.This is a little treasure. ... Read more

Book Description
Illustrated with over 300 photos, Art in the Elementary School, Fifth Edition, provides prospective elementary school teachers and art teachers with a thorough knowledge of art curriculum, production, and appreciation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful!
This is an extremely fun and informative book. It is easily understood, and great for an Art teacher, as well as teachers of other subjects who wish to incorporate more art into their classrooms. It would also be helpful to parents or homeschooling families.

Getting "Real" With Art and Kids
For those working in the schools and who value the joyful impact of art with children, this book has it all!It is a power-packed manual for professional teachers, aides and anyone needing more guidance to open the creative doors for themsleves and children. You will find the source's guides in the back of the book worth the price alone.The clarity in the text is especially to be appreciated; no "gobbeldy-gook and no nonsense" here! The presentation of ways to incorporate art into total curriculum is one to open our eyes and to value its potential for carrying any other subject matter.Full of ideas for projects with morsels of philosophy about the arts tucked in, it allows teachers to open their own minds and rid themselves of their own "art blocks." I would say no teacher should be without this book. Good for you Marlene Gharbo Linderman! At last a book for us all who love and cherish art in schools. ... Read more

Book Description
Schools are increasingly employing art therapists. Properly integrating art therapists in schools makes it possible to maximize the high potential of therapy work with children,as well as contributing to the entire school environments.

This book provides a theroretical and parctical surevey or issures surrounding the integration of emorional therapy in an educational framework.Suprevisores, principals, school counselors and educational psychologists will find here a concise explanation on teh nature of art therapy, along with case examples. Expressive therapists will find here tools for better explaning and integrating art therapy in schools. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Great book for beginners
I am really enjoying this book.First she explains basic materials, and doesn't go into all the advanced materials that aren't useful for beginners.This is good because other books overwhelm the beginner with material they don't need.Then she explains color theory in a way that was very easy to understand.Many books skimp on this but her concise explanation and examples were great.Finally the step-by-step examples are good.There are more steps than in most books, which I really liked.Unfortunately there are never enough steps though and beginners often get lost.But to have all the steps would make the book 1,000 pages.So I think the author did the best possible in a book this size.I've compared this book with a few others and I really believe it is the best.

Good beginner painting book
I thought this book was a very good general introduction to oil painting. It covers everything from materials to techniques, and has a step by step guide to creating quite a few oil paintings (as a means of practicing or learning about painting techniques). I learned quite a bit about using different sorts of techniques and it was beneficial to see them put into practice in the exercises in the book. If you are thinking about taking up oil painting, this is a good book to use to get started! My only criticism is that some of the 'step by step' paintings did not show some of the steps that I would have found interesting and informative, but overall I recommend this book.

An excellent teacher
I began painting with the guide of this book. It's really a good help when you don't know nothing about oils and you want to start painting without a teacher. It tells you step by step what to do, the colours to use, the brushes and lots of other tips. ... Read more