Book Review: Brushwork Essentials








Finally, FINALLY, I have found what I have been looking for!!  Although I am only half way through this book, I had to share it with all you artists out there.

There are so many books on oil painting that talk about composition, values, color etc etc, ( not that I don't appreciate all of those books!) but I have had a difficult time finding a book that explains how to actually get the paint onto your canvas.  Until now!

Brushwork Essentials: Expressive Form and Texture with Every Stroke by Mark Christopher Weber is exactly what I have been searching for.

Here is the book description from Amazon:

Knowing how to use a brush properly is essential for effective oil painting. Brushwork Essentials shows artists everything they need to know to render a variety of elegant strokes, along with other exciting techniques like paint mixing and brush shaping. Weber makes mastering each technique easy. He provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions, step-by-step demonstrations and complementary artwork that highlights each brushstroke as it appears on the canvas. Readers will also learn how to use different strokes to achieve specific effects, such as lighting, shadowing and more.

I can't express how much I am enjoying reading this book.  Some of the things taught I have learned over the years by trial and error, but I am learning a lot more. Like what angle to hold the brush for various effects.  Very well written with tons of clear illustrations.


I highly recommend this book!


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Comments

  1. Thanks Karla, I may just have a look. I agree, that there is little out there in regards to how to lay down paint.
    An artist once said to me at the beginning of my career "you have to decide what you want to say with paint"
    I thought of all the interviews I conducted before entering this "artist" world, that was the most helpful. And she was right. In many ways I think that is why we all respond to Carol Marine's work. And to of my other favorite artists, Darrell Hill and Dave Simon. It's the brush work for me, that separates art from good art. I am still figuring out what I want to say with paint, but I'm slowly getting there. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thanks Karla,this books looks very interesting!!

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  3. The book looks interesting...I ordered it!!!

    Thanks for the tip!

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  4. Karla, I have this book as well, and have always liked the analogy spreading jelly on peanut butter to paint consistency. In that it is a lot harder to spread peanut butter on jelly than the other way around and this principle also applies to oil paint in that it is easier to spread soft paint on top of stiff paint...

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