Arts and Crafts

Date Reviewed	Description
8/1/99 *****	Kullberg, Ann. Colored Pencil Portraits - Step by Step. 1999. Ann Kullberg is on forefront of the pencil art movement. Using colored pencils, she creates stunningly realistic portraits that compete with traditional oil portraits. This book is not only valuable as a how to reference, but is a must buy for the quality of the art work. You can check out the works included in the book at: http://www.portraitartist.com/kullberg/. Colored pencil artists work someone like watercolor artists. You start with a very light wash, and gradually build up color. Oil & acrylic techniques start with a medium value, then add darker values and opaque highlights. As an amateur colored pencil artist, I found the book a little intimidating -- Kullberg works are so realistic that I felt incapable of competing. At the same the book is inspirational in showing you what you can acheive with enough work, talent and patience. When reading book, it is important to remember that the actual works are substantially larger than the pictures in the book, and each picture is the product of hundred hours of work. I was intriqued by the layering techniques used to create realistic color. Ann uses up to 16 layers of pigment to create a smooth skin tones. She uses similar techniques for rendering the fabric in cloth and the image background.
3/27/99 *****	Delaney, Connie. Spindle Spinning: From Novice to Expert. 1998. The author of the SpinCraft Pattern Newsletter, Connie Delaney is a master spinner. In this book she explores the art and history of spindle spinning - an art that dates back through pre history. This book provides all the information you need to build your own spindle and to begin enjoying the timeless art of hand spinning.
06/28/99 ****	Borgeson, Bet. The Colored Pencil. 1995. Bet Borgeson has developed a wonderful series about color pencil techniques. For the most part the color pencils are straight forward and intuitive; however, learning the ins and outs of the medium can help you quickly master the medium. Ms Borgeson mentions that one of the most common mistrakes of new artists is to treat the color pencils like graphite pencils. With graphite, you vary the intensity by pressing down harder. With color pencil, the best way to vary intensity is to switch pencils. If you are using color pencils. One of the most important tricks is to finish the work with a good fixer. Resendable greetings are designed to be handled. If you do not cover the drawing with a good layer of fixer, you will end up with a smudgy mess. This means that you will need to spend some time experimenting with different fixing agents. I have to admit. Color pencils are my favor medium for creating cards. I use Berol Prismacolor. I tend to press down quite hard when I draw, and finish of each of the pictures with a serious amount of burnishing with light color pencils. Ms Bergeson's books introduced me to many additional techniques. Other titles by the author include: Basic Colored Pencil Techniques (1997), and Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner (1998) -- which has just found its way into my shopping basket.

Date Reviewed

Description

8/1/99
*****

Kullberg, Ann. Colored Pencil Portraits - Step by Step. 1999.

Ann Kullberg is on forefront of the pencil art movement. Using colored pencils, she creates stunningly realistic portraits that compete with traditional oil portraits. This book is not only valuable as a how to reference, but is a must buy for the quality of the art work. You can check out the works included in the book at: http://www.portraitartist.com/kullberg/.

Colored pencil artists work someone like watercolor artists. You start with a very light wash, and gradually build up color. Oil & acrylic techniques start with a medium value, then add darker values and opaque highlights.

As an amateur colored pencil artist, I found the book a little intimidating -- Kullberg works are so realistic that I felt incapable of competing. At the same the book is inspirational in showing you what you can acheive with enough work, talent and patience. When reading book, it is important to remember that the actual works are substantially larger than the pictures in the book, and each picture is the product of hundred hours of work.

I was intriqued by the layering techniques used to create realistic color. Ann uses up to 16 layers of pigment to create a smooth skin tones. She uses similar techniques for rendering the fabric in cloth and the image background.

3/27/99
*****

Delaney, Connie. Spindle Spinning: From Novice to Expert. 1998.

The author of the SpinCraft Pattern Newsletter, Connie Delaney is a master spinner. In this book she explores the art and history of spindle spinning - an art that dates back through pre history. This book provides all the information you need to build your own spindle and to begin enjoying the timeless art of hand spinning.

06/28/99
****

Borgeson, Bet. The Colored Pencil. 1995.

Bet Borgeson has developed a wonderful series about color pencil techniques. For the most part the color pencils are straight forward and intuitive; however, learning the ins and outs of the medium can help you quickly master the medium. Ms Borgeson mentions that one of the most common mistrakes of new artists is to treat the color pencils like graphite pencils. With graphite, you vary the intensity by pressing down harder. With color pencil, the best way to vary intensity is to switch pencils.

If you are using color pencils. One of the most important tricks is to finish the work with a good fixer. Resendable greetings are designed to be handled. If you do not cover the drawing with a good layer of fixer, you will end up with a smudgy mess. This means that you will need to spend some time experimenting with different fixing agents.

I have to admit. Color pencils are my favor medium for creating cards. I use Berol Prismacolor. I tend to press down quite hard when I draw, and finish of each of the pictures with a serious amount of burnishing with light color pencils. Ms Bergeson's books introduced me to many additional techniques. Other titles by the author include: Basic Colored Pencil Techniques (1997), and Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner (1998) -- which has just found its way into my shopping basket.

Arts & Crafts Magazine

Magazine Description Arts & Crafts Magazine is a bimonthly magazine for craft enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada. Each issue contains ideas and suggestions for a wide variety of crafts projects and designs, including how-to articles, patterns, and similar materials.

Art in America

Magazine Description Art In America is dedicated to artists, dealers, and aesthetes who want the latest news from the art world. Topics covered in the monthly magazine include show reviews, event schedules, profiles of artists and genres, and updates on literature and materials.