Everything you need to know to get started.   April 16, 2003

That aside, after looking at MANY books on the subject, i wholeheartdly endorse this one.


This is a 'what is' book, not a 'how to' book.   January 8, 2003
  23 out of 26 found this review helpful

Description, title and reviews led me to believe this book was about techniques and how to perform them. After looking over the book I was dissapointed to discover the main emphasis though is to explain what a certain technique is, as opposed to how you perform a certain technique. In other words the demonstrations are few and very limited.


Great examples, in depth backgroud info, terrific demos   April 29, 2002
  108 out of 108 found this review helpful

This is an excellent guide to acrylic painting. It offers in depth background information as well as numerous step-by-step technique demonstrations. There are also many great example paintings throughout the book.

The book starts out with an overview of nine different paint brands including their characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. It then covers mediums, varnishes, modeling paste and gesso as well as supports, grounds, brushes, knives and other tools. Other background information such as selecting a color pallet, protecting finished works and caring for tools is here as well. There are even demonstrations on stretching and priming a canvas as well as preparing panels.

Basic concepts such as mixing paint, blending with both soft and hard edges, layering, scraping and spraying are covered next. Demonstrations include mixing paints on the pallet and creating a hard edge with masking tape. Color characteristics and relationships are also discussed.

Acrylic painting techniques follow, starting with a discussion of how to plan a painting and draw a preliminary sketch. You will find out how to use acrylics to mimic other styles of painting such as watercolor, opaque watercolor, oil painting and egg tempera. There is further instruction on how to combine techniques, paint on a wet canvas, create a collage, work with a gel medium and make a relief painting. Using acrylics with other media and in craft applications is also explored. Brief demonstrations show how they can be used with pencil and wash, colored pencil, lithography crayon, pastels and oil pastels.

There is a good list of suppliers and a detailed index. I recommend this book for acrylic painter of all levels because of its excellent coverage of both materials and a wide range of techniques.


A painter's review   June 20, 2000
  115 out of 117 found this review helpful

This is a great book on acrylic painting whether you are a beginner or an accomplished painter, one of the best I have found, and I am quite a collector of "how to" books as I am basically a self taught painter. It includes many easy step by step lessons using the techniques used by the author to paint realistic looking pictures, or, techniques to use for any style painting you prefer. Painting in acrylics is not that easy to do because they dry so fast but the instructions in this book help you learn how to get professional looking results in a short period of time. I find this book to be user friendly and much more informative than most of the books out there on acrylic painting. And, it doesn't spend half the book talking about brushes, paper, etc. It is a technique orientated instructional book. I like this book so much I have given it to friends as a present. 5 stars!