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| Traditional Oil Painting: Advanced Techniques and Concepts from the Renaissance to the Present | 
 enlarge | Author: Virgil Elliott
Publisher: Watson-Guptill
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy New: $23.10
You Save: $11.90 (34%)
Buy New/Used from $21.57
Avg. Customer Rating:  (20 reviews)
Sales Rank: 18613
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.8
Dimensions (in): 11.2 x 9.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 0823030660
Dewey Decimal Number: 751.45
EAN: 9780823030668
ASIN: 0823030660
Publication Date: August 7, 2007
Release Date: August 7, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Excellent Reference Book March 27, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is not a "how-to" book; it is an excellent reference book to keep within reach when you are working. The older books are so obscure, so difficult to try to understand (I am thinking of the Doerner book in particular) and based on speculation about the techniques and materials used by the masters of the past. Mr. Elliott has kept abreast of discoveries by conservators in the major museums using the most up to date, sophisticated technology; as well as the continuous testing of other experts in various fields (Paint manufacturers) and the ASTM. That is why he can warn about using zinc white; how and when to use the umbers; how to organize your pigments and use them according to their innate characteristics; the safe support to use for your painting; why some paintings from the '70s are falling off the canvas, etc. Again, it is an invaluable reference tool. I think other reviewers have been thinking of it more in terms of a how-to book, rather than as nuts-and-bolts information to bring to your own artwork.
Traditional Oil Painting: A Wonderful Book February 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The book is quite well written with several excellent tips for advanced oil painters and superb illustrations. The author is modest and knowledgeable, sharing insights about the mysteries of painting as well as several practical solutions to composition questions and palette references.
A Very Profound,,Teaching book on Oil painting February 9, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I, have been wanting to purchase Virgil Elliott's Traditional Oil Painting for some time... and I must say,,,it is one of the finest teaching books that I have ever read..Starting to paint later on in my life,,,words cannot express how glad I am that I bought it...It is helping me sooo very much,,,What a Master teacher he is...I highly recomend it to anyone even to those who have been painting for many many years...
Betty Jane Covington
 An Excellent Overview But Something's Missing January 3, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Virgil Elliot is an extremely knowledgeable artist who understands painting in the way only an experienced practitioner can. That said, I still found myself wanting more from this book. While it contains an accurate, concise summation of traditional techniques and concepts in oil painting, it does not elaborate on these practices with adequate illustrations.
In his introduction, Virgil Elliot makes clear that he was pressured by the publisher to include demonstrations and samples of his own work against his own inclination to keep the book pure as a reference manual - not a "how-to" book. This is quite evident, as the processes are not very well documented with sufficient photography. Although, I think the publisher was RIGHT to suggest documenting the various historical processes visually through Elliot's hand! I wish he recognized the value of this more. Serious artists ARE plagued by the myriads of amateur how-to books on the market, however, I think Elliot's work is clearly above this mess.
I applaud Elliot's mention of the differences between modern store-bought paint and hand-made paint used by past masters AS WELL AS his discussion on the transparency of pigments. His discussion of the opacity and permanence of pigments is precisely the kind of information I would expect in a book discussing advanced techniques. Back to criticism - in my opinion, the omission of visually well-documented demonstrations of the discussed concepts and techniques are a major flaw in this work. Virgil Elliot is incredibly knowledgeable on the subject of traditional oil painting - I just wish the book contained better visuals.
Great book Virgil! December 19, 2007
Virgil Elliott's book is a well written and packed with information if you care to take the time to digest it. Although filled with great looking art, this is not just a pretty coffee table art book. The author explains complex concepts in art in concise and well crafted paragraphs. It's obvious that he speaks from a wealth of experience, but to translate it in such an articulate manner is a rare quality. If you are the type of reader that scans the surface, you probably won't like this book. However, if you are looking for a book that is packed with pertinent information about painting and you are willing to slow down and digest it, you will not be disappointed.
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