Oil Painting Techniques and Materials (Dover Art Instruction)

"In any exhibition of amateur work it is not at all unusual to find many charming water-colour drawings, but it is very rarely that the work in the oil medium is anything but dull, dead, and lacking in all vitality and charm." — Harold SpeedSuch provocative assertions are characteristic of this stimulating and informative guide, written in a highly personal and unique style by a noted painter and teacher. Especially instructive is his extensive and perceptive discussion of form, tone, and color, and a fascinating series of detailed "Notes" analyzing the painting styles of Velasquez, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Franz Hals, and Rembrandt.Nearly 70 photographs and drawings illustrate the text, among them prehistoric cave paintings, diagrams of tonal values, stages of portrait painting, and reproductions of masterpieces by Giotto, Vermeer, Ingres, Rembrandt, Titian, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Hals, Giorgione, Poussin, Corot, Veronese, and other luminaries. In addition to these pictorial pleasures, the author further leavens the lessons with thought-provoking opinion.Clear, cogent, and down-to-earth, this time-honored handbook will especially interest serious amateurs studying the technical aspects of oil painting, but its rich insight into the mind and methods of the artist will enlighten and intrigue any art lover.. Brimming with pertinent insights into the technical aspects and painting in oils, it is also designed to help students perfect powers o

In addition to these pictorial pleasures, the author further leavens the lessons with thought-provoking opinion.Clear, cogent, and down-to-earth, this time-honored handbook will especially interest serious amateurs studying the technical aspects of oil painting, but its rich insight into the mind and methods of the artist will enlighten and intrigue any art lover.. Especially instructive is his extensive and perceptive discussion of form, tone, and color, and a fascinating series of detailed "Notes"

"Read his work before, & enjoyed his knowledge & experience!" according to Maestro Perry. I've read his work before called, "The Practice & Science of Drawing' many years ago, as I now have it as another reference book in my artist studio's repertoire. I've enjoyed this book so far, as I'm also reading excepts of other books of artists materials & differ techniques as well, so this work is been really great! This is one that I've missed when I purchased a few art books on materials & techniques that I've always wanted to buy, but that was empty on the shelf and. not the easiest read, but by far the most not the easiest read, but by far the most enlightening and all encompassing of this genre of books in regard to seeing, composing, growing in your art. Slightly dated in a few passages, completely contemporary in most. Speed makes explicit and validates the self-talk and thinking/questioning processes painters (namely myself!) go through while painting.. Valuable info. for both pros and novices 20/20 Excellent book for both experienced and novice painters. Some of the phrasing of language is a bit odd here and there, but was apparently how they spoke at the time. Nothing confusing really, just a bit awkward. Speed gives good insight to technique and approach, and gives us the subtleties of color theory and paint application that one doesn't find much in contemporary "how-to" books. A good read with good analyses of old master works as well.