Rating: 
Summary: The best how-to book written by an artist
Review:
Whenever I go to a book store or library, I always search for the best how-to type of books written by artists. Having read many of them, I was sort of disappointed. There are good paintings here and there, but lot of so-so works filled in those books. Then one day I found Ramon Kelley's book and I like every painting in the book! The writing is clear and direct. He is talking about the essentials and the essentials are all I need.
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT
Review: ALL artist NEED this book!a treasure, get it while you can....
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Basic Stuff
Review: Good for beginners. Author is good at writing; meaning the reading is interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Basic Stuff
Review: Good for beginners. Author is good at writing; meaning the reading is interesting.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Introduction for Creating Visually Strong 2D Art
Review: I first bought this book simply because I enjoy the many beautiful paintings within. The day after I bought it I took the time to read it and realized the lessons it contains are something anyone working in any medium will find useful. My main preferred media for painting are watercolor, acrylic and soft pastel. The only media I share with the author is soft pastel as the author prefers soft pastel and oil. The majority of this book discusses principles of art useful for all media. These are - 1) Composition 2) Value 3) Color 4) Texture 5) Focal Point. Each chapter features many paintings that are examined for illustrating the principle the chapter is discussing. The final pages of each chapter are devoted to a step-by-step demonstration and captions explaining what the author is trying to achieve and why he chose to approach each stage of the painting the way he did. The end of the chapter then lists the other principles and thumbnails of the demo painting to show how those 4 remaining principles apply to it. There are some things to consider about this book. The principles are timeless, yes and they apply to all styles of surface design art. Even someone who, for example, works in stained glass or embroidery will use some of these same principles for their art work. However, I think the book would have been even stronger if a gallery in the back had featured some guest artists' work. Particulary if the guest artists' work did not look like the author's. Also, as someone who works in acrylic, his advice for textures in paintings is of greatest use for someone who prefers to let only their brush, palette knife or soft pastel suggest them. There are some media such as acrylic or collage where it is possible to use tools and mediums other than a paintbrush or palette knife to add interesting textures to a piece. Watercolorists do this all the time using everything from alcohol to salt to saran wrap for creating interesting textures and that doesn't even require the addition of mediums that will be permanently stuck to the surface of their painting. Some acrylic painters (such as myself) enjoy using the many modeling pastes and gels available to add texture and interest to their work. This does not invalidate Mr. Kelley's advice. It's merely more tightly focused on his style of art. The book is after all, mainly about he applies these principles to his own art and he states in the text that prefers to use brush and palette knife rather than adding mediums or other elements to create texture. In my opinion, I believe it is quite possible to create successful paintings that could use mediums, collage or even found objects all over a painting's surface without falling into the trap he calls gimicky. I suspect Mr. Kelley might disagree with me on that point. This is why I say the book might have been even more useful if it had included a chapter showing other artists' work and how they applied the 5 principles he discusses. People whose artistic style or preferred medium diverges from the author's can skip over the sections where he discusses his techniques specifically for oil or soft pastels. Also, someone who paints in a more experimental style will find they can skip over some sections. Ultimately, the book will be most enjoyable for someone wanting a serious discussion on these 5 principles all contained in a single book. I can think of other books that are better on one or maybe two of these principles simply because they exclude the others and explain the one or two focused on in greater detail. Also, if you are looking for advice on perspective, even in relation to the 5 principles discussed, you will need to look elsewhere. The book does not have the comprehensiveness of a college textbook on these principles but neither does it suffer from the typical astronomical textbook price. It should serve quite well as an introductory lesson or reminder of 5 principles all surface design artwork needs to be strong visually.
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Summary: The 5 Essentials in Every Powerful Painting
Review: I have over 300 art technique books. This one is the best of all time. I am a professional artist in oil painting and pastel.
There was information in the book I have never heard on impressionism; i.e., limited the type strokes. The studio and work placed shown in book was like my own. It was well filled with books and still life objects. I showed it to my husband so that he would stop nagging me about cleaning up or I had bought too many books. I am in a SAD depression. This book inspired me to get up and move and to just do it. I feel wonderful. This book has made a hugh impact on my painting.
Rating: 
Summary: NOTHING I DID NOT ALREADY KNOW
Review: I really do not understand some of the other reviews on this book. This is really not a 'how to paint a variety of different styles' book. This is an honest book from an excellent artist who shows you how 'he' paints. I first read this book at the library. I felt it was 'okay'. However, as my skills grew; I kept finding myself checking this book out again and again. Finally, I broke down and bought the book. I didn't check it out again to try to duplicate the painting style of the author. Which I'm in awe of, and so is the Pastel and Watercolor Society by the way. The reason I got it, was because this book really shows you how to create powerful paintings. It shows you how to think before you put brush to canvas. Again, I can't believe the poor customer reviews. I've read fifty or sixty books on painting and this one along with Oil Painting Secrets from a Master are the two that I pick up again and again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: I really do not understand some of the other reviews on this book. This is really not a 'how to paint a variety of different styles' book. This is an honest book from an excellent artist who shows you how 'he' paints. I first read this book at the library. I felt it was 'okay'. However, as my skills grew; I kept finding myself checking this book out again and again. Finally, I broke down and bought the book. I didn't check it out again to try to duplicate the painting style of the author. Which I'm in awe of, and so is the Pastel and Watercolor Society by the way. The reason I got it, was because this book really shows you how to create powerful paintings. It shows you how to think before you put brush to canvas. Again, I can't believe the poor customer reviews. I've read fifty or sixty books on painting and this one along with Oil Painting Secrets from a Master are the two that I pick up again and again and again.
Rating:
Summary: NOTHING I DID NOT ALREADY KNOW
Review: IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE A BOOK, IT SHOULD CONTAIN CONSTRUCTIVE AND INSTUCTIONAL MATERIAL. THIS BOOK HAS NETHER ONE AND I HOPE TO FIND BOOKS WITH MUCH MUCH BETTER INFORMATION. HOPE THIS HELPS PEOPLE NOT WASTE THEIR MONEY.
Rating:
Summary: COULD BE BETTER INFORMATION!
Review: NICE PHOTOS OF PAINTINGS BUT NOT MUCH INFORMATION FOR ARTISTS. JUST GENERAL THINGS THAT WE ALREADY SHOULD KNOW .
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