Architecture in Watercolor

Rating:
Summary: Stunning work. A treat for lovers of architecture
Review: I bought this book thinking it was about rendering architectural subjects for watercolorists. It is not, so I was disappointed in that respect. But I was not disappointed in the artwork included in what is really a book intended for architects and admirerers of their work.

The drawings and paintings of buildings of all kinds can take your breath away. There are some projects of great magnificence (the proposed Arts and Cultural Center in Rome on the cover is one in particular.) There is a section on different mediums such as ink line and wash, pastel and charcoal, standard watercolor. There is a historical perspective section that includes classic paintings of John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer. In particular, there is a picture of Sargent's of a doorway on a canal in Venice that is familiar--yet set in this book it gives a new insight into how artists can show architecture for not only the features of a facade, but with style. The purely architectural works are more finely drawn and less "painterly" but they are amazing in their own right. My favorite is a picture of the addition to the Jewish Museum in New York, which combines artistic feeling with an informational slant, showing what a modern addition would look like added to the noble French Mansard style original building.

While this book wasn't what I needed for technique, I had a wonderful time drooling over the pages at some really wonderful architectural renderings in watercolor, ink and pencil. A real visual treat.

Rating:
Summary: Positively Sublime
Review: Schaller's sublime style of rendering is reason enough to buy this book (and perhaps to clip the pages and insert the images into frames that once hosted pictures of your relatives!)

Watercolor is a difficult medium, and this guide, if it was intended to be such, does not serve the beginner well with introductory techniques. However, it does portray stellar examples of watercolor rendering, and a study of Schaller's work can reveal graphic composition/ and color techniques to complement any renderer's toolbelt.

His examples show artistic use of depth, composition, foreground-background balance, dynamism, and shadows.

I've always read the word "spellbinding" in reviews. After this book, I know what that means. I am surprised, after reviewing Schaller's work that he is not renowned as an artist outside the architectural sphere (at least to my knowledge).

Rating:
Summary: Positively Sublime
Review: Schaller's sublime style of rendering is reason enough to buy this book (and perhaps to clip the pages and insert the images into frames that once hosted pictures of your relatives!)

Watercolor is a difficult medium, and this guide, if it was intended to be such, does not serve the beginner well with introductory techniques. However, it does portray stellar examples of watercolor rendering, and a study of Schaller's work can reveal graphic composition/ and color techniques to complement any renderer's toolbelt.

His examples show artistic use of depth, composition, foreground-background balance, dynamism, and shadows.

I've always read the word "spellbinding" in reviews. After this book, I know what that means. I am surprised, after reviewing Schaller's work that he is not renowned as an artist outside the architectural sphere (at least to my knowledge).

Rating:
Summary: Art and technique of architectural watercolor illustration.
Review: You don't have to be an architect to appreciate the architectural artwork included in Thos. Schaller's book, "Architecture in Watercolor." Albeit created for the practical purpose of visualizing architectural projects, the delicacy and skill with which they are executed, elevates many of these illustrations to fine art, reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints in their beauty. With historic illustration references as well as those of his own creation, Mr. Schaller has created a handsome coffeetable book under the guise of a guide to technique.

Rating:
Summary: Art and technique of architectural watercolor illustration.
Review: You don't have to be an architect to appreciate the architectural artwork included in Thos. Schaller's book, "Architecture in Watercolor." Albeit created for the practical purpose of visualizing architectural projects, the delicacy and skill with which they are executed, elevates many of these illustrations to fine art, reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints in their beauty. With historic illustration references as well as those of his own creation, Mr. Schaller has created a handsome coffeetable book under the guise of a guide to technique.