Techniques of the Impressionists

Rating:
Summary: Very detailed and inspiring
Review: There seem to be so many books on the techniques of the old Masters, but it's very difficult to find books on actual painting techniques of the Impressionists. This book discusses this topic in extreme detail. Small sections of paintings are magnified with arrows pointing to specific areas, describing how they were probably done and with which paint colors.

As a context to the primary subject matter, you also get a fair amount of art history. This part I found interesting as well.

I read this book for hours at a time and was thoroughly fascinated and inspired. If you love the Impressionists and (especially) if you are a painter yourself, you will really appreciate this book.

Rating:
Summary: Unusual Depth and Accessibility
Review: This is an excellent overview of impressionist painting as well as a good introduction to painting methodology in a particular historical context. The author provides the reader with a basis for really understanding the aesthetic agenda of the impressionists by explaining the context in which it developed; traditional academic painting, material changes in the artist's media, the influence of photography, political undercurrents and broader social change, as well as the character of each individual painter.

But it's the illustrations that really make this book useful, engaging you both through ideas and concrete examples of their application. Great for the painter, fans of impressionism, or anyone wanting to understand the visual arts.