A Personal View - Pamela Kay - Gouache

Rating:
Summary: Not a How - To Type Book
Review: I bought this book because I was intrigued to see a book on painting in gouache (opaque watercolor). On receiving it I was surprised as it was not the type of book I expected it to be. This is not a how-to book despite what the blurbs led me to think. This is more of a book on the life, thoughts and painting experiences of Pamela Kay as she uses gouache, watercolor, pastel and oil to express herself.

As such, it is more akin to coffee-table books that display paintings by the artist. She does provide somewhat more detail into the painting and drawing process than a coffee-table art book but not as much as I'd wished. Also, after awhile, I yearned for more variety in the paintings as the book was page after page of bowls of fruit and flowers in vases. There were a few paintings of landscapes and some sketches of people but they were too few. This is not a bad book. It can be quite enjoyable for someone who is a fan of Ms. Kay's paintings. Just understand it is more about Ms. Kay and a display of her paintings and musings than tips or techniques for painting in gouache yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous Paintings
Review: Like the previous reviewer, I purchased the book because I was intrigued by gouache. However, I did not expect it to be a how-to book and it isn't. Ms. Kay does talk a lot about the medium: how to use it and its difference from transparent watercolor. There is much you can learn. Of course, the best part is Ms. Kay's collection of paintings. Beautiful, dynamic still lifes that are great for the artist, but are also great if you love gardening and flowers and would like a lovely book depicting lush roses, joyous pansies, and a number of other flowers, large and small, in terra cotta pots, small crystal goblets, everyday glasses. The settings could be your dining room table or a favorite shelf. There are also sketches of Venice, paintings of gardens, and a sleeping kitten that is wonderful (that's a lot for me to say since my idea of a real pet is a German Shepherd or Bernese Mountain Dog and nothing remotely feline, but I would gladly hang this pastel in my bedroom). There are several pastels and a number of casual portrait sketches. All are wonderfully done. I recommend the book highly.