Review of TURNER by Noel Gregory and CEZANNE by Michael Sanders This series continues with the time-honoured practice of learning to paint by copying the work of great artists. These books are extremely accessible and easy to follow. Showing you how to reproduce famous works in acrylics (although there's nothing to stop you following the instructions using oils if you prefer) the books are refreshing and appealing. Both authors portray their enthusiasm for the artists, giving insights about their lives and methods and explaining how each achieved his revolutionary and innovative effects. They discuss materials and methods and there are five step-by-step projects showing you how to copy the artists' painting, or paintings inspired by them. These projects include many photos, detailed instructions explaining how to apply the paint and what colours to use, lists of all the paints and brushes you need and six reusable tracings to pull out and transfer on to your painting surface. It's a great way to learn painting and will give all beginner artists confidence, or inspire and enlighten anyone who wants to discover how to paint in any of these great artists' styles.-The Artist I've enjoyed this series - one of the joys of painting for me is looking at how the paintings are constructed, the paints and supports used, how thick or thin and how the paints are applied, heavy or light brush strokes, whether its beautifully blended or mark making. For me this information is as much (sometimes more!!) as seeing the finished artwork. This time Michael looks at Cezanne using acrylics rather the oils he would have used. He looks at three of Cezannes works and using his techniques creates two more of hia own. As ever there are tracings of the artworks so that the student can concentrate on the techniques used. Cezanne isn't one of my favourite artists, although I love colour and drama I find most of his works a bit too garish...but thats just my opinion of course :o) however I really loved the card playersA which has more muted tones and its one I shall attempt ( one day...along with other things on my wish list). What I enjoy about this especially is this the way its made of a series of marks rather than carefully blended paints and yet looked as a whole the figures are complete - when I try this somehow I just end up with in-cohesive marks - must try harder! If you like trying different styles and are interested in various techniques of painting and applying paint in a way other than what you are used to you'll find this series thoroughly engrossing.-JeannieZelos.com
