( 4 reviews )
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Posted: Jun 21 2007
I am almost through reading this book and dread reaching the end! It has been such a wonderful adventure absorbing Zhang's approach to color, color palettes, and analyzing the various colors chosen for his yin/yang palettes, not to mention enjoying his beautiful work. I am anxious to give some of his ideas a try. I would highly recommend this book not only for its unique slant on oil painting, but for the mental exercise it has provided! It's not just your typical same old beginner's book, that's for sure. This one makes an artist THINK!
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Sep 26 2005
I found this book very helpful, especially in the area of mixing color. I thought the information was put in a way that is easy to remember. Overall, the picture quality is pretty good but I thought this kept the book from being great.
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( 9 of 9 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jun 15 2004
I have read the previous reviews, and find that the people with criticism have missed the most important point. For me, it is that by using Mr. Zhang's complementary palettes, a painter cannot create MUD!There may be other books which describe some of the notions of opposites presented by the authors, but none which provide an artist with such a foolproof method for mixing harmonious paint. After many years of using the classic paint hues of the great masters, I attempted a painting with one of Mr. Zhang's palettes, and found that with respect to color, it is the best and most satisfying work of my life. Now I paint exclusively with them.I believe that this book is meant for advanced artists, although beginners will find a world of important fundamentals, as well. For all its valuable lessons, the pages of the book are also filled with absolutely stunning paintings. HongNian Zhang creates sheer visual poetry. His book, so clearly and intelligently written by portrait artist and teacher Lois Woolley, is replete with novel ideas, expert instruction, and edifying demonstrations. But it would also be worth owning for the paintings alone.I do wish persons who consider writing a review would actually read and study the book, and in the case of an instruction book for artists, that they actually attempt putting to practice the lessons taught -- otherwise they have no basis from which to judge, and no business doing so. I can't recommend this book highly enough -- five stars are far too few!
