Introductory painting books?
Jonathan Hendry
Folks,
I'd like to start teaching myself how to paint, and
I was wondering if anyone can point me to an excellent
introductory text. At some point I want to take some
classes, but right now it has to be self-paced. I
haven't had any art instruction since, I think, 8th
grade.
I'd be learning using a computer, specifically
using Fractal Design Painter, so it wouldn't
be 'real' painting. A text that takes this into
account would be great. One that spends lots of
time on the mechanics of the medium (mixing
oils, say) wouldn't be that useful. Eventually,
I'd like to start using real brushes and paint,
but at the moment I've neither time nor resources
for that.
Thanks,
Jonathan
zi...@interport.net
Dear Jonathan,
The only painting book I ever found was of any use to beginning
students is one published by Penguin in paperback.
It is by Lynton Lamb the British painter and illustrator and is very
clear and precise and useful. It is out of print but should cost you
under $10.00 used if you can get someone to get it for you. On the
other hand you should be able to find a copy for peanuts in any large
city. I am not sure of the title I get it confused with another book I
used to refer to which would not be for you. It mught be something
like "The Practice of Painting". If any one remembers the actual name
I hope they will chime in.
Sincerely,
Gabriel
Mattison
Jonathan Hendry (j...@subsequent.com) wrote:
: Folks,
: I'd like to start teaching myself how to paint, and
: I was wondering if anyone can point me to an excellent
: introductory text. At some point I want to take some
: classes, but right now it has to be self-paced. I
: haven't had any art instruction since, I think, 8th
: grade.
: I'd be learning using a computer, specifically
: using Fractal Design Painter, so it wouldn't
: be 'real' painting. A text that takes this into
: account would be great. One that spends lots of
: time on the mechanics of the medium (mixing
: oils, say) wouldn't be that useful. Eventually,
: I'd like to start using real brushes and paint,
: but at the moment I've neither time nor resources
: for that.
: Thanks,
: Jonathan
Your in for a shock baby...that computer is nothing like the reality
of painting. Forget the book too and do not stay with in the
lines. I am so tired of seeing Sunday painters and art and wino art in
the lines its is so boring.
As for not enough cash to paint. Pick up used canvass at the Goodwill
or old frames stretch those with the cheapest duct. Then trip down to HAz
Material Department on a drop off day. You will get tons of paint free and
fly fly fly be free little butterfly.
Mattison Fitzgerald
One of the few professional artists
here who even bothers to post.
http://www.rhinodev.com/M
Link M baby!
zi...@interport.net
Dear Mattison:
{By the way who were you named after? I will tell you mystory if you
give yours.]
I usually agree with you. I was one of the three expert witnesses
called to support the street artists when they had a hearing before a
committee of New York's City Council. We won that one and I made
several suggestions as to where Street Artists should be allowed to
sell there wares, such as in the atria which were built into New York
buildings with the specific proviso that they should be open to public
use-which allowed the builders to go higher! They hated theproposal,
of course.
But I do not believe that people who want to paint should be
discouraged. If I enjoy it and am addicted to it and other artists
are, it is good for the soul. It also might help more people to begin
to understand something about art. To respond to it. This is all good.
When I was teaching, we started getting an odd phenomenon. People who
were retired were allowed to take one free course at the school I
taught at. Some of them were awful and some of them were just
wonderful, often as good as anyone in the class. I hope that some have
continued painting, but if they haven't, they have been able to have
joy going to museums and galleries. Joys they would have never
understood before. I can find nothing wrong with this.
Hans Hofmann owned a roomful of a French folk Sunday painter named
Vivin. He also owned a Miro, a Matisse and a Lurcat. [this is based on
being in his house in Provincetown in 1949]. The greatest pleasure in
the housre, though was looking through two largeportfolios of
landscapes in crayon and cray pas he had down in 1947. There muse have
been 50 or 60 of them. But the Vivin's stay well in my memory, too.
Owning the Vivin certainly showed good taste AND acceptance of the
idea that others than professional artists could do something
worthwhile in art.
The introductory book teaches conventional picture making, but it does
teach many skills which are invaluable. The really wonderful amateurs
manage to come up wiuth something wonderful and unconventional boith
because of and despite the book. Tradition and the personal weird can
go together. No knowledge makes for a dull boy or girl. Can you name
the one and only painter considered a major AE figure who did not
study art seriously for years? All the others did and also painted in
many styles before they out it together. Studying with a teacher is
better, but a book is worth something.
Gabriel
P.S. For those of you in the New York metropolitan area, I have a
show, my first in three years, opening on Saturday at the Peter
Tatistcheff Gallery, on the 8th floor of 50 West 57th Street,between
Fifth and Sixth Avenues from2 to 5 PM. We managed to hang only 9
paintings and 3 or 4 23" x 30" pastels. The paintings are from 50" x
60" to 72" x 84". There are five narrative paintings. The rest are
portraits and nudes. That is misleading, though, because one of the
narratives has only one nude figure in it.
PPS. I agree with Mattison on computers and fractals. They are a
disaster for anyone who wants to learn something about art and make
something with some authenticity.
Nita Leland
Try http://www.bibliofind.com/--they have several copies available.
--
Nita Leland
nle...@erinet.com
zi...@interport.net wrote in article
<63rjr8$27c$1...@broadway.interport.net>...
Jay Esparza
The assumption that paint and canvas are a superior medium to electronic
media seems a bit narrow. I think whatever implement an artist chooses
should be acceptable and encouraged. When we begin to think as oil or
acrylic as "pure" mediums that are noe merely different but superior, we
are telling those who wish to create how to do so. I am addressing this
comment to the final statement of your post even though the bulk of your
letter seems to agree with what I am saying. I much rather paint and
draw than take photographs, yet I have a great deal of respect for the
artist that creates with a camera.
Your story about Hoffman is great. I envy your experience.
J. Christopher Esparza
Mattison
zi...@interport.net wrote:
: Dear Mattison:
: {By the way who were you named after? I will tell you mystory if you
: give yours.]
It is a cross between a 16th c. Italian Healer adn Herbalist Mattioli, a
street in NYC Madison, where my dad is from - but it is spelled different
because he is Catholic but kinda sounds the same (it was alll his idea). It
means Gift from God
or some such thing...and well if you read my web site you will see..I
have had a gift from god, have this weird gift for healing and sensing
the sickness individually and globally, it is tiring at times though, I
work with gardens and herbs often, I have walked with my art on Madison
Avenue,I will be visiting Italy soon and love Italians anyway...and
anyone who refers to me as Matti does not know me..it is
Mattison...unless your Italian then we can give you concessions with
Mattioli just to get inthe spirit of things...
: I usually
agree with you. I was one of the three expert witnesses
: called to support the street artists when they had a hearing before a
: committee of New York's City Council. We won that one and I made
: several suggestions as to where Street Artists should be allowed to
: sell there wares, such as in the atria which were built into New York
: buildings with the specific proviso that they should be open to public
: use-which allowed the builders to go higher! They hated theproposal,
: of course.
: But I do not believe that people who want to paint should be
: discouraged. If I enjoy it and am addicted to it and other artists
: are, it is good for the soul. It also might help more people to begin
: to understand something about art. To respond to it. This is all good.
: When I was teaching, we started getting an odd phenomenon. People who
: were retired were allowed to take one free course at the school I
: taught at. Some of them were awful and some of them were just
: wonderful, often as good as anyone in the class. I hope that some have
: continued painting, but if they haven't, they have been able to have
: joy going to museums and galleries. Joys they would have never
: understood before. I can find nothing wrong with this.
Where did you get the sense I was discouraging this guy from painting?
No way - he should just dive right in no lessons required. He will
probably turn out better work not staying with in the lines literally and
figuratively.
: Hans Hofmann owned a roomful of a French folk Sunday painter
named
: Vivin. He also owned a Miro, a Matisse and a Lurcat. [this is based on
: being in his house in Provincetown in 1949]. The greatest pleasure in
: the housre, though was looking through two largeportfolios of
: landscapes in crayon and cray pas he had down in 1947. There muse have
: been 50 or 60 of them. But the Vivin's stay well in my memory, too.
I hope my post did not discourage any of you students. You all should be
outt there painting your littelllbrushes off.
It is from my observation of American art from arround the country this
year simply - you all better paint more - thats all = virgo = picky =
don't stay winh in the lines. It takes too long to crawl out form the
educational web. I just speak from years of experience.
: Owning the Vivin certainly
showed good taste AND acceptance
of the : idea that others than professional artists could do something
: worthwhile in art.
I dont debate it...only years behing the brush is like years in the
bottle for wine.
: The introductory book teaches conventional picture making, but it does
: teach many skills which are invaluable. The really wonderful amateurs
: manage to come up wiuth something wonderful and unconventional boith
: because of and despite the book. Tradition and the personal weird can
Most of it is pretty bad. I think they will do better just diving into
those insecurities.
: go together. No knowledge makes for a dull boy or girl. Can you name
: the one and only painter considered a major AE figure who did not
: study art seriously for years? All the others did and also painted in
: many styles before they out it together. Studying with a teacher is
: better, but a book is worth something.
: Gabriel
I have taught students. They really resist the risks of just jumping
in...making mistakes. ....the more mistakes....the closer you are to
art...books are too confining and I think most college art courses should
all be redesigned into the Business of Art classes so these people could
actually make a living instead of 98% never showing again after thier
freshman show.
: P.S. For those of you in the New York metropolitan area, I
have a : show, my first in three years, opening on Saturday at the Peter
: Tatistcheff Gallery, on the 8th floor of 50 West 57th Street,between
: Fifth and Sixth Avenues from2 to 5 PM. We managed to hang only 9
: paintings and 3 or 4 23" x 30" pastels. The paintings are from 50" x
: 60" to 72" x 84". There are five narrative paintings. The rest are
: portraits and nudes. That is misleading, though, because one of the
: narratives has only one nude figure in it.
Congrats on the show...ask Peter if he can rep me - if you would. My
dealer is no more in NYC. Need new connection - can stop by on the way
back form Italy.
: PPS. I agree with Mattison on computers and
Mattison
: zi...@interport.net wrote:
: > Dear Mattison:
: >
: > {By the way who were you named after? I will tell you mystory if you
: > give yours.]
Oh yeas -
Well - the Fitzgerald part comes from my Grandpa and Wicklow County,
Ireland. My Grand mother is Kennedy - Daly from Clare. I am told my Great
Grandpa Fitz made booze in NYC. My rebel parents split the east
coast after the war cause my Dad liked CA and was tired of the signs he read
as a kid - in stores during the depression owned by the Jewish that
said "Don't hire the Irish" I do not blame him. My Mom was never into
the Blue Blood thing either. She had some wild hair at 17 and decided
she was goona have all her kids in San Francisco....so I was born and
raised in San Francsisco...love the beach anyway.
That is all I can tell you about the Fitzgerald part of my name - except
my Grandpa spelled it FitzGerald = old Irish. My Dad spells it
Fitzgerald = American. I did the cap G when my Grandpa died in a daliy
honor to the clan and the past. I guess if my dad dies I will lower the
G to honor
him. My own little family prayer I guess...is that enough on the name?
Mattison FitzGerald
Artist
http:www.rhinodev.com/M
Marilyn
Hi Nita,
In your response to Zita (Gabriel) the URL was a <404, Not Found>.
Maybe you could correct it. Thanks
Marilyn
John Pangia
> Jonathan Hendry (j...@subsequent.com) wrote:
>
> : Folks,
>
> : I'd like to start teaching myself how to paint
>
> : I'd be learning using a computer, specifically
> : using Fractal Design Painter, so it wouldn't
> : be 'real' painting.
---------------------------
Then Mattison wrote
>
> Your in for a shock baby...that computer is nothing like the reality
> of painting.
----------------
Now for my 2 cents... Jonathan, I've been using digital images quite a
bit lately, and while the computer can be an amazing tool, it's just
that, no different than a brush, a camera, or a pallete knife. Books
will give you a basic idea of technique, but you won't understand it
until you just jump in and do it, regardless of the medium. Go ahead an
enjoy some explorations with digital images, but don't cheat yourself
out of the experience of smearing some paint with a brush.
I always revert back to my basic artist's statement about what makes
good art - You either like it, or you don't... - and everyone is their
own judge of that.
Good luck,
John
--
Altered Images
http://www.jersey.net/~usns