Portrait Painting Atelier: Old Master Techniques and Contemporary Applications Hardcover – March 9, 2010

This book has wonderful descriptions of how to paint like the Masters. I have learned so much and I'm only about a third of the way through. So many full high-definition pictures that it would be worth the price just for the pictures of art. But even if there were no pictures it would still be worth the price and then some. I think this book is worth an entire semester of arts school there is so much to learn I'm so much this book will teach and easy to understand and yet with in depth descriptions of why something works and how to retrieve it on a canvas. There's a whole chapter on how to prepare a canvas directly how to build one's own canvas. Then it launches into wonderful explanations of how to achieve the type of realism and clarity and oil paints.This book is truly exceptional I was surprised way better than I expected.

There have been volumes written on the way the Old Masters approached their painting process, their techniques, the limitations of the materials at hand, and the amazing portraits they were able to produce. With the panoply of paints, equipment, mediums and surfaces that are available to the artist today, it is still not clear how we can strive to develop the beautiful, sensitive, glowing results of these Old Masters - until now. Ms. Brooker does this in a well written, 'user friendly' manner. She starts with the premise that as artists, we have to take an organized, intellectual approach to our painting (a novel concept considering what we were exposed to in the 60's and 70's). She launches us on this path of an organized thought process by addressing the basics of studio practices (organized palette = orgainzed thinking)and even includes a review of the preparation of quality surfaces and their importance to producing quality paintings (a part I found to be very useful).Ms. Brooker then addresses the use of color and pallette management, toned grounds and paint application to prepare us for the painting processes. Before diving into the hands on work of painting the portrait, she provides an abreviated look at the normally bone dry subject of facial anatomy. This is enough to whet the appetite of those who would like more detail while stasfying the basic needs of the majority of those interested in portraiture. Instead of pages on the underlying anatomy of the 4 key features of the face, she walks us through a process of observing the expressive nature of each followed by practical techniques for painting them. I found these very helpful in reassessing how I approach the painting eyes and nose.The final two sections on the process and associated demos of painting portraits, give the reader excellent examples of how one can begin to achieve result akin to those of the Old Masters. Ms. Brooker takes through the preparation of the ground, blocking-in, underpainting, paint applicaiton, finishing with the judicious use of glaze to bring forth the glowing life force we seek in our paintings.This book clearly demonstrate Ms. Brooker's thesis that a thoughtful, dare we say intellectual, approach to portraiture is essential. This, coupled with being able to take advantage of the concious choice of ground, underpainting and transparent nature of paint, will allow the reader / painter to begin the realization of the desired optical impacts we so admire in the work of the Old Masters.

My first copy was stolen by a student at UCO. I was happy Amazon sold this valuable reference book. Every artist needs one and the price was inexpensive for the value. Hard back books are best for art students and professionals.

Wonderful teacher with examples of building the painting

Conceptos claros. Buenos ejemplos.

I have been painting for quite a few years, but I noticed my colors were a little bland. When I read the reviews on this book and decided to order, I thought it might give my work a shot in the arm. I was quite impressed with the methods the author employs. I know it will take a few months to digest and personalize eveything in this method, but I am sure it will help my painting tremendously. I am very glad that such books are published, and take my hat off to the author.If you are interested in learning the 'glazing' method of painting - especially for figurative work. this book could be what you are looking for. I highly recommend it.

The book explained color values, and combinations of compatible colors for the best skin and shadow tone results. How to layout the most effective pallet for specific portrait subjects, as well as examples of alternate painting techniques.An easy to follow tutorial for the non experienced and the more advanced oil painter. I refer to it regularly when starting anew painting.