A master class for fans and artists alike
348636
I first learned of Steve Rude when I discovered Nexus and was immediately impressed by his painting and drawing skills.  While the book highlights many facets of Steve's talent the most impressive part for me was seeing the sketches and color roughs develop into fully finished painting.  About as close to a Steve Rude tutorial as you can get.  As an artist myself I think it is important to always be aware, not only of past artists, but also the artists of today and of the art being made around you.  Any comic fan, aspiring artists, or professional artists would enjoy adding this book to their library. Highly recommended.

Brian Miller - Author:&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Hi-Fi-Color-For-Comics-Digital-Techniques-for-Professional-Results/dp/1581809921/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Hi-Fi Color For Comics: Digital Techniques for Professional Results</a>
1162998
Robert Storr is a great critic & therefore, as you would expect, this is an excellent introduction to one of the most interesting & consistant painters alive to-day. Pearlstein, now in his 80s, arrived in New York with Warhol, but has rejected all the art fads & fashions over the last 50 years to concentrate on the human form. His paintings are larger than life. This book concentrates on them - personally I think Pearlstein's drawings show some of his greatest talent (they are "purer" than the paintings)- but for any student/lover of painting here is a book that does justice to an exceptional artist.
1668184
This book is huge. It's the size of a full-grown human torso. There are pluses and minuses that go along with that. On the plus side, you won't find comic book art much bigger than this, and there is some excellent art here that deserves all that page space. On the negative side, it's incredibly unwieldy (I had to set it on a table just to read it) and, to be honest, most of the art here either doesn't really take advantage of the size or doesn't really warrant it, at least not in my opinion. It would have been nice if the new material created specifically for this volume truly made the most of it with giant, wide-screen panels or fantastic spectacles, rather than just ordinary comic book pages blown up. Oh well.

I like Madman, but I'm not what you'd call a hardcore fan. It's fun and offbeat, and Mike Allred has been consistently rock solid for decades. He's had plenty of other projects to keep him busy, so it hasn't nearly been all Madman, but this collection is a nice tribute to him and to the character. One of the biggest reasons I picked this up was because I missed out on the Madman Gargantua HC, and because of all the incredible artists who contributed. I don't think it quite takes the place of Gargantua, but it was still a worthwhile purchase.

Most of the content here is reprinted, but I never bought it the first time around, so it's new to me. It was very cool to see the massive collection of Madman tribute art from a who's who of comic book creators past and present which comprises the bulk of the book. If you've already got a lot of Madman in your collection, most of these illustrations won't be new to you, though you certainly haven't seen them at this size. As I mentioned, most of these pieces really don't justify being reproduced at this size, but there are some pages here that are so big and gorgeous I want to cut them out with a razor, frame them and stick them on a wall. And one day I might.

Between the hefty price tag and the hefty book itself, I have a feeling most people will know what they're getting themselves into if they're thinking about buying this. I would just caution that most of the artists included to this book contributed just a page or two, and for the most part it's not usually their best work. But if you like a wide range of art styles and the fun signature camp of Madman (and of course if you don't own the bulk of the material reprinted here), this is a pretty nice collection.
3534795
Unlike most other art/companion books that one might see, this is not a slim book full of fluff and filler. It is a large and thick volume, some 200pages, that gives great detail and comments from the artist.
Others here have given far more comprehensive reviews than I am capable of, and I will simply reiterate what a wonderfully gorgeous and high quality book this truly is.
If you are considering it at all, just go ahead and buy it. You will NOT be disappointed.
127914
I was fortunate enough to have been in San Jose some years back, in order to see an exhibit of Nara's work. It was impressive to see the range of artistic mediums he's worked in to date, embracing temporal materials that play into the influence of comics/manga, all the way through to more 'fine art' executions of his "Super Flat", highly influential style.
These books show the exhaustive assortment of Nara's works known to date - a total visual tour de force.
AND you even get a really cute cotton canvas tote with a randomly selected Nara image on it!
This gorgeous doorstop = perfect gift to myself (but worth the splurge on any art lover you may know).
2371255
Well, I don't often glance or actually delve into this type of genre but I must say that this book and this artist are one of a kind. As newbee to this genre i would suggest that everyone explore it. This is truly what everyone will be collecting soon. today NRP featured a piece on collecting (also in teh New Yorker) and clearly it was all about what this artist is doing. I would strongly suggest an investment here.
3397984
This scrupulously assembled box solves the where-do-I-start question for anyone who wants some serious representation of this master's work in his or her collection. Waller's ouevre is immense, multifaceted, and essential. So a box like this that culls from his most important categories of music [one disk each of his own sung songs, instrumentals, and tin pan alley covers] is an invaluable boon to any jazz fans that want more than a single-disk 'intro' set. The selections are brilliant, the sound is dazzling, and the accompanying documentation is amazing. All in all, one of the best jazz boxes I personally have ever seen. Recommended with the highest honors.
2912509
Stills is a giant in rock music, but is woefully unheralded. This  box set,curated by sometimes band member Graham Nash reveals the depth, breadth and quality of Stills' writing and arranging talents should remove all doubt about how talented his man is. If,,like me, you are a long time C, S& N or C,S,N&Y fan you will hear what you been missing from his other projects including Manasses and his solo work. You may or may not like it, but you will get a sonic picture of his amazing, versatile talents that you should hear and
1458427
Susan Vogel has done an exemplary job of helping those new to and those already fascinated with El Anatsui's work to grasp his thought processes and the activities involved with making work in the various media which he uses.  The book not only shows the reader a wealth of the artist's pieces, it goes to the very heart of what art is and how the artist makes art.  Thus, it should be of interest not only to those knowing something of this fantastically wonderful artist from Africa and who has worked around the world, but those simply focused on learning what art is all about.

The book exceeded my expectations.
2981476
A well-illustrated compendium for this particular gentre of work.  Informative at several levels,sound techniques,excellent projects and interesting contributions from various artists in the field.  It exists at a variety of levels,enabling a wide range of abilities from practising artists to beginners, to gain inspirational information. A bonus is the artist's biographies and web-sites.  A good companion to "Altered Art'
4485571
This book is great for reference or just entertainment in a lazy moment.  It provides information on a great number of contemporary artist with high quality representations of one of their works, including cross references  to other artists of similar style or movement.  The glossaries include an  index of terms, movements and museums.  I must have paged through this book  a hundred times and just can not get tired of it.
2692000
A fantastic coffee table book worth five times Amazon's introductory price. The quality of the book itself is so impressive that its contributors are awed. This is book making at its best. I just bought fifteen copies as Christmas presents.

Fifty three contributors from distinguished musicians-- including Rodney Crowell, Suzanne Vega, Marshall Chapman, Jason Isbell, and Bob Dylan side man and author Kevin Odegard--to rock critics like moderator Jon Bream, George Varga, Gary Graff, and Anthony Curtis make up a distinguished gallery of Dylan knowledge and experience. Laced through the interviews are contributions from university professors who teach Dylan's work in the college classroom like Kevin Dettmar ( editor of one of my favorite Dylan books, the Cambridge Guide to Bob Dylan), Kevin Barents, poet and prose writer of Boston University, Alex Lubet, music professor at the University of Minnesota, and myself, Frances Downing Hunter from Arkansas State University and Memphis, Tennessee, who is humbled and honored to be included in such esteemed company. It's wonderful to see creative artists, critics, and academics come together to explore  thrty five of the albums of the greatest living artist of our age,
Bob Dylan.

 This is a rare book in every way. Thanks to editor/ publisher, writer Todd Berger of Voyageur Press, the guiding hand that helped to make it so.
A special thanks to Richie Unterberger who wrote the books' lucid and original introductions and liner notes. There's nothing here you've read before.
2430536
Funny but true, this caper through the NY art scene (1990 through 2008) is a must for anyone trying to make, sell or appreciate art. The principle character, Lacey, a bit remeniscent of Mary Boone, moves up through the ranks of the art world using charm, enviable looks and steel nerves. The astonishing part is that Lacey and her colorful cohorts are actually passionate about the art they pursue.  Steve Martin, a known collector, takes us through this world mostly reserved for the elite. His cynicism is mixed with his own appreciation for "those objects of beauty" that rise and fall in monetary value depending on the spin meisters shenanigans.  I am a kindle reader but chose book form to enjoy the painting reproductions woven into the narrative. My copy is already circulating through my network of often discouraged but never quite defeated NY artists.
72916
For any diehard collector of all things moz, the artwork is just as critical as the music itself. Both have indelible impact, both add to each other to create an overall experience. This set is worth it for the covers alone, but with the various b sides and versions of both well known and obscure tracks, it becomes a must own.
3060672
A rare history, written by an artist whose artful touch is felt throughout.
3510409
Lovely insight into the behind the scenes studios of so many brilliant artists!...gorgeous book!
4483599
I have such a huge artist crush on Steve Huston that I was positively salivating when I heard he was putting together this book. I have not been disappointed. What a delectable book! There is something for everyone from beginner to old timer. Huston's work is masterful and he is a pretty good teacher, too. There are lots of art books out there, you'll be hard pressed to find one that is as readable as this one is.

Read this book. Draw along with the chapters. In the end you will be a better artist. Simple as that. Money well spent.