annieb123's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Playful Painting: People is a new inspiration and tutorial book from Sarah Walsh. Released 7th August 2018 by Quarto publishing's Walter Foster imprint, it's 144 pages and available in softbound/paperback format.

I love crafting and painting, drawing, fibrecrafts and creative hobbies in general. I am not a gifted representational painter and this has bothered me a fair bit over the years. I am completely convinced that generally people (me!) who learn the right techniques can draw and paint to a satisfying level. I've been told that it's a matter of seeing and visualizing and for some reason between my optic nerves and the peripheral nerves controlling my fingers something vital gets lost.

Anyhow, this book is a lovely, lighthearted look at recognizable representational painting with people as the subject. In other words, how to get a likeness on the paper which other people can recognize as the person you intended to paint.

This tutorial book gives step by step instructions (with illustrations) for 18 portraits including Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz, Frida Kahlo, Louis Armstrong and more, along with more generic subjects like 'ad man', 'hipster guy', and 'girl with flowers in her hair'.

The author has a penchant for gouache, but gives general tips on the use of color and shading, and the techniques can easily be adapted for other media. The emphasis here is on lightening up and having fun with the process (see the cover art). There is no hyperrealism here.

This book is a fun antidote for the would-be artist who is afraid to put pen to paper. There is a lot of info and encouragement here. I could see this being a good support resource for a classroom art module for middle grades and older.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This is a cute book for aspiring artists, but I don’t know if beginners like myself would be able to recreate the portraits included here... I will practice the techniques, though!

leanettascott82's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I never knew learning to draw could be such a simple task. This is coming from a lady that still draws stick figures when she wants to illustrate a human. With book gave me a new lease and I learned how to enjoy and not take myself to seriously. These will make great Christmas gifts for the artists or aspiring artists in your life. It even makes me want to take up a new hobby.

rickety_snippets's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

What a fun and informative book! I enjoyed this book immensely, and found a great deal of artful inspiration and tips. The artwork and illustrations are lovely and colorful, with such a cheerful whimsy to them. Tutorials are clear and descriptive, and the subjects of each tutorial are perfect--wonderful, charismatic individuals who lend themselves well to be the subjects of portraits for artists of all levels. So enjoyable!! Definitely a book I'd recommend!!

julesg's review

Go to review page

4.0

Painting portraits can be fun. Learn to paint a hipster, or your own Poe. There is a step-by-step guide to each of the model portraits.

I especially liked the interesting colour combinations in this book.
More...