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wordsandnocturnes's reviews
441 reviews
En Plein Air: Light & Color: Expert Techniques and Step-By-Step Projects for Capturing Mood and Atmosphere in Watercolor by Iain Stewart
informative
medium-paced
5.0
En plein air refers to act of painting outdoors where the artist’s subject is presented in full view. The book by Iain Stewart begins with a list of materials and suggested tools. As usual, it is recommended to find what we are most comfortable with. I find it interesting to know what others use to create their art while trying to figure out what works best for myself. Who knows, some of other artist’s favourite tools could become a staple in our own favourites if we ever get the chance to try them out!
In the book, the author shares his painting processes, which I found helpful. When we are brought through these images and accompanying text, there is an emphasis on perspective, and the author points out things to look for, such as vanishing lines. For a beginner like me, these points are incredibly informative as it helps me figure out what to take note of. The images offer a clear picture of what to focus on and how to achieve certain effects.
Overall, the book is packed with helpful watercolour tips for beginners and for those who are seeking to improve their own techniques.
This book reminded me of the similarly useful guides shared by artist Devin Elle Kurtz on Instagram and Twitter, though her guides tend to focus on digital art.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Walter Foster Publishing, and Iain Stewart for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the book, the author shares his painting processes, which I found helpful. When we are brought through these images and accompanying text, there is an emphasis on perspective, and the author points out things to look for, such as vanishing lines. For a beginner like me, these points are incredibly informative as it helps me figure out what to take note of. The images offer a clear picture of what to focus on and how to achieve certain effects.
Overall, the book is packed with helpful watercolour tips for beginners and for those who are seeking to improve their own techniques.
This book reminded me of the similarly useful guides shared by artist Devin Elle Kurtz on Instagram and Twitter, though her guides tend to focus on digital art.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Walter Foster Publishing, and Iain Stewart for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unlocking French with Paul Noble by Paul Noble
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Having read many books with snippets of French sandwiched between English, I have become interested in French for some time. I have learnt some French in Duolingo, but I was interested to see what it would be like to read a book like this one that has an emphasis on getting a basic grasp of the language in a simple manner.
What I liked best was the simple pronunciations under the French words that made them easier to pronounce. Repetition of basic French phrases also gave enough space to practice and remember said phrases without memorising them.
The straightforward and non-cluttered layout of the book also made it easy to concentrate and read through. This book is a nice introduction of useful French phrases for beginners. Even so, I would recommend listening to some French audio of sorts to immerse yourself in the language and to learn how to pronounce certain French words more accurately.
What I liked best was the simple pronunciations under the French words that made them easier to pronounce. Repetition of basic French phrases also gave enough space to practice and remember said phrases without memorising them.
The straightforward and non-cluttered layout of the book also made it easy to concentrate and read through. This book is a nice introduction of useful French phrases for beginners. Even so, I would recommend listening to some French audio of sorts to immerse yourself in the language and to learn how to pronounce certain French words more accurately.
Gudetama: Mindfulness for the Lazy by Wook-Jin Clark
funny
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
The book explores different aspects of mindfulness through short stories and scenarios. Mindfulness can be just as simple as greeting someone with genuine intent. It can be as simple as being considerate and thinking of others while not neglecting your own wants and needs. The book also explained misconceptions of mindfulness through said short stories and scenarios. It can be easy to believe we are practicing mindfulness when in reality our authentic feelings get lost halfway through. For once, I was surprised how uncomplicated mindfulness was when it was laid bare before me in these panels full of engaging dialogue, vivid colours, and memorable characters.
For those who are interested to learn more mindfulness basics or for those like me who have too high expectations for the idea of mindfulness will find this book a pleasant surprise, and it is absolutely a relaxing book to read in this new year full of unknown possibilities and unpredictable happenings.
From Words & Nocturnes
For those who are interested to learn more mindfulness basics or for those like me who have too high expectations for the idea of mindfulness will find this book a pleasant surprise, and it is absolutely a relaxing book to read in this new year full of unknown possibilities and unpredictable happenings.
From Words & Nocturnes
Diary of a Film by Niven Govinden
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
The format of this book where dialogue is passed off without quotation marks and with no paragraphs to discern one moment from the next made it tough to get through. It made the book read like an absolute and dense block of text (which is what all books are, but in other words, it would feel like a solid cube that is hard to budge from the spot it firmly settles at).
Even so, if we push this aside, Diary of a Film is a quiet, still sort of book. Of course, events and situations happen, but this book pushes and encourages us to look inwards towards the action that happens inside. It pushes us to consider the thoughts and the ideas one could have without detracting from the outward events. The relationships between people, the relationships between creation and self... these ideas and experiences from the narrator implores us to take these points and spot them in ourselves and in the world around us.
The slow pace and format can be extremely off-putting. I didn't particularly enjoy it, and it isn't a book for everyone as it can be difficult to focus on the actual content of this book, especially if you have a mind that wanders as easily as mine does.
Even so, if we push this aside, Diary of a Film is a quiet, still sort of book. Of course, events and situations happen, but this book pushes and encourages us to look inwards towards the action that happens inside. It pushes us to consider the thoughts and the ideas one could have without detracting from the outward events. The relationships between people, the relationships between creation and self... these ideas and experiences from the narrator implores us to take these points and spot them in ourselves and in the world around us.
The slow pace and format can be extremely off-putting. I didn't particularly enjoy it, and it isn't a book for everyone as it can be difficult to focus on the actual content of this book, especially if you have a mind that wanders as easily as mine does.
The Urban Sketching Handbook: Techniques for Beginners: How to Build a Practice for Sketching on Location by Suhita Shirodkar
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This book is filled with helpful information that should be helpful for anyone starting out with sketching locations or drawing people. Besides providing simple ways to start and simplify objects around us into more basic shapes (for ease of drawing and so it isn't all that overwhelming). There are also basic information about form, colour and perspective. What I really liked are the different examples from many different artists that are laid out and explained so that a clearer picture is given on what the author is going on about. Although overall, this book is not much different from many other art resources out there, when considering it on its own, it is a good, simple start for beginners.
Japan: A Guidebook to Special Places by Takashi Sato
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
5This book has stunning photographs and simple descriptions to go along with it, which can be helpful enough for an absentminded fellow like me whose mind is always wandering. There are so many natural wonders and places of beauty that inspire in Japan, and in this book, we get a glimpse at the almost mystical beauty.
It explores places, some festivals, and popular tourist routes. At the end of the book, there are helpful lists of itineraries, activities, modes of transportation, online resources, and even a list of proper manners in the Japan countryside.
I don’t know if I will ever get the chance to visit Japan, but if I do, this book would definitely come to my mind. As for now, I will have to look at these immersing photographs and let the descriptive captions whisk me away to these inspiring places that I can only imagine.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Arttrav Inc., and Takashi Sato for the chance to read this book.
It explores places, some festivals, and popular tourist routes. At the end of the book, there are helpful lists of itineraries, activities, modes of transportation, online resources, and even a list of proper manners in the Japan countryside.
I don’t know if I will ever get the chance to visit Japan, but if I do, this book would definitely come to my mind. As for now, I will have to look at these immersing photographs and let the descriptive captions whisk me away to these inspiring places that I can only imagine.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Arttrav Inc., and Takashi Sato for the chance to read this book.
Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You by Charles E. Roth, Clare Walker Leslie
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
The idea of nature journalling appealed to me greatly – the idea that we could keep a journal with snippets of memories, emotion and information that was illustrated and would result in a beautiful archive of stories. It is a nice idea, but a daunting one. The world is wide, nature is complex and ever-changing. Where to begin? The few sources I found online advised me to be bold and to be unafraid to begin. This is all fine and well. It is true that we need to have courage to begin for anything to actually start. The question is: how do I do this in the first place?
This is where this book comes in. It features easy-to-process information in short paragraphs and covers many topics related to keeping a nature journal (materials, seasons, what to look out for…). These are all accompanied with lovely illustrations by the author that are captivating, and in my case, motivating. Throughout the book, it is mentioned subtly at times that we don’t have to be perfect. Nature journalling is an ongoing process of learning. Our art and techniques can improve if we are consistent in our efforts at nature journalling. (Basically, the secret here is practice.)
Another useful tip I found in this book is the helpful ways to improve our drawing and colouring techniques. There were simple exercises and tiny projects that can be done by anyone from anywhere in the globe (and possibly beyond our tiny planet too).
Nature doesn’t have to be large and daunting and mistaken as only associated with fascinating channels like National Geographic. Nature is all around us, even if we need little reminders that there is a wealth of little worlds to discover in our daily lives. For those who live in places where wildlife is scarce and flora is confined in pots or only line roadsides, surely humans and their lives are a part of nature too? Or we should try to coexist with nature as peacefully as we can? Anyway, a nature journal can be something personal too, if you so choose for it to be.
To sum it up, this is an encouraging book filled with useful information and ways to engage children in outdoor activities through nature journalling. It is a good resource to consider if you are interested in nature journalling or want to learn more about nature (there’s even a handy list of recommended books on nature in the book!) Although the things in this book are American and Europe-centric, the techniques and ideas it mentioned can definitely be used no matter where you are in the world.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Storey Publishing, and Clare Walker Leslie for the ARC.
From Words & Nocturnes
This is where this book comes in. It features easy-to-process information in short paragraphs and covers many topics related to keeping a nature journal (materials, seasons, what to look out for…). These are all accompanied with lovely illustrations by the author that are captivating, and in my case, motivating. Throughout the book, it is mentioned subtly at times that we don’t have to be perfect. Nature journalling is an ongoing process of learning. Our art and techniques can improve if we are consistent in our efforts at nature journalling. (Basically, the secret here is practice.)
Another useful tip I found in this book is the helpful ways to improve our drawing and colouring techniques. There were simple exercises and tiny projects that can be done by anyone from anywhere in the globe (and possibly beyond our tiny planet too).
Nature doesn’t have to be large and daunting and mistaken as only associated with fascinating channels like National Geographic. Nature is all around us, even if we need little reminders that there is a wealth of little worlds to discover in our daily lives. For those who live in places where wildlife is scarce and flora is confined in pots or only line roadsides, surely humans and their lives are a part of nature too? Or we should try to coexist with nature as peacefully as we can? Anyway, a nature journal can be something personal too, if you so choose for it to be.
To sum it up, this is an encouraging book filled with useful information and ways to engage children in outdoor activities through nature journalling. It is a good resource to consider if you are interested in nature journalling or want to learn more about nature (there’s even a handy list of recommended books on nature in the book!) Although the things in this book are American and Europe-centric, the techniques and ideas it mentioned can definitely be used no matter where you are in the world.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Storey Publishing, and Clare Walker Leslie for the ARC.
From Words & Nocturnes
Blooming Flowers: A Seasonal History of Plants and People by Kasia Boddy
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Flowers, as we know, have different significance and meanings. Blooming Flowers seeks to explore the meanings behind selected flowers. With the large number of flora out in the world, it would be difficult to cover every single one of them. Blooming Flowers solves this by selecting just a few flowers and categorising them into the four seasons.
Although this book is centred around flowers in Europe and America, some of these flowers originated in the East, from countries like India and China. Blooming Flowers explores the different meanings of flowers drawn from many cultures and even ideas in a vast number of literature, including the likes of Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde. By doing this, the book effectively explores the history of these flowers and what they symbolised in both fiction and reality.
This book was informative, and managed to keep it interesting throughout the book. Besides introducing the flowers and providing small illustrations to give an idea to the reader of what the flowers look like, related art or photographs were slipped in between all the information. This gives the book brief breaks between text and gives a clearer picture of what the author is describing. As a plus, it does make the book more aesthetically pleasing and more inviting to read.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley, Yale University Press, and Kasia Boddy for giving me the chance to read Blooming Flowers
From Words & Nocturnes.
Although this book is centred around flowers in Europe and America, some of these flowers originated in the East, from countries like India and China. Blooming Flowers explores the different meanings of flowers drawn from many cultures and even ideas in a vast number of literature, including the likes of Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde. By doing this, the book effectively explores the history of these flowers and what they symbolised in both fiction and reality.
This book was informative, and managed to keep it interesting throughout the book. Besides introducing the flowers and providing small illustrations to give an idea to the reader of what the flowers look like, related art or photographs were slipped in between all the information. This gives the book brief breaks between text and gives a clearer picture of what the author is describing. As a plus, it does make the book more aesthetically pleasing and more inviting to read.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley, Yale University Press, and Kasia Boddy for giving me the chance to read Blooming Flowers
From Words & Nocturnes.