Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Learn to figure paint in watercolor with a world-renowned instructor
The Natural Way to Paint will teach you a natural approach to seeing and painting the human form in watercolor. By learning to carefully observe and capture the basic shapes and subtle nuances in human figures, you'll be able to infuse your work with newfound life and energy. Reid begins with lessons and practical exercises in contour and gesture drawing, which will help you learn to see and capture the essence of your subject. Once you've established a strong foundation of drawing skills, it's time to pick up your brush Reid will guide you through detailed lessons on:
- Painting technique and color theory
- Moving from silhouettes to three-dimensional forms
- Capturing and rendering facial features
- Composing and designing a variety of figure paintings
Packed with examples, demonstrations, and detailed assignments, The Natural Way to Paint is the ultimate guide to beautiful figure painting in watercolor.
Charles Reid has long been considered a master painter. His paintings are fresh and spontaneous, displaying his profound understanding of light and color and expert drawing ability.
Reid was born in Cambridge, New York, and studied art at the University of Vermont and the Art Students League of New York. He has won numerous awards, including the Childe Hassam Purchase Prize at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Design, and the American Watercolor Society. In 1980 he was elected to the National Academy of Design. Public collections of his work include Smith College, Yellowstone Art Center, Brigham Young College, Roche Corporation, and the National Academy of Design. In addition to painting, Reid teaches workshops around the world. He has written eleven books on painting in watercolor and oil.
Readers interested in related titles from Charles Reid will also want to see: Flower painting in oil (ISBN: 1626543801), Painting by Design (ISBN: 1626543216), Painting What (You Want) to See (ISBN: 162654378X), Pulling Your Paintings Together (ISBN: 1626543844 ).
Synopsis
At last, a clear and insightful look at the system of beliefs that is the basis for the practice of Aikido. The Philosophy of Aikido is an invaluable guide for practitioners-whether beginning or advanced-wishing to know more about the context in which Aikido was developed and Aikido's implications for the world today.
Some of the ideas discussed are:
-the relation of Aikido to such Asian traditions as Shinto, Shingon Buddhism, Omotokyo esotericism, Taoist mysticism, and Tantra
-points of correspondence between Aikido and Western philosophical and religious systems-Greek philosophy, Christianity, Kabbalah, alchemy, and modern scientific theories
-links between Aikido and art
-ways that Aikido thought can be used to advance the causes of such urgent issues as health and healing, conflict resolution and environmental responsibility
The Philosophy of Aikido will be of vital interest to all those who are drawn to a dynamic philosophy centered on harmony, peace, and spiritual strength. The book includes 70 black-and-white illustrations of woodblock prints, calligraphy, and photographs from the author's extensive collection.
John Stevens lived in Japan for thirty-five years, where he was a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai. Stevens is a widely respected translator, an ordained Buddhist priest, a curator of several major exhibitions of Zen art, and an aikido instructor. He has authored more than thirty books and is one of the foremost Western experts on aikido, holding a ranking of 7th dan Aikikai. Stevens has also studied calligraphy for decades, authoring the classic Sacred Calligraphy of the East. Other John Stevens titles that are likely to be of interest include Extraordinary Zen Masters and The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.
Readers interested in related titles from John Stevens will also want to see: Abundant Peace (ISBN: 1626543232), Aikido: The Way of Harmony (ISBN: 1626543275), Sacred Calligraphy of the East (ISBN: 162654994X), Secrets of Aikido (ISBN: 1626543259), The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei (ISBN: 1626549958), Extraordinary Zen Masters (ISBN: 1626549923).