Create Perfect Paintings: An Artist's Guide to Visual Thinking

It IS about thinking about what you have done and what you need to do to improve beyond moving the brush. Very valuable information: if willing to apply though.

Great book can’t wait to read

I am thrilled at my purchase of several of Nancy Reyner's videos and her newest book Create Perfect Paintings. I’ve been an acrylic abstract artist for 30 years and these are the best videos I’ve seen on perfect color mixing. I just moved to Santa Fe and discovered Nsncy lives here so I’m intending to contact her to have a few private sessions .As both a writer and painter I feel It is rare to find an artist that straddles both realms - writing and painting, yet she is truly a great writer as well as artist (see her paintings on her website NancyReyner.com). This book will engage any artist at any level - from beginner to professional - and using any medium: oil, watercolor and acrylic. This book goes beyond all other books in that Nancy teaches you how to really paint! Not just copying someone else, but create work that makes you feel confident, inventive and artistic. Every page has "eye-opening" concepts that will make your painting easier, more fun, more inspiring and I do believe even more successful.I love her art, appreciate her knowledge, passion and expertise so am happily promoting her by letting you know that she also has a whole instructional package called the Complete Guide to Acrylic Painting on her website. It includes 30 video lessons and all four of her books.OK I'm heading back to the easel!

the print is grey. I find the lack of contrast very difficult to read for any period of time. If the text were black, it would improve the readability, thus improve the quality of the book. If I had known it was grey text, I never would have bought the book.

This book is not only informative but full of colorful illustrations from cover to cover! I have briefly looked through it and found information not always found in instruction books! This one covers the usual and many other issues Artists will find useful! I can't wait to read and study it from front to the back. I highly recommend this book to beginners to the experienced Artist needing a refresher coarse. Enjoy!!

This book gives tons of practical tips that assist in evaluating a painting and solving its problems. For example: Why does the lower left quadrant fall flat? Why is this color not working? What can I do about it? Is it finished? I really appreciate the tons of sample paintings that illustrate the concepts. Create Perfect Paintings makes clear those ideas we may perceive intuitively but for which we may not have a rationale. It also articulates visual ideas that I had never considered. One of Nancy Reyner’s many gifts is formulating, articulating, and illustrating visual concepts that, for most of us, are difficult to put into words. The book is well-organized and easy for anyone to follow. I have found all of Nancy’s books on acrylic painting beneficial, but this one offers guidance that can really take one's work to the next level. Thank you, Nancy.

This book and its author are exceptional. It is the first book that I have found which addresses the artist's decision-making process from a viewer's perspective. Specifically, those compositional elements which attract a viewer to your work of art and keeps the viewer engaged with your painting. The book guides the artist by providing specific inquiries that the artist can use to self critique their work during the painting process.I was so impressed with this text that I enrolled in courses taught by the author and I have have learned more than I did at ateliers.

This book is very different than any other of its type. It is what I would consider a comprehensive equivalent of an art education....it is filled with ways to critique other work and your own, when are you finished with a piece? 20-80 rule and opposites which I know will help my work. These are topics that are not discussed in classes you take or in any other books. I haven't found any book which speaks to me as a working artist. I have never had a college art experience and I feel that I need more knowledge about paintings to help my intuitive skills. Well everyone---this is it! Now I am curious about her other books!

Just what is says on the package. Beautiful book with lots of valuable information.

This book is well done. It provides useful ways for artists to self-critique their paintings, including abstracts. Each chapter is well written and well-organized, with attractive photos that clearly portray the concepts. I will return to this book to work through the tools when I'm painting.

Not the usual ‘How to paint’ book - Talks about approaches to the issues and difficulties all artists have to our works. Useful for beginners to professionals. There is food for thought here. Necessary part of any art reference library.

J'adore ce livre, pas encore fini de le lire mais je le trouve très instructif et inspirant. This is a very good book, very instructive and informative, love it.

This book is a great primer on good visual art design. The examples including alterations to show what both good and not so good looks like is a really clever and helpful addition to this book. The simple exercises are also really good. Section 3 the Critique Phase is where the gold is. Overall, I am extremely pleased with this purchase and expect it will be referenced often.