Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide

This book is well written and full of useful information. I enjoyed it immensely.

I want to attempt a comparative review of six instructional books for the beginning painter, which I will eventually rank. Before I go into this, here are a few words about where I'm coming from. Needless to say, if your background and expectations are different from mine, you may well arrive at a completely different evaluation of these books.I am relatively new to painting, but had some drawing skills already. I was looking for a book that starts at the very beginning (what supplies to buy etc.) and then introduces me to a range of techniques for painting in realistic style. More specifically, I would like to see the following in my ideal book:(a) Reasonably specific step-by-step instructions that don't leave me guessing how the author got from A to B; at the same time, I would like to be treated as an adult and have clear explanations of why I'm doing what I'm doing throughout;(b) exposure to a variety of techniques such as painting in layers, alla prima;(c) demonstration artwork in realistic style that inspires me to learn what is needed to get there.One more general remark: four of the books I'm reviewing here work with oils and two with acrylics, please keep this in mind if you have already decided on what your favorite paint is. I'll note this below. (I used both oils and acrylics at an early stage and would actually recommend this approach.)(1)  Still Life Painting Atelier: An Introduction to Oil Painting  (oil): For me, this is head and shoulders above the rest. It succeeds in all three criteria (perhaps the author's artwork is not the most stunning I've ever seen). I'll give it a clear A.(2)  Painting for the Absolute and Utter Beginner  (acrylics): Pretty good in my opinion, with many useful little tips in it, though sometimes it could be a bit more specific (rather than "work on the shapes, refine the colors") and it wasn't always clear to me why the author made the choices she made (why glaze here, use opaque color there?). I'll call it a B+.(3)  Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide  (this book, acrylics): This is actually an excellent book, just a bit different from what I described above. It works great as a reference book (and as a coffee table book, fantastic artwork in it). I won't grade this one.(4)  Lessons in Classical Painting: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier  (oil): A pleasure to read and look at, and similar in approach to Friel's book actually in the instructional parts, but it has a rather different feel to it, much chattier and philosophical and light on the actual hands-on instruction. That's a B for me.(5)  Oil Painting Secrets From a Master  (oil): Sorry, but advice such as (random example, the book is full of this) "it's not how to paint what you see, but how to see what you paint" doesn't do it for me. Also, much of Leffel's work (the "master" from the title of the book) is too loosely painted for my taste. I'll give it a C-.(6)  The Oil Painting Course You've Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists  (oil): This seems to be a popular book, but I honestly can't understand why. The instructions are unmotivated and too vague, and the author is an abstract painter whose attempts at realistic demonstration painting in the book are unconvincing (especially the portraits). Some useful information, for example on color mixing, but the book just didn't work for me at all as a course. I'll give it a D.By the way, the drawmixpaint videos on youtube are another wonderful resource, in my opinion.

I've barely dipped into this book yet, but it is stunning and packed full of valuable advice for anyone who wants to learn more about painting with acrylics. Highly recommend!

If you even have one question related to acrylic painting you need this book! Every question I had was answered and I’m so glad I bought it!

I have been playing with acrylics for a few years. I made some decent paintings but hit a wall because I had no formal training. I started taking online video courses and also treated myself to a shopping spree of 11 acrylic painting books that looked good. The other will probably be useful, but none of them compare to this beast. The examples they give to paint are truly really well done paintings, something you would really want to create. Goes into detail about the color and exact brush to use. Wonderful photos of really great paintings.Some of the other books have useful information too, but many of the paintings look very amateur. Perhaps they will help me build more foundational skills, but this book is about how to take it over the top. It might be too advanced for someone starting out but I think for the inspiration alone it is worth getting it early.The 4 books by Nancy Reyner are also quite good, I would put those at second place. Acrylic Illumination, Acrylic Innovation, Acrylic Revolution, and Create Perfect Paintings. Each one is very specialized but goes in great detail and has outstanding photos of inspiring work. A lot of it is abstract, but the techniques can make amazing backgrounds for more representational subjects.

Part of cover dirty and when u open it, you can tell where it had been opened/cracked before. Sold as new

As a printmaker and college art instructor, I'm always on the lookout for well-written and skill-based books for art. When I find them, I know that they are the books with the most clear instruction and direction for each medium. THIS is the book for Acrylic Painting! I am currently exploring acrylic painting, as I'm looking for something more expressive and immediate than printmaking during the pandemic. After purchasing a few other acrylic books, I stumbled upon this gem. I realized immediately that it contains everything I need to know to develop a firm foundation in acrylic painting. EVERYTHING. I'm working through the book and learning about myself with the medium and gaining confidence with each technique. This book answers my questions as I experiment and grow. You really don't need any other book than this. Perfection!

Beautiful book with lots of information for the beginner as well as the professional artist.

It had been very useful in understanding the techniques as a first time acrylic painter.

Detailed description of techniques and some really good examples.

とても勉強になりました。このような本がまた出てほしいです。買って本当に良かったです。

As an experienced painter for a great many years and of many subjects, no abstract, this book has proved incredible. Demonstrating ways of approaching all manner of subjects, from skies, sea, portraits through to animals still life and more than be described in this review. I mostly like the fact it does not concentrate too much on other "famous" painters/artists. But shows all manner of tools and how to approach anything. I sat and read half of it the moment it arrived! It is easy to follow, the author not talking down to readers, rather, willingly giving so many helpful tips with perfect, but not too many great photographs, but by way of keeping the book very interesting and superbly informative, and interesting. How to use brushes, the types and so on. Very highly recommended.

Literally an encyclopaedia, moreso than simply illustrations to paint. One will have to devote one's time to reading,before painting. Ideal for us beginners.