Best Portrait Painting
Growing out of President Bush’s own outreach and the ongoing work of the George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, Portraits of Courage brings together sixty-six full-color portraits and a four-panel mural painted by President Bush of members of the United States military who have served our nation with honor since 9/11—and whom he has come to know personally. President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from PORTRAITS OF COURAGE to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war. It’s also a tale of life’s capacity to surprise, its ability to hand up new and unexpected lives not only to these veterans but also to their constitutional commander.” -Seth Lipsky, New York Post. After staring at the haunting close-up portraits of wounded warriors and reading the searing accounts of their suffering, I’m beginning to understand why this beautifully published book went to No. “Most of [the portraits] show the head and face full size, seemingly bursting out of the frame with genuine presence and considerable expressive energy . “[It’s] impossible to look at these 98 extraordinary images without thinking deeply about the artist who made them: A leader who sent troops off to the battlefield, and who, so many years later, spends his days channeling the damaged but determined warriors who came home .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm an artist and a Liberal."
"So while I don't want to cross the line into the contentious, I have to be perfectly honest and say I never would have expected myself purchasing one of President Bush's books. But I watched an interview with him from Jimmy Kimmel's show while he was promoting this book, and when he mentioned that all the proceeds to to supporting causes for veterans, I said “I'm in”. I read a piece a couple years back by some artists and critics who weren't very flattering in their assessments, so I imagine he's already been exposed to some of that. I took a drawing class in college and got a B on a project...the professor's only reason was she hated my subject matter, thought it wasn't mature enough, the thrust of her criticism was not about my technique."
"The most beautifully portrayed emotionally moving book I have ever read."
"The love and honor is expressed in every brush stroke of the portraits."
"The president took on art (painting) after leaving the office, without any previous art background, but his desire to paint lead to this book; Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors. The title of the book is kind of self-explanatory, it deals with the courageous men and women who served in the military. It will make a great coffee table book and something special to keep in anyone's personal library. Lastly, the president did not just paint these men and women, but he has met with most of them personally multiple of times."
"These portraits seemed crude to me at first glance, but once I read each story and looked a bit longer at each portrait, I could see that the president managed to capture each person's character in the eyes or mouth, or some other aspect of that individual's personality."
"I was very Impressed and moved by President George W. Bush's paintings and the stories shared by the wounded Vets."
"Amazing!!!"
This inspiring book makes drawing in a realistic style easier than you may think and more fun than you ever imagined! Mark and Mary Willenbrink are also the authors of North Light's Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I noticed our drawing instructor used illustrations from this book."
"I'm enjoying this book, I didn't feel it was 'too technical' for a beginner."
"Maybe I first need to get another book of basics."
"I'm using this book for both myself and my 11 year old."
"This was purchased for an 11 year old budding artist.really enjoyed the lessons and examples."
"But rather than talk about it, I've attached a photo of the steps 3 and 4 (out of 4 total steps, although step 1 technically isn't a step) of the 5th mini example (out of like 30) you are supposed to follow."
"You were meant to just follow their exceedingly difficult instructions that leave you frustrated, demoralized, and ready to put down your pencil forever. Shame on these people for putting this book out, just to make themselves feel like hot shot artists and leave the rest of us in the dust."
"There is some good instruction, but the ABSOLUTE beginner needs at least one drawing course before tackling this book. An absolute beginner only needs paper, pencil, and instruction about drawing free hand."
Featuring detailed guides to key tools and techniques from talented expert sculptors, the Beginner's Guide to Sculpting Characters in Clay is vital reading for anyone wanting to explore clay sculpture.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I purchased this as a gift to my S.O., and he absolutely adored it!"
"LOVE THE IDEAS IN THIS BOOK!"
"This book is good about covering everything from tools (making tools) and materials to smoothing finishes."
"This is an incredible book I really wish I would have had back in high school."
"Few books in any field serve as both an excellent reference and practical guide, offering simple and straight forward information on tools, their practical use, and proceeds to armatures, materials, and their use and application."
"Nervous to enter into the unknown to see if I have any talent in this medium makes you want to seek out the right teacher."
"Well if you want to make one of five sculptures (space cadet, mermaid, dwarf bust, cyborg, or "ocean empero") th n this might interest you...but I consider this book another one of my unfortunate Amazon purchases."
Best Art Portraits
Growing out of President Bush’s own outreach and the ongoing work of the George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, Portraits of Courage brings together sixty-six full-color portraits and a four-panel mural painted by President Bush of members of the United States military who have served our nation with honor since 9/11—and whom he has come to know personally. President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from PORTRAITS OF COURAGE to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war. It’s also a tale of life’s capacity to surprise, its ability to hand up new and unexpected lives not only to these veterans but also to their constitutional commander.” -Seth Lipsky, New York Post. After staring at the haunting close-up portraits of wounded warriors and reading the searing accounts of their suffering, I’m beginning to understand why this beautifully published book went to No. “Most of [the portraits] show the head and face full size, seemingly bursting out of the frame with genuine presence and considerable expressive energy . “[It’s] impossible to look at these 98 extraordinary images without thinking deeply about the artist who made them: A leader who sent troops off to the battlefield, and who, so many years later, spends his days channeling the damaged but determined warriors who came home .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm an artist and a Liberal."
"So while I don't want to cross the line into the contentious, I have to be perfectly honest and say I never would have expected myself purchasing one of President Bush's books. But I watched an interview with him from Jimmy Kimmel's show while he was promoting this book, and when he mentioned that all the proceeds to to supporting causes for veterans, I said “I'm in”. I read a piece a couple years back by some artists and critics who weren't very flattering in their assessments, so I imagine he's already been exposed to some of that. I took a drawing class in college and got a B on a project...the professor's only reason was she hated my subject matter, thought it wasn't mature enough, the thrust of her criticism was not about my technique."
"The love and honor is expressed in every brush stroke of the portraits."
"The president took on art (painting) after leaving the office, without any previous art background, but his desire to paint lead to this book; Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors. The title of the book is kind of self-explanatory, it deals with the courageous men and women who served in the military. It will make a great coffee table book and something special to keep in anyone's personal library. Lastly, the president did not just paint these men and women, but he has met with most of them personally multiple of times."
"These portraits seemed crude to me at first glance, but once I read each story and looked a bit longer at each portrait, I could see that the president managed to capture each person's character in the eyes or mouth, or some other aspect of that individual's personality."
"I was very Impressed and moved by President George W. Bush's paintings and the stories shared by the wounded Vets."
"Amazing!!!"
"The most beautifully portrayed emotionally moving book I have ever read."
Best Painting
Growing out of President Bush’s own outreach and the ongoing work of the George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, Portraits of Courage brings together sixty-six full-color portraits and a four-panel mural painted by President Bush of members of the United States military who have served our nation with honor since 9/11—and whom he has come to know personally. President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from PORTRAITS OF COURAGE to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war. It’s also a tale of life’s capacity to surprise, its ability to hand up new and unexpected lives not only to these veterans but also to their constitutional commander.” -Seth Lipsky, New York Post. After staring at the haunting close-up portraits of wounded warriors and reading the searing accounts of their suffering, I’m beginning to understand why this beautifully published book went to No. “Most of [the portraits] show the head and face full size, seemingly bursting out of the frame with genuine presence and considerable expressive energy . “[It’s] impossible to look at these 98 extraordinary images without thinking deeply about the artist who made them: A leader who sent troops off to the battlefield, and who, so many years later, spends his days channeling the damaged but determined warriors who came home .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm an artist and a Liberal."
"So while I don't want to cross the line into the contentious, I have to be perfectly honest and say I never would have expected myself purchasing one of President Bush's books. But I watched an interview with him from Jimmy Kimmel's show while he was promoting this book, and when he mentioned that all the proceeds to to supporting causes for veterans, I said “I'm in”. I read a piece a couple years back by some artists and critics who weren't very flattering in their assessments, so I imagine he's already been exposed to some of that. I took a drawing class in college and got a B on a project...the professor's only reason was she hated my subject matter, thought it wasn't mature enough, the thrust of her criticism was not about my technique."
"The most beautifully portrayed emotionally moving book I have ever read."
"The love and honor is expressed in every brush stroke of the portraits."
"The president took on art (painting) after leaving the office, without any previous art background, but his desire to paint lead to this book; Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors. The title of the book is kind of self-explanatory, it deals with the courageous men and women who served in the military. It will make a great coffee table book and something special to keep in anyone's personal library. Lastly, the president did not just paint these men and women, but he has met with most of them personally multiple of times."
"These portraits seemed crude to me at first glance, but once I read each story and looked a bit longer at each portrait, I could see that the president managed to capture each person's character in the eyes or mouth, or some other aspect of that individual's personality."
"I was very Impressed and moved by President George W. Bush's paintings and the stories shared by the wounded Vets."
"Amazing!!!"
Best Military History
But these stereotypes don't come close to capturing him, as Chernow shows in his masterful biography, the first to provide a complete understanding of the general and president whose fortunes rose and fell with dizzying speed and frequency. But in war, Grant began to realize his remarkable potential, soaring through the ranks of the Union army, prevailing at the battle of Shiloh and in the Vicksburg campaign, and ultimately defeating the legendary Confederate general Robert E. Lee. More important, he sought freedom and justice for black Americans, working to crush the Ku Klux Klan and earning the admiration of Frederick Douglass, who called him “the vigilant, firm, impartial, and wise protector of my race.” After his presidency, he was again brought low by a dashing young swindler on Wall Street, only to resuscitate his image by working with Mark Twain to publish his memoirs, which are recognized as a masterpiece of the genre. “This is a good time for Ron Chernow’s fine biography of Ulysses S. Grant to appear… As history, it is remarkable, full of fascinating details sure to make it interesting both to those with the most cursory knowledge of Grant’s life and to those who have read his memoirs or any of several previous biographies… For all its scholarly and literary strengths, this book’s greatest service is to remind us of Grant’s significant achievements at the end of the war and after, which have too long been overlooked and are too important today to be left in the dark… As Americans continue the struggle to defend justice and equality in our tumultuous and divisive era, we need to know what Grant did when our country’s very existence hung in the balance. “Ron Chernow’s biography reminds our 21st-century selves of the distinction between character and personality” —. National Review “Chernow’s special gift is to present a complete and compelling picture of his subjects. Grant now lands in the middle, thanks to his extraordinarily progressive work on race relations….Ron Chernow’s 1,100-page biography may crown Grant’s restoration….Mr. Chernow argues persuasively that Grant has been badly misunderstood.”— The Economist “Chernow writes definitive biography of Ulysses S. Grant… [An] essential read… restores Grant to the pantheon of great Americans.”— Newsday “A landmark work….Chernow impressively examines Grant’s sensitivities and complexities and helps us to better understand an underappreciated man and underrated president who served his country extraordinarily well…. “Full of personal and professional insights into a president and military leader that readers will find simultaneously flawed, relatable, and inspiring.” — Money Magazine “Reading Ron Chernow's new biography, a truly mammoth examination of the life of Ulysses S. Grant, one is struck by the humanity - both the pitiful frailty and the incredible strength - of its subject.”— Philadelphia Inquirer. “Masterful and often poignant .… Chernow's gracefully written biography, which promises to be the definitive work on Grant for years to come, is fully equal to the man's remarkable story.”— Minneapolis Star Tribune “Reading this compelling book, it’s hard to imagine that we’ll continue to define Grant by these scandals rather than all he accomplished in winning the war and doing his best to make peace, on inclusive terms that would be fair to all.” — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Chernow’s biography is replete with fascinating details and insightful political analysis, a combination that brings Grant and his time to life….
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have always been a history buff, having read most of Mr Chernow’s previous books and many more, but this book changed my mind on a number of issues and convinced me that I had not given Mr Grant the acclaim he is due. The appropriate analogy, I believe,is that if Mr Lincoln was the engineer driving the ship of state during the war, Mr Grant was certainly the train plugging through and getting the work done."
"Chernow does away with rumor, gossip, mystery, and myth to give us Grant the boy, the youth, the young lieutenant, the general, the president, the seer, and finally the greatest American memoir writer of the 19th Century."
"Chernow reminds us of the personal connections of the generals of both the North and South- Grant attended West Point and fought in the Mexican War alongside William T. Sherman, Robert E Lee, and a veritable who's who of later Civil War leaders. While Lincoln is remembered in American history as the President who ended slavery, readers of Grant will see that President U.S. Grant should be remembered as a tireless proponent of civil rights and militant enemy of the Ku Klux Klan. Chernow doesn't turn away from Grant's failures in civilian life: his poverty before rejoining the army for the Civil War, his constant struggle with alcoholism, or Grant's repeated mistakes in trusting the wrong people in matters of finance- and occasionally in government."
Best American Military History
Willink and Babin returned home from deployment and instituted SEAL leadership training to pass on their harsh lessons learned in combat to help forge the next generation of SEAL leaders. Detailing the mindset and principles that enable SEAL units to accomplish the most difficult combat missions, Extreme Ownership demonstrates how to apply them to any team or organization, in any leadership environment. Riveting, engaging, and free from the usual cliché platitudes, this book is strikingly impactful and will dramatically improve leaders of all types.” ― Amy Brandt Schumacher, entrepreneur, executive, and philanthropist. An inspiring and page-turning read, the leadership lessons are easy to digest and implement. This book made me a better leader and enabled my entire team step up our game!” ― Jared Hamilton, founder and CEO, DrivingSales "One of the best books on leadership I've ever read and a tremendous war story book as well."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Extreme Ownership is written by two former Navy SEALs, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, who now head a leadership training company. There aren't many books out there that give such detailed glimpses into the lives of SEALs in action. The authors convey one main point per chapter by sharing a story from their battlefield experiences, then highlighting the main principle of that story, and finally giving a concrete example of how this principle applies in business settings. In my opinion, the simplicity, clarity, and structure of this book are it's greatest strengths. There are several moments when the authors share a complete story or personal thought--and then share the story again, but this time in the context of telling it to either their SEAL teams or to a group of business executives. Second, while this book is very descriptive--especially with the battle scenes--it is also incredibly restrained, almost cold. Their lessons are insightful and thought-provoking, and I can definitely see how their experiences will help guide leaders in the business world."
"They explain hard-learned principles of leadership, which they experienced first-hand as US Navy SEALs, specifically in and around their 2006 deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, one of the most dangerous places and times in the war. Military recruits & officers, parents, corporate executives, students, low-level management, spouses, shop foremen, independent contractors, and sole proprietors will all benefit from the lessons of Extreme Ownership. If you feel you're stuck in a rut, lacking self-discipline, or perhaps know someone who simply needs to improve their lot, this book is an excellent starting point."
"Probably the BEST leadership book Ive ever read."
"It would seem hard to imagine reading this and not looking at an organization and not see powerful & measurable application from the principles they bring into conscience awareness."
"Good read, I've been reading multiple chapters at a time."
"I really enjoyed the format of this particular book."
Best United States Military Veterans History
Growing out of President Bush’s own outreach and the ongoing work of the George W. Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative, Portraits of Courage brings together sixty-six full-color portraits and a four-panel mural painted by President Bush of members of the United States military who have served our nation with honor since 9/11—and whom he has come to know personally. President Bush will donate his net author proceeds from PORTRAITS OF COURAGE to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, a non-profit organization whose Military Service Initiative works to ensure that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war. It’s also a tale of life’s capacity to surprise, its ability to hand up new and unexpected lives not only to these veterans but also to their constitutional commander.” -Seth Lipsky, New York Post. After staring at the haunting close-up portraits of wounded warriors and reading the searing accounts of their suffering, I’m beginning to understand why this beautifully published book went to No. “Most of [the portraits] show the head and face full size, seemingly bursting out of the frame with genuine presence and considerable expressive energy . “[It’s] impossible to look at these 98 extraordinary images without thinking deeply about the artist who made them: A leader who sent troops off to the battlefield, and who, so many years later, spends his days channeling the damaged but determined warriors who came home .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm an artist and a Liberal."
"So while I don't want to cross the line into the contentious, I have to be perfectly honest and say I never would have expected myself purchasing one of President Bush's books. But I watched an interview with him from Jimmy Kimmel's show while he was promoting this book, and when he mentioned that all the proceeds to to supporting causes for veterans, I said “I'm in”. I read a piece a couple years back by some artists and critics who weren't very flattering in their assessments, so I imagine he's already been exposed to some of that. I took a drawing class in college and got a B on a project...the professor's only reason was she hated my subject matter, thought it wasn't mature enough, the thrust of her criticism was not about my technique."
"The love and honor is expressed in every brush stroke of the portraits."
"The president took on art (painting) after leaving the office, without any previous art background, but his desire to paint lead to this book; Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors. The title of the book is kind of self-explanatory, it deals with the courageous men and women who served in the military. It will make a great coffee table book and something special to keep in anyone's personal library. Lastly, the president did not just paint these men and women, but he has met with most of them personally multiple of times."
"These portraits seemed crude to me at first glance, but once I read each story and looked a bit longer at each portrait, I could see that the president managed to capture each person's character in the eyes or mouth, or some other aspect of that individual's personality."
"I was very Impressed and moved by President George W. Bush's paintings and the stories shared by the wounded Vets."
"Amazing!!!"
"The most beautifully portrayed emotionally moving book I have ever read."
Best Oil Painting
This volume, which follows Skira Rizzoli’s luminous California Light: A Century of Landscapes , presents more of the club’s distinctive and lush plein air painting, an impressionistic style in which painters work outdoors in order to capture the ephemeral moment when the natural lighting of a landscape elevates an already beautiful scene into something sublime. Jean Stern is the executive director of the Irvine Museum and coauthored California Light .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a compendium of modern/contemporary landscape painting (mostly) with an emphasis on the pretty and the beautiful."
"This is a beautiful book celebrating the artististic history of the California coast."
"The beauty of California landscape through the eyes of its artists."
Best Acrylic Painting
The book is ideal for anyone coming to acrylics for the first time, or keen to improve their skills, and who is sometimes daunted by the thought of filling a large empty canvas or blank piece of board. After an introductory chapter on tools, materials, and basic techniques, subsequent chapters present exercises to familiarize the reader with acrylics, show how to represent space realistically, how to construct abstract compositions, and how to render form and surfaces.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is my New Year's resolution to get back into painting and I thought this book would be the book to make this project a reality."
"This book really explains painting techniques like complex scenes, varying brush strokes, negative space, rendering multiple planes, and reflections on metal just to name a few. They helped me purchase the right brushes and paint colors so that I can gather everything I need for each project."
"I love the bite-size projects in this book."
"I was looking for a book I could do QUICK paintings that don't require a lot of thought process and time on my days that I work. For a beginner (which I'm Not) but still easy quick paintings, as you go, the paintings get a little more detailed and takes a little longer to complete. The book *very basic.... * My painting I added more.....that comes with practice."
"I love this book for simples easy painting ideas."
"i really like how this book is designed."
"I am an artist and I usually paint abstracts but it was refreshing to go back to basics and do these exercises because after a long time of doing a certain abstract style you can lose some of the other basic important skills that this book will help with."
"Some of the directions are a bit vague and I would like to see how he would mix the colors he asks for from the primary colors plus black and white."
Best Watercolor Painting
This special 10th-anniversary collection combines two of the best-loved North Light watercolor guides available: The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook and The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook: Landscapes . Gorden MacKenzie is the author of North Light's bestselling watercolour book, The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"*NOTE* HALF OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AS THE SEPARATE BOOK TITLED "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook - Landscapes" which at the time of this purchase was available for $15, while this book has double the content and a lot of great example art for only $20."
"I wrote this review to make note that this book ALSO INCLUDES: The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook - Landscapes by the same author. Half-way through the book you will come across the latter, exactly the same book that is sold separately."
"I carry this book with me all the time and Enjoy it very much.... very informative A++++."
"Lovely book, good information."
"Another good guide to technique."
"This book is huge for the cost."
"Very instructionual for beginner and pro."
"I've been checking out the outeated version of this great book from my library and am thrilled I now have the latest edition."
Best Still Life Painting
This collection of Walter Foster's bestselling Color Mixing Recipes books, including Color Mixing Recipes for Oil and Acrylic , Color Mixing Recipes for Portraits , Color Mixing Recipes for Watercolor , and the most recent addition, Color Mixing Recipes for Landscapes . STEP THREE Use the Color Mixing Grid to measure each paint color.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Love this for it's collection of various color schemes, landscape colors etc."
"this was a great value...like 3 books in one."
"Good product."
"Amazing."
"excellent color reference for mixing."
"I have only skimmed through this great little manual thus far but know I will refer to it over and over again to save myself the time and effort experimenting to find the exact shade I want!!"
"While there are a lot of good mixing recipes for watercolor in this book, the list of component colors is quite extensive .....and expensive to acquire."
Best Landscape Painting
From beloved author and Hallmark Channel favorite Debbie Macomber, this special adult coloring book features forty-five original illustrations depicting scenes from the Rose Harbor and Blossom Street series. Debbie Macomber , the author of A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, Last One Home, Silver Linings, Love Letters, Mr.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This coloring book depicts a number of scenes from various books, including: “Starting Now”, “The Inn at Rose Harbor”, “Love Letters”, “The World of Debbie Macomber”, Blossom Street Brides”, “Silver Linings”, and “Rose Harbor in Bloom”. Here is an overview of what I found in the book and during my testing of mediums and coloring in this book: 45 Hand-drawn designs depicting scenes from Debbie Macomber books. Printed on one side of white, heavyweight lightly smooth non-perforated page. Quote of Scene is on the preceding page (back of the previous design page. Glue Bound. Designs merge into the binding area – if you cut pages out, you will lose portions of the design. Book opens fairly flat if you “break” the spine. Alcohol-based markers bleed through the page. Given the construction of this book, with the quote on the prior page, I do not plan to remove pages from the book."
"I am a big Debbie Macomber fan and an avid colorist so it took me not two seconds to decide to buy this book."
"The Paper in this coloring book is thick and takes multimedia well."
"I have been coloring as a hobby since high school so I'm no stranger to "adult coloring books" and after a while the same themes get old."
"Most of my books are jungles, gardens and flowers, so I thought I'd try something different."
"Purchased this for my mother who absolutely loves Debbie Macomber books and Hallmark Shows."
"Would love more normal pictures such as homes, gardens, landscaping."
"As everything Debbie Macomber does is full of class, so is this beautiful "coloring book"."