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Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting

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Description

Written by a famous American painter and teacher, whose landscapes are found in many of the world's most noted museums, this book is known as one of the art student's most helpful guides. It provides a wealth of advice on the choice of subject; it tells what to look for and aim for, and explains the mysteries of color, atmospheric conditions, and other phenomena to be found in nature. Through his profound understanding of the physical nature of landscapes and his highly developed artistic sense, John Carlson is able to explain both the whys and the hows of the various aspects of landscape painting. Among the subjects covered are angles and consequent values (an insightful concept necessary for strong overall unity of design), aerial and linear perspective, the painting of trees, the emotional properties of line and mass in composition, light, unity of tone, choice of subject, and memory work. In the beginning chapters, the author tells how to make the best of canvas, palette, colors, brushes, and other materials and gives valuable advice about texture, glazing, varnishing, bleaching, retouching, and framing. Thirty-four reproductions of Mr. Carlson's own work and 58 of his explanatory diagrams are shown on pages adjoining the text. As Howard Simon says in the introduction: "Crammed into its pages are the thoughts and experiences of a lifetime of painting and teaching. Undoubtedly it is a good book for the beginner, but the old hand at art will appreciate its honesty and broadness of viewpoint. It confines itself to the mechanics of landscape painting but, philosophically, it roams far and wide. . . . This is a book to keep, to read at leisure, and to look into for the solution of problems as they arise, when the need for an experienced hand is felt." Read more Read less

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; REV ed. edition (June 1, 1973)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486229270


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 70


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.9 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.27 x 0.39 x 10.83 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #21,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Oil Painting #1,461 in Reference (Books)


#1 in Oil Painting:


#1,461 in Reference (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Filled with information
Nice book for studying values. I would recommend.
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023 by Melanie Straight

  • Must have for Landscape artist
Excellent resource for any artist wanting to paint landscapes.
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2023 by FoxRun

  • Extremely Essential Excellent Book.
No easy read, this book is blowing my mind with method as well as philosophy on landscapes and art in general. It is changing the way I see the world around me. I took a workshop with a master landscape painter who told me it was the ONE absolutely essential book to any student or artist. He has several copies and rereads it even to this day after painting for over 40 years. It is in the school of abstract expressionist design to express what you are seeing. It encourages the artist to use nature as a well spring for inspiration and a starting point, and is not at all about dry literal copying of exactly what you see. There are valuable insights as to how to pick an "idea" you are supporting in your image, as well as the tools to render it, because art is an expression, first and foremost. It is technically and spiritually wonderful. Much of the advice could cross over to other styles of art. There are so many lines in the book I would like to quote, but here are two: "Art is a thing of the imagination. The underlying principles, the fundamentals, should be so hidden away by the beauty they are eventually to support, that it would require much digging to disclose them." and "There is no irresponsible or accidental child's play about the composing of a fine picture. Men like Leonardo, Michelangelo or Rubens were men of fine intellect as well as of sensitivity. Pure beauty is an orderly quality which seldom emanates from imbeciles or charlatans." While you will find very useful basic information on materials, etc, do not expect a "How to draw fence posts" type book. This book is a masterpiece. I plan to read it many many more times. If provides a vehicle for total self expression, which only years of tireless application can yield, yet spares the reader years of trial and error with timeless instruction on elements of atmosphere and technical laws known to the masters, thus delivering hope and inspiration. No serious artist should be without this book. I'm so grateful for it, and I sprang for the hard copy. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2011 by Amy Johnson

  • Valuable information for artists
This book is full of valuable information, written in an old-fashioned tedious style. But it's worth wading through to pick up the beautiful nuggets the author shares. His pedantic style does not hide his enthusiasm for his topic. Some of his advice regarding materials is no longer valid, as new and better materials are on the market now -- but materials are a very minor portion of the book. Keep a pen or highlighter handy to mark the parts you like, so you can use it as a reference to refresh your memory. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2020 by Lyndylu

  • Just wow.
Perfect for beginners like me! I have been painting on and off since I was a child but have never become serious until recently. I bought this book to gain insight about theories and practical lessons on painting and I'm not disappointed. I just started and now on page 20 but i'm already sure that it will just get better from here. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023 by Michiko

  • Many formats to choose from
There is a reasons why artists recommend this book by Carlson, it's just that good. Having read it first in Kindle, it's nice to have a hard copy as well.
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023 by Amazon Customer

  • The images of the paintings are in black and white
I was recommended this book by a colleague who also paints for fun. And while the text is fine, unfortunately, the images of paintings are in black & white. I don't know if this is because the book is in the public domain and this is a cheap version or the original book only had black & white versions. But it's really frustrating to talk about landscape painting and only see black & white images. Disappointed ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023 by stevenpirie

  • Excellent
Excellent product
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2023 by Henry D.

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