Link to 'The Best Landscape Books'

[Marc Hanson]

Okay, I'm pushing my luck here, posting more than the allowed number of threads in one day. But this thread is well worth the look. And you won't find it if you don't visit the Landscape forum.

The Best Landscape Books (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124651&page=7&pp=15)

[WTPDOSA]

Hey Marc,
I had my nose in that thread two days ago reading all the suggestions. Great thread! Thanks.

[Eugene Veszely]

Marc you can start as many threads as you like! :) :D ;)

[JanB]

Thanks for the link Marc....making a wish-list of good books suggested there...but VERY disapponted at the demeanor and tone of many posters over there...soooooo rude and mean-spirited....attacking someone simply for holding a different opinion about a book...can't even disagree in a civilized and courteous manner,or respect a person's opinion...they seriously need to grow up. And that is just ANOTHER reason why I make the PA forum my cyber home...'cause folks are just "plein" NICE here. :wink2:

[Marc Hanson]

You're right. I'm surprised at the inability of some (and I have no clue what their level of painting is ), to see or read the value in the Carlson book. They expect it to be a 2005 publication with full page color photos, and glossy paper. They're lucky it was picked up by Dover and reprinted at all.

It takes some reading and an understanding of the craft to make the most of it. Maybe those who are looking for 'paint by pictured example' books are the ones who are so negative...but I don't really know. :wink2:


Thanks for the link Marc....making a wish-list of good books suggested there...but VERY disapponted at the demeanor and tone of many posters over there...soooooo rude and mean-spirited....attacking someone simply for holding a different opinion about a book...can't even disagree in a civilized and courteous manner,or respect a person's opinion...they seriously need to grow up. And that is just ANOTHER reason why I make the PA forum my cyber home...'cause folks are just "plein" NICE here. :wink2:
:wink2:

[Donald_Smith]

OUCH! MY EARS ARE BURNING!!!! :D

I had a few negative comments to make about Carlson's book. After I got past his introduction, and started reading some of the meaty stuff, he has a lot of great things that need pondering and applying.

Have a nice day,
Don :wave:

[Marc Hanson]

OUCH! MY EARS ARE BURNING!!!! :D

I had a few negative comments to make about Carlson's book. After I got past his introduction, and started reading some of the meaty stuff, he has a lot of great things that need pondering and applying.

Have a nice day,
Don :wave:
Well Don...we really do need a 'tongue in cheek' icon for our use here. :wink2: I had no intention of being offensive in the comment. I actually enjoy reading the banter back and forth.

I understand the resistance to the Carlson book too,it took me several readings over the years to become a fan. I do not take it as 'The Final Word', as some do. But once you really get around the dated materials, and the rather uninspiring photos, he offers a wealth of picture making wisdom.

Here's just one:

"Nature can afford to mix things up, but a picture must be an ordering of the material into masses. We must have design in a picture even at the expense of truth.(I think that he means 'of what's there') You are using nature for your artistic needs." John Carlson, pp 39

That one paragraph on page 39 if understood by a new plein air painter would take years off of their development. The book is full of this kind of wisdom. If you only read that page today you'll be enlightened. But if you're looking for a step by step 'answer' to making a painting, use some of the other artists and books. I think that you mentioned that J.Yarnell does it for you, that's great. I grew up learning from and copying images in Walter Foster books on landscapes and dogs.

Carlson is more cerebral, it takes reading and re-reading and practice for it's benefit to be understood.

[Dirt Dude]

Thanks for the link, Marc. I'm currently plowing through Alla Prima by Schmid after first reading Hawthorne on Painting and Fill your oil paintings with light and color by Macpherson.

I'm surprised Hawthorne was not mentioned in the thread... much of what Schmid and Macpherson detail is also contained in Hawthorne, which was first published in 1938.

[Donald_Smith]

Marc,

I wasn't offended... :D But I do have an ornery streak... :evil:

Howard,

It isn't too late to add that to the list.

better get back to work, break is over,
Don