Book Feedback wanted

[Improv]

I am looking for feedback on a composition book called:

Mastering Composition by Roberts

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Comp...ion+by+Roberts

Has anyone here read the book? Would you recommend it?

Thanks.

Doug

[claude j greengrass]

I rate Ian's book as one of the best on composition currently available. You can read my review of it in the Watercolor forum Learning Zone here.

[Colorix]

It is really good, and another good one is Purcell, Carl
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Your-A...pd_sim_sbs_b_1

Purcell has two books, drawing and painting with your artist's brain, and then there is one issue with both books in one.

[Keith2]

I have a copy of Ian Roberts' book. It's nicely printed, has plenty of good pictures and there's a free DVD on composition included. Yet I didn't learn much from it, and I can't explain why.

For books on composition, I prefer "The Simple Secret to Better Painting" by Greg Albert. It gives clearer, more specific advice on the subject.

[claude j greengrass]

Originally Posted by Keith2

I have a copy of Ian Roberts' book. It's nicely printed, has plenty of good pictures and there's a free DVD on composition included. Yet I didn't learn much from it, and I can't explain why.

For books on composition, I prefer "The Simple Secret to Better Painting" by Greg Albert. It gives clearer, more specific advice on the subject.

I am inclined to agree with your opinions but with a few qualifications. If you are not familiar 7 or so design 'elements' and 8 or so design principles Greg Albert's book will be the better of the two. If that is not the case, and you need an overview of design and composition, you need to two pages of Ian Roberts' book titled “What Is Composition”. Here Ian lays out and describes each of the 5 picture planes. A complete and too my way of thinking a very useful framework for visual design.

What I didn't like about Ian's book, is his failure to follow through on the development of this framework. I didn't find the DVD useful. On the other hand Greg has one 'secret' change the weight, texture, colour, value, etc... every 2 inches, but his book is well illustrated on design elements and principles . IMHO good but not better than Rex Brant, Tony Couch, and/or Frank Web, books on design and composition.

[creativechrissy]

I have both books;
Mastering Composition by Ian Roberts and
The Simple Secret to Better Painting by Greg Albert

Both had something different to offer. I felt Albert's moto or "Rule" "Never make two intervals the same" as not a very helpful tip.

In my opinion, Albert's book "The Simple Secret to Better Painting" is more a beginner book and Robert's "Mastering Composition" is more aimed towards lower-mid intermediate level.

In answer to your Q. Yes I would recommend Robert's book, and I found the DVD helpful to hear him explain and show what you have just read. It clarifies the new knowledge

[Samuel Nathanale]

Not my favorite. Try The Art of Composition by Simon - better for the serious artist.

[Journeyman]

"Art structure, a textbook of creative design" by Henry N. Rasmusen. This book first published in 1950 was very popular during the 60's and influenced many modernist painters. The main tenets of the book can be applied to traditional painting just as well as to Modernism.

Dave