Ebook: Mastering the Craft of Painting

All artists must master the craft of painting before they can fully develop a unique, personal style. In this unusual book, Angelo John Grado takes you into the classroom of one of the Art Students League's most famous teachers— Frank J. Reilly. Through Grado's lucid notes, sketches, and diagrams, you learn the essentials of good painting and drawing just as Reilly taught them. In addition, you learn how to go beyond the lessons to discover your own individual style. —The first half of the book "Lessons from Reilly" — includes valuable instruction for beginning and intermediate artists on line, form, relationships, action, foreshortening, and shadows. There is clear advice on the handling of both value and chroma, as well as the painting of flesh tones. Step-by-step demonstrations teach you how to do an initial wash-in and lay-in, and how to go on to complete your painting. The emphasis is on the figure, but the information extends to all painting subjects The second half of the book is designed to show you how to adapt what you have learned from Reilly to your own personal needs. Grado offers advice on the use of a free palette and gives a detailed demonstration of procedures for loosening up your technique. He also provides helpful tips on working with pastels, handling textures, and creating life-like portraits. Filled with information and ideas, Mastering the Craft of Painting is an excellent guide for all artists, and it can be easily adapted to classroom teaching. Its many diagrams and exercises make it the ideal book for anyone who wants to learn the craft of painting.