Product Description
Focusing on simple and swift sketching techniques, the purpose of this text is to enable any artist to visualize a natural landscape before putting brush to paper. Sections on finding subjects and designing compositions are followed by demonstrations of how to paint certain subjects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

the instruction hits the mark
I find myself reading this book thoroughly. I usually jump around in art instruction books. The author, painter, presents each concept clearly in a one or two page format. Many are presented and they all are important and helpful. They are illustrated by his works. His style is loose and direct. There is no fussiness to it. I like his sketches and enjoy looking at the works. I am getting a lot out of this book. I have tried some of the concepts and approaches and they have really worked and I feel energized and advanced thereby.

Serves a specific purpose well, as titled
If you want to loosen up your work and/or paint outdoors efficiently and effectively, then this book will be a big help--as it has been for me.Even if you want to paint in a more representational, detailed style, than is represented here, getting the basics first as this book presents them could still greatly simplify things to make your process easier.

Edward Norton Ward's watercolor "sketches" (They are signed, so I assume he considers them completed paintings.), which are abundant throughout the book, at first might appear more simplistic than they are.In other words, there is experience and knowledge behind creating an effective, yet simple, watercolor.Mr. Ward has been generous in sharing this knowledge and the thoughts that are behind each painting.His discussions about simplifying the subject and the effects of light on color are particularly good.He also explains his painting process.

This book is useful in any case, but more useful if you paint outdoors, as that is its focus.His tips on traveling lightly and the materials he uses/prepares, has a couple valuable tips that I will use, even though after painting for a number of years I have already gone over the endless supplies combinations for painting outdoors.

The painting on the cover is a good representation of Ward's work and one that I like (although not my favorite). I admit that some of the paintings in this book do not appeal to me as the parts seem too detached and there are too many isolated dabs of paint.Others, however, elicit a sigh of appreciation, because they represent what I would like to be able to do: paint directly from nature in a very direct(impressionistic)style that doesn't involve a lot of fussing in the studio later--if I do not wish to do that--and still end up with a painterly thing of beauty.This book shows me how to achieve that goal more than any others I have studied.

I have just sorted through my rather extensive library on painting in watercolor with an eye to thinning down the collection to about half--to the ones that I deem most essential. I am keeping this book over several boxes of other watercolor books, a number by better known artists, simply because there is something valuable here that I want to learn, and I feel that I will use it as a reference for some time. ... Read more

Product Description
This sumptuous book presents the full range of Edward Hopper's work and offers greater access to Hopper, the man, than any other single volume.This book goes beyond the standard evaluations of the man and his work to reveal a complex man, introspective and intellectual yet romantic, and to illuminate the many levels of meaning in the paintings of his maturity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Collection of the Best Edward Hopper Paintings
Note: There are a couple Mormons who are angry over my negative reviews of books written in defense of the Book of Mormon, and they have been slamming my reviews.

Your "helpful" votes are appreciated. Thanks. PS: I'm not an art critic, but I know what I like. I think you'll enjoy the painting listed below.

I've looked through this book a hundred times (literally), and each time I find details in Hopper's paintings that add to my enjoyment. Some paintings that I love are the "Stairway" (mysterious), the "Two Puritans" (houses), "Gas" (very haunting), and "Solitude" (a lone house along a road).

Oh, and "Cape Cod Evening" (two people by the front door of a house while a collie looks at something). Very mysterious.

Highly recommended.

Wonderful,
Wonderful book, very well written, the plates are gorgeous, the organization isperfect.I feel lucky to have this book.
Highly recommend.

Realy good photos of E.H. work
I found this book to be useful as a art student ... Read more

Product Description
The complete catalogue of Hopper's paintings and illustrations. A standard reference book, written by the leading scholar on Hopper's work.280 full-color and over 150 black-and-white illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Review of Edward Hopper Catalogue Raisonne
A wonderful walk through the life and works of Edward Hopper. Gail Levin is up to her usual very high standards. The reproductions are very good and one can spend hours sifting through this wonderful collection of Hopper's life.

Fantastic colletion for those that know...
Catalogue Raisonné

I'm surprised by the other review here, because he seems to have left out the most important point and purpose of a catalogue raisonné, or perhaps he didn't understand what it was. Levin and New York's Whitney Museum published Hopper's Catalogue Raisonné in 1995 with an introductory price of $600. The price increased to $750 on 1/1/1996 and remained there for over 10 years, effectively pricing it out of reach for many. That's actually not a surprise because this is not intended for most Hopper fans who want coffee table books. This is a scholarly resource publication intended as a research aid.

Briefly, what you'll find here is a set containing four volumes, but only 3 are books; the fourth "volume" shown in the picture actually contains a Windows CD (reportedly NOT Mac compatible) that includes images of the works and scholarly information (provenance, exhibition histories, etc.). The first real print volume contains essays on Hoppers place in American art, all the illustration work, and the etchings. This volume is the weak link here and my only disappointment. The biggest problem is that his etchings are displayed as mere "thumbnails" approximately 1.5 inches square. That's a shame because Hopper's etchings are beautiful; if you haven't had a chance to see them there is still one current Hopper show at the time of this writing. Recent Hopper exhibitions were held at Boston's MFA and the National Gallery in 2007, and the final leg of the tour is Chicago's Art Institute, ending in May 2008. Don't miss it. It's a fantastic show and the best thing Boston's MFA (my local hangout) has done since their famous Sargent exhibition.

The other volumes contain the oils and the watercolors. These images were broken out into two beautiful volumes designed as more typical art books, titled The Complete Oil paintings (erroneously titled "The Paintings of Edward Hopper" here on Amazon) and The Complete Watercolors, also by Levin. You can find both volumes here, but both are now out of print and the Oils book will cost an obscene amount (over $450 at this time). They are both stunning, and have been in my collection for years.

This makes the catalogue Raisonné a great deal. As opposed to paying the amount for the two books individually, you can get both for less. Again, you should understand what this is, and what this is not. If you really just want a typical art book, then I would agree with another review and suggest you collect every other book on Hopper by Levin (they're all excellent and you can get all the images of prints, illustrations, etc.), buy the catalog from the current show (MFA publication by Troyan et. al.), and the books by Hobbs, Mecklenburg, and even Marker (very inexpensive thin book with large prints)

Better Values Elsewhere
If you love Edward Hopper and must have the complete works, you'll buy this regardless of what I say. But if you are just a fan and want to see a bio and highlights there are better compendiums out there. While these books are bound well, the paper could be better quality as could the color reproduction. The biggest drawback is that the books don't lie flat for better viewing.

Again, if you want the complete, historical Edward Hopper - I'd consider this. But for the money and for someone who just admires his more popular works, there are better, and less expensive choices. ... Read more

Product Description
Artist Edward Hopper's themes of alienation and loneliness, empty cityscapes and bleak countrysides are indelibly imprinted on our collective senses. This volume includes 59 of Hopper's most important paintings in full color, accompanied by original works by 13 renowned fiction writers and poets that pay homage to, or make reference to, the ways in which Hopper pictured our world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Selection from Hopper's Journals
I just want to add the note that this book contains a selection of the Hopper notebooks, not the complete works.However, it is, as far as I know, the only way these are published, and the pages are very interesting indeed.It is amazing to see how fine these little sketches are of his more famous paintings.It was meant to be a record, a simple catalog, but it reminds one that Hopper was an excellent graphic artist as well as a painter. i think it is a brilliant idea for any artist as a way of keeping touch with larger works instead of with photographs.

Excellent
This is a wonderful glimpse into the development of Hopper's paintings. It appears to be a photocopy of Hopper's working journals, which were assembled and maintained by his wife Jo over a period of 30+ years. Jo wrote the text and Edward drew a thumbnail sketch for the paintings. For many of the paintings, the text includes the brand of paint (e.g., Rembrandt, Blockx, W&N), the type of canvas and the priming, the studio in which it was painted, and to whom it was sold. Jo frequently included a description of the place, the people, or the mood portrayed in the paintings.

If you're an artist or a serious Hopper fan, you'll enjoy this book.

Incorrect synopsis information
The synopsis for this title is incorrect. The text refers to the title"The Poetry of Solitute". THIS publication is a facsimile ofHopper's record keeping journals. It includes mostly thumbnail drawings,paint recipes and sales information for many of his works. ... Read more

Product Description
A remarkable collection of Edward Hopper's most important paintings and original stories and poems by prominent contemporary writers. This volume includes fifty-nine of Hopper's most important works in full color, as well as original works by thirteen renowned fiction writers and poets that pay homage to, or make reference to, the ways in which Hopper pictured our world. The contributors include Paul Auster, Anne Beattie, Tess Gallagher, Thom Gunn, John Hollander, William Kennedy, Galway Kinnell, Ann Lauterbach, Norman Mailer, Leonard Michaels, Walter Mosley, Grace Paley, and James Salter. Also featured is an essay by art historian Dr. Gail Levin. Hopper's themes of alienation and loneliness, empty cityscapes and countrysides, the stark light of Cape Cod, silent hills and housesall have been indelibly imprinted on our collective sense of ourselves and our country. This work celebrates the impact Hopper's imagery continues to have on contemporary culture and is dedicated to a fuller understanding of Hopper's place in the American mind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It was well-written with excellent discription,and . . .
I believe that this was one of the greatest art books.This outstanding book displayed 59 of Hopper's greatest paintings with awesome detail and spectacular quotes.It not only showed the different ways Hopper defined and looked at life, but I could feel like I was the artist.Not only did the paintings create a perspective of life most people don't look at, but I could relate to his points of view. ... Read more

Product Description
As British rule crumbled in colonial America, profound changes occurred in the relationships between those in power and the people they ruled. This study examines the impact political changes in New York State had on the structure of government throughout the emerging nation. ... Read more

Product Description
The complete oils of arguably America's best and probably America's most "American" artist. This magnificent volume reproduces all of Hopper's 366 oil paintings. They were first published in the four-volume catalogue raisonne of the artist's works. Now they are offered at a price that will make them attractive to anyone seriously interested in art. Hopper was comfortable in both oil and watercolor, although his technique with each medium varied considerably. While oils were done in the studio, often from detailed sketches with notations on colors, the watercolors were painted on location and seem far more spontaneous. In the years since Hopper's death in 1967, many of his paintings have achieved iconographic status as statements about this country. His empty cityscapes and countrysides speak of our sense of loneliness and alienation, while his fascination with the light on Cape Cod and the buildings in Gloucester result in the evocation of feelings that can only be described as uniquely American. 350 color plates, with notes and annotations by Gail Levin. Published in association with the Whitney Museum of Art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A wonderful resource
Please note: If it isn't clear from the editorial review or the description above, this book shows Hopper's oil paintings only. It is one half of a set, the other, titled The Watercolors of Edward Hopper, showing watercolors only!

There are many Hopper books out there today, but none is as pictorially complete as this one (the one exception is Levin's Catalogue Raisonne, from which this book was derived). The pictures and information are wonderful. Levin has arranged the works in chronological order, so you can follow Hopper's progression through his career. The colors are good and the paintings - one to a page - are well documented whenever possible. I have several Hopper books yet I refer to this one again and again because it is so complete. There is minimal text here; it's not Hopper's life story or an account of each paintings development - though there are a few notable exceptions, such as Nighthawks. What it is is a complete archive of his oil paintings from art school to the end of his life. It's a wonderful book that any serious Hopper fan should consider. Levin should be congratulated on her work. Highly recommended.

Other recommended books include all of Levin's works, including the complete prints, the aforementioned watercolor book, and her biography to name a few. Other excellent books are Edward Hopper by Hobbs, Hopper's journal by Lyons, and Edward Hopper: the watercolors by Mecklinburg. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must Read for Students of 2oth Century European History
Edward Norton was an American diplomat who retired to Malaga, Spain in the 1930s.One of the very few Westerners to stayand observe the entire seven months' rule by the Spanish Anarchists and Communists, his diaries document the disastrous results of government by mob.
After Norton's death, his great nephew, William Harmon, inherited the diaries, and has used them and other family documents to tell the story of the starvation, arson, mass executions and destruction which ended only when General Franco's forces reached the city to re-establish order.
I think this is an excellent account of an eye witness to the Spanish Civil War.
In my own youth, American news reports pictured Franco as the villain.He was indeed a dictator, but he appears to have saved Malaga from the final total destruction of the city and from the execution of its remaining citizens planned by the anarchists. ... Read more

Product Description
General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1887Original Publisher: O. Ditson ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by seasoned African travelers and photographers, Safari Journal is the perfect companion for your forays into the bush. Includes:- Plenty of writing space for you to create a personal diary and record of your journey- Highlights and maps of the "must see" countries- Essential travel information--how to prepare, when to go, how to pack- Color photos of the common birds and wildlife, including informative captions- Checklists of the birds and animals you may encounter, with space for your notes- Helpful photography tips--on equipment (film and digital), technique, and subject matter- Useful Swahili and Kinyarwanda phrases ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Safari Journal
Excellent! The best to have on safari.And that's what we sell for a living.

Great safari companion
A friend gave me this before my recent trip to East Africa. Safari Journal was a great companion to have on safari. Not only a good guide book to most of the animals and birds, but I kept a journal of my trip in it. I highly recommend it - even if you don't go to Africa. The photos are superb.

Must Own for Safari Trips
This guide and journal proved invaluable during my recent trip to Tanzania.ID of wildlife was easy and the background info in the front was excellent reading prior to the trip.The checklist is an added bonus, allowed me to keep a record of the wildlife I saw during the trip.I didn't actually use the Journal pages for notes because I had along a small note pad that was sufficient plus I didn't want to mess up the pages with my sloppy writing! ... Read more

Product Description
The text of this Norton Critical Edition is that of the First Folio, printed in 1623. Additions and emendations adopted from the First Quarto (1622) appear in the Textual Notes that follow the play. Othello is accompanied by detailed explanatory annotations.

"Sources and Contexts" reprints the sixteenth-century story by Giraldi Cinthio that Shakespeare used for the plot of Othello and for many of its details. Edward Pechter's essay provides context for readers through its discussion of the play's central topics—Moors, Turks, Venetians, marriage and domesticity, fathers and daughters, and female sexuality.

Seventeen wide-ranging interpretive essays are reprinted. Contributors include Samuel Johnson, William Hazlitt, T. S. Eliot, Kenneth Burke, Lynda E. Boose, Mark Rose, and Patricia Parker.

An annotated Selected Bibliography is also included.

About the series: No other series of classic texts equals the caliber of the Norton Critical Editions. Each volume combines the most authoritative text available with the comprehensive pedagogical apparatus necessary to appreciate the work fully. Careful editing, first-rate translation, and thorough explanatory annotations allow each text to meet the highest literary standards while remaining accessible to students. Each edition is printed on acid-free paper and every text in the series remains in print. Norton Critical Editions are the choice for excellence in scholarship for students at more than 2,000 universities worldwide. ... Read more

Product Description
This selection of documents offers an insightful look at one Northernand one Southern community only 200 miles apart in the ShenandoahValley during the Civil War.
The casebook focuses onthe deep connections between homefront andbattlefront and on the centrality of slavery tothe conflict, emphasizing the profounduncertainty and confusion that prevailed duringthe war. ... Read more