If you already know your way around Photoshop and Painter and want to use these amazing programs to take your skills further; this book is for you! Much more than a simple "how-to" guide; Susan Ruddick Bloom takes you on a full-fledged journey of the imagination and shows you how to create incredible works of fine art. Supplemented by the work of 20+ world renowned artists in addition to Sues own masterpieces; youll learn how to create watercolors; black and white pencil sketches; texture collages; stunning realistic and fantastical collages; and so much more; all from your original photographs. If you are eager to dive into the world of digital art but need a refresher on the basics; flip to Sues essential techniques chapter to brush up on your Photoshop and Painter skills; and youll be on your way in no time. Whether youre a novice or an established digital artist; youll find more creative ideas in this book than you could ever imagine. Fully updated for new versions of Painter and Photoshop and including brand new work from contemporary artists; Digital Collage and Painting provides all the inspiration you need to bring your artistic vision to light.
#2965844 in eBooks 2013-01-11 2013-01-11File Name: B00AZKV9K0
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Intense FascinatingBy Amanda ChesworthReaktion books are exceptionally high quality both in their art reproductions and in the well researched content. Ron Brown; the author; is an academically-oriented suicidologist and although this can make for a difficult read; it was not a dry one and he did an excellent job of explaining his subject without pretension.The book explores depictions of suicide through art from the Greco-Roman era (with the first piece being of Ajaxs "heroic" suicide) to 20th century work such as the seemingly emotionless style of Andy Warhol and the actual photography of the Heavens Gate cults mass suicide. He also touches briefly on 21st century art.Along with the artwork and Browns interpretations (and that of others); he puts the pieces into historical context and comments on the legal and social opinions and reactions to suicide. What perhaps is infuriating for this reader is the long expanse of time when suicide was considered "feminine" - the woman being depicted as weak; prone to "the easy way out;" and so on. And yet; throughout this period historical evidence seemed to show that men were the ones commiting self-murder the majority of the time. For women it was a solution to unrequited love or something equally as emotional. For men it was an answer to the pressures of work; status; and other "noble" pursuits. However offensive this may be from the standpoint of modern day feminism; it is a fascinating piece of history.Also of interest is the Jesus/Judas dichotomy. Judas having commited suicide by hanging led to hanging being both a form of suicide and a punishment for criminals of the most basest character. Jesus crucifixion on the other hand; and the suicides of martyrs; were considered forms of "good" deaths. Interpretations of this sort; and those of influential historical figures like St. Augustine; characterized the interpretations of suicide within society for far; far too long. The time period when religion dictated morality was an especially harsh time for the interpretation of suicides.I was somewhat unhappy with the predominance of post-modernist interpretation even in those times when post-modernism had yet to surface. Foucault is often referenced and this leaves a certain skepticism about the authors opinions. I was also surprised by the detailed interpretations given some of the art pieces - the question being raised: how do you know? What appear rather explicable works of art are shown to have all sorts of hidden complexities and though they certainly made sense and were of great interest; how can we be sure this is what the artist meant to convey? I was also rather disappointed that many of the pieces of art referenced were not included in the book. I understand how difficult it would be to include each piece but; sadly; the average reader would have no other way of viewing them - especially without reference of where the pieces are to be found. How wonderful it would be if Reaktion - or Taschen or Phaidon Press would take up the task of working with Brown to reproduce every painting in one collection (without the necessity of text besides title; artist; and source.)I also hoped to see reference to the works of Bosch (especially Mad Meg); Bruegel; Dali; and Francis Bacon.. but they werent included.The book is a very welcome addition to my collection on the topic and I highly recommend it to both art lovers and those intrigued by the subject matter.