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 Time to Read: I found this a very fast and engaging read.
Quality: The writing is clear, consistent, and engaging. General Review: Atomic Habits is a wonderful book that I have recommended to many people. Implementing the suggested habits has changed my life for the better. James Clear is straightforward and easy to understand. He doesn't come across as a guru or a person who is full of himself. The concept that helped me the most was setting very achievable habits. For example, if I decided to start writing a page a day I would do it for maybe one day. If I decided to write a paragraph each day I might do it for a week. But, based on the suggestions in this book, my daily writing habit is to write one sentence. It is such a low goal that I feel really bad if I miss it. The funny thing is that I always write more than one sentence once I get started. I have accomplished a great deal more in the past three months because of the habits I have learned in this book.  Time to Read: This one took me a while. It is like reading an academic thesis. I found the writing style somewhat tedious with repetitive, nuanced examples that made each concept drag on too long.
Quality: Good information General Review: I teach art foundations, and most of my students are graphic design majors. To better support them, I reached out to a colleague, Professor Blake Johnson, who teaches Graphic Design, for reading recommendations. He suggested starting with this book. While it’s not specifically about graphic design, it focuses on a broader concept: the design of everyday things. The book’s strengths lie in how it draws attention to the countless products and experiences around us that are intentionally designed. It also relieves some of the psychological burden on users by highlighting that what we often call “operator error” is frequently the result of poor design. Reading it was eye-opening and gave me a new perspective on how I interact with the world.  Time to Read: I expected this to be a quick read. It wasn't a difficult read but I like to read it in small bits. Read, chew, repeat.
Quality: The writing is clear, consistent, and engaging General Review: I like to read about things other than art. This book fascinated me because it opens up a world of amazing interconnectivity, not only between insects but all life. Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson shares unbelievable stories about insects including butterflies with eyes on their sex organs and wasps that turn cockroaches into zombies.  Time to Read: The book is deep and thoughtful. For that reason I'd say it takes a while to read. On the other hand I found it engaging which helped me finish more quickly.
Quality: The writing is skillful. The physical condition of my text, used 1st edition 1966, was rough. General Review:This book reminds me of Bernard Chaet's book The Art of Drawing in the way that Hill skillfully explores and illuminates the form and content of images. He has a deep passion for drawing and the love that he shares for it is infectious. The vocabulary is quite advanced at times but terms are chosen with precision. For example, in one discussion Hill describes the interior tension in a figure as a catanery curve and the description is correct. The book could be enjoyed by anyone but if you have had a long relationship with drawing it is something to savor.  Time to Read: This is a really quick and engaging read.
Quality: The writing is clear and consistent. General Review: This little book is inspirational. I recommend this book to all of my BFA candidate students as a jump start to their process. It is filled with a bunch of information that most of us already know compiled in a way that is extremely encouraging and uplifting. It is designed to help artists get out of their head, leave fear behind, and get working. I particularly like the page that clearly outlines the differences between good theft where you give credit to others while truly making it your own versus plagiarism.  Time to Read: It depends. While it doesn't take long to read this book, it could take a lifetime to fully understand and savor.
Quality: The writing is good quality but has a couple of quirks. Sentences are repeated occasionally, sometimes this happens one sentence after the next, and sometimes on the following page. General Review: This is an incredible read but may not be for every reader, especially beginning artists. It is like reading the Tao Te Ching. There are deep, mystical, and poetic expressions of space and time that seem possible and unfathomable from one breath to the next. Design and Form |
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The best thing about the book are the broad topics covered such as opposing forces (pictured above), and chiaroscuro. Itten explores gradients, contrasts, and value patterns and privileges the abstract application of these concepts over the more traditional concerns of reflected light and the depiction of space.
I've started reading everyday and so I also decided to write a quick review of each book so that I can more easily share ideas with my friends. The first few posts are to catch up on this years' reading. The next few posts will be on the following books:
Atomic Habits
The Design of Everyday Things
The Language of Drawing
Steal Like an Artist
Eduardo Chillida Writings
Atomic Habits
The Design of Everyday Things
The Language of Drawing
Steal Like an Artist
Eduardo Chillida Writings
Perspective Made Easy by Ernest R Norling
Time to Read: Very fast, about 203 pages of easily understandable writing with many illustrations
Quality: Good
General Review: Perspective made easy is a quick review of the principles of linear perspective. It has several things that I don't remember learning in the basic drawing courses I took as a student such as how to imagine cast shadows within a perspectival system and applying perspective to hills. I liked how he describes eye level as something like an invisible water line.
It is a good reference book that goes into some detail on the subject but not enough to confound a beginner. There were some diagrams that I found unclear at first glance. These became clear when I reread sections or took some time to consider them more fully. Each chapter has a review list of principles which is convenient.
Quality: Good
General Review: Perspective made easy is a quick review of the principles of linear perspective. It has several things that I don't remember learning in the basic drawing courses I took as a student such as how to imagine cast shadows within a perspectival system and applying perspective to hills. I liked how he describes eye level as something like an invisible water line.
It is a good reference book that goes into some detail on the subject but not enough to confound a beginner. There were some diagrams that I found unclear at first glance. These became clear when I reread sections or took some time to consider them more fully. Each chapter has a review list of principles which is convenient.
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