Montana Artist: This book has a lot of good information, new and reviewed, and is well organized. I cannot give it five stars though, as it is lacking in a key area. As I worked through the practice painting lessons I was quite frustrated because Patti does not include reference images for them. That means you are not able to see/learn how she translates and simplifies images from photos into paintings. You are left copying her painting, missing out on the opportunity for learning about simplifying a scene. This may not seem important to some, but for me, I could just copy her paintings without the book if that is what I wanted to do. I had hoped to learn more about her process. I like her book okay; it’s just not as good as it could have been.
United States on Aug 14, 2023
Linda Leeper: Been looking to learn the loose technique book looks great!
United States on Aug 09, 2023
KAT: I simply LOVE this book. It gives me so much Inspiration. For the first time I have the impression to see clear and understand the underlying theory of a good paint. Thank you so much!
Germany on Jun 30, 2023
Doreen Lurie: Interesting book, very good for use of color, I recommend it but it does not have much on working loosely
Canada on Sep 25, 2021
DonnaRussell: I am a watercolor artist trying to learn how to paint in acrylic. This has been difficult and frustrating. Then I saw a video by Patti Mollica and got her AMAZING book. This is not a how to paint this flower or that tree book. This book explains foundations and how to make your paintings consistently successful. I thought I understood value and color theory, ha! NOW I understand it much much better than I did and just painted my first successful acrylic painting by applying her simple explanations. I love her style but mine is a little different. No matter, her book is not about painting clones of her work but applying simple but very important ideas to your work.
United States on Aug 09, 2021
K Buckingham: If you want to loosen up your painting style, this is the book to get. It does have a couple of exercises to follow but otherwise this is about technique and developing your own expressive way of painting. The book has a wealth of information on colour theory, with guidelines on composition and colour unity. I'm doing a painting course and it's been invaluable, ever since this book arrived it's been open on my desk as a source of reference.
I've really enjoyed using acrylics this way (I'm still not fast but I'm getting there with loose and bold) I do have other painting books but for me, this is by far the best.
United Kingdom on Aug 04, 2020
Nina Willoughby: If I could have only two books on painting, this would be one of them. I originally bought the Kindle edition, thinking it would be of limited use and therefore not worth spending much on. After reading and re-reading it, I ordered the hardcopy.
All Mollica’s paintings are in acrylics and most of her paint-specific advice concerns acrylics, but the vast majority of what she has to say is applicable to any medium. This book is excellent on colour, including theory and pointers I haven’t seen elsewhere (such as the ‘mother colour’ palette). It’s really, really good on value and the significance of value for simplifying compositions, and although it doesn't go into detail on some aspects of composition (such as avoiding kissing edges), Mollica has some advice that I haven’t seen elsewhere. There are demonstrations and exercises, but unlike the books that just do a step-by-step how-to, Mollica explains the theory behind what she’s doing and what she’s suggesting you do, so that you’re equipped to do something other than just copy her.
I don’t paint with acrylics and doubt I ever will, but I learnt more that’s applicable to oils from this book than I...
United Kingdom on Jan 10, 2020
J. McDonald 🏴: I've only had this book for a couple of weeks, so it's a bit early to say how helpful it will turn out to be.
I bought this as a teaching aid; I am myself a fast, loose, direct painter in acrylics (it's a running gag with my students who have given me T-shirts with all my encouraging mantras printed on them) so anything that can illustrate or provide examples for students to follow is of some use to me; although there are a few issues I'd mildly disagree with, most of the book is fairly sound in the techniques and advice it presents.
It isn't a book for the complete beginner and it doesn`t offer a lot of those panel-by-panel demonstrations so many students love to try and copy; rather, it offers a good deal of technical help in understanding colour, composition, tonal values and good painting practice. It is well illustrated with many examples.
There's some stuff I'd throw out (as a painter of long experience I do have my own notions of how things work), but a lot of it I'd keep and emphasise as helpful to achieve successful paintings.
It's a book that's particularly useful to acrylic painters, but the general information is of value for painters in oils or any other...
United Kingdom on Mar 30, 2019
Nina Buckley: I have tons of art books and this one so far is my favorite! Why? It's VERY easy to read, well laid out, lessons are easily understood. I know it's title is "learn to paint fast and Loose", but this book is WAY more than that. It is the very FOUNDATION of painting easily explained. She puts great emphasis on creating value drawings first, before you ever think about lifting up a brush and then she explains the importance of color as it relates to value. I am a completely self taught artist, have read tons of books and watched Ytube video's to find my way. I havet always felt very frustrated with my work, couldn't put my finger on why it didn't "read" properly and I just couldn't "nail it" or get that "awe" out of my painting. What she teaches in this book is the "why" it's not working. Like me I'm sure you've looked at tons of visual art in your life, some of them pop out at you and others are mediocre at best. These lessons are what will separate you from the novice painter. Once you get what's she's trying to tell you, it's a true "ah ha" moment! I'm now off to spend as much time as I possibly can just drawing value sketches until I can do it without thinking. Buy this book,...
United States on Sep 20, 2018
| Unlock Your Creative Potential with These Simple Techniques for Loose, Bold and Expressive Painting | Transform Stones into Works of Art with the Rock Art Handbook: Painting, Coloring, and Crafting Techniques | Unlock Your Creative Potential with Stone Painting: 30 Inspiring Designs to Get You Started | |
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| Sale off | $5 OFF | $7 OFF | $8 OFF |
| Total Reviews | 24 reviews | 119 reviews | 88 reviews |
| Acrylic Painting | Acrylic Painting | Acrylic Painting | Acrylic Painting |
| Paperback | 128 pages | 160 pages | 96 pages |
| Best Sellers Rank | #10 in Acrylic Painting#170 in Creativity | #8 in Acrylic Painting#19 in Nature Crafts#63 in Crafts for Children | #2 in Acrylic Painting#8 in Nature Crafts#42 in Mandalas & Patterns Coloring Books for Grown-Ups |
| Creativity (Books) | Creativity | ||
| Dimensions | 8.32 x 0.36 x 10.9 inches | 6.9 x 0.4 x 8.9 inches | 8.25 x 0.25 x 11.25 inches |
| Language | English | English | English |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7/5 stars of 741 ratings | 4.7/5 stars of 4,087 ratings | 4.7/5 stars of 3,036 ratings |
| Item Weight | 1.1 pounds | 1.01 pounds | 12.9 ounces |
| ISBN-10 | 1440342105 | 1565239458 | 9780486808932 |
| Publisher | North Light Books; Illustrated edition | Fox Chapel Publishing; First Edition | Dover Publications; Illustrated edition |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1440342103 | 978-1565239456 | 978-0486808932 |
United States on Nov 10, 2023