1. Claire Wendling - Daisies
French edition is published this year, so I assume it qualifies this beautiful coffee table book for this contest. I love every line Mrs Wendling draw. Most people use big words too easily (amazing, stunning etc.. .) An average or slightly above average artwork is NOT amazing. Franklin Booth and, say, Harry C. Wilkinson were great. Heinrich Kley as well. Harry Clarke is amazing. Zorn, Bouguereau and Vermeer more so. And what about Pierre de Champaigne...let alone Bernini or Michelangelo...?)
I do not use big words for little matters. However, Claire Wendling's art is not little matter.
In my opinion, she is one of the best illustrators around.
2. Alexandre Cabanel: La tradition du beau
Again - French edition. There is no english one and I doubt it will be. One of the greatest 19th century painters. I had luck to see his paintings in person and I can only say that he WAS stunning. No doubt about it.
3. James Gurney - Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter
Indispensable book (just like the previous one) for all serious artist.
I could also include The Art of How to Train Your Dragon for its truly exquisite art, but Color and Light took precedence because it is how-to book with both great artworks AND plenty of helpful pieces of advice.
In no particular order:
1. Claire Wendling - Daisies
French edition is published this year, so I assume it qualifies this beautiful coffee table book for this contest. I love every line Mrs Wendling draw. Most people use big words too easily (amazing, stunning etc.. .) An average or slightly above average artwork is NOT amazing. Franklin Booth and, say, Harry C. Wilkinson were great. Heinrich Kley as well. Harry Clarke is amazing. Zorn, Bouguereau and Vermeer more so. And what about Pierre de Champaigne...let alone Bernini or Michelangelo...?)
I do not use big words for little matters. However, Claire Wendling's art is not little matter.
In my opinion, she is one of the best illustrators around.
2. Alexandre Cabanel: La tradition du beau
Again - French edition. There is no english one and I doubt it will be. One of the greatest 19th century painters. I had luck to see his paintings in person and I can only say that he WAS stunning. No doubt about it.
3. James Gurney - Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter
Indispensable book (just like the previous one) for all serious artist.
I could also include The Art of How to Train Your Dragon for its truly exquisite art, but Color and Light took precedence because it is how-to book with both great artworks AND plenty of helpful pieces of advice.