Richard Schmid: Alla Prima II (Expanded Edition) Book

I tend to stay away from modern didactic painting books filled with colourful pictures, preferring older books that are more descriptive. Classics such as Carlson's "Guide to Landscape Painting", "The Practice of Oil Painting" by Solomon, and Harold Speed's books on drawing and painting come to mind. These are designed primarily to teach one the different elements and principles of painting, concepts which so important but often neglected or just ignored by painters. Too many "step-by-step" painting books are full of pretty pictures that are of little value as the whole purpose of painting is not simply to copy a scene in front of you or to reproduce a painting painted by another artist. Art is a synthesis of ideas, feelings, and visual impressions, all which lead to a unique interpretation.

Granted, Richard Schmid's book is jam-packed full of incredibly beautiful images, but the real difference between this book and other how-to-paint books is that whereas the latter are concerned with the mere mechanics of painting, his book is also a journey that uncovers the intimate relationship between a painter and the scene she or he is trying to capture. After all, he says, the most important thing in painting is to be sincere, and I can certainly feel this in every one of his paintings.

I thoroughly recommend "Alla Prima II" to both the budding painter and accomplished artist alike. If you can only afford to buy one book this year, this would be it.

I tend to stay away from modern didactic painting books filled with colourful pictures, preferring older books that are more descriptive. Classics such as Carlson's "Guide to Landscape Painting", "The Practice of Oil Painting" by Solomon, and Harold Speed's books on drawing and painting come to mind. These are designed primarily to teach one the different elements and principles of painting, concepts which so important but often neglected or just ignored by painters. Too many "step-by-step" painting books are full of pretty pictures that are of little value as the whole purpose of painting is not simply to copy a scene in front of you or to reproduce a painting painted by another artist. Art is a synthesis of ideas, feelings, and visual impressions, all which lead to a unique interpretation.

Granted, Richard Schmid's book is jam-packed full of incredibly beautiful images, but the real difference between this book and other how-to-paint books is that whereas the latter are concerned with the mere mechanics of painting, his book is also a journey that uncovers the intimate relationship between a painter and the scene she or he is trying to capture. After all, he says, the most important thing in painting is to be sincere, and I can certainly feel this in every one of his paintings.

I thoroughly recommend "Alla Prima II" to both the budding painter and accomplished artist alike. If you can only afford to buy one book this year, this would be it.

Excellent book, nice addition to my art books

This book is the only book that resonates with me. It's so thorough and honest. I don't know why I waited so long to buy it. Much appreciate having his valuable experience and knowledge shared. It has answered a lot of questions I've had and actually has helped me become more confident in my painting.

This book is the only book that resonates with me. It's so thorough and honest. I don't know why I waited so long to buy it. Much appreciate having his valuable experience and knowledge shared. It has answered a lot of questions I've had and actually has helped me become more confident in my painting.