Owls, Our Most Charming Bird

I adore owls. My kids adore owls. Besides, they are so, like, IN right now. But really, I love them. So cute, so fluffy, and, according to this book, everything from "adorable" to "a monstrosity".

This little book is absolutely charming. Along with a simple and beautiful watercolor painting of each species, there is a short, informative write-up that is both quirky and educational. The species are separated into groups based on habitat. Owls, Our Most Charming Bird was a hit with my kids, too. My daughter is already trying to copy the illustrations.

4 out of 5 stars from me.

More about the book: 

An enchanting illustrated guide to owl species of the world.

The owl is one of nature’s most captivating creatures. In this enchanting guide, artist Matt Sewell brings to life fifty species from around the world. From the adorable Eurasian Pygmy Owl, small enough to fit in your pocket, to the Great Gray Owl, celebrated for its size and elegance—these charming illustrations are sure to delight anyone intrigued by these wise and wonderful animals.


Available on Amazon.com and bookstores everywhere. 

Thank you to Blogging for Books for my review copy!

Just Add Watercolor (Book Review)

Just Add Watercolor is a great little book! I call it "little" only because of its size, not because of the content. This book is loaded with beautiful examples of watercolor art and practical info. The information and tips on artists, materials, equipment and media are presented in a clear and straightforward manner. The visual index of paintings included in the book was especially helpful. Sections are organized according to type: 

1. TraditionalWatercolor 

2. Gouache

3. Digital

4. Mixed Media

5. Other Water-based Media

6. Non-Paper Media

Just Add Watercolor is gorgeous! A must have for any artist interested in exploring the world of watercolor. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. 

Read More: 

More info: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/243238/just-add-watercolor-by-helen-birch

Author bio: http://www.randomhouse.com/author/224140/helen-birch

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Draw-A-Saurus (Book Review)

As soon as I saw this book on the review list, I knew I had to get it for my dino-loving son. I was right--it was a hit!

Draw-A-Saurus, Everything You Need to Know to Draw Your Favorite Dinosaurs is, in a word, fun! No dry, boring instructions here! Nooo, sir. This book is bright, colorful, and funny! I particularly love the "editor's notes".

Dinosaur facts are included throughout the book, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to draw various types of dinosaurs. 

My son is 7. He had a bit of trouble with the more detailed steps of dino drawing, but I was very impressed with how well he did. I have no artistic talent when it comes to drawing, but I helped my son out with the more advanced steps and I was quite satisfied with our attempts. :) Even if it wasn't perfect, my little guy and I had fun together, and he learned something new. So, for educational as well as fun value, this book is a winner! 

There is evolutionary content in the book, so just a heads up there. 

Draw-A-Saurus gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Read more about the book here.

Read more about the author here.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

DIY Type (Review)

DIY Type, though a beautifully bound book, was a bit of a surprise. It is actually sort of a glorified set of stencils, with several pages in the front introducing the author, Dana Tanamachi, and presenting some project ideas. I guess I expected more tips, project photos, or...something. The introduction was interesting, especially to a beginning artist like my daughter, and the ideas were helpful. This book is great, but I'm thankful that I received it for free; if I had had to pay for it, I would have been disappointed. I think the book should have included more font sizes and some numerals. 

I give it 3 out of 5 starts.

For the author's bio, go here: http://www.randomhouse.com/author/219770/dana-tanamachi

For more info on the book, go here: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/237772/diy-type-by-dana-tanamachi

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Daily Painting (Book Review)

There were two reasons I wanted to review Daily Painting. 

1. It's beautiful, and the dominant colors are turquoise and red. I decorate with books, and I love that color combination, so.... ;) 
2. My daughter loves art, she's very talented, and she's teaching herself new techniques. I knew she would enjoy it.

I wasn't disappointed at all in the appearance of this book. It's beautiful! I was also impressed at the manner in which the tips and instructions are simply and practically presented. This book is seriously packed with helpful information. I'm not a painter, I'm a (very amateur wannabe) photographer, but I found the suggestions helpful. 

This is an enjoyable read, and I feel confident that my daughter can learn much from Daily Painting. I love the concept of painting small and often, (or in my case, photographing small and often) and I look forward to seeing what my daughter learns from this book.  

More about Daily Painting:

Summary:
A unique system for jump-starting artistic creativity, encouraging experimentation and growth, and increasing sales for artists of all levels, from novices to professionals.
  Do you want to bring the joy back into your art?
Have you landed in a frustrating rut? Are you having trouble selling paintings in galleries, getting bogged down by projects you can’t seem to finish or abandon, or finding excuses to avoid working in the studio? Author Carol Marine knows exactly how you feel—she herself suffered from painter’s block, until she discovered “daily painting.” The idea is simple: do art (usually small) often (how often is up to you), and if you’d like, post and sell it online. Soon you’ll find that your block dissolves and you’re painting work you love—and more of it than you ever thought possible! 
With her encouraging tone and useful exercises, Marine teaches you to:-Master composition and value-Become confident in any medium-Choose subjects wisely -Stay fresh and loose -Photograph, post, and sell your art online-Become connected to the growing movement of daily painters around the world


Read more about the author, Carol Marine, here.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."