John F. Carlson
 

This isn't a portrait instruction, per se, but I've found myself discovering it in so many painters' bibliographies -- including the very beautiful and informative work I'm now re-reading, Thomas S. Buechner's "How I Paint -- Secrets of a Sunday Painter" -- that I would be remiss not to pass on the title to those who might be interested. And that is John F. Carlson's "Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting". As I was giving up one career and moving overseas, a dear friend and painter excused herself at a going-away party, ran upstairs to her studio, and brought to me her copy of Carlson's book, which was to be my introduction to not only landscape painting, but to all my sensibilities about painting generally. Carlson's book was the reason I was drawn into the vocation intellectually, if not emotionally (he's kind of hard on what he terms "beginners".) And because many of the portrait works displayed here on SOG contain at least some landscape, and because much of the advice concerning the painting of landscapes is pertinent even to portraiture (the treatment of edges, for example, as they are influenced by light), I want to make the information available here to those who might take interest.

It's an old publication (Dover 1958) but still available through Amazon and elsewhere. Even my classical realist instructor -- a fellow who did more landscapes than any other genre -- referred to it on occasion as an authority. (Though as a somewhat dated text, the "materials" sections are to be taken with some reserve. For example, references to "kerosene" should be ignored.)

Steven

Hi Steven,

Every painter, even if they never paint a landscape, should have a copy of Carlson in the library. Not only does it give the non-landscape painter insight into how very, very difficult it is to paint landscapes well, it is packed with universal principles that govern learning to SEE. Carlson mentions from time to time paintings that are 'stupid'. It seems an odd word, but a description that has stayed with me many years, and can describe portraits as well as landscapes, or anything else for that matter.

The Buechner book...it's gorgeous.

I have also just finished the (just published) Robert Johnson's "On Becoming a Painter" and it is likewise fantastic. It's a great blend of technical and philosophical text, and the color plates will knock your socks off.

Chris

Administrator's Note: This book is not currently available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. However, it can be ordered from the author's web site at http://www.robertjohnsonart.com/