Chris Saper's portrait book is fabulous!

[Jennifer Geary]

I just wanted to share my experience with a new book I just purchased by Chris Saper, Painting Beautiful Skin Tones With Color & Light in Oil, Pastel and Watercolor. What a great book and teaching tool! I was eager to get my hands on it, after looking at her previous artwork on this forum. She seems to have mastered the art of skin tones, and after thoroughly reading the entire book cover to cover, I KNOW she has! Her artwork is exquisite and her teaching style is perfect! This book answered ALL of my questions I would have posted on this site at some point in time, and I just want to say one thing; Chris, THANK YOU! I am starting a portrait of my sister (wedding pic) and will try to use your techniques. I will post the results when I have something worth posting! :-) Anyone who doesn't have this book needs to get it!

[Margaret Elvin]

Jennifer,

I just got my book from Amazon.com a week ago and I couldn't agree with you more! Well said. The book not only inspires us to paint portraits as gorgeous as Chris's, but gives us the tools to try it. And aren't we lucky to have Chris as a contributor on this forum?! I learn so much from her comments, and of course from all the talented artists who post here.

Which reminds me, I purchased my book through Amazon.com, which benefits Cynthia and is a nice way to say a small thanks to her for all the work she does to produce this forum. (Thank you Cynthia!) One click on the book cover (or go to Cynthia's bookstore)takes you right to Amazon.com. I realize everyone probably knows this already, but I'm mentioning it just in case someone did not.

-Margaret

[Cynthia Daniel]

Margaret!

Thanks for the plug! Yes, I put hundreds and hundreds of hours into the bookstore, so ordering from there is definitely appreciated. I'll never get rich off of it, but it helps. And, of course, Chris's book is in the left margin of every forum page.

[Chris Saper]

Thank you all very kindly!
Chris

[Leopoldo Benavidez]

I couldn't agree more. A splendid book that is straight forward, easy to comprehend, yet it's well thought out passages concerning the principles of portraiture is certainly not lacking in it's simplicity, but is very comprehensive in scope. It made sense! I particularly liked her palette, the logic on choosing a color harmony and use of discords, determining color of light, its temperature, principles of shadow, core of the shadow, varous skin color formulations, kelvin data during various stages of the day, etc., etc., etc.

Chris I took your book to our Imnaha place where I spent the last week in quiet seclusion and read your book twice. I have learned more. This is fine addition to my library and I will certainly pass on my new knowledge and my recommendations for your book.....L

[Chris Saper]

Dear Leopoldo, Thank you so very much, Chris

[Steven Sweeney]

Chris,

I violated my rule on routine and delayed my struggles with painting a saxophone, in order to sit down and finish your book. Better late than never, but I would have profited earlier in my son

[Chris Saper]

Dear Steven,

Thank you!

Re: the palette, Cad lemon is a color you just can't mix, whereas you can get a great Cad Yellow approximation with the other colors. I am almost to the point where I see the violet as a convenience color, but since finishing the book I have added a color that is ALWAYS on the palette, Grumbacher's Thalo Yellow-Green. It is tremendously valuable in neutralizing the oranges and reds WITHOUT changing the resulting value. Because the viridian and Pthalo green are so dark, you often have to readjust the value once you have neutralized the reds. I'd go for green-gold before the violet.

So many tubes, so little time.

Best, Chris

[Mark Branscum]

We'll be looking forward to getting this one. Just gave the info to my wife we are ordering it and we will do it here, so the Forum also benefits.

Thanx for the info guys, great review.

Mark

p.s. Chris, once I get it, I will be sure to post my first result of it.