Oil Painting Secrets from a Master: 25th Anniversary Edition

I am always skeptical of books which are meant to teach you to paint. I myself am an artist and I've learned the only way to paint is to do it and do it often. But his book is excellent because it helps you learn to "see" things you might otherwise miss. It is not for beginners but for those with some painting experience. This is one of the only books on painting I would recommend, besides perhaps, Gregg Kreutz's Problem Solving for Oil Painting, another excellent book, very similar to this one. Coincidently, Leffle [sic?], whose paintings are the ones featured in this book, was a teacher of Kreutz at the Art Students League of New York.

OK, so the title of this review got cut off. It should read: "My secrets of how to read 'Oil painting secrets from a master.'"Anyway, how in the world that a book could get excellent reviews in some comments, yet was claimed to be a disappointment in others? Here is the truth, as I see it.THIS IS A BOOK ON OIL PAINTING TO OWN; and I say this based on my experience reading a considerable number of art books (see my "About You Area" for your info), as well as my own oil painting experience.To keep it as short as possible, the following are facts and my opinions.1) The artist: David A. Leffel is a realist artist, his style will certainly reminds the readers of Rembrandt's, you know, "the Old Master's".2) To oil painting beginners: This book is NOT meant for beginners. Instead of giving this book a poor review, readers may be better off keeping it for future reference, when their painting skills up to par.3) To others: This is what are covered in the book in extended bullet point format:- Artistic thinking: on seeing, the concept- Painting process: materials, brushstroke techniques, chiaroscuro (light/dark), massing, painting procedures, planes- Basic advice: light and shadow, values, edges, color, painting still lifes, painting portraits, painting backgrounds- General observations: comments on painting, attitudes that can hold you back.For the demos, close-ups (from final painting) are shown to express points in case.Here are my additional view:- Mr. Leffel is one of the great names in contemporary American art (read my other reviews should you wonder what other great names may be). His open-minded and humble attitude towards painting and the learning process is very easy to connect, in my opinion, to individuals who love painting for the love of it. These individuals include those who go through painstaking efforts to ever improve their skills.- This book is very enjoyable and profound. Advice and "secrets" (for those who love "shortcuts", or as I see them, "how an experienced, professional artist would do it - there are NO secrets, THEY ARE JUST GOOD SOLUTIONS THAT FIT YOUR STYLES AND SKILLS) like those in this book are valuable tricks of the trade.My hat off to the artist (although I rarely wear one), and above all, let's get one thing straight: this book is a FIVE-STAR!STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!

This art instruction book will appeal to all levels from very beginning to advanced. The book is filled with the most basic instructions from brush cleaning and preparing the canvess to discussions on how to solve a variety of problems with your paintings. I bought this book immediately after taking a workshop with Mr Leffel and feel that it completely incorporates his basic painting techniques as well as his philosphy of painting. I have returned to it for review many many times. It is also beautifully filled with reproductions of his art. Mr. Leffel's style is twentieth century old masters, but there is something here for everyone's style and subject matter. I consider this book a must have for every artist library.

This book is highly recommended for someone who has never had a painting instructor or been part of a painting class. Like "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" it is as much about how to SEE as how to paint. The tips and techniques are applicable even if your painting style differs greatly from the featured artist.