DK Art School: An Introduction to Acrylics

When I decided that I wanted to start painting, I bought five "How To" books. This one is my favorite, hands down. The book is well organized, well written, and contains a lot of beautifully detailed photographs. The author has kept the text to a minimum, letting the photographs do much of the talking, which works far better for me than other books that have more emphasis on written instruction. In only 72 pages, every topic is covered, and no question is left unanswered. It begins with a brief history of the medium, then moves on to cover color, paint types, brushes, painting surfaces, tools, and techniques, as well as galleries of different painting styles. There's even a section on experimental approaches, such as stenciling and inventive scraping. Rather than presenting a series of exercises (as many books do), this author encourages experimentation and discovering your own personal style, an approach that really inspired me to pick up a brush and get started. Also worth mentioning is that every photograph and illustration is in color . . . really GOOD color. This may sound like a no-brainer, but a few of the other books I purchased contained a lot of black-and-white photos. Hey, you can't learn to paint in black and white! Experienced artists may find the material here a bit too rudimentary, but for the true novice, like myself, this book is a winner. If you're looking for that ONE book to get you started, this is it!

This is illustrated in full color. There are some great tips, that are helpful without being too detailed for a beginner. I am not an artist, I do not ever expect to be one, I just want to paint to relax and enjoy the process. This fits the bill for me. I'm glad I chose it.

Fabulous book with easy to follow techniques for every painter using acrylics. I bought this book for an advanced abstract painter but it would be invaluable for any painter, regardless of style. There are descriptions and tips for using the various mediums and additives that can make all the difference in your final results. Whether they are beginners or advanced painters, all acrylic artists should have this book for reference and inspiration.

This is a very comprehensive beginner's education on painting with acrylic paints. It is a very nice colorful book, with shiny pages and everything you might want to know from brushes and brush-strokes to mediums like acrylic gel products. Lots of "insider" tips only an artist would know, until you read this book! Get it! Worth the investment to learn about acrylics.

This book is easy to use and packs a lot of information in an easy to digest format. It's not really a how-to or tutorial, but it does have a lot of information about painting, from preparing your canvas and picking out your paints all the way down to painting techniques. Overall a very good book, especially considering the price.

it's a nice book with a lot of information, but not really what I was hoping for. I wanted something that would spend time on how to mix colors to get the exact color you want, or get into how to use pouring mediums. Really basic stuff for people who are just starting out. This book did touch on that, but just touched on it. It seems the majority of the book is how to replicate various paintings or discussions of different styles. I needed something like "acrylic painting for dummies" I think. Really, really basics...the fundamentals. The first portion of the book was helpful, the second half not so much. Other people who are more advanced may enjoy this book. Not knocking it, just not what I needed at this stage.

This is a helpful book to introduce the painter to how to use acrylic paints. I am pleased with the information and the reference source it has made in my library. I recently switched from using one medium to using acrylics and this book helped me make the transition smoothly. I appreciate this handy tool!

Good basics book for acrylic painting.very descriptive.goes thru a brief history to properties of acrylic paint and textured paint,etc,to how to select and use colors,awesome review of kinds and sizes of brushes as well as how to clean then,other tools,papers and canvases,how to transfer image using different techniques,light shade and tone,composition of picture,how to do portraits,working with washes,scumbling and dry brushing,blending,glazing....this book covers it all

The book is excellent for any new enthusiast for painting with acrylics. It also provides plenty of excellent advice and tips for any painter who wants to try something new! I would see this book useful in any painter's bookshelf, therefore highly recommended!

This is a really good step by step approach to the subject, which I have brought over to Myanmar for an art teacher trainer - she can use the ideas with future art teachers in government schools. Watch for progress!

My first favorite book for acrylics. It's not a book of the kind step by step method. I liked it because it explains different available method for painting in acrylics. It also explain basic terminology and acrylic product. Really a good book to buy before all others because it gives you a really good overview of what you can do in acrylic. You will not learn how to paint a lot in this book but you'll be able to know what you want and buy more specialised book without wasting your money. example : if you want to do watercolor technique or more thick opaque technique or other you don't know about.

The price was very good, the book was as expected, pleased with my purchase!

Useful book for painters