Paint Like Monet (Masterclass)

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By James Heard

Wouldn't that be nice? Read a book and learn to paint like Monet? Well, I have mixed feelings about this new book. You will probably see it in your bookstore. It has a great title, the cover painting is the wonderful View of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice by Twilight, and it was published just this fall. The author is James Heard, who has respectable credentials, but is not a well known arts author or instructor. The book contains good information and is reasonably laid out. The real let down is that the result of the "exercises" do not inspire. They look like fairly rushed studies of the actual paintings. Was Heard pressed for time in producing the book? Maybe he was late for deadline. Too bad, since they were well chosen examples.

The highlights include information on Monet's palette and today's equivalents. The explanation of how and why the Impressionists changed how they painted shadows is superb. It clearly discusses the differences between studio and plein air painting and the science of color. The book completes with a logical, historical progression through Monet's work.

So, what about the painting on the cover? I would have liked to see a demonstration on it or at least some mention. Overall, I am disappointed. There is value in the information in the text that will help to better understand the technical aspects of Monet's work, but Heard should have partnered with someone (like Hazel Harrison) to produce the rest.