Brushwork Essentials

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By Mark Chirstopher Weber

I have not seen any other book present the actual mechanics of painting in the detail that this one provides. Weber gives clear detail and great photos of how to paint. The techniques are directed at working in oil and water-soluble oil. The artwork featured is a beautiful set of realist paintings. I really enjoyed the time I have spent with this book. Compared to time with a real life instructor, this book is a steal. Time to get some brushes dirty!

Oil Painting Secrets from a Master

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By Linda Cateura (David Leffel)

This book is a classic you will probably have heard or read some praise for it. The "Master" is not Cateura, it is David Leffel. There are many beautiful still life, protrait, and figurative paintings shown and discussed. Leffel gives very strong, opinionated advice (maybe not "secrets", but worth reading.) The current edition is a 144 page paperback Watson-Guptill publication. The book has stood up fairly well since it was written in 1984; the advice did not become dated. My only concern is "what are those white splotches on his paintings?" I don't know if it is his style or just the plates that were produced at the time...