Discusses the economic, political, and social conditions of artists in China, describing their place in its hierarchical structure

Complete with an Introduction by James Gurney, the author of Dinotopia, this guide introduces not only the techniques of oil painting but also the underlying principles of figure drawing. A series of images by the Old Masters includes 32 pages in full color, featuring paintings from the Italian, Dutch, Spanish, French, and British schools. "A masterly exposition." — Liverpool Daily Post.

Mastering Color: A Practical Approach Adding color to any canvas is both art and science. In fact, it’s a discipline that can be explored and learned through the practical application of techniques that Al Gury has developed during his nearly 30 years of teaching at America’s first fine arts institution, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Richly illustrated with more than 270 full color images, including masterpieces from the past 500 years of Western painting, this book offers the instruction every painter needs to confidently construct a painting with color. Color for Painters: -Traces the use of color in Western art from the classical world to the present. -Explores the use and properties of various pigments and materials. -Reviews the evolving approaches to color (from tonal to pointillism to the modern use of color as psychological expression). -Presents exercises for mixing and using paints. -Offers step-by-step demonstrations of all the basic color genres and techniques. Students, experienced painters, teachers, and anyone who appreciates fine art will treasure this exploration of painting’s “wild beast.”