Impressions of Paris: An Artist's Sketchbook

by Cat Seto

Artist Cat Seto, founder of the acclaimed Ferme à Papier brand, introduces you to the City of Light as never before in this distinctive volume—both a visual feast and celebration of the artistic process—filled with lavish illustrations and descriptive meditations that capture the quotidian pleasures of France’s capital city and how they have inspired creativity. In Impressions of Paris , Cat Seto takes you on a dazzling and enlightening tour of Paris, from familiar sights to hidden surprises, to reveal this legendary city as never before. Combining informative and entertaining vignettes, stories, and notes with stunning full-color illustrations, she draws parallels between the city and the art it inspires. Organized around four main principles of art—color, pattern, perspective, and rhythm— Impressions of Paris is a celebration of the artistic spark in the city’s mundane yet marvelous the pistachio and cassis palette triggered by the ice cream case at Berthillon; how a rainy stroll through an open air market transforms into a smudgy gouache (pronounced gwash) pattern; the lovely ubiquity of the iconic French stripe, the Breton. Pretty and inventive, surprising and stimulating, Impressions of Paris captures the beauty and charms of this stunning city and extols its power to stimulate the creative imagination—inviting artists and art appreciators to intimately experience a painter’s process.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Travel, France, Graphic Novels

176 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2017

Reviews

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of art theory stuff in the book's blurb, but in actuality this book is a collection of paintings the author made while in Paris. The text itself is rather lackluster, but I quite liked the art in this little book.

I think this art memoir will appeal to a specific type of reader. I'd recommend it to you if you like art memoirs, travelogues, or have plans to visit Paris.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artist Cat Seto takes us on a quick trip around her favorite places in Paris, with lovely little paintings and a few notes about each spot.

A grownup picture book, which may be my favorite genre. Now I want a copy of this for myself.

[Leah Rachel von Essen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive a copy of Cat Seto’s Impressions of Paris in the mail from Harper Design. It’s an art book slash memoir slash guidebook by the founder of stationary brand Ferme à Papier. The watercolor extravaganza is sitting happily on my travel shelf, not far from the tiny Eiffel Tower I brought back from my own weekend trip a couple years ago to the lonely, lovely city of lights.

This guidebook to Paris is an unconventional one: it’s made up of moments of time, moments that struck Seto, or favorite shops, places, streets, and themes from the Parisian lifestyle. It’s less a guidebook and more of a feast for the eyes, a delectable art piece full of two-page spreads of pastel macaron, shining breads, and postmodern chocolate creations. One page highlights the tile work in the floor of the Galerie Vivienne, one of the few places I had the pleasure to visit while I was in Paris, and a place I adored and recommend to everyone who goes. Another features the colors of one of the streets of Paris—I too was enchanted by the colors of the buildings that fill the city, and like so many of the other paintings, it sent me rolling on back to my time there.

Cat Seto’s Impressions of Paris is a rich confectionary of the Paris aesthetic. Its 176 pages are packed with white-and-black stripes, bright lipstick, fur coats, rain-washed streets, muted cafés, the shine on the Seine at sunset, the green of the greenhouses, the inner rooms of the Louvre or the hunting museum. If you’re a lover of Paris, of its aesthetic, of travel, or if you simply want a beautiful coffee table book to add to your art or travel shelves, this book is for you.

[Cindy Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Francophiles, this is a delightful book filled with quirky watercolors. There is not a lot of text, but the author still conveys art principles in an effective way.

[⭐Hiroko · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book with many sweet illustrations about things that the author personally loved while she was in Paris.🇫🇷 I've thought about blogging or doing a collection of short essays plus drawings/illustrations for what I love about Paris✨, so it was very inspiring and also quite interesting to compare what she recognized/felt/saw to what I did. 😃 Je veux retourner à la ville de lumière, elle a beaucoup de choses pour offer.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely adult picture book. Cat Seto recalls her time in Paris through watercolors. she divides the book into four chapters: color; pattern; perspective and rhythm. on Le Boutique de Saint-Paris: "I have sketchbooks filled with etchings of flowers, and many a pattern has emerged from these tiny discoveries."

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are charming and place descriptions work, but I feel substance is lacking overall. Just seems far too abbreviated, especially when working with the incredible subject matter of Paris. Simplistic nearly to the point of a children's book. Expected more, sadly.

[Esme · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid, certain 5 stars. This book feels so sincere to me, the love for Paris & its every breath, painting a picture of dreamy, lively Paris. It's not everyday we stumble on artsy pictured books that doesn't just deliver lovely arts but evoke us from the writing too. Btw, a very perfect lighthearted spring reading. The color palette here though? Chef's kiss.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Parisian dogs proudly accompany their owners throughout the city, and are equal parts energetic and civilized while navigating through Saint-Germain’s narrow cobbled streets or the busy Champs-Élysées."

[StephanieNicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sketchbook is an art collection and also journal of the artist's trip to Paris. I loved the artist's style, and this book made me nostalgic for Paris. This is exactly the type of artbook I would love to read/see more.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably best for people either with a special fondness for Paris, or planning a visit. I picked it up sort of randomly, but I still learned a few things. The art wasn’t particularly my style, but I do like the notion of making little sketches or paintings while traveling.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! Nice for anyone who has been to Paris or would like to go!

[Carlie The Bookish Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 stars.

[Allana Guercia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunningly illustrated book that satisfies my wanderlust when I’m at home. Definitely something I want to keep around!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful artwork by Seto.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful watercolor illustrations!

[Pamela funwithpam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I want to go to Paris so badly! This book make me wanna read sitting in a coffee shop in Paris. And is so pretty, and talk about all this little pretty things we should notice more often, the colors, patterns, sounds and moves in the city. I simply love it!!! Hope she does one about New York so I can go to all the spots.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a "novel" to read, but more the author has sketched and described her view as she sees Paris.

I have a granddaughter taking French in high school and will pass the book along to her.

I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I am under no obligation to write or post a review and do so voluntarily.