Techniques of the Great Masters of Art

by Waldemar Januszczak

More than four hundred full-color illustrations capture the distinctive artistic styles and techniques of some of the world's greatest artists, from the early Renaissance to the present day.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History, Reference, History

540 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Waldemar Januszczak is an Anglo-Polish art critic and television documentary producer and presenter. Formerly the art critic of The Guardian, he took the same role at The Sunday Times in 1992, and has twice won the "Critic of the Year" award.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an artist, there is no replacement for actual viewing of a subject -- the texture, the exquisite details - its all in the light and the banquet of seeing. In fact, art is about the observation and the ongoing dialogue of thought layering on thought that makes art a delicate balance between the intimate and the universal. Seeing art "in the flesh" is the ideal, but there is no way to get in front of every painting. This wonderful book reveals the palette of each painting, the techniques and closeups of the painting with explanations. It is invaluable for study, for technique, for the delectation of art for the glory of it all. The range is large - from the mimesis of the visible world to the bones of inner illusion. Within it all is the plain fact that light is a difficult mistress - no matter how well we squint, the light shimmies and changes and the canvas travels this difficult road of what we see when we see it and then it is gone - a visual haiku of sorts. The book begins with Giotto and ends with Lucien Freud which tickled me because of the duality of sacred and profane. This book, when combined with Hockney's OCD examination of artists' techniques of capturing reality is a treasure.

[AC · Rating 4 out of 5]

The middle section simply consists of a slightly altered version of Anthea Callen’s brilliant study of the Impressionists (one should just buy and study that). The section on Modern Art is as good as one can expect for the topic — which does not readily lend itself to the detailed, formalist analysis of 19th century art. I did not read section 1 (on the Old Masters).

[Katelyn Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book on masters of art from Renaissance to Contemporary topics. Deep analysis of artwork and their supposed methods!

Favorite part was the review of Leonardo da Vinci - spectacular! Learned about his fascination with modeling light, botany illustration, and preferred palate. Other topics of course were of the impressionists and modern graphic art. Highly recommended for finding your inner art niche too! :)

[Susan Liston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what it says. One painting per famous artist is analyzed and recreated step by step. Lots of good close ups for those of us who are always getting shouted at in art museums for leaning too close to the paintings.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A self-important nobody who rehashes the information of others as his own. A glorified set of mediocre blog posts.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

What this book is, is a look into the palletes, the strokes and the preparation of canvas of great masters of art. It is a spyglass image of value to those interested.

What it does little to do is allow the reader (particularly the uninitiate) to utilize similar practices in a step by step technical instruction.

This book zooms in on singular paintings and describes the techniques associated with thier painting, in an overview fashion.

A shortcoming is there is seldom more than one or two paintings per artist, so resolved.

What this book was to me was an interesting, anecdotal image of where painters came from, what they painted- with the individual styles presented on a localized basis. True, it may be possible to duplicate the base style, but not on a technical level.

Four stars for what it was. It was an enjoyable journey.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a detailed and amazing reference book that breaks down painting techniques from fresco days to Lichtenstein and Warhol. Discusses color choices of the artist, composition, paint application. It includes some x-ray images of paintings that show the under-layers of the work. Illustrations depict how the artist might have made the painting.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have for artists. MUST.