Thursday, October 06, 2011

A book that inspires .....

Winston S. Chruchill's book
PAINTING as a Pastime  (click to enlarge)

Do you have a book that speaks to you ... one that gets you excited to paint when you read it?  That makes you want to do as it says?  I do.  Its Winston Churchill's small book titled Painting as a Pastime.  The first time I read it I couldn't believe how he described painting in oils. Although I had been using watercolors exclusively, his words made me want to rush out and buy oils and canvas.

He writes:  "I write not word in disparagement of water-colours.  But there really is nothing like oils.  You have a medium at your disposal which offers real power, if you only can find out how to use it.  Moreover, it is easier to get a certain distance along the road by its means than by water-colour."  "One sweep of the palette-knife 'lifts' the blood and tears of the morning from the canvas and enables a fresh start to be made." "Lastly, the pigment itself is such a nice stuff to handle (if it dos not retaliate.")

This book is so small ... just 32 pages of written text, that you wouldn't think the words written in it could mean so much to someone reading it, but, each time I read it I can't wait to start painting in oils again.

If you are thinking of painting in oils or do already paint in oils, I think this book is one you'd like to be on your book shelf.

Do you have a book that inspires you to paint, draw or sculpt?  I'd love to hear about it.

9 comments:

  1. "Alla Prima" by Richard Schmid, it's a good read every few years.

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  2. Thanks Laura. I do love Schmid's book. All books that give us that boost ... that gets us excited is a great book, right? Now you've made me want to go read Alla Prima again.

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  3. --I am very much a Winston Churchill fan! (I remember that bit about "pity the poor browns") I have many Churchill quotations memorized. I have a great book about the paintings that Churchill did. Fascinating! Well, as for my favorite painting book....it's probably Kevin Macpherson's book, whatever it's called.... Light & Color? It's a brilliant book, very straightforward.

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  4. Thanks Celeste ... I feel like you do. He writes in a way that you feel the need to quote him. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. This book is on my shelves, I liked to read it years ago, and I am going to take it again.This book is amazing, thank you, Nancy,

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  6. Oh Nancy, you've just cost me $25. I had to buy this book after reading your post. Now I just have to wait for it to be delivered.

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  7. check out http://abebooks.com .....

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  8. cool...thanks for sharing.
    I love art books.

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  9. waiting for your newest project....what's on your easel, Nancy? :)

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