Strokes of Genius

"Do not only draw what you see," encourages artist Gary Rudisill (p55), "create what you feel." In Strokes of Genius 5, that feeling is delivered through strong and inventive design. Covering a tantalizing range of styles, the work within illustrates the many ways today's best artists choreograph shape, value, line, texture and color into compositions that create drama, tell a story, and pull viewers in. Featuring unusual perspectives, tantalizing contrasts and other dynamic design elements, Strokes of Genius 5 delivers fresh inspiration for artists of every skill level and medium. [Source]

Art, inspiration and insights from 100+ modern-day masters! Line is arguably the most fundamental and direct element in art, and also the most expressive--as personal as handwriting. Strokes of Genius 4 explores the artistic linework of more than 100 contemporary masters. These artists tell the stories of their varied subjects through strong verticals and sweeping diagonals, quick staccatos and loose, sensuous strokes. Captions share insights on how they use line to lead the eye, create movement, reveal character, and add depth, drama and texture. From quick sketches to full rendered artwork, Strokes of Genius 4 offers fresh ideas and unique perspectives to fuel artists in any medium. [Source]

Drawing is a fundamental skill for artists in any medium, a wonderfully direct means of expression and the driving inspiration behind this provoking collection. Strokes of Genius 3 celebrates drawing as an art form in its own right, featuring work from 95 of today's brightest artists. In this brilliant collection of drawings, 95 contemporary artists explore the subjects that touch their hearts and discuss how they capture them in their medium of choice. In addition to traditional pencil, charcoal and ink, you'll find a number of scratchboard, colored pencil and mixed-media works. Subject matter ranges from timeworn city architecture to portraits of beloved dogs, including such perennial favorites as landscapes, harbor scenes, flowers, still life, the human figure and more. Above all, it is the art itself that will cause you to keep this volume handy on the coffee table or bookshelf for when you want to curl up, look at the world through these artists' eyes, and come away with a more vivid sense of what drawing is--or can be--to you. Whether you are an artist in search of fresh inspiration or a connoisseur fascinated by great artwork and the processes behind it, Strokes of Genius 3 promises many pleasurable hours of browsing, appreciation and discovery. [Source]

This sixth volume in the celebrated Strokes of Genius series explores the power of value. From the darkest darks to the lightest lights and all the notes in between, value can build works of incredible complexity, or pure and simple poetry. More than any other single element of art, value has the power to force a flat surface into a realistic sense of dimension, convey textures, establish mood, and evoke terrific plays of light and shadow. In the hands of the skillful artists in this book, value draws us in, tells stories, and transports us to sights and scenes from the artist's unique perspective From breathtaking realism to on-location sketches, Strokes of Genius 6 promises hours of enjoyment and inspiration for artists in any medium. [Source]

Celebrate the beauty, diversity and expression of drawing with this second collection in the Strokes of Genius series - 140 examples of the finest drawing being done today. Fresh from the studios and sketchpads of 100 artists, these striking creations run the gamut from highly detailed, remarkably realistic images that were months in the making, to contour drawings, journal sketches and gestures captured in mere minutes. Selections feature original approaches to landscapes, portraits and other classic subjects, along with offbeat inspirations like vintage photos and washed-off watercolor paintings. With a special focus on the power of light and shadow, this work has an immediacy that is honest and engaging. Filled with strokes of poetry, precision and passion, this is a memorable collection of art as well as an inspiring survey of techniques that artists use to translate impressions to paper. [Source]