Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color

Really informative plenty of useful information clear and concise

A beautiful book full of great information

Used for painting practice and colour experiments

Well, where to start: I've painted in oils for more than 20 years and read many "how to" books. Some readers of this review will know and appreciate the likes of Uk painter, Trevor Chamberlain's evocative style. It's that style of capturing magical light effects that drives me on.As soon as this book arrived I read it from cover to cover in a few days and then carefully thought about the approach suggested. It seemed perhaps too simple an approach - limited palette of just four colours and a straightforward no nonsense use of paints and brushes.I followed the advice and have been delighted with the results. So much so that I have been prompted to send off this review ( I thinks its the first time that I have ever done such a thing).Now then a word of advice to would be aspiring artists who will follow Kevin's style when they have read the book; Make sure that you only use artist quality paints for the palette. Lesser quality paints are inclined to give a rather chalky look to the finished work. Such a result comes about due to using the limited palette and being hampered by the poorer quality mixing abilities to achieve the necessary colours. I've experimented with differing limited palettes of colours - Kevin's original suggestion for the primary colours works best ! certainly for landscapes.Good luckAlex

I had this book out on nearly permanent loan from my local library. It's the perfect starting point for novices. Well and simply written, it covers all the most important procedures and gives good basic advice that boosts the beginners confidence.

In short this is a great book. I have both books from the same author and while there is some duplication each stands alone. Kevin Macpherson has his own painterly style which he explains in depth in a 'how to do it' style. It is probably the best book of it's type if you like the painterly technique, (which I do). He starts with the basics and uses demonstrations to explain in a clearly understood style.

After reading the reviews I thought this would be something really special. Felt a bit let down, okay for the basics.

I bought this book and Kevin Mcpherson's later book after it was recommended in a magazine article by a professional artist. It is really useful and full in interesting information. I have often been disappointed when I have ordered art books in the past as some of them give the usual rundown of what materials are needed and not a lot else but both this book and his later book Landscape Painting Inside and Out are full of information.