Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Tehniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice; Mitchell Albala; Watson-Guptill

Landscape painting is an especially challenging artform, one with which both beginning and advanced artists struggle. In my book collection I have many “how to do” type painting technique books, most of which are repetitive in content, and most generally fail to live up to the expectations of “easily” mastering artistic technique. Abala’s lavishly and beautifully illustrated book is a great addition to the technique literature and a powerful antidote to the superficial coverage of the “learn it easy” books. While written for the oil, pastel, and acrylic artist, the content is absolutely transferable to the watercolorist. In twelve cogently written chapters Abala, an instructor in landscape painting at the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, covers topics ranging from the “Special challenges of landscape painting”(Chap.1) to “Style, inspiration, and lifelong learning” (Chap.12). He draws examples from both his own works as well as works from other artists. I found his chapters on Site Selection(6) and Composition(7) to be especially informative and compelling—probably because I presently need special coaching in these areas. The writing is lively but to the point; there are many illustrations throughout the text that explore and simplify artistic ideas and techniques for the landscape painter. Abala’s text is a great contribution to landscape painters of all skill levels and would be a super addition to the library of any artist striving to be creative in landscape painting. I checked, but unfortunately the Lincoln Library does not list a copy; at this writing, Barns and Nobel (O Street) has one copy.
Ted Pardy