Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice

The Atelier method of art education is to take a master artist and have them instruct a student artist - the method has produced some of the greatest artists the world has ever seen and as such, some of the greatest works of art as well. "Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice" is an attempt to emulate this artistic practice in book from as author and artist Juliette Aristides seeks to pass on her skill and wisdom to her readers by going over distinct techniques and practices lesson by lesson. A book of essential advice for any painter, "Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice" is highly recommended to community library collections catering to art.

This book, along with the one on drawing is simply the truth about how to attain excellence in painting, not just a step-by-step or history based piece of literature. she has spent many years studying side by side with some of the greatest masters today including Jacob Collins and now she has attained a masterly level and runs her own atelier. the only way to understand these concepts better would be to learn it from the mouth of a master. i personally consider this book along with all the amazing visuals the prize of my library and a gigantic boost to my artistic endeavors.

Well it is better than possibly expected and so much better than the drawing previous volume, although that is an excellent book as well. It is well laid out and covers a big subject with elegance and great comphrension. The images from the artist Daniel Sprick are worth the books price and shows an exceptional contemporary realist artists work that is breathtakingly stunning. These plates are amazingly faithful to the originals.
It is a worthy and well written book, tons of beautiful illustrations. Everyone should buy a copy of this book to encourage the author to produce more. I would encourage everyone to buy now as this volume will certainly sell out very very soon. Simply wonderful! Helpful more than instructive but a seminal and much needed book to read, absorb, learn and have as a good reference. There is much to keep you inspired.
As I mentioned earlier, buy it if only for the paintings shown by the artist Daniel Sprick.
This is one artist worth watching....closely. Lovely, lovely book. Thanks.

This book comes across as a quasi-religious manifesto at times, and as shameless pandering at others. There is not a whole lot of actual information or instruction here beyond a basic level. The idea, I think, is that you have to actually attend an atelier to get the full instruction. (The author runs an atelier.) There are quite a few nice reproductions in this book and that is the main value I see in it. The moderns in general dont hold up well against their old master and 19th century predecessors although there are some exceptions such as jacob collins and jeremy lipking. This book also includes one of the most horrific images I have ever seen - a skinned bloody rabbit on a plate. If that sounds appetizing to you then maybe you'll like this book more than I did. oh yeah I hate odd nerdrum too - totally overrated.

The author called her first book in this series 'the course I always wanted to take' in other words the highlights of all the different instructors and methods she encountered studying.

Unless you study at a formal atelier like, say New York Academy or Grand Central Academy, chances are you'll run into a variety of methods and approaches when learning to paint and draw.

This book gives what I think is the best comprehensive overview for people who want to become accomplished "realist" or 'classical' painters - its definitely filled in a lot of gaps for me.

There is no shortage of information out there about painting...the problem is its not distilled - what this book gives you is the distilled wisdom of the author- an accomplished painter who runs a respected atelier.

For example there is a great book about artists materials -but its 900+ pages long (artist materials handbook) - its great to have that information but whittled down materials overview in this book is "useable".

Some other key points:
The quality of the reproductions is outstanding
examples are not only old masters but contemporary realists - and not just the author!

Highly recommended and I might add ,an outstanding value.