What Painting Is

This book was recommended reading before attending a workshop. I found it extremely helpful. Full of very interesting examples and information about the history of art, the making of art and the process.

I have been painting for nearly 20 years and this is the first book that I have encountered that has accurately described the material act of painting itself from a painter's perspective. I agree to some extent with other reviewers who complained that the discussions of alchemy were too long and obscure. However, in an age of digital images this foray into obsolete and arcane mucking about is absolutely necessary to explain why paint remains a vital medium. Even without the metaphoric parallels between painting and alchemy, delving into the alchemists kitchen seems like an excellent introduction into the mind of a painter.I have one serious reservation about this book: I do not think that it would be useful for inexperienced painters. It is all too easy to be utterly seduced by the descriptions of lush thickets of paint and exquisite glazes. These must remain a means to greater understanding rather than an end in themselves. Elkins is aware of the problem and devotes a later chapter to self-reference and narcissism.I am keen to try this book out on non-painting friends to see what impression it makes on them...

Prompt. Book as described. Excellent. Thank you

I am sorry I missed the return window for this book. This is one of the worst books I've ever tried to read. It is an empty attempt at sounding intelligent. Don't waste your money and time.

have been looking for this book at an affordable price for a long time. thanks. --Alex Caldiero, yr friendly naybohood sonosopher

Elkins uses alchemy to interpret and read paintings. It sounds strange, but the way he explains it using such an odd device helped me to expand the way I think about art and paintings. It also is a book about paint- not conceptual or computer art or even theory. It is more concerned with the physical act of pushing paint, the solid matter of pigment, and the artisan-like way a painter opperates in the studio. If youre a person who is interested in the hands-on experience in art, and like thinking about new ideas, this book will be a lot of fun. If you dont like getting your hands dirty, you may want to look elsewhere.

I think the title of this book is misleading. It should be, "What Alchemy Is". Most of the book is devoted to an overview of alchemy, with a few relatively modest observations about the nature of paint and how the artist relates to it and to the experience of painting. The book might have been more worthwhile if the author had at least been successful in demonstrating more clearly his point, which was to show the relationship between alchemy and painting, but the connection here between the two is not very convincing. I almost never write any of these reviews, but be forewarned if you think you are getting a book about painting, because this isn't it.

Not sure the exact reason, but this is my favorite read this year.I mix my own paints, and this the only book getsthe joy of mixing oil pigments and experimenting.I did read this on the Kindle, btw, which was a bit tricky, butstill solid.

Interesting book but not worth the price. The author overemphasised slim connections between ideals and reality. Nolde was experimental but not more so than others at that time. I think modernism aged really badly and alchemy too.

This is just the most encouraging book for a painter to read. James Elkins validates the very peculiar methods, habits and processes employed by a painter in the making of a painting. He encourages proper looking in the observer and describes the working methods of great artists. Keep it by you if you paint!

Pleased

A book that looks at painting from the point of view of the artist rather than the viewer. This book addresses all the demons that artists have around painting in particular and creativity in general. And I loved the way Elkins uses alchemy as analogy for art. This book is a treasure.

Very thought provoking and an interesting different angle on painting.