The Painterly Approach: An Artist's Guide To Seeing, Painting And Expressing

I've been painting for several years now. My medium is acrylic and I consider myself a pretty good (but not accomplished) amateur. I've always considered myself to be closer to a realist than an impressionist.But lately I've been questioning whether I really need to spend studio hours working on details. A while back, I posted a quick 8 x 10 plein-air painting on an artist website and asked for criticisms. One person applauded my 'painterliness.' When I queried him about that term, he referred me to Bob Rohm's book.The book is large-format ,typical of the North Light Publishing Company. The hardcover book is 143 pages, including introduction and index. The author focuses on three general media - oils, acrylics, and pastels. His general approach eschews watercolors.As expected from the publisher, the quality of the dozens of examples is outstanding. As with most North Light books, it begins with an overview of what is needed to paint.But very quickly, the author defines the general artistic difference between the realistic approach and the painterly approach, viz, linearity vs. painterly. It is truly important that the reader fully grasp the inherent differences. I read and reread this section many times as I worked through the book.There are some in-progress examples but the reader should consider this as a 'think' book rather than a 'how-to' book. In essence, think before you plan the painting, think before you lay in the extremes, think about the interaction of the shapes and colors, and most important, think before you opt for details. As yourself the question; What part of the painting really needs paint from a number 00 brush?BTW, this is not a book to be read and studied in a couple of hours. I have referred to this book several times in the couple of months I've had it. Rohm is a strong advocate of plein-air painting. As a relatively recent plein-air painter myself, I can attest to the underlying reason for this. In plein-air, the artist has a very restricted time frame in which to capture the essence of the view. As a result, the studio method of hours at the canvas is simply impossible. Ergo, the artist is forced into the painterly approach - shapes, colors, and their interactions.Two questions: Does it work and is it taught? The answer to the latter is rarely. That's why I believe this book is valuable. Does it work? I've been actively forcing myself into the Rohm methodology for only a short time, but from what I've done so far, I think so. The more I work at being painterly, the happier I am with my results. And surprisingly, the more rapidly I'm able to finish a composition.BTW, In addition to this book, I recommend Craig Nelson's, 60 Minutes to Better Painting. Forcing yourself to paint faster frees up your style, with the result being - drum roll - more painterly. These two books have made me a much happier painter.

The "Painterly Approach" is meant to produce impressionist-style art, or at least push your work down the continuum toward Impressionism from more precise depictions (I'm trying to stay neutral). Bob Rohm makes his respect clear for other art styles, but what he is trying to teach is more masses of color and value than clear depiction of the subject. If that is your goal, or you want to learn more about it, this is your book.Rohm can slip into jargon or technicalese, but that might be more a reflection of my lack of training. The vast majority of the book is clearly written and easy to appreciate. The many examples walk you through the approach with an explanation for each step. It is a real inspiration to see fine artwork shown in that ugly stage I have no trouble reaching myself. Bob explains his approach using oils, acrylics and pastels, and deals with a variety of subject matter, though focusing for the most part on landscape.Bob Rohm's explanation of "value" was the best I've seen in dozens of art books and is worth the price just for those few pages. I have to believe that even those who get the concept will benefit from such a clear presentation and grasp it more fully. In my own technical field I know that it is valuable to hear even the fundamentals explained well, perhaps especially the fundamentals.If this style appeals to you, or you simply want to understand and appreciate the approach, this is an excellent addition to your library.

Excellent, thorough book on all painting medias. Many helpful hints, literally everything you can think of and then some is in here; all the answers to your questions! Well written, easy to understand, every page has information you will use when painting. I have many books on this subject as it is very dear to my heart, yet THIS book, The Painterly Approach, is definitely the most useful tool than any book, video, online class can ever offer. I keep this book right on my art desk now for easy to reach assistance. I brought it with me already on a few Plein Air excursions ~ I'm considering buying an extra copy just to keep in the car for when I'm away from the studio. I have lots of notes written from the book that I carry in my bag such as the list of acrylic and oil paints that Mr. Rohm uses in his palettes. Also, I have a list of the suggested Artist quality paint and brush manufacturers so I won't waste anymore money on those that just don't last. Incredible information packed solid and easy to understand! I'm completely thrilled!! Thank you Mr. Rohm for taking the time to create such a useful tool that helps in every area possible for the love of painting! I can't live without this!! So grateful!!

This book is for artists. Bob does a creative approach that explains the process of developing art work in a straight forward approach. I would recommend this for all level of artists. Projects are presented in phases of development, its like looking over the shoulder of an artist. He has a way of making the complexity of realization easy to understand. This is a field book that you can reference for many years to come, One of the things that I enjoy is photos of how an artist studio is set up. Bob shows several views of his studio. If you study these you learn a lot about the process of painting. His examples and explanations are clearly stated, good solid thinking and doing demonstrations. Add this to your library and you sill not be disappointed. Lots of good images in color and well organized for easy followup. I highly recommend "The Painterly Approach" it is a book you will come back to time and again.

I looked for a painterly instruction book; I'm sure this was the only one listed!For anyone interested in pursuing 'the painterly approach' this is a good book to start with. Primarily an oil painting for landscape book, it also has demonstrations using pastel and acrylics. A book to read and re-read and one it will be an advantage to take on your initial painting trips.It covers materials and, the 'The painterly approach' along with bringing emotion and feeling to the work. It covers the fundamentals of composition, value, colour and mood. Very usefully, one chapter, covers, in detail, 'the painterly way'. A process for a painterly painting from beginning to end of the painting process. The author extensively makes use of pictures, his own paintings, as additional helpers throughout.The final chapter 'Beyond Fundamentals' covers a large array of informative sections; Brushwork, Skys, Three Sources of Light, Colour of Light, Controlling the Green Landscape, Adding Vibrancy to a Green Scene, Creating Depth and Atmosphere, People and Animals, Painterly Trees, Painting Water, Reflections in Water, and finally there is a quick checklist of the Painterly Process. If you want to start painting in this genre; then this is a good book, with which to start. Its true that these fine American books do not always relate well to the colours we get in the UK, but it's not difficult to substitute your normall palette in place of his. Buy it!!

I found Bob Rohms website when browsing for painterly style artists and was very impressed with his work so when I saw that he had written a book I ordered it straight away. It is probably the best book in my collection now, his writing style is excellent, he explains things in a very straight forward way to enable beginners to pick up his techniques very quickly. You dont feel like he 'skimmed' on any of his topics making you feel you are still missing out on anything - it is all there for you clear as day. Wonderful book for a bargain price and some stunning pieces of work inside. Go out there and paint!!

I am glad I bought this book.It is inpiring me to try the impressionist style which appeals to me more and more.I thought it was for oil painting but it is for pastels and any other medium too.I used to like realism and the more detail the better but that bores me now.If I want a photo I will use a camera.This book shows that a painting can still look real but in a painterly way.

It is really difficult to learn how to paint from books. Apart from Kevin D. Macpherson's book "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color", - in my humble opinion - this was the best book that had made it easier for me to understand how to oil paint. I love his style and he is definitely a great teacher and an inspiration.

I have quite a collection of books on oil painting. This is the most comprehensive book I now have and it stands out as one of the few that focusses on an approach based mainly on shapes as opposed to line drawing. It covers every aspect of how to achieve a paintery style. It is easy to follow and has some amazing landscape paintings. The section on light brings an approach that I have not seen before and makes perfect sense. Covers both oil and pastel painting.If you want a looser landscape style then I suggest this book might be for you!