Over the past few years, we’ve been developing and expanding our reach into the world of making, by offering both programs and resources.
What exactly is making? Well, we actually helped craft a formal definition for it for library staff across the nation. But the short answer is pretty simple: it is the process of being willing to get your hands dirty and learn while you create whatever you want to make to accomplish a task or just have fun. Do you cook? Do you craft? Do you invent? Do you build? Do you fix things? You are a maker!
In fact, some are even talking about making as at the core of a new type of literacy: invention literacy (i,e, the ability to look around you and figure out how human-made things work). Like any type of literacy, you can never be too old or too young to start your making journey and nurturing the growth mindset on which all making depends. You also can never have enough tools in the forms of books to get your creative juices flowing.
So, this year we plan to highlight all of the various making resources we have–which range from needlework to Legos to more. September is all about painting! And thank you to Kelli for helping me select painting resources!
If you need an introductory book:
Marcia Moses’s Easy Watercolor: Learn to Express Yourself (2002)
This accessible look at how to start painting with watercolors talks about materials to use, while also delving into elements of design. The course also features a series of projects that build in difficulty. A talented watercolor painter in her own right, Moses also offers a gallery of her personal paintings while encouraging students to develop their own creativity.
Ray Smith’s An Introduction to Oil Painting (1993)
If you want to try your hand at oil painting but find the prospect daunting, this book is the perfect introduction. The author covers everything from tools to techniques and the text is full of clear, precise step-by-step instructions, as well as diagrams and illustrations.
John Howard Sanden’s Portraits from Life in 29 Steps (1999)
If your interest in oil painting is more specific to portraiture, this is the book for you. Sanden breaks down the specific steps he uses as a professional portrait painter and experienced teacher of the art and includes 2 complete portrait painting demonstrations from start to finish.
If you want a more advanced tutorial on technique:
James Gurney’s Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter (2010)
This book merges art theory with hands-on practical knowledge in its deep dive into color and light. Gurney surveys often overlooked examples of superb color and light in art history and then discusses a wide range of atmospheric effects that you can incorporate into your own work, such as the difference between direct sunlight and golden hour lighting.
If you’re interested in decorative painting:
Donna S. Dewberry’s Donna Dewberry’s One Stroke Painting Course (1999)
Decorative painting is the art of, well, acrylic painting for decorative purposes, like painting a lovely rose on a vase or bright sunflowers on a lamp. Donna Dewberry’s book is a great overview of this art and includes the vase and lamp projects, as well as others, all of which also involve one-stroke techniques where your brush never leaves the surface.
Sacha Cohen’s Paint Effects Masterclass: The Ultimate Source Book for Creating Beautiful, Easy-to-Achieve Interiors (2003)
This book has even more of a deep dive into the ins and outs of decorative painting. It covers use of color, materials, dozens of paint treatments, and 20 different projects you can do in your own home.
Maureen McNaughton’s The Brushstroke Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Decorative Painting Brushstrokes (2006)
This book is all about brushstrokes, from diagnosing which one to use to step-by-step instructions for 50 different brushstrokes to explanations of common mistakes and how to fix them to projects that allow you to apply everything you’ve learned.
If you’d like to explore different types of painting:
Clara Wilkinson and Mary West’s Making Murals: A Practical Handbook for Wall Painting and Mural Art to Enhance your Home (2022)
If you’d like to broaden your painting horizons to other surfaces, this book is a handy guide to everything you need to know about mural painting. The authors address how to prepare surfaces, include resources for scaling up designs, provide templates, and offer step-by-step tutorials on the main techniques and 10 mural projects for you to use.
Amanda VanEver’s The Art of Paint Pouring: Swipe, Swirl, and Spin (2020)
If paint pouring intrigues you, this book will teach you basic and advanced techniques, as well as how to mix paints for maximum paint pouring potential, finish paintings effectively, and select complementary colors.
Painting Faux Stained Glass (2001)
Learn how to make stained glass, without having to cut any glass. After reading this book, you’ll know how to prepare and paint a range of stained-glass projects, from sun catchers to cameos.
If you need a painting book for small children:
Maite Balart’s Fingerprint and Draw on the Farm (2017)
If you want to have fingerprinting fun with preschoolers, this book provides 30 different quick projects, including horses, dogs, and tractors. All you need are thumbs, fingers, and paint!
If you’d like some painting inspiration without picking up a brush:
Bob Ross’s Happy Little Accidents: The Wit and Wisdom of Bob Ross (2017)
We’re big Bob Ross fans at the Berryville Library. He’s inspired quite a few of our painting programs, though collectively as a staff we were very disappointed to learn his iconic curls weren’t his natural hair. (We also feel the need to reiterate this lament among ourselves every time we do a Bob Ross-themed program. 🙂 )
But if you’d like to see more paintings without actually doing any painting yourself, this book juxtaposes his encouraging, easygoing quotes with his soothing paintings.
We also have his Waterfalls Collection DVD, which walks you through how to paint stunning waterfall scenes on your own.
Do you love to paint? Interested in learning to paint? What’s your favorite style of painting? Tell us in the comments! As always, please follow this link to our online library catalog for more information on any of these items or to place them on hold.
Berryville Book Buzz 