Colored Pencil Painting Portraits: Master a Revolutionary Method for Rendering Depth and Imitating Life Paperback – June 20, 2017

As I began anew my journey into pencil drawing, and searched Amazon for 'how to' books, this book came up on the screen. This book definitely falls into the must have category for the visual step by step processes, but more than that, this book is a must have for they way it lifts the creative spirit. Be prepared to be totally amazed. Each page reveals the delicate transitions the artist takes to render the finished masterpieces. One can see how it is done, but remain in awe by the final work of art. Alyona Nickelsen is a master! Yet, a master that is not unwilling to share how it is done, and help motivate the beginner to persevere with continued practice, study, and observation. I give the book highest ratings. I give 5-stars to the perfect condition in which I received the book. 5-stars to the fast delivery once I ordered it. 5-stars to the reasonable price. And 5-stars to the book's truth to its Amazon advertisement. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I would, if need be, purchase this book again. It is an inspirational book not just for its lessons and teaching, but for the ability to access and study and be close up to the completed artwork itself. To know that pencils can render works of art equal to those of oil on canvas is magical.

Colored Pencil Painting Portraits: Master a Revolutionary Method for Rendering Depth and Imitating Life covers more than just using Powder Blender but goes over details about pencil types. The pros and cons of different pencils for different applications, using solvents for blending, details about different paper types. This book is not just a "how to draw" project book. It feels like a full semester of art classes with how much technical information is included about working in colored pencils in general. Don't worry though, if you're looking for some step by step instruction, there are quite a few demonstrations for you with that as well with tips you can apply to your own portrait work. She also shows how great working with an underpainting for portraits can work with colored pencil. You guys see me paint this way in oils or acrylics, but you can do the same with colored pencil too! Especially if you're using the Brush and Pencil products she talks about in this book. Those products really do change how we are able to layer and blend the pencils for realistic work.When I was asked to write a bit about my experience in using these products for the book I jumped at the chance! With how much I loved Alyona's first book, Colored Pencil Painting Bible (and before I had even met her so there was no bias at that point haha), I was really excited to be even a teensy bit apart of this one. I can honestly say I've enjoyed this book even more than I expected. I went into reading it thinking "I already know how to use powder blender and to draw portraits, there can't be that much for me to learn", but there really was! I love this book so much that I bought the kindle version in addition to the hard copy so that I could easily read it again and again on my phone. There is so much information packed into this book that I'm going to need to read it several times to digest it all!

While there are several comments complaining about her promotion of products, I look at it as her method. Naturally, anyone can choose whatever products they want that are similar. There are certainly enough of them.This is not a book for beginners. While I was an art student 100 or so years ago, my rust has been showing as I began to pick up pencil, pen, and brush after many years of ignoring one of my favorite hobbies. This book is amazing. I am very impressed with the depth of the information in it. The methods for laying down of color, blending, papers, etc., are top-notch.The Appendix compares different brands of pencils and how each brand works with standard blending methods and papers. The Index is terrific as well, and it's easy to find what you need regarding questions about the medium.The quality of the book itself is off the charts. In fact, I had to come back to Amazon to double-check the price. It is heavy, with strong, thick inner sheets.The warning I'd give is the same as others have given. If you are a beginner, this may not be the book for you. That said, put it on a shelf and come back to it later. Although on second thought, the processes taught in the book are good for anyone, in my opinion, from beginner to more advanced.Beautiful book. All i have to do now is to get my face drawing in order. :-)

This book really is a must have for every colored pencil artist, not only for those who do portraiture, the book applies to every subject! Everyone who knows colored pencils a little, knows they have their flaws and challenges, like creating timeconsuming backgrounds, like layering lighter colours on top of darker ones and like preserving the white highlights. These things had to be solved to get the colored pencil on top of all fine art mediums. So Alyona invented the colored pencil painting kit , which contains five new revolutionary supplies. In this book she describes the way you can use these supplies. They make it possible to think like an oilpainter, like creating an underpainting in tonal values, like creating backgrounds in a small amount of time and like putting white highlights on top of dark colours with such an ease that it almost feels like cheating. Alyona studied how the great masters layered with their oils and translates this system to colored pencils. I read this book almost in one shot, but I will definitely re-read it several times! It contains brilliant information, the pictures are like eye-candy and it brings something really new! There is no other book about colored pencils like this one! I really have much respect for Alyona, for the way she studied the great masters, for the way she studied the colored pencil properties and for being such a pioneer in the colored pencil world. Also, of course not the least, for the way she draws herself. I think you shouldn't hesitate to buy this one if you want to be part of this colored pencil revolution. Go for it!