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

Gorgeous, delicious book. Can’t stop reading it. Now I just need to start using it in my art work. If you have any interest in creating portraits in colored pencil, you owe it to yourself to get this book.

Hate throwing words like revolutionary around but I do believe this deserves the title. I've bought lots of art instruction books over the years and most are a rehash of the same material presented from a slightly different artistic perspective. Nothing wrong with that-- love my reference library. But *this* book breaks new ground.Initially, I bought the book for Ms. Nickelsen's lovely portraits. I mean really! They just glow. And after reading her techniques, I honestly believe I can paint colored pencil portraits too and that in my opinion, is the hallmark of a wonderful teacher. It will take time and discipline but she offers solid instruction based on sound principles that can be practiced step by step.There's lots of information about Ms. Nickelsen's line of products and at times the writing can sound a bit like an infomercial. Normally, that's a huge turn off but, in this case, the products are a game changer and to fully utilize them, all that information is a big help. I've watched YouTube videos on her powder blender but this book trumps all those. Secondly, it definitely covers portraits but the lessons can apply to any subject. The book is not for beginners. Reading this even a year ago, I'd have been lost. Intermediate to advanced seems about right.The book is packed and it's the first time in years that I've sat down with an art book and took notes. Solid five stars.

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!

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. :-)

Received this book and love it. I love learning how to create a painterly type work with colored pencils.This isn't a "learn to draw" book this is a book that teaches the medium and method to get a painterly look. Colored pencils come in several different varieties wax based, oil based, water soluble, etc.There are several additional products to use with colored pencils, water, oms, and more. I do think the book is a little heavy on the promotion of her new products for colored pencil but they do work and this is HER method. If getting an old masterly type look for your portraits isn't what you want or learning to actually draw people freehand is what you are looking for this isn't the book for you but if wanting to learn how to produce and bring life with that painterly look in your portraits this is the book for you. It's well written, beautifully printed and easy to read. She takes you step by step with colors and techniques for all different skin tones.I only wish there were a few actual tutorials of a complete person instead there are sections showing you how to do your own portraits. There is a divided section for different facial features such as nose, eyes, etc.I am really enjoying this book and will definitely use it as a reference and can't wait to try this method.