A Visual Guide to Classical Art Theory for Drawing and Painting Students

Book excerpt: Eric Mantle presents the basics of classical theory in a clear & and concise manner for all beginning drawing and painting students. His book features diagrams that illustrate every concept. Students will see the complexities of color theory and understand how to create the illusion of volume and depth on a 2-dimensional surface. As an art student, Professor Mantle recalls, "I was frequently frustrated by instructional books that gave lengthy verbal descriptions of visual concepts and then showed small and/or unclear diagrams of those concepts. As an art teacher, I found that my students would ;gain a clearer understanding of a visual concept if my verbal explanation was combined with a diagram of that concept. A Visual Guide to Classical Art Theory is great for both traditional and non-traditional media. Each page, theory and diagram represents different tool for the artist to use. Through their use, the artist will find an infinite number of solutions. Artists also may use the book to create a trompe-l'oeil effect in graffiti art or the illusion of volume and depth on the computer. A Visual Guide to Art Theory is presented in a unique, non-verbal format that clearly illustrates the effect of perspective on color, light and shade.