Below are a selection of books written by David Curtis
PAINTING ON LOCATION
Author: David Curtis and Robin Capon
Publication Date: 2 April 2013
David Curtis is one of the most successful and celebrated artists working in the UK today. His books are bestsellers and in his latest book he discusses and demonstrates his approach to painting outside on location. He paints on site whenever possible as he finds that working directly from the subject gives his work a sense of immediacy, dynamism, light and drama. Many artists are interested in painting outside but lack the confidence to successfully work in this way. Here David shows how to develop the necessary skills. He looks at every aspect, from preliminary planning to appropriate painting techniques and, above all, how to capture the essence of the scene in front of you. He includes location sketching as well as advice on essential equipment to take with you. With practical advice and inspirational paintings covering a wide variety of subjects, Painting on Location will prove valuable to all those who wish to paint outdoors, whether to make finished paintings in their own right on location, or to use the experience and information gathered as a basis for further work in the studio.
PAINTING WITH IMPACT
Author: David Curtis and Robin Capon
Publication Date: 4 May 2010
David Curtis is one of the most successful and loved artists in the UK. His books are bestsellers and in his latest publication he talks about the secrets of producing paintings with impact. Although his work is not showy, they are powerful and are much-sought after. His secrets for painting with impact are the sensitive consideration of balance and contrast in tone, colour, handling qualities and compositional elements. Whether you’re working on location with a limited palette or in the studio with all the time and materials at your disposal, the author talks you through the ways to capture the essence of a subject matter and the mood or sense of the place, and always with a something that will grab the viewer. The key elements are covered: Selection – what to paint and if necessary how to simplify or dramatise those elements; Mood – creating a strong sense of mood through choice of medium, colour and painting technique; and, Colour – choosing the right colours to suit the intentions of the painting. The book discusses a range of inspiring locations, from marine subjects, beaches and harbours to city scenes, trees and the light of the Mediterranean.
CAPTURING THE MOMENT IN OILS
Author: David Curtis
Publication Date: 21 Mar 2007
One of the attractions of painting outdoors is the challenge of capturing the spirit of a place – changing light, weather and transient conditions demand particular painting skills if they are to be interpreted effectively. Leading painter David Curtis works on location, in all weathers, observing and capturing the subtle effects of light and mood. Oil paint is as good for painting on site as it is for large-scale painting in the studio; it is remarkably responsive; can be applied in many different ways; and it allows time to assess and modify work in progress. In this fascinating book, David Curtis shows how he achieves such expressive and original results using drawings, paintings and stage-by-stage examples. He gives detailed explanations of his two main working methods – for plein-air paintings and for studio compositions – as well as plenty of helpful guidance and advice on choosing materials, exploring techniques, selecting ideas, composition, colour and tone and associated topics. Drawing skills and interpreting the qualities of light are other key issues that he deals with, while his wonderfully evocative landscapes, coastal scenes, interiors and figure compositions provide much to inspire the reader.
LIGHT AND MOOD IN WATERCOLOUR
| Author: David Curtis Publication Date: 9 Jun 2005 David Curtis is a strong advocate of working on site, in all weathers, observing and capturing the changing conditions and effects. In this book he explains in detail his two main methods for painting on location – for quick, loose studies and for more controlled and detailed paintings – and additionally he shows how to collect reference material on the spot and develop this into resolved pictures back in the studio. He provides helpful advice on interpreting various light effects; with sound guidance on choosing materials, exploring techniques, composition, tone and colour and associated topics; complemented by a wealth of sketches, finished works and demonstration paintings to illustrate different points and inspire further ideas. Richly illustrated, the book covers: The Watercolour Medium: Scope and characteristics, materials, exploring different techniques; Developing Ideas: Drawing and design, tone and pattern, colour intensity; Inspired By Light: Light and mood, light as a subject, highlights and shadows, painting in all weathers; Subjects And Interpretations: Boats and boatyards, beach scenes, harbours and estuaries, rivers, landscapes, towns and buildings, figures; Working Methods: Plein air painting, the considered approach, the middle way, capturing the moment |