The Best New Art Books: May - July 2012

I've updated The Best NEW Art Books for the period May-July 2012.

I've not had time to update this site each month since March although nearly pulled it off twice! Hence I think what I'm going to be doing in future is display the best new books in the last three months and that way I'm updating a few at a time.

I do however regularly maintain the following in which new books are listed by the month they are published - and you get to see which books are coming up for publication!

• 2012: New Books about Drawing 
• 2012: New Books about Painting

The Main Changes

Fewer art books from print book publishers: It seems to me that fewer art books are being published by the major publishers.  I can still see a lot of self-published books around but I'm not persuaded that many of these are high quality

Manipulation of Amazon ratings: I've also observed what I regard as manipulation of Amazon.  One book in the list somehow managed to acquire 134 customer reviews within 3-4 days of publication.  When you see a very high number you have so fast you have to wonder what that was all about.  Is it genuine?  Who knows?

The Kindlisation of art books continues.  I don't tend to list these as new books unless they have also been out of print for some time.  I've also still to see many publishers who have managed the transition from print to ebook successfully.  I've seen a lot which are "so so" and some which are downright poor.

Did you know that Amazon now sells more ebooks that print books in the UK?  eBooks outsold print books in the USA4 years after the introduction of the Kindle.  It only took 2 years in the UK

For every 100 print books sold through the site, Amazon said it sold 114 titles for its Kindle e-reader device.

This of course is "hype" by Amazon as an awful lot of those who are reading ebooks - like me - are not dong this on a Kindle. We're using our iPads!

Valentin Serov (Best Of Collection)

The Best New Art Book

Of all the books in the list I think the one I'm most interested in buying is about the Master Russian Impressionist painter Valentin Serov.  I keep trying to get to grips with the Russian painters and this particular one reminds me very much of John Singer Sargent so I should really try to find out more about him.

Another reason is because the image websites don't have a lot of images of his paintings eg see paintings by Valentin Serov here

I'm also quite intrigued by the "look inside" Blogging for Creatives: How designers, artists, crafters and writers can blog to make contacts, win business and build success by: Robin Houghton.  I don't there's much it contains for me to learn but I'm interested in how it's presented.

You can see what I've actually bought this year in Making A Mark - My Book List

More about Best Art Books

You can find out more about my "best books" series of websites in Making A Mark's Art Book Lists

Art Bookshop Review: Foyles (Charing Cross Road)

This is a review of the Art Bookshop area on the second floor within Foyles Flagship book store at 113-117 Charing Cross Road in central London. Below you will find a review including photographs of the bookshop.

Foyles Art Books
about half of the shelving in the art section on the 2nd floor of this bookshop

First a note for those who know the Foyles of old and have not visited for some time.

I first started going to Foyles when I was a student in the 70s when it was ran by Christina Foyle.  It was a complete and utter maze interspersed by book stacks on the floor as well as the shelves.  It had the most books of any bookshop in London but finding them wasn't easy and the process of paying for them was completely antiquated and very slow.  As a result, it's one of the few bookshops that has made it into Wikipedia.

Foyles was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest bookshop in terms of shelf area (30 miles/50 kilometres) and number of titles on display.[1] In the past, it was famed for its anachronistic, eccentric and sometimes infuriating business practices, so much that they made it a tourist attraction.[2]Wikipedia - Foyles Bookshop

However all that was swept away and the shop has enjoyed a complete and comprehensive makeover.  The shelving is now exemplary and shopping for books is a complete pleasure.


RECOMMENDED:  I'd go so far as to say this is probably my bookshop of choice for art books.  The only improvement I can think of would be the addition of a few comfy chairs and a rethink of the location of books on shelves relative to the demographics of its customers!

Name of Art Bookshop: Foyles Bookshop

(Branch) Address: 113-119 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EB conveniently located for people visiting Oxford Street / Tottenham Court Road / Covent Garden / Leicester Square area.  Two minutes from Tottenham Road Tube station (involves a walk around the CrossRail development between Centre Point and Tottenham Court Road Tube Station

Website: General http://www.foyles.co.uk/ Specific to Foyles Charing Cross Road http://www.foyles.co.uk/Public/Stores/Detail.aspx?storeid=1011 Twitter: @Foyles

Shop hours: Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 9.00pm Sundays 11.30am* - 6.00pm (*11.30am - 12.00pm browsing only) Public holidays 11.00am - 8.00pm: Closed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day Easter Good Friday and Easter Saturday, normal hours apply; Easter Sunday, closed; Easter Monday, 11am - 8pm

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7437 5660

Email: customerservices@foyles.co.uk

Of interest to: art students (beginners through to Higher Education); amateur artists; professional artists; art lovers; graphic designers; illustrators; typographers

Major section on Art Theory and Aesthetics Highlights very well laid out with good labelling;  includes a “new books” section specifically for art plus a section on catalogues for current exhibitions absolutely huge section devoted to art history and artists biggest selection of books on art theory that I’ve seen in a long time (this shop is close to a leading art school) good selection of books relating to art instruction targeted at amateur artists very extensive sections devoted to graphics, design, type, illustration and photography a selection of art DVDs - including fictionalised films about artists very wide range of specialist art journals lots of knowledgeable assistants and speedy processing of purchases a very good bookshop for other books as well (the music and history sections kept my other half absorbed for over two hours!) ART DVDs and Catalogues for Current and Future Art Exhibitions specialist shelving features not often seen in art bookshops

Think Again? not for those who like their art “dumbed down” you have to be able to bend down to see the art instruction books - Foyles might like to think about the fact that a lot of (less bendy) older people take up art in their retirement a visit could get expensive - because you see so many books you want! Art Instruction books a little too low for my liking A bit too low for those whose backs and knees don't bend as well as they used to

Art Instruction: Anatomy for Drawing and Portrait/Figure Drawing section Summary: This is the bookshop to go for art books if you like a good selection and you enjoy a better quality art book. I’ve got a very good awareness of art books in print and on offer and I was generally very impressed with the books they’d chosen to stock.  This is a very good place to start if looking for books on a particular art topic.

A New Bookshop and a Move for Foyles


Foyles is due to move to a purpose-built bookshop in the adjacent former Central St Martins building in late 2013 or early 2014. They are now actively involved in planning the design of the new bookshop.

Their leasehold for site of this original bookshop is and other adjacent properties are being marketed for a very considerable sum. One can only surmise that this relates to taking advantage of the development of the new Crossrail station and retail hub at Tottenham Court Road

Other art bookshops

You can read other reviews of Art Bookshops in London in the following posts:

• Botanical Art Bookshop Review - Kew Gardens
• Art Bookshop Review: Waterstones (Covent Garden)
• Art Bookshop Review: Tate Britain Millbank Shop
• Art Bookshop Review: Thomas Heneage Art Books
• Art Bookshop Review: The National Gallery Bookshop

Plus good art bookshops in the UK are listed in Art Bookshops - Resources for Artists

Book Review: A Yorkshire Sketchbook by David Hockney

Title: David Hockney - A Yorkshire Sketchbook

Synopsis: A facsimile 92 page sketchbook used by David Hockney in 2004 when sketching the the East Yorkshire Wolds.  It contains sketches of the Yorkshire Wolds and Bridlington in watercolour, ink and pencil - and no words.

Summary review and recommendation: This is a sketchbook which dates from the beginning of Hockney’s reconnection to Yorkshire and painting.  Those who sketch and who like Hockney’s work will love it.  Those who have never ever sketched will be very puzzled by it and may even call it a complete waste of money - but they will have missed the point. I RECOMMEND this book for those who enjoy facsimile sketchbooks.

Highlights It starts at the beginning of the sketchbook (publishers details etc are relegated to the last page) It feels as if Hockney has handed you his sketchbook It illustrates the motifs which interested him as he began to paint Yorkshire again Take off the dustcover and the hardback cover is just like a black sketchbook used by many in the UK

Think Again? Those expecting an art instruction book will be severely disappointed The publisher’s description does not indicate at all clearly that this is a facsimile sketchbook (ie all images and no words) This may become a DVD (but I doubt it)

Who should buy this?: People who love Hockney’s work People who love facsimile sketchbooks People who carry a sketchbook everywhere they go People who want to learn more about sketching and want to see what a real sketchbook looks like

Who should not buy this? People who don’t sketch and don’t understand the nature of sketching and what a sketchbook actually looks like People who expect words rather than sketches in a facsimile sketchbook

Author / (Publisher) David Hockney / Royal Academy of Arts, London

Technical data: Publication Date (December 2011 hardback) Hardcover - 92 pages in conventional small landscape sketchbook format (21.2 x 15.4 x 1.8 cm) ISBN-10: 1907533230 ISBN-13: 978-1907533235 The full price version is not cheap! It’s much better value on Amazon which is where I ordered it. Amazon UK: A Yorkshire Sketchbook Amazon USA: David Hockney: A Yorkshire Sketchbook

Those of us who sketch know the joy of looking at one another’s sketchbooks. Having this book in my hand feels rather as if Hockney has just handed me his sketchbook! 

I own the DVD of his sketchbooks and consequently knew exactly what to expect in terms of content and drawing style. However I do think the publishers should review the publicity profile and the description of this book on the Internet. Nowhere does it indicate clearly that this is a complete facsimile of a sketchbook used by Hockney in 2004.

In summary:

• Sketchers who like Hockney's drawings and paintings will love this book. 
• Fans of Hockney's work will like this book 
• Those who have never sketched may well struggle to really appreciate it

Art in Transit: Handbook for Packing and Transporting Paintings

Art in Transit: Handbook for Packing and Transporting Paintings by Mervin Richard
Marion F. Mecklenburg and Ross M. Merrill is available for free from the Smithsoninian Institute.

Art in Transit: Handbook for Packing and Transporting Paintings by Mervin Richard

Marion F. Mecklenburg and Ross M. Merrill is available for free from the Smithsonian Institute.

Title:  Art in Transit: Handbook for Packing and Transporting Paintings

Synopsis: This technically detailed Handbook focuses on different approaches and procedures that will enable museum specialists (packers, registrars, curators, and conservators) to effectively use the results of the research of specialists in the field.  It includes tips and techniques also of relevance to those transporting high value artwork.

Summary review:  If you’ve ever wanted a comprehensive document telling you what to do when packing and transporting artwork, this is a good place to start. Although written for art galleries and museums, there’s a lot of information which will also assist the professional artist who is transporting valuable paintings.  Other artists will also find useful information in this large and comprehensive handbook.

Highlights Accessible: written in the language of lay people rather than art technologists / historians bullet points unpack the processes into easy stages key terms are highlighted in bold lots of useful sub-headings Comprehensive and evidenced synopsis of scientific evidence for best practices in the transport of paintings and other artworks Advantages and disadvantages of different techniques are identified Fascinating glossary Information derived from a variety of publications of note Use of a pdf format enables easy navigation of the document onscreen searches of the document

Think Again? NOT a “how to send paintings for beginners” document NOT for everybody.  Is it relevant to artists producing low value paintings (relative to art in museums)?  However some tips still relevant - and a useful resource of questions arise (eg case labels in different languages) NOT a quick read.The language may be accessible - but there’s still an awful lot of information. NOT a small document - 6.1MB pdf

Who should buy this?: Those wanting to know about good practices detailed in this book Those transporting valuable paintings to clients and to/from exhibitions Museum conservators Gallery transport technicians

Who should not buy this? Those unconcerned about archival practices and nature of packing required for valuable paintings and other works of art People who don’t work in museums have no need to buy this since its is freely available online

Author / (Publisher) Mervin Richard, Marion F. Mecklenburg and Ross M. Merrill / (National Gallery of Art, Washington)

Available from: no need to buy - it’s available for free from the Smithsonian Institute (click the title).   However if you’d like you'd like your very own personal copy you can try buying from via Amazon where copies are available for between $250-$1,000

Technical data: Copyright © 1991, 1997 National Gallery of Art First edition 1991. Second edition 1997 No. of pages Hardcover - pages Paperback pages; ISBN-10 ISBN-13 pdf document - 6.1MB file size

The contents include the following.  As you can see this is a technical document rather than a “how to send paintings for beginners” document.  It’s also particularly related to the conservation of very old paintings where the painting may be fragile

• Assessing Risks
• Criteria for the Selection of Paintings for Loan
• Selection Criteria for Frames
• Selection Criteria for Paintings on Canvas or Paper Mounted on Canvas
• Additional Issues for Large Paintings on Canvas
• Selection Criteria for Contemporary Paintings on Canvas
• Paintings on Wood, Ivory, or Bone
• Paintings on Metal and Other Nonporous Rigid Supports
• Transit Climate Conditions
• Expected Transit Environments in Summer and Winter
• Temperature Protection
• Insulating Materials
• Temperature Half-Time
• Temperature Half-Times of Packing Cases
• Relative Humidity Protection
• Wrapping Materials for Paintings: Polyethylene
• Wrapping Materials for Paintings: Glassine
• Wrapping Materials for Paintings: Kraft Paper
• Wrapping Materials for Paintings: Kraft Paper or Glassine Covered with Polyethylene
• Wrapping Materials for Paintings: Inner Packing Case
• General Properties of Silica Gel
• Use of Silica Gel in Packing Cases for Painting
• Shock and Vibration Hazards
• Shock and Vibration Hazards
• Vibration Fragility of Painting
• Shock Protection
• Fragility Factors
• Probable Drop Heights
• How to Use a Dynamic Cushioning Curve: Procedure A
• How to Use a Dynamic Cushioning Curve: Procedure B
• Optimum Static Loads - Quick Reference Table
• Load-Bearing Areas
• Vibration Protection
• Vibration Control for Canvas Paintings - Backboards
• Vibration Control for Canvas Paintings - Foam Inserts behind the Painting
• Vibration Control for Canvas Paintings - Stretcher Lining
• Packing Cases
• Case Construction - Structure
• Handles
• Skids
• Chemical Stability of Packing Materials
• Soft Packing
• Sample Packing Case No. 1
• Sample Packing Case No. 2
• Sample Packing Case No. 3
• Sample Packing Case No. 4
• Sample Packing Case No. 5
• Sample Packing Case No. 6
• Sample Packing Case No. 7
• Case Labels - English, French, Spanish, German, Italian
• Role of the Courier
• Glossary

Makingamark's Top 10 Fine Art Books - March 2012

Here's the link to my website - Makingamark's Top 10 Fine Art Books - which has been wholly revised to list the top rated and best selling fine art books in March 2012.

Here are the links to the top rated and best selling books in each of the five sections

• How this list is compiled each month

• *** TOP DRAWING BOOKS ***
• DRAWING - Top Rated Drawing Book in March 2012
• DRAWING - Best Selling Drawing Book in March 2012

• *** TOP PAINTING BOOKS ***
• PAINTING - Top Rated Painting Book in March 2012
• PAINTING - Best Selling Book in March 2012

• ***TOP BOOKS ABOUT ARTISTS***
• ARTISTS: Top Rated Book in MARCH 2012
• ARTISTS - Best Selling Book in March 2012

• *** TOP BOOKS ABOUT ART HISTORY ***
• ART HISTORY: Top Rated Book in MARCH 2012
• ART HISTORY - Best Selling Book in MARCH 2012

• *** TOP BUSINESS BOOKS FOR ARTISTS ***
• THE ART BUSINESS: Top Rated Art Book in March 2012
• THE ART BUSINESS - Best Selling Art Book in MARCH 2012

Art Bookshop Review: Thomas Heneage Art Books

Lots of excellent art history books
all photos copyright Katherine Tyrrell

This is a review of a shop selling art history books. It's also a shop which I shall definitely be going back to. Yesterday I visited Thomas Heneage Art Books and walked away with two excellent books - one a Tate Publishing catalogue of the 1998 retrospective exhibition of John Singer Sargent at the Tate Gallery and a 1984 book providing an overview of Pastels and pastel artists from the 16th to the 20th century by Genevieve Monnier.

Name of Art Bookshop: Thomas Heneage Art Books

Address: 2 Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6DJ

Website: Thomas Heneage Art Books http://www.heneage.com

Shope hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm, otherwise by appointment (closed public holidays).

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7930 9223

Of interest to: art lovers, students of art history, gallery owners, art dealers, art exhibition visitors, art students and art teachers

Highlights: my idea of a good bookshop - three rooms with books everywhere! an excellent range of high quality art history books about various artists - published at various dates and in various languages ad hoc selection of international exhibition catalogues from past exhibitions; strong on 'landmark' exhibitions all books in excellent condition new publications focus on very specialised topics very helpful staff

Think Again? not for those seeking a cheap book - although prices are fair no art instruction books

Summary: This is the bookshop to go to if: you love art history books you're trying to track down an art history book or catalogue that you want.

Exterior of shop at 42 Duke Street

Thomas Heneage Art Books was founded in 1977. The business focuses on selling art books. We specialize in books for the art market, our core business being in catalogues raisonnés, monographs and international exhibition catalogues. It is our policy to stock the most authoritative book on any subject and in any language, irrespective of its being new or second hand.

I'm never averse to stepping over the threshold of an art bookshop. However shops in the "very posh" St Jame's area of London can be a bit intimidating. However this one is very relaxed - there are books everywhere and you sometimes have to watch your step!

This shop also has extremely friendly and very helpful staff. For example, after I asked whether I could take photographs and explained why, I was given a complete tour of the bookshop - and the coverage of topic areas within art hsitory is extensive - including I then asked about a book I've been trying to get hold of Wilfrid Blunt's The Art of Botanical Illustration and one was located in a very short space of time and I had a price for it. Reader - I was impressed!

Lucian Freud on paper'
surveys what's on offer

Most of the books are about artists and painting - however there is also a set of shelves just devoted to the history of drawing. Extensive shelving is also given over to specialised areas of antiques and artifacts and the art associated with specific countries.

This is the sort of bookshop which is a recommended visit for serious art bibilophiles, art historians, art teachers and students of art history - not to mention the art dealers - many of whom get their reference books here.

The books are authoritative and the best quality. Some are new (the type which only get published in limited numbers for not insignificant prices) but the majority are secondhand. That said they are all in good condition. Some even come with some added extras inserted by their previous owners - always a small joy to find! I opened up my Pastels Book to find an item from the Galerie Camoin on the Quai Voltaire in Paris.

If you like art history and you really like books I recommend a visit.

Book Review: Botanical Illustration

Title: Botanical Illustration

An In-depth Book Review of this book was first published here on 13th April 2010. The complete text has now been moved to my new website - see Book Review: Botanical Illustration on Botanical Art and Artists 

Synopsis: A manual for those who like their botanical illustration with a strong botanical and practical slant. It includes

• an introduction to basic botany;
• preparation of plant material for drawing;
• use of different media for botanical illustration (pencil, watercolour, coloured pencil and pen and ink).

Summary review: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
An excellent manual for anybody who wants to learn more about botanical illustration with a strong botanical perspective. Rated an average of:

• 4.8 out of 5 stars by 20 customers on Amazon.co.uk
• 5 out of 5 stars by 4 customers on Amazon.com

This book differentiates itself by focusing on botany. It's very detailed and practical and consequently very helpful. It provides lots of detailed facts, useful information, tips and techniques - doubtless derived from the author's many years of teaching botanical illustration and developing a diploma

Author - Valerie Oxley
​Paperback; 280x220 mm; 192 pages; 216 colour illustrations.
​Publisher: Crowood Press
Publication date: September 2008