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Batman: Dark Knight Returns (Batman)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: Frank Miller

May 16, 1997
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

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Ways of Seeing: Based on the BBC Television Series

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: John Berger

1990-05
I recently had to read this as the basis for an essay, but was pleasantly surprised. It is an interesting snippet questioning our view of art and if it has changed throughout history. I found a few of the assumptions a little irritating, such as that Reubens would not have been aware of the device of depicting the human body in an anatomically incorrect pose in order to give the impression of movement. (Particularly as this is something that was well known among artists for hundreds of years and had been used by Leonardo da Vinci for example).

However, if you are looking for a thought provoking, unusual look at how images have been used throughout history, give it a go. Its not a long book and some of the chapters are purely visual ... Read More:

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V for Vendetta

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: Alan Moore, David Lloyd

April 14, 2000
Great. This deserves the hype but not the butchering it received on film at the hands of the Wachowksi brothers. This is really about Thatcher's Britain and nuclear winters and the social control of 'deviant' minorities and the power of dissent. So it has something to say about today. But don't read it as a proxy for political critique. It is a joy for many a reason, of which its anarchist politics is one, but our present predicaments require something less wedded to Cold War models. V for Vendetta is of its time, by which I mean also that it is a classic.

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The Complete Maus

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: Art Spiegelman

October 02, 2003
I had known of this book for about a year when i finally decided to buy it. I was put off by the slightly dodgy artwork and the very serious nature of the plot which to me is not what comics are about. Anyway,I wanted to read it so i could come on hear and rant about how it is an over-rated waste of time but I cant. The art isnt perfect i agree but it has its charms and as you read the story you really do get into the simplistic nature of it,it works for this,it doesnt distract from the story which over stylised art would. The story is VERY well written and everything i read totally shocked and moved me.
The jist of my review is - if you are put off by the art but you liked schindlers list or have a fascination with hearing about the holocaust from a personal perspective ... Read More:

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Wall and Piece

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: "Banksy"

November 09, 2006
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this ... Read More:

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The Art of Looking Sideways

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: Alan Fletcher

June 30, 2001
Alan Fletcher was one of the creative powerhouses of design from the 1960s on, and this book puts together some of his musings on life, the Universe and everything. The book is designed to spark ideas and thought, so even the paper used changes from page to page.

In typically quirky fashion, only the left hand pages are given a number so if you buy this book you actually get over a thousand pages of inspiring graphics, calligraphy, typography and photographs collected over the course of a long and illustrious career: he founded Pentagram; he designed logos for Reuters and the Victoria and Albert museum. The book gives a glimpse of the thought processes that went in to that work. For the money it's an astonishing bargain.

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Photography: A Critical Introduction

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
from: Routledge

April 01, 2004
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

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The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: Betty Edwards

November 05, 2001
I bought this book as was advised to by my university tutor.

I did find some of the techniques useful and it does make you think differently when drawing. I personally think this book is useful to people of all levels in drawing because the book is full of many useful tips, The only down point is that some of the techniques are rather dull. But then again no pain no gain.

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Wall and Piece

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: Banksy

November 03, 2005
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! ... Read More:

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Graphic Design: A Concise History (World of Art)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Painting and Drawing
by: Richard Hollis

2001-08
As I work best with pictures rather than words. I love graphic design books packed with large images full of inspiration. This has images, but not enough- plenty of writing tho! (hahaha) Guess its good for contextual studies though.