January 2024 MBR The Art Shelf

The Art Shelf

The Darby School of Art
Mark W. Sullivan
Brookline Books
c/o Casemate Publishers
www.casematepublishers.com
9781955041256, $29.95, HC, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Darby-School-Art-Forgotten-Impressionist/dp/19550412=
53

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Darby School of Art: A Forgotten Cha=
pter in the History of American Impressionist and Modern Painting", Profess=
or Mark W. Sullivan presents the first full-length account of the Darby Sch=
ool of Art and overturns Philadelphia's long-held unwarranted reputation as=
 artistically stodgy (unwilling and unable to embrace Impressionism, post-I=
mpressionist, and abstract art) and demonstrates that Philadelphia was more=
 avant-garde in the early twentieth century than previously thought.

This is the history and story of an almost completely forgotten summer art =
school that flourished first in Darby, PA, and then in Fort Washington, PA,=
 between 1898 and 1918. The Darby School of Art was founded and operated by=
 Thomas Anshutz and Hugh Breckenridge, two artists who taught during the ac=
ademic year at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Anshutz and Breckenridge brought a lot of new ideas about painting back to =
Philadelphia after their European sojourns, and introduced those ideas to a=
 public that was initially not very responsive to Impressionism, Post-Impre=
ssionism, and semi-abstract art. But an appreciation for modern styles of p=
ainting began to slowly grow among Philadelphia artists and collectors, and=
 Anshutz and Breckenridge were in the forefront of this development.

They also sympathized with what some have called the "New Woman" movement, =
which backed women who wanted to pursue careers outside of the home.

"The Darby School of Art: A Forgotten Chapter in the History of American Im=
pressionist and Modern Painting" is new history in which art historian and =
academician Mark Sullivan argues that the Philadelphia area was a genuine h=
ub of avant-garde painting in the early twentieth century, even though it h=
as earned the reputation of lagging far behind New York City in its opennes=
s to new styles of painting. This erudite history also discusses how the Da=
rby School should be recognized as an institution that got behind the idea =
of women as professional artists at a time when that concept was quite radi=
cal.

Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a major section of =
full color illustrations, "The Darby School of Art: A Forgotten Chapter in =
the History of American Impressionist and Modern Painting" is an eloquent, =
informative, and exceptional contribution to personal, professional, commun=
ity, and college/university library American Art History collections and su=
pplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, acade=
mia, art historians, and non- specialist general readers with an interest i=
n the subject that "The Darby School of Art" is also readily available in a=
 digital book format (Kindle, $13.49).

Editorial Note: Mark W. Sullivan earned a Ph. D. in art history from Bryn M=
awr College, and taught at Rutgers University and Rosemont College (PA), be=
fore landing a full-time position at Villanova University. He spent 37 year=
s at Villanova, and was the co-founder and director of its art history prog=
ram. He specializes in the history of American painting, and has written an=
d lectured extensively on the art and architecture of the Philadelphia area=
.

Manga Art Fashion Secrets
Dalia Sharawna
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781800921573, $19.95, PB, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Manga-Art-Fashion-Secrets-Ultimate/dp/1800921578

Synopsis: Clothes and accessories are the perfect way to give your manga ch=
aracters energy and develop their unique identities. From on-trend streetwe=
ar to traditional and formal clothing, the way that your character is dress=
ed is an instant way to tell a story.

With the publication of "Manga Art Fashion Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to M=
aking Stylish Artwork in the Manga Style" aspiring manga artists can join w=
ith manga art expert Dalia Sharawna and her thousands of fans and learn how=
 to draw fashionable manga clothes that show personality, character, and mo=
od. Packed with everything you need to know to draw a huge variety of cool =
clothes and accessories in the manga style, this detailed guide covers a ra=
nge of styles and looks to take your manga characters to the next level.

"Manga Art Fashion Secrets" is packed from cover to cover with step-by-step=
 drawings for formal and casual outfits, sportswear, and accessories. Learn=
 how to give your work personality and style with Dalia Sharawna's tutorial=
s for a huge variety of on-trend looks to dress your characters in. At the =
end of each chapter is a series of practice exercises where you're encourag=
ed to trace or freehand draw subjects from earlier on. You'll end up with a=
 portfolio of sketches charting your artistic development. Five contemporar=
y artists take up residence on these pages, sharing their manga fashion sec=
rets and showcasing their own art.

With clear step-by-step instructions and insider secrets that manga artist =
Dalia Sharawna has learned on her drawing journey, all that is needed is a =
pencil and paper to draw any clothing style you desire.

Critique: An extraordinary, comprehensive, and unique DIY course of Manga A=
rt instruction, "Manga Art Fashion Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Making St=
ylish Artwork in the Manga Style" is especially and unreservedly recommende=
d for personal, professional, community, art school, and college/university=
 library Manga Art instruction collections. It should be noted for art stud=
ents and Manga art enthusiasts that "Manga Art Fashion Secrets: The Ultimat=
e Guide to Making Stylish Artwork in the Manga Style" is also available in =
a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).

Editorial Note: Based in Hebron in Palestine, Dalia Sharawna has been drawi=
ng manga for 10 years, fired by her passion for watching anime since she wa=
s a kid. Find more of her art and join her 171k followers on Instagram @dra=
wing_dalia

Kawaii Doodle Cafe
Faith Varvara
Rock Point
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9781631069598, $19.99, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Kawaii-Doodle-Caf%C3%A9-Adorable-Desserts/dp/1631069=
594

Synopsis: "Kawaii Doodle Cafe: Learn to Draw Adorable Desserts, Snacks, Dri=
nks & More" is an ideal 'how to' guide in which popular kawaii artist Faith=
 Varvara shows how to draw over 100 cute and tasty foods from around the wo=
rld in an easy-to-follow, simple style, including breakfast, lunch, snacks,=
 a la carte items, pastries, desserts, and drinks, along with tableware.

With "Kawaii Doodle Cafe", even the most novice of artists can create mouth=
watering foods, such as the Eclair; Macaron; Lemon Meringue Pie; Tiramisu; =
Creme Brulee; Strawberry Parfait; Avocado Toast; Breakfast Burrito; Japanes=
e Omurice; Bubble Tea -- and so much more!

Along with the step-by-step tutorials, Faith shares tips for drawing and co=
loring drawings of foods, along with a fun introduction about the cozy cafe=
 and its talented staff, and pages to color. And once you have the basic sh=
apes down, the options to customize the foods are endless to create your ow=
n feast for the eyes.

Critique: Published in a large (8 x 0.36 x 10 inches, 1.25 pounds) paperbac=
k format) "Kawaii Doodle Cafe: Learn to Draw Adorable Desserts, Snacks, Dri=
nks & More" is specially recommended for art students of all ages. It shoul=
d be noted that "Kawaii Doodle Cafe: Learn to Draw Adorable Desserts, Snack=
s, Drinks & More" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindl=
e, $9.99).

Editorial Note 1: Faith Varvara (https://faithvarvara.artstation.com) is a =
full-time kawaii artist based in Calgary, Canada, and is the creator of the=
 whimsical world of Bumbleberry Hollows. Her work has been featured on food=
 packaging and displayed in a gallery in Japan. She has launched multiple s=
uccessful Kickstarter campaigns for a tarot deck, plushies, and clothing.

Editorial Note #2: The fun 'how-to' art instruction books comprising the Ka=
waii Doodle series includes: Kawaii Doodle Class, Mini Kawaii Doodle Class,=
 Kawaii Doodle Cuties, Mini Kawaii Doodle Cuties, Kawaii Doodle World, Kawa=
ii Kitties, and Kawaii Doggies.

Loose and Lively Animals in Watercolour, Inks & Mixed Media
Jo Allsopp
Search Press Ltd.
https://www.searchpress.com
9781782219958, $25.95, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Loose-Lively-Animals-Watercolour-Mixed/dp/1782219951

Synopsis: Animals are a perennial favorite amongst artists, but many strugg=
le with capturing their form and character in a way that reflects the true =
spirit of the animal. Jo's genuine passion for wildlife is reflected in her=
 art, and her skill at painting animals in a loose, lively and dynamic styl=
e is one that many wish to emulate.

Including a broad range of animals from around the world: red squirrels, to=
 peacocks, lions and housecats; water voles and red squirrels, to Atlantic =
puffins -- "Loose and Lively Animals in Watercolour, Inks & Mixed Media" by=
 Jo Allsoop will appeal to both hobby artists and more advanced artists who=
 wish to loosen up their style and take a more experimental approach to the=
ir watercolor painting.

Jo uses an exciting range of art media and techniques in her work, and this=
 will be fully explored in a structured way through "Loose and Lively Anima=
ls in Watercolour, Inks & Mixed Media", beginning with pure watercolor and =
progressing through various other media to show the effects that can be ach=
ieved, and when and how to use them.

Jo's main medium is watercolor, but to this she adds ink plus other media, =
including: Alcohol;
Water-soluble and permanent pens; Gold, silver and bronze leaf; Daler-Rowne=
y acrylic inks.

Her technique is very wet into wet, with lots of blooms, vivid colors, and =
striking contrasts and texture achieved by the addition of wax resist, salt=
, spatter and scratching out. Jo's animal paintings are stunning, and "Loos=
e and Lively Animals in Watercolour, Inks & Mixed Media" will both inspire =
and instruct artists on how to recreate Jo's style and her stunning animal =
paintings in a loose, fresh style.

Critique: Thoroughly 'user friendly' in style, organization and presentatio=
n, "Loose and Lively Animals in Watercolour, Inks & Mixed Media" is an idea=
l DIY 'how-to' instructional guide that will prove to be an immediately and=
 enduringly valued addition to personal, professional, community, art schoo=
l, and college/university library Watercolor and Mixed Media Plant/Animal a=
rt instruction collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It sh=
ould be noted for art students and non-specialist general readers with an i=
nterest in the subject that "Loose and Lively Animals in Watercolour, Inks =
& Mixed Media" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.65).

Editorial Note: Jo Allsopp set up Sable Studio Gallery in the grounds of Mo=
ira Furnace Museum. From her gallery space she sells her watercolor paintin=
gs, mosaics, cards, jewelry and gift ware. Her spacious studio enables her =
to teach regular painting and drawing classes plus weekend workshops in a v=
ariety of media. Jo is an experienced demonstrator and teacher and her worh=
sops are extremely popular. Jo also regularly features in the Society of Al=
l Artist's magazine Paint. In 2019 Jo was chosen to appear on the UK's BBC =
One on the TV series Home Is Where The Art Is with presenter Nick Knowles.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo=
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 (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal=
muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review