MARCH 2022 REVIEW: I got slightly more out of the book this time around. Having recently started using oil paints in addition to the other mediums I've been using for years (acrylic, collage, water-colour, etc.), I found Marine's approach to painting slightly more intriguing. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on oil painting, which I'd skipped last time since it wasn't relevant to me. Unfortunately, other chapters were less engrossing this time around: like the one on photographing your paintings and some of the more basic fundamental chapters on value and colour mixing. Still, rereading DAILY PAINTING re-ignited my desire to join this movement. As a result, I'm committing to creating one small finished painting a day. I started a few days ago, and it's been great fun so far! I look forward to seeing where this practice takes me.

APRIL 2020 REVIEW: I'm fascinated by the idea of daily painting. I would love to do it, but I'm intimidated by a number of factors: actually sticking to a daily commitment, coming up with ideas on an ongoing basis, whether to share the unsuccessful pieces, a portable setup, etc. While Marine covers a few of these issues in her book, she also spends a whole lot of time on value, composition, and oil painting techniques. Most of the technical chapters weren't nearly as compelling as the earlier chapters dealing with mindset and potential obstacles. Overall, this was an interesting read, but I was left wanting more. ( )

It is very inspirational book for artists who are seeking new ways to overcome personal confidence problems with painting. ( )

This book was primarily for someone who has some experience that is really wanting to get serious and paint a lot. I am self taught and a beginner and not wanting to commit quite so much time so it was only partially helpful for me......but what was helpful was good info. ( )

The best way to improve your skills is to do some kind of art every single day.

[“Daily painters”] strive to paint frequently, without getting bogged down by perfectionism, procrastination, or any of the myriad things that keep us out of the studio.

This is an uplifting and beautiful book, filled with full-color (often full-page) images of artwork on smooth, heavy pages. (That the art happens to be to my taste is a bonus!) It’s also an informative book, with well-written, pleasingly organized text that explores the benefits of daily painting and then becomes a primer on technique with chapters on materials, subject matters, value, color, drawing/proportion and composition. It wraps up with half a dozen artists exploring artist’s block and then addresses some business matters like photographing paintings for online sale and how to increase online sales.

I’m a writer not a visual artist, but I follow Julia Cameron’s “Artist’s Way” philosophy and one of its hallmarks is the “Artist Date,” which is the pursuit of experiences that replenish the inner well of creativity. For me, this book is a terrific Artist Date. Not only does it fill me with colorful, evocative images and enhance my appreciation of visual art, but it allows me to get behind the scenes of a less-familiar (to me) artistic medium to explore some universal aspects of inspiration and creation.

(Review based on a copy of the book provided by the publisher.) ( )

Book Review: Daily Painting by Carol Marine

book-review-daily-painting-by-carol-marinePaint Small and Often to Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist

Between both the title and the subtitle, they give an accurate picture of what this book is about—how daily painting a small sized canvas will help you to become a more successful artist (that is, sell more work, make more money).

Almost every page has beautiful full color, good quality photos.

Daily Painting has lots of inspiration and encouragement to help you paint more often. Explanations of all the many benefits of painting smaller and more often are also included.

This book is comprehensive. It includes general painting guidelines and how to-s for choosing materials, color mixing, values, perspectives, and composition. Also included are chapters on taking photos of your work and up to date information on how to sell your work online. If there’s something important missing, I don’t know what it is.

To top all this great stuff off, also included in this book are several articles from other artists on various relevant topics dispersed throughout.

If you are a visual artist and need some inspiration to paint more often or information on how to sell more of your work online, this book is for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )