Tag: coffee table book

The Thames Path Sketch Journal

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Any Londoner is familiar with The Thames on a daily basis, but probably only a small portion of the 2,000 year old river as they travel over or under it.  The Thames Path Sketch Journal starts with The Thames at Richmond, London and follows it to the Thames Barrier, giving illustrations, maps and sketches along the way.  The ‘Liquid History’ is also brought to life with walks along The Thames and gives extensive history.

The book is broken up into chapters covering specific areas working from west to east. Starting with an illustrated map of the segments of The Thames, watercolours of buildings and structures are annotated with history and background per page, giving details on construction and original uses as well as they have changed over the centuries.  The walks are detailed on each of the illustrated maps, and although the hardback book is heavy and probably not practical to carry with you on the walk, it is easy to take a photo of the map and use it to walk along the route.

The book goes on to illustrate a range of artwork including line sketches, plans of historic houses and some areas such as Kew Gardens have extra artwork exemplifying the buildings and the beauty of the area. There are some historical photos included too, giving the background of the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. As the book goes on to the City area of The Thames, there are more and more illustrations, bringing The Thames to life.

This is a brilliant coffee table book and gift for anyone interested in London, or with a personal history of The Thames. It’s absolutely beautiful with the sketches on every page and complete detailed history of each area as well as walks which can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Have a look at author Charles Leon’s website with extra artwork available: https://www.charlesleon.uk/thames-path-sketch-journal

Or purchase online at: www.amazon.co.uk/Thames-Path-Sketch-Journal/dp/1399991345/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ABXN3RYC3YND&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1IrIeY3b1NfYUALdKy36tg.y_nijFrnMDRFjGRan2day50QkgGLXLPcyWhDNosgdVw&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+thames+path+sketch+journal+charles+leon&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736417509&sprefix=the+thames+path+sketch+journal+charles+leon%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1

Elements of Art – Book by Susie Hodge

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I am not an artist. I didn’t study art at school or college and I don’t have any areas of artistic flair so I am a complete novice on the academia of art and the techniques behind it.  Elements of Art is a book which anyone, artist or otherwise, can pick up and read, become immersed in a whole new world and learn what the artists were trying to convey.

I had no idea that there are seven essentials that make up any artwork; colour, value, line, shape, form, texture and space. They’re fundamental components of any artwork regardless of the media. Then there’s the principles of art; balance, contrast, emphasis, harmony, unity, proportion, rhythm, movement, variety, repetition or pattern, and scale. See? There’s a lot more to art than you might think!

The book is broken down into two section, Part 1 is the elements of art and Part 2 uses 30 famous works of art as examples to put into practice the elements. There’s artwork there from Jan van Eyck to Andy Warhol and not just two dimensional but sculpture and film too. The chapters are packed with information but also beautifully illustrated and easy to read.  I particularly like the detail that Hodge goes into with each of the artworks. It not only brings the artwork to life but ties in the knowledge in Part 1 of the different elements and makes them relevant to other artwork you might see which is not featured in the book.

I really liked reading through Elements of Art and started flicking through as soon as the book arrived. It’s really easy to pick up and put down, so although it’s not a huge, chunky book it’s actually more of a coffee table book.  I learned loads about art and how it applies to the era it was created in but also about the elements and principles which I’d never thought of before.  You can read the book cover to cover or just delve in to where your favourite artwork is, so you don’t need the commitment of sitting down and reading every single page, unless you want to!  

This book is particularly good for art lovers who don’t have an art education and I couldn’t help but think of the GCSE and A-Level art students who would benefit from this and really enjoy it. Either way, I know that this is a lovely book to keep or to give as a gift and provides an insight to enhance any art outing.

Available in paperback from £15.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elements-Art-Ways-Decode-Masterpieces-ebook/dp/B0CDXPPLP2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IHMK54K7VZFM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vfzuaAQbP1JqW8bxF8NRT7ots3hVZ2uLZ2-kqPjMX008GM_DGvFdq__b31l6WaS0B05wqrSYQwsE6Kk98E3BeC_ptLfEDmmDRI8334RI2m8crPXBSFcrNQZDO_ANYolk7a92ouoDn83gacKeFthTkl2fkY_IoMsZ9OXFsiGD_tyvUmLfurP-USztendRsWwhMEg83KrdzphoHv6gYKCN5-ZZQOWC1iefhQJ99GumjZ4.4XPQgnbNdDGxP8vtVfOz-YEe9iB8sHu5okzhq6z8bU0&dib_tag=se&keywords=elements+of+art&qid=1713703639&sprefix=elements+of+art%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1