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Testimonials/ Comments re Books - Réactions et commentaires re les livres du peintre
* On Life, Death & Nude Painting - (Published by Classic perceptions Classiques - 2015)
* Please Daddy Hold My Hand - (Published by Mirror Comics - 2012 - redesigned in 2014)
2014 - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Right from the start you can feel the emotion. This emotion keeps growing as the story moves along. The stry is told from the son's viewpoint as he grows through the years. The artwork is simple which befits the story. Though written for children it can be enjoyed by any age group. A must read for a dad or son or anyone else. - Richard V.
2012 - "Daddy, Please Hold my Hand" is unique in many ways. I had expected a poem (and a book) for children, about childhood; instead, I now see the poem as a profound meditation on the entire arc of life. Perhaps only adults can appreciate it. This is a mature theme. - Mike M, San Francisco
* Beyond Discouragement, Creativity - (Published by Classic Perceptions Classiques - 2010)
2014 - How well written! How Interesting! How humane! - Dr. Judith S., New York
2011 - In a "hundred best parenting books" ranking, Beyond Discouragement - Creativity comes in 3rd!!!2010
2010 - Add philosopher and psychologist to your many credits. Your book is frank, unpretentious, heartwarming, “plein d'aperçus profonds sur la vie et le voyage de découverte qui nous préoccupe à travers les générations”. A must-read for teachers and young parents... Bravo! - Charles P, Toronto
2010 - Bernard Poulin, internationally prominent artist, has written a compelling book, "Beyond Discouragement - Creativity." There are several levels to the book. Each level is valuable in its own right.
For artists, the book guides readers to a mindset where they can be courageous in their creativity, deal with failures as well as successes, and avoid the pitfall of discouragement when failures crop up, as they inevitably do. For parents, the book helps them better understand their children's creative processes. Mr. Poulin reassures parents that their children are not fragile creatures who will be shattered, or whose creativity will be destroyed, when parents do their job as parents. For educators, the book is a rigorous reexamination of much conventional wisdom about education and the creative process. The book's extensive bibiliography makes it plain that the author has done his homework; he has thoroughly researched the subject, in addition to being a parent and mentor. There is an additional level, which (to me) is the most important. Most books are like a wall. On one side of the wall is the author; on the other side is the reader, who is presented with "the book." In the case of Bernard Poulin's book, however, the wall is removed, and we actually meet him. Turning through the pages, we can imagine him, winking slyly to us as he makes a joke. We are invited into his painting studio, where we meet his children, as toddlers, playing on the floor while Dad paints. We meet the children being creative in their own improvised creative space - nothing more complicated than a bathroom tub, where they can play, make a mess, examine their own creativity without hesitation. We meet Bernard Poulin's remarkable wife, every bit as creative and caring as the husband. We meet the people who mentored the author at differing stages of his own life. Finally, we are invited to think of the people in our own lives who have mentored us. It is a powerful and enriching exercise. Do yourself a favor: Check out "Beyond Discouragement - Creativity." It will provide ideas which will keep people thinking for years to come. Also, you will make a new friend, the author Bernard Poulin. - Mike M, San Francisco 2010 - Just finished your book and I have a thousand words for you but I have condensed it to one "Bravo"" . Great job but a tough read. . . CB, Ottawa
2010 - I was only able to read bits at a time. . . The content is definitely in your face. The only outcome of this book will be countless contentious discussions - and that (not easy answers) seems to be the goal. After an hour of reading I was quite angry. . . I headed for the piano to lay out a series of tonal bursts. That worked. . . The notion of encouragement and excellence - as opposed to the usual push for unattainable perfection - should be required reading . . . Wow! I hope we can offer our child this “best that we can be” concept. What courage it takes to publish such a book at this time. Bravo! - Elaine M, Buckingham, Québec
* The Complete Coloured Pencil Book - (Published by FW - North Light Books - 1992 / 2011
2013 - I purchased this book directly from the publisher. Trust me, this book is worth buying! It truly deserves a better rating. Wonderful works by many colored pencil artists with different styles with author's explanations. Many portraits by the author. Great ideas that I have not seen anywhere else. Some step by steps. The only things I did not like was a full chapter on building a studio (I do not have space for it and am not going to build one) and frequent use of dark papers. Nevertheless, this book is worth 5 stars. - Mommy2twinson
2011 - It was you who inspired me to use coloured pencils. About 10 years ago I bought The Complete Coloured Pencil Book and I was so amazed at your pictures, particularly ‘Price, Boy Clown and Waiting out the Storm’ that I bought some pencils. It was to be another 4 years before I got to use them and I haven’t looked back. Thank you once again and I hope I get to meet you in London in 2011. - P, London, England
2011 - I purchased this book because of a recommendation from the Ann Kullberg ezine. I found the book good for beginners by explaining the various pencils and papers, drawing tools, and studio space. It was also good for intermediate artists by explaining advanced techniques and and tips. But as usual I found I wanted more information. The color examples were excellent on showing a specific look and I enjoyed the author's easy to read style. - cedar pony
2009 - I have read so far is very helpful with my own colored pencil drawings. I am trying to establish my own technique and with Poulin's steps of applying color and textures I am able to. - C. S. Muzzeyon
2009 - PERFECT! A very comprehensive cataloguing of all you need to master colored pencils. Ideal for the beginner and intermediate, even advanced! - K. A. Piccoloon
2007 - There are very few people I look up to - you are one of those very few... - Gary G, Washington State
2006 - Excellent instruction - This is one of the excellent books on Colored Pencil fine art. I have read or used nearly a dozen of such books. The author gives a nice balance between skills/techniques and the fine art aspects to develop masterly paintings. The text is simple and easy to follow. The author being a portrait artist, the chapter on portraits is well written and valuable. The art work and the illustrations are very instructive.
I like the author not only exhibiting his own work, but a few selected paintings of well-known CP artists like Vera Curnow and Gary Greene. Another nice aspect is that the author does not endorse any particular brand of Colored pencils or support, thus commercialise book writing, as many authors do, but give sensible and technical suggestions. The book is a good buy for any serious CP artist. - Srinivasan Nenmeli Krishna 1998 - Bernard Poulin is a master in the medium of Colored Pencil. Whether you are beginning or advanced in the use of this new medium, you will find useful information. The work featured is breathtaking, and the information is straightforward and easy to follow. I highly recommend it. - By [email protected]
1998 - Excellent artwork in the book. Don't judge the artwork by the cover, or even the back. OPEN IT, the work gets better.
Don't let the title fool you either. The author/artist even says in his introduction that he is offering you a "...'GLIMPSE' into the versatile and vibrant medium..." He is basically wanting to show the reader that colored pencil can render high value artwork just as those created in oil. Just getting the recognition it deserves. So, that is where the artist/author is coming from. It is not a step by step book or how to draw book. He explains some techniques and gives alot of verbal information about each work presented in the book. He gives you things to think about when you start to approach your own projects, as would a college art instructor. But gives you the freedom to create your own and be an individual and expressive. Instead of step-by-step how to do the exact artwork in the book, he shows you how to do your own artwork, and inspires you to do so. Much of the work in the book is his, but he does show other artists work as examples as well. There are many subjects covered which is great. The best way to like this book and learn from it, is to really READ it and study it. He is guiding you, not holding your hand. So beginners, don't buy this book. - Melrose |