Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer Hardcover-spiral – Download: Adobe Reader, April 18, 2013

Really love the spiral format so I can lay it down, open and it stays that way while I am painting. Lots of great ideas and techniques for a new art form. Really great photos and information. Well done!

There is a new book in town: Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer by Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard. This is a book that every artist who either uses or wants to use acrylics should own. And it won't be for your book shelves because this book is likely to actually be used.There are a lot of books available these days to choose from but my sense is that this one will become a classic. It contains easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions so that you not only learn about product and technique...but you can quickly apply the material to your own artistic practice.Of the many tutorials, my favorites include mixing and working with glazes, creating a good foundation, using mediums to create texture, using transparent images, and developing complexity (which itself is 26 pages). I am also thrilled to be a contributor to this book, with one of my own paintings included in a small gallery section at the end of the book.Both Julie and Chris each take you through the process of creating their own artwork, following along step-by-step as they introduce new materials and techniques. Happily, this book is hard back and spiral bound so it can lay open flat when you are referring to it. It includes beautiful images throughout of artwork from both of these talented artists. While beginners will easily be able to follow the instructions, this book would also truly benefit the more seasoned artist as well. It is a keeper!

It is great to see a book that explain how to use the GOLDEN Acrylic mediums. They have beautiful pictures of step by step process and list the MATERIALS at the beginning of each demonstration, so you know what you need and how they use them. Their abstract paintings are beautiful and outstanding. It makes me want to do some of those projects and finally develop some new projects of my own using their techniques and GOLDEN materials I have used the Fluid Acrylic and OPEN Acrylic and some of their different soft gel medium, etc. I am a visual person and their pictures are big and clear. Not only can I read their steps on how they applied the colors and different medium, but I can clearly see the detail and study their compositions and techniques.

I ADORE this book. I will warn you that if you are looking for step-by-step "copy me" type instruction you WILL NOT get it here. Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen do not want you to learn how to make their art - they want you to acquire skills so you can make your OWN art! This is a MUST HAVE for anyone that works with acrylic paint, collage or mixed media.The books itself is spiral bound (genius) so it will lay flat while you work with it. The photography is STUNNING, the layout is clean and easy to navigate, the instructions are clear and concise and the examples of artwork are inspiration for your soul.I learned more with this book than I have in countless other books and online workshops combined. Speaking of online workshops, if you would like to practice these techniques with the authors, check out http://thelandoflostluggage.ning.com/ - you will find the BEST online courses on the internet. All of the courses are created with high quality videos and projects that will stretch your imagination and your abilities. PLUS, even if the class is a self-paced course, Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen are there to respond to your questions and help you with any trouble you may have with your artwork.BUY THIS BOOK - it will be the BEST investment in your creative life that you can make!

I have always avoided acrylics in favor of watercolors, which I thought had so much more depth and subtlety, so this book was mind-altering. By using layers of textures and glazes, they achieve a wonderful, mystical look that is also very do-able... no drawing skills needed, and only a very limited number of products. I am currently reaching the last chapter, and I don't want it to end. My next step will be to search my house for a magnifying glass so I can really examine the illustrations up close. I wish every one of them came with a step-by-step "how to".BTW, I love seeing specific names of specific products because there are so many subtle differences between gels and mediums and grounds, choosing the wrong one can be quite disastrous. As a previous reviewer said, the same concepts apply no matter what products you use. Also, you might want to know, I bought this book together with  Acrylic Revolution: New Tricks and Techniques for Working with the World's Most Versatile Medium  and it was a good combination: that book for 100 very specific techniques, and this book for a massive dose of inspiration. If I had to choose one, I would choose this one.

A great book...Chris Cozen has a myriad of ideas that she and the co-author explain and demonstrate excellently. I have lots of art how to books...this is probably the best acrylic book I have. At first glance it seems repetitive, until you read why it is laid out the way it is. It is a layered learning style; you are shown a finished project, then a chapter is devoted to a layer, and later in the book, the same project is shown and you learn how to create the next layer, and the next..very handy to see it laid out so simply and effectively. I even took a highlighter pen and marked out the key points in each area for super fast reference.I have a previous book by Ms Cozen, that too was a great visual feast, however this really gets down to the how to and also gives ideas for other ways to proceed. Excellent, fun, easy to read and understand, inspiring one to get out the paints and go for it. I wish many more how-to books were this enjoyable.

This book is amazing! Everything you need to know about using acrylics and other mixed media. My issue was with the used book seller.Absolutely terrible condition for the price! I paid for the most expensive option thinking it would be like new (as advertised). More than half the binding was missing. Not impressed.

Well explained techniques, great photographs

A bagful of transformative techniques and a tonne of practical advice. I can't wait to get out my art supplies. Thanks ladies!

Una guida molto esaustiva e davvero invitante a provare le varie tecniche, dal creare la propria palette al mixed media art. Unica pecca forse l'esclusivo uso dei colori Golden che non sempre sono facilmente reperibili.

Bastantes técnicas y muy bien explicadas. Faltan algunas, tales como la utilización de diferentes médios cuyos aglutinantes no se mezclan entre sí y que proporcionan buenos efectos.