Carlson wrote this book around 1928 and it is still the "wisest" guide to landscape. He wrote with vivid clear explanations. He increases your "seeing nature" awarenesses. This book is one you will read over and over..... even when you have a few minutes at the breakfast table. It's a must! If I need explanation of a problem I'm having when I'm painting plein aire, I go to Carlson's Guide.

Carlson was a landscape "verist" who painted what he saw with "feel". He's emphasizes the mechanics of painting using angles, values, and design of patterns. Aerial perspective, color, trees, clouds and composition. My copy is highlighted with yellow and magenta marker so I can return quickly to topics I need to reread.

My only suggestion I might have for the publisher would be to add "color" to the illustrations and examples of Carlon's work. We all love "colored pictures"

I am surprised having read many of the reviews that this instruction book didn't work for me. It was heavy on copy and light of illustration. Unless you plan to paint in shades of grey this is probably not for you.

I agree that this is an essential "how-to" guide for landscape painters. I particularly liked his sections on the four planes of the landscape and on aerial perspective. The chapter on linear perspective is helpful because it addresses common linear perspective problems in landscape painting. It would be wonderful if a publisher would add color reproductions of modern painters to illustrate Carlson's ideas, but don't get put off by the lack of color pictures. This is solid advice in painting technique.

Only B/W repoductions, a bummer. Author's writing style, wordy.
After wading through the text, the basic gems are still there. Good techniques/tips/tricks for oil painting.

I am only half way through this book but am so glad my teacher recommended it. I have to read some of the lessons two or three times to be sure I understand all the fine points, and I am reading it very slowly.

When I finish, I'll go back and highlight passages for reference when I encounter a problem.

Very well written.