Prebles' Artforms: An Introduction to the Visual Arts, 10th Edition

by Patrick L. Frank

Prebles’ Artforms continues to lead the field with its steadfast focus on contemporary art, global artists, and cutting edge technology for the art appreciation classroom. We form Art. Art forms us. The title of this book has a dual meaning. Besides the expected discussion of the various forms of art, the title also reflects the fact that art does indeed help to form us as people. As we create forms, we are in turn formed by what we have created. Several years ago, the title was changed to Prebles’ Artforms , acknowledging the pioneering contribution of the original authors, Duane and Sarah Preble, to the study of art. Their vision and spirit have touched hundreds of thousands of students who have studied this book. Artforms grew out of a desire to introduce art through an engaging visual experience, and to expose students to a culturally diverse canon of work. It is written and designed to help readers build an informed foundation for individual understanding and enjoyment of art. By introducing art theory, practice, and history in a single volume, this book aims to draw students into a new or expanded awareness of the visual arts. Beyond fostering appreciation of major works of art, this book’s primary concern is to open students’ eyes and minds to the richness of the visual arts as unique forms of human communication and to convey the idea that the arts enrich life best when we experience, understand, and enjoy them as integral parts of the process of living.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Reference, Art History, College

489 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the e-textbook choice for my Art Appreciation class. I loved the abundance of color illustrations & the conversational style, which made it an enjoyable read. It was super easy to use. I appreciated that my professor could underline the parts that redeemed of highest importance and searching was a doddle. My experience has made me a convert to e-texts, which is just as well, as the college I am enrolled with has gone the route of almost exclusively e-texts, and they are included in the price of my tuition.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently reading this book for my college Art Class. I didn't know what my Art class was going to be about, but this book is fascinating and breaks everything down simply. I knew nothing about some of the artists and works in this book and have actually taken a liking to some of the work. I highly recommend this book to any beginner in college art class or if you just like art.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book in why art is important and everything in between. This book has a WEALTH of information on art, what makes art, the history of art and its cultures (this was personally my favorite part), how art influenced, and the artists themselves. I learned a lot about not only the religious influence of art through many cultures, but also all the chronological time periods of the eras, and the art surrounding those periods. The reason why I gave it a three start because I had to admit it has so much information it tends to get mundane. So I did skim on the parts I knew like the medias used in art, and went to the history and the time periods. By the way there is AMAZING art pictures in this book!

[Allison P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great introduction to art. Used in Art Appreciation classes for good reason. I have much more appreciation for even more aspects of art than I had ever considered before.

[Joy Braker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gave an excellent overview of the art process and art styles.

[Melinda Hollyfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be very helpful in learning basic elements and a brief history of art.

[Tarek Megahed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very strangely intriguing even for people who aren't majoring in Visual Arts. The way it moves from one topic to another, one historical era to another, and most importantly from one form of art to another is very swift and easy.
There's a bit of a positive bias towards literally all art movements mentioned, which may be a good thing or a bad thing but it seemed like the writers had absolutely no negative view on any historical art movements, they do provide counterarguments by critics at the time but when giving an opinion on any given movement it's something along the lines of "impressive; creative; groundbreaking; cutting edge" despite a lot of these movements being rather lame and not as significant as advertised in the book, at least in my very humble biased opinion. That doesn't mean that there are any factual inaccuracies, the opposite really; everything seems revised and thought out well. At the end of the day, art is subjective and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
For a book that's full of chronological historical anecdotes and art theory and jargon, it is rather surprising that the book is not in the least boring at all. I've enjoyed every bit of it.

[Ruby Solomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prebles Artforms

This summer I took a Cuesta class titled “Art Appreciation” which translates to AP Art History at the High School. I traveled to Paris, France this summer shortly after the class ended and I couldn’t be more grateful to have taken this class. The textbook chosen by the teacher was very well written and easy to follow, containing accurate facts and excellent information for the most part. Occasionally the professor would offer new resources for certain chapters in Prebles Artforms that she didn’t seem to find accurate. I found her adjustments to be qualified for certain chapters that were harder to follow or outdated in accuracy of facts. Overall, this was a textbook so I cant say it was the most enjoyable to read but I found it well written and helpful for the class.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for taking the CSET for Art. This was by far the most comprehensive and helpful book for studying for my test. The things that I read about were on the test and I felt it was thorough enough to give me a real understanding about the fundimentals of art, the artists and art movements I was studying about.

[Lynette Ledoux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the Art Appreciate class this summer. This is a pretty good book, puts things in perspective. I sill do not appreciate Postwar Modern art, and the things the authors write to try to validate that art is ridiculous (did they actually read what they wrote).

Otherwise well put together.

[Artlab]

Design

[Stephanie]

Patrick Frank taught my first art history class, using this text.

[Molli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an interesting book if you enjoy art...The text is a little boring, but it's a textbook, so what can you expect?

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

a collection of artwork with explanations and ideals, part of the required texts of students

[Hag]

Read the majority of it for a college class. But hey, I still think it counts even if was mandatory. ;)

[Louis Lestat 1334 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in college. Learned a lot in class using this book. Good read all the way though the book. Great work Duane Preble.

[Hasan Lamaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a good a introduction to visual arts , I think it would be more helpful if used in a course or class though , rather than reading it alone.

[سعيد الوائلي Said Alwaili · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book to have a basic foundation about art in general. Last semester, I took art because it was one of my elective subjects and I really enjoyed it.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a text book.

[Heather Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for college, but this this would be a great read for anyone wanting to introduce themselves to art, to gain an appreciation that reaches beyond gut instinct like or dislike.

[Schonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art 101 Fall 2016

[Nancy Waggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

For art appreciation.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

textbook was ok