Notes for a Young Painter

by Hiram Williams

Discusses the nature of art, the painter and society, inspiration, style, the philosophy of modern painting, the picture plane, color and medium, creativity, and modern artists

Genres: Art

190 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1984

Reviews

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a primer on thinking about thinking about painting. It is heavily influenced by the day and age it was written in, but still has a great deal of good things to recommend it. I was lucky enough to have gotten a used copy that had notes in the margin written by some very thoughtful painter who questioned many of Hiram's ideas and highlighted some of the best phrases. It was sort of a guided tour. I forsee having to reread this when next in a painting class, and will be holding on to it definitely.

[Ian Duvenhage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gift from Margaret Tolbert who was a student of Williams. A very good book; not on technique but on what it takes to be an original artist. Not always easy to read but highly insightful.

[Artemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars baby!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This seems to be forgotten gem of a book is a killer. The amount of information this not so long book beholds is incredible.
First of all, why I have to give this book 5 stars is because of how genuinely in tune the author is with an essence of artistic success. It communicates on a very clear manner to understand yet you have to re read some sentences just so you can memorize the amazing material. I was blown away by the authors selection of artists and the break down of everything that is art and the artist. Books written with so much conductivity are super rare. Not every author is able to talk about Francis Bacon for example, and break down his art work and the artists biography into understandable puzzle pieces which make sense of artists success.
If you get a copy of this book and you’re an artist, don’t hesitate looking through it, and read it because it’s beneficial not only to painters but to all visual artists.


I’m gifting a copy of this book to my great artist friend, who’s going to appreciate the gold that this book beholds!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite dense, but in very short chunks which was welcome on the bus or train! Topics ranged from brushes and discussions of form to art students and art philosophy. A little outdated in today's day and age, but useful to provide insight into the concerns of early postmodernists and modernists. All in all, a good read.

[Rainbow · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there are things in this book that I don't agree with personally (that artists can't handle the administrative side of selling one's art and running a business day to day), I do think this a brief but deeply philosophical book with a timeless relevance