Customer Reviews
If You're Beginning, You Need This Book 
2007-10-16
"Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner," though not everything you are going to need, will probably be indispensible for your first steps in serious colored pencil drawing. Bet Borgeson gives the basics you have to have in color theory, composition, and how to keep your inspiration flowing. She also talks about the ins and outs of how to sell your wares and actually establish a career in the arts. So there is alot of good here.
I didn't find all that I wanted, though, to tell the truth. In addition to the composition and mood and so forth of a piece, I was hoping for some more prosaic advice on how to do things like make an apple look like an apple instead of a tomato, or a blueberry look like a blueberry instead of a grape. "Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner" was frustratingly short on topics like this, or what colors to belnd together to get flesh tones, or what colors to use to make convincing shadows, and so forth.
So you won't find everything in this book, but what book will give you everything anyway? In summary, it's pretty good for what it's intended for, and if you're a beginner, you're probably going to need it. Four stars.
I guess it depends on what you mean by serious 
2007-04-08
When she says serious... in the last few pages she tells you about becoming a full time artist, pros and cons kind of thing and options. She gives suggestions of places you can look into to show your work, but does not tell you how, just where to go. She does however say to go to the library to find out more or the internet. I guess most people don't know that, to me it is obvious. But hey, now you know and you didn't have to buy the book!
The artwork in the book sucks. It lacks depth and looks flat. Sure there is color, but it all seems to have the same pressure to it. Some may be better than others, buy my eyes don't want to look at it long. So, a tip that I know in becoming a serious artist is that if you actually want people to buy your work, you will want to create something that captures the attention of the viewer and keeps them there. The more they look at your work or the longer, the more likely they will buy it. The only one in there that looked pretty cool was the monopoly picture.
It's odd, she shows some basic examples of creating the illusion of 3D using tonal values from light to dark as well as discussing form, volume and space... but does not fully carry it through in her own work.
I just think if your going to learn from an artist, you would want to learn from someone who can give a good example. Why not learn it the right way the first time? There are too many other books that could do it better for ya. Check out books by Ann Kullberg, Janie Gildow, Gary Greene, Vera Curnow, or even Bernard Poulin. These artists have books for beginners and advanced, check them out and find the level best for you. They are better examples to follow. And if you want to start selling find a book strickly for that. Though Ann Kullberg, in "colored pencil portraits step-by-step has a section where she explains how she sells her portraits.
Are you kidding? 
2007-03-30
How did this artist ever get this published? The artwork in this book is so amateurish I did not even want to read what he/she had to say. I don't want my pieces to look like theirs. It looked like junior high artwork. The proportions of animals were totally incorrect, color wasn't eye catching, pieces looked like crayon drawings. This must be self published. I returned the book I didn't even care that I lost my shipping costs, I would never look at it or read it again.
Not for beginners 2007-02-06
I think this may be a fine book for more advanced artists. There was little help for true beginners,even"serious " ones. There was much philosophy and opionion, but little practical help.
THE book on Colored Pencil. 
2007-01-25
If you can only have one book on colored pencil, let it be this one. I had to buy another one when my professor saw it. It is another book that I read with pen and highlighter in hand. I couldn't just read it I had to study it.
The only book you need 2006-10-29
If you can only buy one book on the art and craft of colored pencil, buy this one! If you have a hundered books on art, I'd still say: you need this one! Bet Borgeson is well known for her intelligence, wit, humor, and her refusal to "talk down" to the reader or student. Page for page, there is more useful information in this book than in any other art book on my shelves -- and most of it is invaluable for artists working in any medium. From the basics of "getting started," to the philosophy of an artist's life, this book is jam-packed with useful and thought provoking information. Its richness and quality call to mind Richard Schmid's _Alla Prima_ or Rex vicat Cole's _ The Artistic Anatomy of Trees_, two of my other personal favorites. I love this book!
Beginner? 2005-08-12
Having worked with pastels and finding I didn't like them, I decided to explore colored pencil. I don't think I could have found a better book! However, the title although not misleading, but perhaps confusing. If you are a beginner, in the sense that you have never picked up a pencil and want to learn to draw, and think this book will show you, it won't. Put it on your wish list until you are ready for it, and check out some books on drawing. I like Betty Edwards and Lee Hammond. If you already have some drawing skill, even very basic, then this is a great book to get into the world of color. This book is more of a technique than a how-to. I've found it very inspiring. However, no matter how good a book is, nothing can replace art lessons from a good teacher. If you are truly a "serious beginner" sign up for a class and use this book as a supplement at home.
Focused on detail but not enough 2004-03-01
I think this book si god for people who already know about colored pencil. It is not for someone who is a beginner. Don'g be fooled and buy it thinking you will learn from the beginning.
Colored pencil book. 2003-02-20
The book is good, but I've found that this site will post your book review only if you choose "5 stars" in the drop-down menu.
Try to find a derogatory review anywhere on this site.
Knowledgible/Inspiring 2001-08-01
Even as a somewhat-experienced artist I found this book to be at just the perfect level. While basic for anyone new to colored pencil, the book is by no means simplistic. It is intelligently written, and well illustrated. After finishing it (which I found to be as difficult as putting down any good novel) I felt I'd found a new awareness about the medium. Since, I have been excitedly pursuing all Borgeson taught me through her wonderful book. Note: A special reading treat at the end is her own prespective/insight on being an artist, whether choosing to be amatuer or professional. I highly recommend this as a good A to Z study.
