Book structures

Lesson 5

Art book structures
I studied the structure of some art books because I got stuck on this section and needed to figure out what structure is.

Most of the books on plein air painting or painting on location are divided into 2 main parts which go from basic to complex. The first part generally covers painting theory basically how to look and translate what you see. The second part generally covers various locations where the artists shows how he chooses the subject,  designs the painting, and his technique in painting with his media of choice. Most how to books just cover 1 basic painting media such as acrylic, oil, pastels, watercolor.

"The Art of Urban Sketching" by Campanario and "An Illustrated life" by Danny Gregory was divided into chapters by artist. So category by artist

Painting Indiana books by the Indiana Plein Air Association Inc appear to be organized by location of painting. So category by location. (I think it would be neat if our club could do that. Then we could have editions signed by the participating artists either on their page or inside the front cover which may then be considered collectibles?)

"One drawing a day" by Veronica Lawlor. Category by combined painting/sketching subject & technique with techniques going from simple to more complex.

"The Tao of Watercolor" by Jeanne Carbonetti" is organized by category. Each chapter starts with Tao Thought Theme which is then followed by a technique then demo. (I like the thought theme approach as I think painting on location is as much a state of mind as the physical process. Perhaps I could use pertinent quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I already know that I need pictures.)

Also a side note. All these books are different sizes; 8.5" x 9"tall, 10" x 8" tall, 8.25"x11.25" tall, 10.75"x 8.375"tall, 11.375x 8.75" tall. According to http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/09/self-publishing-basics-how-to-pick-the-size-of-your-book/ ," Photography or art book don't conform to any particular size." However I think odd and larger sizes will be more expensive to produce. He says most self publishers use 5.5" x 8.5"tall or 6" x 9". The commons sizes across the 3 POD printers he used as examples are 6" x 9"tall and 8"x10" tall.

Thoughts on the various structures for my book
Logical sequence: I think there is an overall logical sequence, Why paint on location? how to paint on location?

Basic to complex: General definitions and thoughts to more specific details and actions

Category: Before I started researching my categories were: What is painting on location? History, Why paint on location? How to get started? What to bring? Where to paint? However I think they make better sense in a more logical order.

Two Part: Identify the problem such as "Fear of painting on location", then show how they can solve the problem

Chronological: If I was writing a memoir of how I began painting I could follow this format but this is not a memoir.

Storytelling: Perhaps could use these techniques to tell anecdotes but I don't think I've seen this structure in any of the books I've researched. This is not going to be the structure of my book.

Combined Structure: Probably will combine Logical Sequence, Basic to Complex, Category and two part for my book.