Gardens have been a part of mankind’s story for millennia and their designs reflect the social, economic, spiritual and political cultures of the people who created them. They have served to produce food, provide places to meditate and pray, a place of intrigue with clandestine meetings and talk of political coups, or just a place of beauty and inspiration. Whatever their purpose, gardens reflect man’s relationship to his environment and his attempts to control nature or his acceptance and appreciation of the natural world.
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Recommended Resources
Video
- Monty Don’s French Gardens
In this series of videos, host and writer Monty Don, visits gardens around France. The gardens are filmed in their present-day state with discussions of their former appearance, origins, features and history.
- Monty Don’s Italian Gardens
Monty Don tours gardens around Italy, including gardens influenced by the power in Rome while also exploring the differences between the gardens in the north and gardens in the south.
Books
- Paradise Gardens: The world's most beautiful Islamic gardens
Written by Monty Don, this beautiful book explores the symbolism and design of Islamic gardens and their far reaching influence on garden design around the world.
- The History of Landscape Design in 100 Gardens
Written by Linda A. Chisholm, this book is a well organized and detailed look at the factors that shaped garden design around the world and throughout history.
Art Resources
- Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter (James Gurney Art)
This book was written by the creator of Dinotopia, James Gurney. While written for traditional art mediums the principles explained in this book applies to all art mediums including digital.
- Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist (James Gurney Art)
Also written by James Gurney, this books title almost says it all. It's a guide for creating believable worlds and characters.
- Pro Edu
A curated and professionally produced collection of tutorials for professional photographers, composite artists and retouchers. They offer a subscription service or individual tutorials.
Harvard Extension School Digital Media Capstone Project Spring 2019