Art & Photography Books

Book SynopsisJust Draw Botanicals offers creative painting tips and accessible advice, providing both practical information and inspiration.Table of ContentsFlipping through this book Visual index Why botanical? The artworks Botanical fundamentals Materials Further resources Artist index Index Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisErnst Haeckel (1834–1919) was a German-born biologist, naturalist, evolutionist, artist, philosopher, and doctor who spent his life researching flora and fauna from the highest mountaintops to the deepest ocean. A vociferous supporter and developer of Darwin’s theories of evolution, he denounced religious dogma, authored philosophical treatises, gained a doctorate in zoology, and coined scientific terms which have passed into common usage, including ecology, phylum, and stem cell. At the heart of Haeckel’s colossal legacy was the motivation not only to discover but also to explain. To do this, he created hundreds of detailed drawings, watercolors, and sketches of his findings which he published in successive volumes, including several marine organism collections and the majestic Kunstformen der Natur (Art Forms in Nature), which could serve as the cornerstone of Haeckel’s entire life project. Like a meticulous visual encyclopedia of living things, Haeckel’s work was as remarkable for its graphic precision and meticulous shading as for its understanding of organic evolution. From bats to the box jellyfish, lizards to lichen, and spider legs to sea anemones, Haeckel emphasized the essential symmetries and order of nature, and found biological beauty in even the most unlikely of creatures. In this book, we celebrate the scientific, artistic, and environmental importance of Haeckel’s work, with a collection of 300 of his finest prints from several of his most important tomes, including Die Radiolarien, Monographie der Medusen, Die Kalkschwämme, and Kunstformen der Natur. At a time when biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities, the book is at once a visual masterwork, an underwater exploration, and a vivid reminder of the precious variety of life.Trade Review“…as energetic and colorful as Haeckel’s life. It’s scientific eye candy that feels as fresh as Haeckel’s groundbreaking biological art must have seemed more than a century ago.” * The Washington Post *“A dazzling graphic work... One is left astounded by these mesmerizing wonders.” * Le Monde *

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Book SynopsisDiscover empowering self-love wisdom from the internet''s beloved mushroom frog in this beautiful deck of 52 affirmation cardsI am as worthy of my dreams as anyone else!The little frog is here! This adorable amphibian has all the words you ever needed to hear to help your self-love flourish. Whether you''re looking for gentle pearls of wisdom for hard days, or encouraging affirmations to help heal your inner child, this deck of cards is overflowing with beautiful reminders that you deserve to treat yourself with love and care.Created by the California-based artist Maybell Eequay, this thoughtful deck of cards is a perfect compassionate gift for yourself or others. Inside you will find:- 52 cards, each one featuring a loving affirmation and a hand-drawn illustration of the little frog- A high-quality wooden stand to display the cards in your home- A thoughtful booklet with self-care adviceAllow the words of the little frog to kindle

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Book SynopsisThis charming collection from popular pattern designer and illustrator, Clare Therese Gray, makes relaxing with watercolour an absolute breeze. Readers will leave their stresses behind for the allure of cosy cottages, woodland creatures and forest flora - all pre-drawn and ready to be brought to life with paint. Adult colouring books are an amazing way to unwind, and Clare's lovely art provides the perfect opportunity to get lost amidst peaceful woods and friendly critters, even if you've never held a paintbrush. An easy-to-follow primer on basic watercolor technique precedes 30 adorable illustrations, ensuring anyone can enjoy a soothing, creative activity, regardless of their drawing experience. Between tranquil tones, lovely scenes and the inherent calm of paint flowing across paper, each project will provide readers with a clear mind and effortless, forest-inspired masterpiece! This book will include 30 painting projects.

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Book SynopsisMore than any other piece of furniture, the chair has been subjected to the wildest dreams of the designer. The particular curve of a backrest, or the twist of a leg, the angle of a seat or the color of the entire artifact; each element reflects the stylistic consciousness of an era. From Gerrit Rietveld and Alvar Aalto to Verner Panton and Eva Zeisel, from Art Nouveau to International Style, from Pop Art to Postmodernism, the history of the chair is so complex that it requires a comprehensive encyclopedic work to do it full justice. They are all here: Thonet’s bentwood chairs and Hoffmann’s sitting-machines, Marcel Breuer’s Wassily chair and Ron Arad’s avant-garde armchairs. Early designers and pioneers of the modern chair are presented alongside the most recent innovations in seating. This dedicated compendium displays each chair as pure form, along with biographical and historical information about the pieces and their designers. An illuminating tome for design aficionados and an essential reference for collectors.Trade Review“The ultimate reference book for anyone interested in knowing the what, where, who, why and how of the most iconic chairs from the last two centuries.” * Red Magazine *

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Book Synopsis52 Assignments: Street Photography is a guide to putting the creativity back into your photography. It is filled with prompts and projects, nudges and sparks, innovations and inspirations, to help you kick your photographic habits, step out of your comfort zone and add the creativity and character that is the essential feature of professional street photography. The book features 52 colour-coded commissions and concepts with alternative ideas for composing, creating and printing eye-catching images from the street. You will discover different ways of approaching your subjects; challenges and games that add a level of mischief and play to your work; ideas for using maps, books and signs to unleash your creativity; lists of the best festivals and events to attend; prompts for alternative subjects and themes; guides to removing clichés from your work; radical techniques for pushing your camera beyond its limits or using alternative cameras; and examples from historic masters; along with ideas for innovative approaches to processing and printing. The rest of the journal's pages are styled for you to add your own thoughts, technical specifications, quotes and sketches, creating a record of your own 52 photographic assignments. These may be completed weekend by weekend over the course of a year, or dipped into every time you need to bring a new concept or creative approach to your street photography. AUTHOR: Brian Lloyd Duckett is the Principal and Course Tutor at Streetsnappers, a specialist in street photography workshops across Europe. A highly successful commercial and editorial photographer, he teaches as a Visiting Lecturer on photography degree courses. He has worked for many leading newspapers and commercial organizations, but his hobby and passion is street photography. He is the author of Mastering Street Photography (Ammonite Press). SALES POINTS: . 52 assignments to spark new life and creativity in to one's photography . Innovative and inspiring concepts and projects for taking digital, phone, or film camera onto the streets . Includes space for the owner's personal notes and technical records 90 colour photographs and 10 illustrations

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Book SynopsisThe essential studio companion for any potter with a broad range of glaze recipes and clay bodies. The Handbook of Glaze Recipes is an essential studio companion for any potter. Covering a comprehensive range of glazes including porcelain, crystalline and raku as well as stoneware and earthenware, each recipe is illustrated with a useful test tile to demonstrate the effects of opaque, matte and transparent glazes on different clays and at varying temperatures, and numbered for ease of reference. The book also introduces you to the basics of mixing, applying and adjusting glazes, and correcting typical glaze faults and includes many clay body recipes, including a variety of ones for porcelain, wood firing and even Egyptian paste. Compiled by studio potter and glaze expert Linda Bloomfield, and based on meticulously recorded tests and research from a large assortment of established ceramic artists, this book is a must-have resource if you wish to experiment or expand your glazes and clay bodies.Trade ReviewThis is a book which I know I'm going to use. Her satin glazes are particularly appealing, and there are sections on the more experimental aspects ... I feel inspired by this book and I hope others will too. -- Mary Cousins * Shards *If there is a classic among the publications on ceramic techniques, it is undoubtedly this recipe book -- Wladimir Vivas * Infoceramica (Bloomsbury translation) *Table of ContentsIntroduction Glaze materials Glaze temperatures Mixing and applying glazes Adjusting glazes and correcting glaze faults Low-fire glaze recipes Mid-fire glaze recipes High-fire glaze recipes Special glaze recipes Clay body recipes Appendices

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Book SynopsisA must-have resource for graphite and charcoal artists of all skill levels, 101 Textures in Graphite & Charcoal is the artist's definitive art book. Accurately rendering surfaces and textures is one of the most challenging aspects of working with graphite pencil and charcoal. 101 Textures in Graphite & Charcoal provides artists with step-by-step instructions for learning how to draw a wide variety of the most common textures and surfaces, including sand, water, metals, foliage, wood, fabrics, stone, grass, hair, and many more. Opening with a general introduction to basic drawing tools, materials, and drawing techniques, each page in this comprehensive resource features two to three easy-to-follow steps demonstrating how to create each specific texture. Readers will discover tips and techniques for working in both graphite and charcoal and how to manage their differences when hatching, stippling, scumbling, blending, and more. With its breadth of coverage, easy-to-follow instruction, and helpful tips, 101 Textures in Graphite & Charcoal is a must-have resource for artists of all skill levels.

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of one woman's journey from amateur painter to botanical artist, told through the sketchbooks and paintings she produced for the Distance Learning Diploma Course run by the Society of Botanical Artists. Packed with advice and tips, this book will serve as a guide and inspiration to anyone wanting to embark on life as a botanical artist. This book is both a showcase of Mary Ann Scott's work and a record of her achievements, including first-hand accounts of the joys and challenges she faced as she progressed. It contains work from every assignment she undertook, from her first attempts at drawing a tulip to the triumphant paintings she made for her diploma portfolio. Along the way are delicate floral compositions, juicy fruit and vegetables, botanical dissections, and her adventures out in the field. Margaret Stevens's comments on each assignments are also included, giving an insight into the assessment process and an all-round view of Mary Ann's successes and (very rare) failures. The book ends with a glorious selection of Mary Ann's ongoing work as a botanical artist.

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, luxurious Flame Tree Notebook. Combining high-quality production with magnificent fine art, the crafted covers are printed on foil, embossed then foil stamped. And theyâre powerfully practical: a pocket at the back for receipts and scraps, two bookmark ribbons and a magnetic side flap. Art by Gustav Klimt.

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Book SynopsisA collection that includes two core North Light watercolour guides showing readers the basics. It clarifies and simplifies various aspects of painting with watercolours while at the same challenging artists with different possibilities.

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Book SynopsisBeth Moon''s fourteen-year quest to photograph ancient trees has taken her across the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Some of her subjects grow in isolation, on remote mountainsides, private estates, or nature preserves; others maintain a proud, though often precarious, existence in the midst of civilization. All, however, share a mysterious beauty perfected by age and the power to connect us to a sense of time and nature much greater than ourselves. It is this beauty, and this power, that Moon captures in her remarkable photographs.This handsome volume presents nearly seventy of Moon''s finest tree portraits as full-page duotone plates. The pictured trees include the tangled, hollow-trunked yews - some more than a thousand years old - that grow in English churchyards; the baobabs of Madagascar, called ''upside-down trees'' because of the curious disproportion of their giant trunks and modest branches; and the fantastical dragon''s-blood trees, red-sapped and umbrella-shaped, that grow only on the island of Socotra, off the Horn of Africa.Moon''s narrative captions describe the natural and cultural history of each individual tree, while Todd Forrest, vice president for horticulture and living collections at The New York Botanical Garden, provides a concise introduction to the biology and preservation of ancient trees. An essay by the critic Steven Brown defines Moon''s unique place in a tradition of tree photography extending from William Henry Fox Talbot to Sally Mann, and explores the challenges and potential of the tree as a subject for art.Trade Review“Beth Moon’s stunning images capture the power and mystery of the world’s remaining ancient trees… Beth’s portraits will surely inspire many to help those working to save these magnificent trees.” - Dr. Jane Goodall“Moon wields time as a tool. She typically photographs a tree over many sessions, ideally over several days... The platinum lends a luminous quality to the leaves—an echo of their function, to eat sunlight—and a leaden, indestructible weight to the trunks.” - Robert Moor, Sierra“Showcases towering redwoods, broccoli-shaped baobabs and gnarled trunks growing out of ancient temples.” - The Wall Street Journal“Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time is well named. One cannot look at Beth Moon's images of gnarled, overgrown trees and not feel the intrinsic gravity of time.” - Printers Row Journal, Chicago Tribune“In our age of mass species extinctions, we never know from where, if anywhere, consolation may come. Try looking at Beth Moon's new book, Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time.” - San Francisco Chronicle“Full of strangest and most magnificent trees ever.” - The Telegraph“[Moon] creates magical images that in their blacks and whites, silvers and grays, capture the marvel of arboreal forms and textures… [a] jewel of a book.” - Booklist, Starred Review“Trees are notoriously hard to photograph, but Moon captures their individuality with reverent portrayal. . . these are lavish, awe-inspiring pictures. . . Crossing with ease between realms of natural history and art, this will appeal to all with even the mildest horticultural or photographic interests.” - Library Journal“A project with weight and lasting beauty. . . Ancient Trees provides the kind of thorough and thoughtful portrait that each of these majestic long-lived survivors deserves.” - Christian Science MonitorBeth Moon will be in the upcoming HBO documentary "Trees & Other Entanglements" which premieres on 12/12/23 in the USA. - HBO on YouTube trailerTable of ContentsIntroduction Beth Moon 7 Adapted to Endure: The Form and Function of Ancient Trees Todd Forrest 9 Plates Great Britain 17 United States 42 Israel 54 Socotra 56 Southern Africa 63 Cambodia 76 Captions 80 Eternity in Present Tense: Beth Moon and the Art of the Tree Steven Brown 97 Acknowledgements 101 Index of Trees 103

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Book SynopsisA one-stop resource for all design professionals, providing comprehensive, accurate information about the basic materials with which they work daily, as well as a complete breakdown of exciting new developments in high-tech materials.Trade Review'Extremely well researched. Great care has been taken to ensure that it not only covers the basics, but also the very latest applications … Excellent photographs […] bring the text to life' - Materials WorldTable of ContentsHow to use this book * Introduction 1 METAL Ferrous Metal: Cast Iron • Steel Non-Ferrous Metal: Aluminium • Magnesium • Titanium • Copper • Brass • Bronze and Nickel Silver • Zinc Precious Metal: Silver, Gold 2 PLASTIC Thermoplastic: Polypropylene (PP) • Polyethylene (PE) • Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) • Acid Copolymers and Ionomers • Polystyrene (PS) • Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN) and Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile (ASA) • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) • Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Polyester • Polyamide (PA) • Nylon • Polymethyl Methacrylate(PMMA) Acrylic • Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Acrylic Fibre • Polyoxymethylene (POM) Acetal • Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) • Fluoropolymer • Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Thermoset: Polyurethane (PU) • Polysiloxane • Silicone • Synthetic Rubber Formaldehyde-Based: Melamine (MF) • Phenolic (PF) and Urea (UF) • Unsaturated Polyester (UP) Resin • Polyepoxide • Epoxy Resin Super Fibre: Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) • Aromatic Polyamide • Aramid • Polyphenylene Benzobisthiazole (PBO) Bio-Derived: Natural Rubber and Latex • Cellulose Acetate (CA) and Viscose • Starch Plastic • Polylactic Acid (PLA) 3 WOOD Wood Products: Wood Pulp • Paper and Board • Bark • Cork • Veneer • Engineered Timber Softwood: Spruce • Fir and Pine • Hemlock • Larch • Douglas-Fir • Cypress Family Hardwood: Poplar • Aspen and Cottonwood • Willow • Maple • Birch • Beech • Oak • Chestnut • Walnut • Hickory and Pecan • Ash • Elm • Cherry • Apple and Pear Tropical Hardwood: Acacia • Iroko • Teak • Mahogany Family • Exotics • Balsa 4 PLANT Stem and Leaf: Rattan • Bamboo • Grass • Rush and Sedge • Leaf Fibres Bast Fibre: Flax • Linen • Jute and Kenaf • Hemp • Ramie Seed Fibre: Cotton • Coconut Coir 5 ANIMAL Animal Fibres: Silk • Wool • Hair Bone and Horn: Horn • Bone • Antler Leather and Fur: Cowhide • Sheepskin and Goatskin • Pigskin • Horsehide • Deerskin and Kangaroo Hide • Exotics • Fur 6 MINERAL Rock: Stone • Diamond and Corundum Ceramic: Clay • Plaster • Cement • Technical Ceramic Glass: Soda-Lime Glass • Lead Glass • High-Performance Glass Directory • Glossary and Abbreviations • Featured Designers, Artists and Manufacturers • Selected Bibliography • Illustration Credits • Sources • Index

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Book SynopsisThis publication, together with the exhibition it accompanies, presents the largest ever survey of work by Vanessa Bell (18791961). Described in 1923 as ''the most important woman painter in Europe'', Bell was a pioneering modernist and founding member of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of influential English artists, writers and intellectuals in the first half of the twentieth century.The book traces Bell''s explorations into the Italian Renaissance, her encounters with the European avant-garde, including Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, and her leading role in social and cultural activities such as the Friday Club, a group of artists founded in 1905, as well as the design enterprise Omega Workshops. It also looks at the key contributions Bell made towards the development of abstract art, creating what friend and art critic Roger Fry described as ''visual music''.Collaborations formed an essential part of Bell''s approach to art, including with her sis

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Book SynopsisFeatures the paintings and other artworks of an artist who is one of the most prolific and successful artists of the Golden Age Illustration, and captivated audiences throughout the first half of the twentieth century.

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Book SynopsisResisting interpretation or classification, Mark Rothko (1903–1970) was a prominent advocate for the artist’s consummate freedom of expression. Although identified as a key protagonist of the Abstract Expressionist movement, first formed in New York City, Rothko rejected the label and insisted instead on “a consummated experience between picture and onlooker.” Following a repertoire of figurative works, Rothko developed his now iconic canvases of bold color blocks in red, yellow, ochre, maroon, black, or green. With these shimmering, pulsating color masses, Rothko stressed that he had not removed the human figure but rather put symbols or shapes in its place. These intense color forms contained all the tragedy of the human condition. At the same time, Rothko explicitly empowered the viewer in the expressive potential of his work. He believed “A picture lives by companionship, expanding and quickening in the eyes of the sensitive observer.” From his early development through to his most famous color fields, this book introduces the intellect and influence of Rothko’s dramatic, intimate, and revolutionary work.

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Book SynopsisExploring London's prettiest and calmest spaces - from the Instagram sensation @prettycitylondon

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Book SynopsisWhether you’re the photographer behind the camera or the model in front of the lens, chances are you could use some help with posing, which is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to portrait photography. POSE! provides the knowledge and the inspiration you need to make your next photo shoot a success.With over 1,000 different looks for you to recreate and experiment with, the book covers a wide range of poses and subject matter in an easily accessible and visually dynamic layout. Photographer and author Mehmet Eygi demonstrates exactly how to get the right pose—from hand and leg placement, to a subtle tilt of the chin, to engaging with props and the environment around you.Each pose covered consists of a main pose followed by three variations on that pose. Organized by subject matter, POSE! covers: WOMEN: Portrait, Beauty, Fashion, Lingerie, Implied Nude, Curvy, Curvy Boudoir, Sports, Business, Wall MEN: Portrait, Fashion, Implied Nude, Sports, Business, Wall COUPLES: Portrait, Fashion, Implied Nude, Sports MATERNITY: Mother, Couple FAMILY: Parents and Baby, New Family, Children Whether you use POSE! as an educational tool to explore the art of posing, or you simply use it as a look-book to find photographic inspiration or to help you direct a model, you’ll quickly improve your portrait photography starting with your very next shoot.

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Book SynopsisWhat is it about the characters we see in our favorite books, animated films, and games that make us laugh, cry, and respond to them? How do character designers develop ideas that are unique, memorable, and captivate us as an audience? This book answers these questions and more, taking a comprehensive, visual, and analytical approach to discover just what it is that makes a character appealing. Understand key principles like shape language, proportion, and exaggeration, and learn from talented professionals who share industry secrets for getting the most out of anatomy, gesture, expression, and costume. Uncover ways to convey relationships and interaction between multiple characters, and how narrative fuels authentic and engaging characterization. With hundreds of lively illustrations to inspire and study, and tricks of the trade from celebrated artists, this thorough and insightful volume is an essential library addition for anyone interested in character design.

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Book SynopsisBrighton folk and Brighton places. People-watching, for sport.

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Book SynopsisGold Medal, 2016 Foreword INDIES Book AwardsThe ultimate guide to nature drawing and journaling!A potent combination of art, science, and boundless enthusiasm, this art instruction book from John Muir Laws (author of The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds) is a how-to guide for becoming a better artist and a more attentive naturalist. In straightforward text complemented by step-by-step illustrations, dozens of exercises lead the hand and mind through creating accurate reproductions of plants and animals as well as landscapes, skies, and more. Laws provides clear, practical advice for every step of the process for artists at every level, from the basics of choosing supplies to advanced techniques. While the book’s advice will improve the skills of already accomplished artists, the emphasis on seeing, learning, and feeling will make this book valuable—even revelatory—to anyone interested in the natural world, no matter how rudimentary their artistic abilities.Trade Review“Holds strong crossover appeal among environmentalism, earth sciences, hiking, and art instruction.” —Library Journal“This beautiful art book will teach you how to be ‘still, quiet, and attentive . . . to organize your thoughts, piece together answers, and ask richer questions.’ The overall goal is to stimulate your curiosity, and you won't find a better guide.” —Foreword Reviews“More than anything a thorough instructional guide to thinking like a naturalist Laws is, after all, one of the world's foremost naturalists.” —Earth Island Journal“Those new to drawing and journaling will find it an amazing resource, while veteran creators will appreciate the depth and specificity of Laws tips and hacks. All, however, will find inspiration this book will elevate the wonder that lies in us all.” —Lake Tahoe News“☆☆☆☆☆” —Kids' BookBuzz“The definitive guide to nature journaling.” —The Blue Heron“An outstanding survey, highly recommended for aspiring nature artists who want details on how to use journaling and art to best advantage.” —Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisPraise for the previous edition: "The book brings together the work of Margaret Evans, Paul Hardy and Peter Coombs to help you to master the pastel medium. The three artists bring a good balance of work to the book, with Peter Coombs and Paul Hardy covering landscapes and townscapes, while Margaret Evans concentrates on flowers. Sections on using a limited palette, composition, colour mixing and colours for painting flowers, are interspersed with 13 demonstrations accompanied by good, clear step-by-step photographs." - Leisure Painter This is a practical and comprehensive guide for all soft pastel painting enthusiasts, from the beginner to the experienced artist. It uses material from the following titles in the Step-by-Step Leisure Arts series: Painting with Pastels by Peter Coombs, Landscapes in Pastel by Paul Hardy, Flowers in Pastel by Margaret Evans and Light in Pastel by Paul Hardy. Starting with advice on materials, it moves on to pastel basics such as blending, adding tone and using a limited palette. There are sections on landscape painting featuring advice on composition and painting trees and water, capturing light in pastels with tips on colour mixing, and finally flower painting, with additional information on adding water to pastels. Throughout the book, the art of painting in pastels is taught through 13 beautiful, easy to follow step-by-step projects, and each section is accompanied by a selection of inspirational paintings by the three featured artists, in a rich variety of styles. Previously published as 9781844488612.Trade ReviewComplementing the oil-painting book [Oil Painting Step-by-Step] Pastel Painting Step-by-Step... draws on previously published material - this time from the Step-by-Step Leisure Arts Series: Painting with Pastels by Peter Coombs, Landscapes in Pastel by Paul Hardy, Flowers in Pastel by Margaret Evans and Light in Pastel by Paul Hardy. Opening with information on materials, there then follows instruction on basic techniques including blending, adding tone and using a limited palette. There's also advice on specific aspects of painting, such as composition in landscapes, painting trees and water, capturing light and colour mixing for flower painters, Thirteen step-by-step projects are included covering a variety of subjects. * Leisure Painter, March 2020 *Great little book that actually makes working with pastels look realistic. It tells you how to get rid of mistakes and some of the pictures are amazing! Can't wait to give this a go! -- Victoria Easton * Amazon *I found the book very well set out, the way they take you through each piece step-by-step as the title states is very comforting. The book is an invaluable asset to my art equipment. -- Ken Fox * Amazon *This is a fabulous book, it gives great detail and advice. I've found it so helpful and in just over a week my technique is so much better. I would highly recommend this book for both beginners and those who want to master pastel painting. I have many Search Press books and they are all great. -- Anthony Green * Amazon *Nov 12 Always wanted to learn pastel painting? Here's the book for you. See the approach of three different artists and learn from each. Get straight into the basics with Peter Coombs. Use a limited palette to complete a finished step by step painting. Then have a go at a landscape, river or moonlit scene. Paul Hardy introduces more serene landscapes in pastel, including valleys, trees and water, autumn, a seascape and townscape. Margaret Evans looks at portraying flowers in pastel. Each artist includes techniques and information. There are 13 demonstrations in all and over 250 step by step clear photographs supported by galleries of finished paintings. This is useful for beginners upwards. This book has material published previously in four other books. * Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts *Nov 12 If you want a book to help you develop your technique when painting with pastels, this is definitely the book to choose. A step by step guide, it is extremely comprehensive covering a wide range of styles and techniques. You can learn how to master creating tone, colour blending, composition and perspective. Then there are the individual sections on projects like painting landscapes, seascapes or flowers which give inspiration as well as useful tuition. There are 13 separate demonstrations which can be followed including using photographs and sketches, painting an old tree, a step by step guide to developing atmosphere when painting a moonlit stroll and even painting potted plant. The book links together the skills of three artists who bring their specialist knowledge to each subject covered. An very useful book for both novices and more experienced artists. * Monstersandcritics.com *Jan 13 Based on previously published material, Pastel Painting Step-by-Step brings together the work of Margaret Evans, Paul Hardy and Peter Coombs to help you to master the pastel medium. The three artists bring a good balance of work to the book, with Peter Coombs and Paul Hardy covering landscapes and townscapes, while Margaret Evans concentrates on flowers. Sections on using a limited palette, composition, colour mixing and colours for painting flowers, are interspersed with 13 demonstrations accompanied by good, clear step-by-step photographs. * Leisure Painter, The *Feb 13 Based on four earlier books on the subject by the above authors, this is a comprehensive guide to the art of using pastels. I like the way that what you need to buy and the differences between pastels is dealt with once only at the beginning, leaving out this part from the other three sections. You don’t need as much to take up this aspect of art as most others and there is even a helpful section on working with a limited palette, as well as another on what colors to buy for flower paintings. This is, like most Search Press books, a very hands-on approach with a minimum of theory for its own sake and a maximum of learning through actual painting. The book contains thirteen different projects to work through as well as many other things to try out, enabling even a beginner to get some professional-looking results. Each project tells you what you need and has a good number of stages, each with a short caption telling you what to do next and a photograph showing the picture with the next steps added. It is a great way to learn, and I particularly liked having three different approaches to play with and three different artists to learn from. This way there is less of a chance of slavish copying, and a good look at more than one style in pastel painting. Sometimes I think that compendiums take away too much from the individual books but this is an effective one for the above reasons. An excellent tool for those who want to learn pastel painting, or improve their technique. * Myshelf.com *Feb 13 Written by a team of three experienced artists, this thorough guide exposes the reader to a variety of viewpoints, techniques, subjects and tricks. It covers all the basics of this medium, including materials, color blending, mark making, texture, perspective and composition. Photographs throughout show the authors' working processes, as well as many completed pieces. Readers can follow along with 13 step-by-step pastel painting projects to create landscapes, seascapes, city scenes, floral still lifes, and more. VERDICT: Best for beginner and intermediate artists new to pastels. * Library Journal, USA *Table of ContentsIntroduction Materials Painting with Pastels Landscapes in Pastel Light in Pastel Flowers in Pastel Index

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Book SynopsisThis sumptuous and luxuriously produced volume gathers portraits, album covers, photographs of performances and rehearsals, rarely seen private moments, and candid snapshots of Prince, one of the greatest singer-songwriters of his generation. This collection from ACC Art Books & Iconic Images - publishers of the bestselling book Bowie: Icon - was curated in consultation with Steve Parke, and its impact is both powerful, and inspiring. With images by renowned and little-known photographers from around the world, close friends, and colleagues, the result is the most opulent visual anthology of Prince that has ever been published.Accompanying personal essays and reflections offer unprecedented insight into what he was like: from memories of the earliest days in Minneapolis to touring the world, each contributor shares their memories and experiences of working with - and knowing - this legendary artist.

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Book SynopsisCreate your own chibi world with fun and adorable step-by-step drawing exercises, including over 60 fantasy creatures and characters featuring different accessories, clothing, facial expressions, and poses.These fantasy creatures and animals will make you squeal with delight! Chibi is Japanese slang for “short,” and the characters in Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts & Magical Monsters live up to this description with their cute roly-poly bodies that make them extremely lovable and huggable.Phoebe Im, creator of Bobblejot, has a cute and easy drawing style that is made accessible through this how-to book for artists of all levels. Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts & Magical Monsters features easy-to-follow instructions to help you enjoy the world of chibi, incorporating dynamic expressions and poses to challenge your skills. Along with the step-by-step instructions, there are inspiration pages with fun accessories and clothing, facial expressions, and different poses as well as a digital workshop to guide you on how to make quick drawings on your phone or tablet.Learn how to draw these fantasy creatures in cute chibi style: Gnome Troll Mermaid Fairy Golem Cyclops Big Foot Unicorn Dragons (various species) Vampire Zombie Chimera Pegasus Phoenix Loch Ness Monster Griffon Cerberus Sphinx Werewolf Practice and expand your drawing skills as you create adorable chibi beasts and creatures with this fun and accessible book.Table of ContentsHello! What Is Chibi? How to Use This Book Tools Tips and Tricks Creature KeySlither and Squawk Aqrabuamelu, Basilisk, Cockatrice, Cthulhu, Dragon, Griffin, Harpy, Hippocampus, Hydra, Medusa, Mothman, Naga, Phoenix, Quetzalcoatl, WyvernFelines and Canines Aralez, Cerberus, Chimera, Cù Sith, Enfield, Kitsune, Kludde, Manticore, Merlion, Nekomata, Orthrus, Sphinx, Tatzelwurm, WerewolfHooves and Horns Catoblepas, Centaur, Cuyancúa, Hippalectryon, Ichthyocentaur, Jackalope, Minotaur, Ophiotaurus, Pegasus, Qilin, Satyr, UnicornEarth, Water, and Subterranean Creatures Big Foot, Cecaelia, Cyclops, Elf, Fairy, Genie, Gnome, Goblin, Golem, Loch Ness, Imp, Kappa, Leprechaun, Leviathan, Mermaid, Mummy, Treant, Kraken, Vampire, Wendigo, Yeti

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Book SynopsisAustrian artist Waltraud Nawratil shows you how to combine a love for nature with a passion for expressive painting. It is divided into helpful sections to teach the reader how to use acrylics, watercolours or airbrushing, as well as natural materials such as sand, bark and leaves, to create captivating pictures full of colour and vitality. There is a wealth of stunning abstract pieces by Waltraud which will provide inspiration for more experience painters as well as the beginner. The book covers the variations through all seasons, teaching the reader to see the natural world with creativity and a fresh new perspective.Trade ReviewThis straightforward and easy-to-follow guide starts by keeping one foot firmly rooted in reality - you'll never be in doubt about what you're looking at. It also provides the tools - including 22 individual projects - to truly create some beautiful abstract work. -- The SAA * The SAA Catalogue 19/20 *This is not a new book. In fact, it has been reprinted for the second time. I’m including it because such a lot of people on my Multi-coloured WOW Course have been enjoying the painty parts of the course and I think they’d enjoy this book. Many of the projects in this book work on stretcher frames which can be stitched if the surface is not too thickly encrusted. Also, the multimedia approach lends itself to textiles as well as art-based projects. After a brief dash through inspiration, we arrive at the heart of the book. This comprises step-by-step instructions for completing a series of paintings based on multi-media techniques such as sand, paste, the use of natural materials and much more. Nature provides inspiration and the sections are divided into seasons. It does make you itch to have a go. * Workshop on the Web *Feb 2017 This book (translated from German) that demands a one word summing up and the word that comes to mind is visceral. You may also feel that it shouts at you. Both the content and the presentation are so bright and ther is a constant sensation that you (or it) are standing too close, that a step back might allow you to take in the bigger picture. Take time to get used to this, you'll find a novel and interesting approach. The cover blurb refers to '22 stunning projects' and they're certainly stunning. Using the seasons provides a neat frame work and a narrative, though, and Waltraud's style is more interprative than full on abstraction, providing an easier way in. This won't be for everyone, but does make you think. * The Artist *Inside this book is a liberating, freer approach to depicting nature that draws upon abstract styles and makes use of a lot more than just paint. Using acrylics, watercolors and mixed media the artist shows you how to produce bold, imaginative work that brings the natural world to vibrant life. This is not a book aimed at the beginning artist but to those with experience who want to try something fresh and new. The artist uses a wide variety of materials beyond just the standard paints and brushes including stencils, pressed bark and found objects. Not only acrylics and watercolors are used either; airbrush paints, marble powder, pastes, binders and more are made use of so anybody attempting this type of work might be advised to stock up on more than just the basics. Following on from this is a section on using the various media with plenty of examples and inspiration. The rest of the book contains twenty-two projects, not the usual Search Press type with lots of photographic stages but briefer. These are organized in seasons, with each project covering two pages. There is a page-sized photograph of the finished piece plus a list of what you need and step by step instructions in five to six written stages. Subjects include flowers such as dandelions, ferns, daisies, poppies (several of these), trees, a pond, meadow scene and more. Describing them as abstract stretches the term somewhat as it is easy to see what the paintings depict; rather they are a freer, looser style which gives a vigorous outdoor appearance suitable to the subjects. At the back is a gallery where the author suggests people utilise the pictures as inspiration for their own, concluding a refreshingly different approach to painting nature. * myshelf.com *Dec 16 Abstract Nature by Austrian artist Waltraud Nawratil looks at how to paint the natural world with acrylics, watercolour and mixed media. But rather than simply painting what she sees, Waltraud show us how to capture emotion you feel when looking at a particular scene and translate it into paint. Painting techniques and media are clearly explained before moving on to finding inspiration in the natural world throughout the year, and through the seasons with flowers and trees. The book includes step-by-step demonstrations and plenty of practical advice on abstracting the essence of what you see in the world around you. * The Leisure Painter *If you’re interested in abstraction but unsure of where and how to get started, this is a very good jumping-off point. Each demonstration occupies only 2 or 4 pages and is very straightforward, with a finished result, an enlarged detail, a materials list and a short series of simple steps. There is guidance in the introductory section on basic techniques and what to look for. In truth, this isn’t pure abstraction, and every example is easily recognisable. Rather, it’s more an exploration of the limits of representation, and it’s none the worse for that. Abstraction itself is the culmination of a journey of which this is a part and you should be able to take further steps yourself once you’ve mastered the basic * www.artbookreview.net *The Austrian artist Waltraut Nawratil wants to paint pictures that radiate happiness and are able to transmit the happiness to the observer. In her colourful motifs she combines the softness of watercolour with the strength and dynamism of acrylic painting. In this book you will see the seasonal changes in plants like flowers and trees over the course of a year. In the first chapter Waltraud Nawratil tells something about the materials and tools she uses. For her mixed media technique, she needs brushes as well as unusual things like spatulas, roller and palette knifes. She prefers a mixture of acrylic paints, spray varnish, aquarelle watercolours and airbrush paints. Additional materials like marble powder, paste, acrylic binder, pressed bark or leaves and stencils are other important elements of her pictures. The following chapter gives an overview of the preferred painting techniques and of a lot of examples. Valuable tips from her art studio help to avoid mistakes and give you interesting suggestions for image correction that are easily done with acryl paint. The author searches and finds inspiration in nature. When a painter runs out of ideas he should walk amongst nature. The variety of colours and motifs inspires everyone. Every season has its own flowers and trees. The next section follows the course of the seasons and shows the differences in the motifs and the chosen colours. The chapter "Spring" starts painting with six examples step by step. A full page illustration and a detailed view assist a detailed text description, that also contains a detailed list of materials colours and tools. There are examples for every taste (Flowering dandelion, poppy and wild cumin, ox-eye daisy, birch trees in spring, spring mood in the forest) The other season are discussed equally detailed. The in the beginning shown true-to-nature examples get with new variations progressively more abstracted. At that the artist’s experiments with different passepartouts, which she sprinkles with sand. In the final chapter Waltraud Nawratil shows us a gallery of a few examples of nature in different variations. Conclusion: Abstract Nature is intended for advanced painters, who search ideas and inspiration for their own interpretations of nature studies with the mixed media technic. Not the exact step by step drawing is important, but the reading of informative texts, the observation of expressive, colorful pictures by W. Nawratil and of course the development of a personal abstract style. http://kreativreview.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/abstract-nature-by-waltraud-nawratil.html * Kreative Review *Beautifully presented book, well laid out and with beautiful illustrations. Not as 'abstract' as I thought, more like the mixed media work I teach, but a great book for all that and full of ideas which my (adult) students will find inspirational and one or two ideas of techniques which I've been reminded of myself. Plenty of information and close ups of paintings so you have all you need to try the techniques without it being too didactic. The book is particularly good for those who like to work with acrylic, a book full of colour and covers materials, painting techniques and sources of inspiration as well as showing paintings throughout the seasons. * Sonia Hawes *With its compact format, stunning paintings and individual style, this book should appeal to any lover of painting nature. The book is split into Materials, Techniques, Inspiration, and Seasonal Paintings with loose step by step instructions and tips. The paintings are vivid depictions of trees and flowers with energising brushstrokes. The artist uses acrylic, watercolour, airbrush paints and spray varnish as well as a number of modifiers and additions such as powders and pastes. She discusses her techniques, amply illustrated with examples of work. The subject matter is the natural world. Leaves are attached to the canvas and painted over, delineated whilst backgrounds form an almost uniform haze so as not to detract. She adds texture with sand, bark, tissue or paste. Alternatively, leaves are used for printing. It is an interesting book with unusual depictions of flowers and landscape scenes. As abstract work goes, the subject matter is actually easily distinguishable, an interesting textured style. * YarnsandFabrics.co.uk *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials and tools 8 Your painting surface 10 Painting tools and accessories 11 Paints 12 Additional materials 14 PAINTING TECHNIQUES 16 Using mixed media 18 Watercolour painting style 19 Using a spatula 20 Collages and structures 21  Applying plant materials directly  21  Stamp-printing with natural materials  22  Working with paste  24  Experimental techniques  26  Working with spray varnish  28 INSPIRATION 30 SOURCES OF INSPIRATION 32 INSPIRATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 34  Flowers  34  Trees  36   In spring 36   In summer 38   In autumn 39   In winter 40 THROUGH THE SEASONS WITH FLOWERS AND TREES   42 Spring 44 Flowering Dandelion 46 Poppy and Wild Cumin 48 Ox-eye Daisy 50 Birch Trees in Spring 52 Spring Mood in the Forest 54 Spring Breeze in the Trees 56 Summer 58 Flowering Suns 60 The Meadow 62 Lily Pond 64 Large Poppies 66 Poppy and Fern 68 Sunny Forest with Fern 70 Summer Tree 72 Autumn 74 Autumn Poppy 76 Abstract Autumn Tree 78 Fiery Autumn Forest 82 Autumn in the Birch Forest 84 Winter 86 Abstract Poppy 88 Poinsettias 90 Winter Abstract 92 Virginia Creeper in Winter 94 Virginia Creeper in a Grey Frame 96 GALLERY AND CLOSING WORDS 100 About the author 110

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Book SynopsisChoose colour confidently with this expansive set of 200 coordinated colour cards! The deck contains rich colours, with black-to-white valueson one side and practical colour information on the other.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume Historique was in its day the most wide-ranging and incisive study of clothing ever attempted. Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through to the end of the 19th century, the six volume work remains completely unique in its scope and detail. This TASCHEN reprint presents Racinet’s exquisitely precise color illustrations, as well as his delightful descriptions and often witty commentary. Spanning everything from ancient Etruscan attire to French women’s couture, material is arranged according to Racinet’s original plan by culture and subject. As expansive in its reach as it is passionate in its research and attention to detail, Racinet's Costume History is an invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; and a rich source of inspiration for anyone with an interest in clothing and style.Trade Review“…an accessible, elaborate visual history of all the weird, uncomfortable clothes people thought looked good, from massive, powdered wigs to feathered war helmets. Contemporary artists, designers, illustrators, and historians will find no shortage of inspiration in its pages.” * Hyperallergic.com *“Some books just scream out to be bought; this is one of them.” * Vogue.com *

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Book SynopsisThe highly-anticipated third volume of the best-selling comic franchise, written by award-winner Charles Ardai, co-founder of Hard Case Crime!

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Book SynopsisExploring forgotten regions of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Susana Ordovás and photographer Guido Taroni uncover the faded splendor of both neglected and restored homes. Susana Ordovás’s Inside Yucatán is an ode to the merging of the ancient with the contemporary. At the turn of the 20th century, more millionaires lived in the isolated region of Mérida than in any other city in the world, building breathtaking, brightly colored homes nestled into the surrounding tropical greenery like hidden jewels. Over time, nature conquered, leaving crumbling structures in place of what were once vibrant, lavishly decorated mansions. But today, Ordovás reveals, Yucatán’s “forsaken, decaying ruins, remnants of an illustrious past . . . are awakening from a centuries-old siesta.” Here, in Guido Taroni’s evocative new photographs of more than 30 previously unseen residences across the peninsula, in such places as Izamal, Mérida, and Valladolid, decadence and beauty shine through what remains of the homes’ diverse, contrasting styles, from Renaissance to Baroque, Medieval to Moorish, and occasionally a combination of all. Setting the houses in context, three specially commissioned maps of the region have been beautifully illustrated by renowned artist Jesús Cisneros. In her detailed commentary, Ordovás celebrates their eccentric, distressed charm and hails the revival of this magical land.

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Book SynopsisBillie Eilish is a fashion phenomenon. Her goth-skate-anime wardrobe resonates loud and clear with her generation and anyone who doesn’t want to be defined. Courted by the world’s biggest fashion houses, Billie has a way of spotlighting inclusivity, body image, environmental issues and more, while always looking awesome. In the latest addition to this popular series, fashion writer Terry Newman casts her eye over a young megastar with oversized clothes and an even bigger attitude. When Billie Eilish burst onto the music scene aged just 14, her outfits told everyone who she was before they’d downloaded a track. She was savage and brooding. Her clothes were large and matched her attitude. Her wardrobe was made up of labels that speak the language of Gen Z and everyone who doesn’t want to be defined by others. Growing up hasn’t changed a thing – though she now has the command of fashion houses the world over. As such, Billie often mixes and matches Chanel, Balenciaga, Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto, Raf Simons and Prada with finds from Slumpy Kev, Skoot, The Incorporated and Freak City, and the result is beyond the realms of meta-modernism. It’s a look that might very well bite the hand that feeds it, but Eilish doesn’t care. She wears what she likes when she likes. And we’re here for it. Table of ContentsIntroduction Cartoon Networking Outfits of the Day Menswear Department Designer Classics Dressing UP

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Book SynopsisA deluxe art book showcasing Haruichi Furudate’s incredible artwork from the hit manga series Haikyu!!Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?The Art of Haikyu!! collects the dynamic and lush color art from the hit manga series, including chapter title pages, illustrations, bonus sketches, and more from creator Haruichi Furudate!

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Book SynopsisIn Creative Watercolor and Mixed Media, popular watercolor artist, instructor, and author Ana Victoria Calderon shares her simple step-by-step techniques for painting exciting and colorful motifs by combining watercolor with a variety of other user-friendly materials. Start with the essentials—paint, paper, and brushes—then learn about the featured mediums for mixing, including masking fluid, gold leaf, bleach, salt, and alcohol Take a step-by-step look at fundamental watercolor techniques Learn to paint a variety of striking organic motifs and surface effects, including stirring skies and clouds, sparkling galaxies, flowing oceans, and dazzling crystals Find great project ideas for stylish gifts and stationery Whether you're new to the medium or are looking to add new techniques to your watercolor practice, go grab a brush, paints, and some easy-to-use materials and take a beautiful creative journey with watercolor! Perfect for all skill levels, the books in the Art for Modern Makers series take a fun, practical approach to learning about and working with paints and other art mediums to create beautiful DIY projects and crafts.Table of ContentsPREFACE Why Watercolors Are So Great to Mix with Other Mediums 1 MIXED MEDIA: WATERCOLOR & MORE WATERCOLOR GOUACHE: Adding Opacity to Translucent Watercolors ALL THAT SHIMMERS: Metallic, Pearlescent & Iridescent Watercolors SPECIALTY WATERCOLORS: Neon, Multi pigmented & Rare Pigments INKS BRUSHES PAPER OTHER TOOLS & SUPPLIES 2 BASIC TECHNIQUES & BEYOND WATERCOLOR PROPERTIES ESSENTIAL WATERCOLOR HOW-TO EXPERIMENTING WITH MIXED MEDIA GALLERY OF MIXED MEDIA EXPERIMENTS 3. HORIZONS PREPARING YOUR SURFACE FOR PAINTING SKIES OPEN SKIES BILLOWING CLOUDS OCEAN SUNRISE LIGHTNING STORM Project: Message Hidden in the Clouds 4. CELESTIAL SKIES PHASES OF THE MOON CONSTELLATIONS & COSMIC TEXTURES SUNS & PLANETS Project: Outer-Space Collage 5. GEMS & CRYSTALS CRYSTAL SHAPES AMETHYST CLUSTER NATURAL EMERALD LOOSE & EXPERIMENTAL HEALING CRYSTALS Project: Birthstone Chart 6. EARTH & SACRED GEOMETRY ANCIENT SHAPES THE SEED OF LIFE PRESSING FLOWERS & LEAVES DECORATING PRESSED BOTANICALS Project: Ultimate Mixed-Media Mandala Masterpiece TEMPLATES RESOURCES/REFERENCES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR INDEX

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Book SynopsisA Place in Scotland is a collation of interior spaces that represent a rejuvenated Scottish vernacular that has emerged over the past twenty years. Something is happening in Scotland – a new confidence – and inspirational voices are redefining what 'Scottish style' really is. Banjo and Alexander see this manifesting in homes and public spaces alike. Spanning the breadth of Scotland, they have picked places that tell a story, highlight sustainable design and represent a considered style that can be recreated at home. Including thirty different spaces, from a masterfully restored Scottish castle and the Gleneagles hotel to a World War 2 control tower in the Scottish Highlands and a brightly coloured tenement apartment in Glasgow, A Place in Scotland is a celebration of clever and contemporary design. All these beautifully photographed places will not only give you interiors inspiration, but take you on a stunning journey th

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Book SynopsisLearn to Draw Celtic Designs is a treasure trove of beautiful Celtic designs that are a constant source of fascination for people all over the world. It features more than 50 original, ready-to-use patterns that can be drawn and decorated in authentic Celtic style.These sinuous knots, mythical creatures, and ornate braids make fantastic adornments for a variety of arts and crafts, including woodworking, pyrography, leatherwork and needlecraft.Each intricate design can be easily altered to create dozens of additional patterns for your own artwork, giving you the potential to create hundreds of new designs.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1994 and first revised in 2010, The Art of Photography has sold well over 100,000 copies and has firmly established itself as the most readable, understandable, and complete textbook on photography. Featuring nearly 200 beautiful photographs in both black-and-white and color, as well as numerous charts, graphs, and tables, this book presents the world of photography to beginner, intermediate, and advanced photographers who seek to make a personal statement through the medium of photography. Renowned photographer, teacher, and author Bruce Barnbaum presents how-to techniques for both traditional and digital approaches. Barnbaum goes well beyond the technical, as he delves deeply into the philosophical, expressive, and creative aspects of photography so often avoided in other books.

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Book SynopsisExperience the wonder of child prodigy Akiane Kramarik’s divinely inspired artwork firsthand.Akiane’s nonreligious parents were bewildered when their four-year-old daughter started sharing her dreams of angels, heaven, and Jesus. Her spiritual insight quickly expressed itself through impressive sketches, drawings with oil crayons, paintings, and eventually poetry, and her artwork began a conversation that brought her whole family to Christianity and to the attention of national media. Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry shares the young artist’s story in rich detail, including her mother’s firsthand account of Akiane’s emerging faith and artistic talent; a collection of full-color paintings created by Akiane from ages 4 to 10, along with the amazing stories that surround each piece of art; and selected poems of profound beauty and insight, authored by Akiane in her childhood.

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Book SynopsisIn Chibi Art Class, renowned anime artist Yoai teaches you the art of chibi, step by adorable step.Chibi is Japanese slang for “short,” and chibis are mini versions of Japanese anime and manga characters defined by their large heads and tiny bodies, both of which contribute to their kawaii, or cuteness, factor. Now, you too can learn to draw these adorable doll-like characters. Here, you'll learn how to create chibis’ signature bodies, facial features, and props, including dreamy eyes, fun clothes and shoes, vibrant hair, colorful accessories, and lively backgrounds. You'll also learn how to color and shade your vertically challenged characters for optimal cuteness. This book also features: 19 tutorials with simple step-by-step illustrations and instructions for drawing chibis, including a chibi character for every month of the year as well as adorable chibi beasties An inspiration gallery with ideas for eyes, hairstyles, clothing, props and accessories, and ears and tails Blank body bases for you to start your own chibi drawings Uncolored chibis for practicing coloring and shading Thanks to this crash course, soon you will be enhancing your notebooks, stationery, artwork, and more with your own unique chibi world. Chibi Art Class is now in session!

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Book SynopsisAn indispensable guide for anyone keen to learn coloured pencil techniques, or for the experienced artist who would like to build on their existing skills. Filled with information on the basic characteristics and colour ranges of the main kinds of coloured pencil, and step-by-step visual demonstrations of key techniques from blending, blocking in and burning to sgraffito, stippling and impressing. The reader will not only discover how professional artists use imaginative and dynamic styles to interpret a wide range of subjects, but they will also be inspired by the 150-plus full-colour illustrations to create brilliant artworks of their own.Trade ReviewBeing a Lecturer of concept art one of the concepts I teach is how to use artists pencils. This book has given me many ideas and is ideal both for students and teachers (as well as want to be artists). I would highly recommend this book and was actually surprised how informative it was as well as giving drawn examples for the basic techniques in the first section. The second section covers a variety of different types of drawing such as portrait and movement. I would perhaps say this is not for the expert however we can all use a refresh whatever our stage and it could be a nice way for a seasoned professional to go over the basics. This is a book I'd highly recommend. * Marian Carr *This is a new edition of the old classic 'Coloured Pencil Techniques' with a brand new cover. It covers everything you need to know about using coloured pencils. From techniques, themes and ample examples from professional artists, you'll discover the many ways of using this medium. Techniques are explained with step-by-step visual demonstrations. Essential reading for artists wishing to master coloured pencil art. * YarnsandFabrics.co.uk *Anyone new to colour pencil will be nothing but impressed at the extensive range of materials that can be used with them along with the range of ideas and demonstrations given in this book. When beginning on any new journey or extending your knowledge, this book will guide you through. It is direct and easy to follow. I think it is important to read the first half of this book, to familiarize yourself with the different elements that colour pencil can achieve. If you are a beginner make sure you read the initial pages, so you understand that the type of pencil you use and the support it is on is of great importance. Also practise your blending (p.26). If you find the prospect of reading all the different ideas overwhelming, choose one and then experiment with it. Perhaps consider doing a colour chart with your pencils, layering colours ontop of one another to see what happens. The second half of the book then shows you the various subject matter, so you can see how these pencils work and what you can achieve. Colour pencils are one of my favourite materials, you can sketch loose and excitedly or you can produce a detailed piece of work. This book takes you on a colour pencil journey so you can see that you can produce the most beautiful works of art in pencil. * Carole Cawley *The pictures in this book made me stare. It was refreshing to have clear pictures showing so much detail and this applies for techniques, demonstrations and artist pictures. The book has given me ideas to use different coloured paper in the same picture for collage work, sketch using unusual colours and for line work. I liked the dialogue beside pictures by professional artists and the wide range of subjects and styles. Coloured pencils are accessible, convenient and easy to use. It is rewarding to see your art work improve and think this inspirational book will be a winner. * Moya tracey *What instantly strikes me about this book is how beautiful it is from front to back. It’s filled with inspirational and high quality printed photos of pencil colouring, plus absolutely jam-packed with tons of step by step guides on a multitude of techniques, which you can see for yourself on the contents page. The book is split into two main sections, “Techniques” and “Themes”. The “Techniques” section introduction contains a useful overview of extra materials that can be useful for coloured pencil work, such as blending sticks, craft knives, and masking tape, followed by guides on handling pencils and choosing paper types, all of which would be useful for beginners wondering where to start. This section also contains plenty of tutorials to use coloured pencils effectively in a range of manners, from commonly practiced methods like blending and hatching, to perhaps less tried techniques like stippling and burnishing. This is my favourite section of the book! Each tutorial is spread conveniently over one double page, so it can be easily referred to without having to flick back and forth. The book is perfect bound, but will lay flat with some pressing. The tutorials each offer an introduction to a colouring technique, a few examples of the technique and elaboration on how to create it, and lastly, in most cases, a beautiful final image that has been created using the technique. Some tutorials go over and above coloured pencil techniques, offering a more diverse range of possibilities, for example use of solvents for blending, and use of mixed media to create distinct work The “Themes” section comprises the latter half of the book. It’s essentially an art gallery in your hands, showcasing a range of coloured pencil art from a range of themes, from Light and Atmosphere, to Buildings, to Decorative Objects, to Nature. All artists whose images are used are credited by name, which means that whenever you find a piece of art you love (and you will in this title!) you can easily search the artists online to find more of their work. For each picture included, there is a step by step visual demonstration, a tip, or some snippet of information that sheds light on the artistic process that went into creating it. The range of artists, techniques, and subjects included makes this book a very well rounded and in depth introduction to coloured pencil techniques. I’d definitely recommend this to beginner colourists/artists and also to intermediate colourists/artists wanting to expand their knowledge base and try new techniques, mediums or subjects. http://blog.megcowley.com/2016/10/25/book-review-the-encyclopedia-of-coloured-pencil-techniques-video-walkthrough/ * Meg Cowley *The Encyclopedia of Coloured Pencil Techniques by Judy Martin lives up to its name. It is a comprehensive look at the various coloured pencil techniques and skills at an artist’s disposal and serves as a great teaching and reference book for both beginners and those who are more advanced alike. The Book is split into two halves – the first half is techniques and the second is themes. It covers a wide variety of techniques including how to handle pencils, using various types of paper, blending and shading, burnishing, overlaying colours, different ways of mark making such as hatching and pointillism, highlighting, eraser techniques, using solvents, frottage, masking, tracing, squaring up or down and fixing problems. the text is easy to follow and there are plenty of full colour illustrations of both finished artwork and in progress pictures to follow. The second part Themes is further split into Landscape and Townscape, Objects, Nature and People and Portraits. It then goes on to explore shapes and textures, light and atmosphere, groups of objects, table settings, fruit, full length portraits and expressions. If you are looking for a good text book that covers artistic techniques and talks about them from an artistic viewpoint this is a great book. * Creative Colouring With Hazel *This was originally published sufficiently long ago that I’ve never reviewed it here, so let’s have a go at it as a Search Press Classic. The Encyclopedia series, originated by the packager Quarto, was ground-breaking in its day. Innovation often looks stale after a few years, but this still has a vitality that won’t leave you feeling you’ve been left with cast-offs, and the information is still sound. Quarto productions are always design-led and usually work on a spread-by-spread basis, so you can open this more or less at random and find a topic covered as completely as it’s going to be – which is with surprising thoroughness, given the space allocated. Quarto are always good at conveying information efficiently. Information contained covers media, styles, subjects and techniques and there are plenty of illustrations to guide and inspire you. * www.artbookreview.net *Here's something a little different- it's not a colouring book but a coloured pencil bible! This expansive book tells you everything you need to know about coloured pencils in a clear and comprehensive manner, covering a range of techniques and approaches to get the best out of your colouring. Painter Judy Martin lives in Brighton and has written many art books since graduating from Reading University. This book showcases all the knowledge and expertise she has learned in her education and practice over the years, in a way that is accessible and approachable for beginners yet suitably elaborate and thorough for more intermediate artists. This encyclopedia features over 150 full-colour examples of artist's work which show as well as tell the reader which products to use and how to achieve skills. This book is suitable for both colourists and artists who draw & colour from scratch, and is in my opinion an invaluable resource for anyone who uses coloured pencils. I'd expect to pay around £25 for a textbook so exhaustive but surprisingly it's a little over £12 which is a bargain in my eyes! http://www.colourwithclaire.com/blog/the-encyclopedia-of-coloured-pencil-techniques * Colour with Claire *Firstly I must stress that this is a book for those who own the artist’s quality pencils rather than the cheaper alternatives. You can learn how to blend, shade, use with solvents, try out frottage and sgraffito and more but only if your pencils are capable of doing all of this. There is certainly room on the market for a book on how to get the best out of all the budget alternatives but until then the more serious colorist/artist can settle down with this classic. The book is in two halves, the first dealing with techniques and the second with themes. You can learn what you need to buy and the differences between the various types of pencils then get down to finding out what they are capable of. They are surprisingly versatile, and when used the right way can conjure up effects that are the equal of paint and have a special quality of their own too. Find out how they look on different types of paper, when used with other media and all the various effects they can do on their own. Brand names are not mentioned but any good art store or website will stock at least one. The themes section comprises of a gallery of all the many subjects you can choose to depict (from the actual physical world rather than fantasy) and each heading features artwork and descriptive captions explaining method. If you have a mental image of a typical colored pencil drawing think again, as the work here shows they can also resemble paint, ink, pastel or even photographs. This is not a book with staged projects – something else there is room for – but one that shows what you can do and explains how others have done it. I would recommend it for somebody who is either a colorist or an existing artist who wants to explore a new medium. * myshelf.com *

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Book SynopsisA Modern Master   Robert E. McGinnis began his career in 1947 as a cartoonist, and produced his first cover illustrations for 1956 issues of the magazines True Detective and Master Detective. Then in 1958, he painted his first paperback book cover, and from that day forward his work was in demand.   The emergence of the “McGinnis Woman”—long-legged, intelligent, alluring, and enigmatic—established him as the go-to artist for detective novels. His work appeared on Mike Shayne titles and the Perry Mason series, and he produced 100 paintings for the Carter Brown adventures. Yet McGinnis became famous for his work in other genres as well: espionage, romance, historicals, gothics, and Westerns.   McGinnis’s first major magazine assignments were for The Saturday Evening Post, and his work has graced the pages of Cosmopolitan, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, Guideposts

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Book SynopsisExpressive Sketchbooks shares a host of creative ideas and prompts, tools and techniques, methods for working around obstacles and barriers, and tons of visual inspiration to help you grow in your sketchbooking practice. An expressive sketchbook is a place for you to explore, express, and enjoy your own innate creativity on your own terms. It is a safe playground for the imagination—a place to mess about, play, and experiment—and to gain confidence in your abilities as you develop your skills.Expressive Sketchbooks offers techniques and creative exercises that incorporate mark making, watercolor, mixed media, collage, words and text, and more. It unpacks some of the obstacles and barriers that you may face along the way and offers wisdom and encouragement to help you decide why and how to start your sketchbook and how to develop and expand your artistic practice. This book is packed with ideas and exercises, including: Exploratory drawing exercises How to utilize color in your sketchbook How to create dynamic and varied sketchbook pages How to find inspiration in nature and in your everyday life Ways to mix media and art supplies Ways to kickstart your creativity How to find and develop a process that feels personal to you Through this book, you'll find out what lights you up, what makes you curious and fascinated, and what makes you expansive. Discover how to magnify your creativity and enliven your art skills by using an expressive sketchbook as your daily companion.Trade Review"An especially useful, thoroughly art student friendly, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, art school, community libraries." * Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsCONTENTS INTRODUCTION: What Is an Expressive Sketchbook? CHAPTER 1: MAGIC AND MOTIVATION CHAPTER 2: GETTING GOING CHAPTER 3: TECHNIQUES FOR EXPLORING AND EXPERIMENTING CHAPTER 4: GROWING YOUR IDEAS CHAPTER 5: PRACTICE AND PROGRESS Acknowledgments About the Author

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