Hobbies, Games & Quizzes Books
The Crowood Press Contemporary Illumination for the Calligrapher
Book Synopsis
£27.00
Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale Draw Your World
Book Synopsis
£13.59
Oxford University Press Inc Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist
Book SynopsisUnsurpassed as a manual for students, this Atlas includes sections on bones, muscles, surface anatomy, proportion, equilibrium, and locomotion. Other unique features are sections on the types of human physique, anatomy from birth to old age, an orientation on racial anatomy, and an analysis of facial expressions.Trade Review"An exhaustive but absorbingly interesting treatise.... The artist will find it planned and written with a completeness and orderliness which make it the perfect reference book."--Art News and Review "Ingeniously edited, well-organized, and illustrated with almost a thousand excellent factual three-dimensional renderings."--Los Angeles Times "A very clear presentation. The schematic drawings are particularly useful in teaching introductory anatomy to students."--Terry Morrow, Texas Tech University "I have used the book regularly for about 35 years and have found the mix of 'clinical' type renderings, clear 'muscle' charts, description and sectional graphic structural sketch pages to be excellent and to the point."-- "Very good illustrations/explanations--very helpful for students to understand such a complex system."--J.P. Manlapaz, North Virginia Community CollegeTable of ContentsPreface The Language of Anatomy Part I: Bones Skeleton (The Unit) Regional Classification of Bones Joints Head Spine Chest Shoulder Upper Extremity Hip Lower Extremity Part II: Muscles Musculature Head and Neck Torso Upper Extremity Lower Extremity Translation from Nature Part III. Surface Anatomy Fat Veins Skin Hair Features Surface Landmarks Part IV: Proportion Proportion Varieties of Physique Part V: Equilibrium and Locomotion Equilibrium Locomotion Part VI: Dinstinctions of Age, Sex, and Race Distinctions of Age Distinctions of Sex Distinctions of Race Part VII: Agents of Expression Agents of Expression Pronunciation of Terms Index
£15.19
The Crowood Press Expressive Embroidery
Book Synopsis
£17.09
David & Charles Tilda Sewing by Heart
Book SynopsisSewing By Heart is a heartfelt sewing book from the creator of Tilda, Tone Finnanger. In this glorious celebration of her love of fabric, you''ll find over 20 sewing, patchwork, appliqué and quilting projects that will bring colour and beauty to your home. Projects include stunning quilts, pretty pillows, sophisticated soft toys, and beautiful accessories such as pincushions, pumpkins, flowers, stockings and more all designed with characteristic Tilda charm.Featuring gorgeous photography, in-depth instructions and full-size templates, you''ll soon be sewing by heart.Table of ContentsIntroduction Bumblebee Quilt Bumblebee Pillows Bee Appliqué Pillow Beehive Pincushions Busy Bees Flower Quilt Flower Pillows Fabric Flowers Circus Quilt Tree Pillow Appliqué Elephant Cabbage Rose Quilt Patchwork Squirrel Patchwork Rabbit Birds and Sunflowers Quilt Birds and Sunflowers Pillows Patch Fox Pumpkin Harvest Quilt Harvest Pillow Patchwork Pumpkins Cottage Quilt Cottage Pillows Patchwork Santa Patchwork Stocking Materials General Techniques Patterns Suppliers Index
£15.29
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc Creative Watercolor: A Step-by-Step Guide for
Book SynopsisCreative Watercolor offers beginners a fun, modern, and practical approach to a timeless medium with instructions on how to paint simple motifs, create elegant lettering, and embellish projects beautifully. Popular watercolor artist and workshop instructor Ana Victoria Calderon shares her step-by-step techniques for painting modern designs in this classic medium. All the fundamentals needed to get started in watercolor are here, allowing you to quickly learn how to create beautiful watercolor paintings. Through a series of easy tutorials and projects, you will: Discover basic materials and tools, plus options for embellishing your paintings Master essential techniques, starting with easy warm-up activities. Then, learn to layer, and get into the flow with watercolor Get an introduction to scanning and digital editing for making multiples Paint a variety of simple, beautiful designs: flowers and leaves, butterflies and critters, fruits and vegetables, and delightful lettering Use what you’ve learned to create unique, stylish stationery, including beautiful invitations, place cards, menus, monograms, recipe gift cards, thank you notes—any project you can imagine, for any kind of event you can think of! There’s never been a better time to dive into the world of watercolor, so why wait? Grab a brush and get painting! 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.
£14.24
Michael O'Mara Books Ltd Geomorphia: An Extreme Colouring and Search
Book SynopsisEnter the strange natural world of epic doodler Kerby Rosanes, where animals and scenes from the natural world morph and explode into majestic, geographic detail. Meet animals that morph from waterfalls and whirlwinds, firey foxes that erupt from volcanoes and fairy-tale castles that grow out of crystal foundations – all for you to bring to life in colour.As an extra challenge, seek out the search items at the back of the book. There’s more to discover within these pages than you ever dreamed possible.Kerby's skills have earned him a solid fan base. His 'Sketchy Stories' Facebook page has more than 1,500,000 likes, he has had 380,000 project views on Behance and his incredible website (www.kerbyrosanes.com) is getting more and more hits by the day.Other books in the colouring series include:9781910552070 Animorphia9781910552148 Imagimorphia9781910552261 Mythomorphia9781910552865 FantomorphiaTrade ReviewAnything that gets teens away from their screens and focused on nature is a winner - and this colouring book does exactly that. * National Geographic Traveller *
£6.99
Dover Publications Inc. Language of Flowers
Book SynopsisCharming reproduction of rare volume by famed 19th-century illustrator includes abundantly illustrated list of over 200 plants and their figurative equivalents tulip = fame; blue violet = faithfulness, etc. Selection of flower-related verses, including To a Mountain Daisy by Robert Burns, appears at back of book. 85 full-color illustrations.
£7.46
Arcturus Publishing Ltd The Kew Gardens Flowering Plants Colouring Book:
Book SynopsisThis elegant colouring book features artworks of flowering plants taken from the archive of Curtis''s Botanical Magazine, the world''s most enduring and respected periodical of its kind, published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.There are 44 line artworks for you to colour in, each accompanied by the artist''s original watercolour plate. Drawn from life, these images show the detail, colour and tone of the actual plant and will inspire you to produce increasingly accurate representations while at the same time exploring the remarkable variety of botanical form.For anyone with an interest in botany and flowering plants, this book contains images to savour and treasure and promises hours of stimulation and pleasure. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Publishing and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have collaborated to create a wonderful selection of botanical-themed arts, crafts and activity books, including origami, dot-to-dots and colour-by-numbers.
£7.59
HarperCollins Publishers The Times Codeword 9
Book SynopsisChallenge yourself at home with word and number puzzles200 brand new compelling and addictive word and number puzzles from The Times. Appearing daily in the newspaper, Codeword is the cracking alternative to Su Doku and Crosswords.The concept is simple: each number represents a letter, so, starting with the solved letters, use your logic and vocabulary to reveal more letters, form words, and then crack the code!The Codeword series is so popular because you don't need any prior knowledge, unlike a crossword. You can just pick up a pen and get puzzling. It steadily increases your vocabulary, as the difficulty slowly grows as you progress through the book, and even though you'll be working your brain, it's the perfect way to unwind.
£6.99
Quarto Publishing PLC Conscious Creativity: Look, Connect, Create
Book Synopsis“Full of tips and tricks on how to look at the world with a curious eye, it’s a brilliant way to breathe creativity (back) into our lives.” – Flow magazine“Crammed with practical ideas, inspirational images & creative exercises, Conscious Creativity leads the reader through the process of establishing what kind of creative you are...”–Mslexia“The purpose of this book is to enable you to look at things in an alternative and more substantial way, so that you arrive at composition through genuine interest.”–Juno magazine“Philippa Stanton is passionate about people connecting to their innate creativity and has distilled these incredible techniques and ideas on how we can tap into that. Philippa is a massively successful Instagramer at @5ftinf and yet she is only too aware how these little two dimensional squares can limit our experiences and restrict our creativity, so it’s not without a little irony that she’s written a book to encourage people to step away from their screens and connect more with the 3D world. It’s a fascinating subject and I wholeheartedly recommend the book for anyone who’s working in the creative industry or is curious about the world around them.”–Sophie Robinson (DIY SOS, The Great British Interior Design Challenge, This Morning)Unlock your creative potential with Conscious Creativity: a practical, playful guide bursting with inspiration to help bring more colour into to your life. There is creativity in all of us, but it can easily be buried beneath our everyday concerns or need a spark to bring it back to life. Whether you’ve lost your mojo or just need some fresh ideas, artist and photographer Philippa Stanton’s lively guide will stimulate your imagination and reinvigorate your creative life.Engage your curiosity and connect your observations to your creative practice with activities such as: Noticing all the hues of one colour you can see around you Creating an abstract textured image using herbs, spices and other dry ingredients from your kitchen cupboards Collecting shadows: photograph hidden shapes and dark spaces that you haven’t noticed before Conscious Creativity will help you open your senses to the beauty you may not notice every day, and show you how to capture it. Simple, engaging exercises that encourage observation and experimentation will give you an insight into your own aesthetics as you take a conscious step to note the colours, shapes, shadows, sounds and textures that fill your world, and how they make you feel.Bursting with practical ideas and inspirational images, embrace the joy of creating, and learn to use your natural curiosity to take a leap into the most creative time of your life. If you like this, you might also like Creative Flow and Nature Tonic.Trade Review"So much colour in one book! I love the daily practice prompts, to encourage you to go and create.” * Betty magazine *"This new tome is packed full of mindful craft exercises, tips, stunning imagery and personal accounts. The book aims to help readers to fully appreciate what is around them, opening up their senses to the beauty they may mot notice every day, and showing how to capture it through crafts." * Your Home *"A creativity guide, prompting visual and visceral experiences, which sit alongside memory and abstract thinking." * Psychologies *"Sometimes it's easy to fall into a crafty rut, so Philippa Stanton reveals how to get your mojo back, with simple yet beautifully illustrated exercises to help you find inspiration in everything around you." * Crafts Beautiful *"Crammed with practical ideas, inspirational images & creative exercises, Conscious Creativity leads the reader through the process of establishing what kind of creative you are..." * Mslexia *"The purpose of this book is to enable you to look at things in an alternative and more substantial way, so that you arrive at composition through genuine interest." * Juno *“Philippa is passionate about people connecting to their innate creativity and has distilled these incredible techniques and ideas on how we can tap into that.” * Sophie Robinson Interiors *“Wanting to get a bit more creativity going in your life, but not sure where to start? Philippa Stanton's book, Conscious Creativity, could be just what you need - with daily practices offering specific instructions to get you in touch with your senses.” * Made for Mums *“A few flicks through Conscious Creativity and you’re sure to get your crafting mojo back in next to no time.” * Papercrafter *“Packed with joyful wisdom, this fascinating title invites readers to open their eyes to the beauty of ordinary things and connect with their creative impulses.” * Craft Focus *"A beautiful toolbox of tips, techniques and exercises to ignite your inner creative." * The Home Page *Table of Contents Contents Introduction 6 What Sort of Creative Are You? 10 Structure, Practice and Obstacles 20 Looking 40 Documenting 52 Texture and Wabi Sabi 60 Colour 70 The Senses and Synaesthesia 86 Atmosphere and Nothing 106 Light and Shadow 116 Abstract 128 Composition 142 Continuing Practice and Personal Projects 152 Seasonal Inspiration 158 Resources 159 Acknowledgements and Index 160
£13.49
F&W Publications Inc Contemporary Celtic Crochet
Book Synopsis24 cable designs which are Celtic-inspired
£18.69
Orion Publishing Co The Infinite Maze
Book SynopsisINFINITE POSSIBILITIES: The 20 maze cards can be put together in any order, in over two trillion different combinations, but there is only ever one correct solution!MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: use the cards to tell stories, compete against one another to race through the maze, or work together to get your character homeFLOOR-GAME FUN: Build one continuous maze stretching up to 170cm (67in) wideDRY-ERASE PEN INCLUDED so you can play time and time againINCLUDES A BOOKLET full of all the character's stories Each card in the infinite maze is its own unique world: find the characters who have got lost from each world, and help them journey their way through the maze back home! Climb ladders, avoid obstacles and pick up items on your way as you race to complete the Infinite Maze: there are endless ways to play, but there is only ever one correct solution.
£15.29
Random House USA Inc Crochet Cafe: Recipes for Amigurumi Crochet
Book SynopsisWhip up a fresh batch of amigurumi! Crochet Cafe features over 30 adorable and appetizing food-inspired amigurumi patterns. Lauren Espy, author of 2019's No. 1 best-selling amigurumi book in the United States, Whimsical Stitches, gives you the ingredients and recipes you need to crochet your favorite meals and treats. Easy-to-follow patterns, detailed photographs, and helpful tips make this book perfect for novice and experienced crocheters alike. Enjoy: - Brunch with eggs benedict or avocado toast - Lunch on the go with a bento box or burrito - A traditional Italian spaghetti dinner, complete with meatballs, red wine, and cannoli These simple and darling patterns are sure to bring a smile to your face. So, pick up a hook and have fun playing with your food!Trade ReviewCreativity is literally the opportunity to turn dreams into reality. Lauren has absolutely and successfully accomplished this with her new book. Each project is stunning, adorable and leaves me needing to go make myself a snack. The intentional artwork and graphics, to the precise details and information...this is an ideal book for crocheters full of gifts for all ages! - Jessica Carey, creator of The Hook Nook, @the.hook.nook Lauren has really outdone herself with Crochet Cafe! Every pattern is more playful and fun than the next. Crocheters of every skill level will appreciate her thoughtful instruction, helpful photos, and masterful technique on the topic of amigurumi. I'll have to restrain myself from making each design! - Toni Lipsey, creator of TL Yarn Crafts, @tlyarncrafts From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, "Crochet Cafe" has you covered for all your adorable food needs. The wide variety of patterns included in this book will ensure that you're able to crochet your favorite foods and those of friends and family members too. With plenty of step-by-step pictures and detailed explanations, you'll be creating your own kitchen full of kawaii food in no time. I'm so impressed with the obvious thought and detail that Lauren has put into each pattern. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crocheter, you will get so much enjoyment out of this delightful, adorable book - guaranteed! - Holly Faith Salzman, creator of Storyland Amis, @storyland_amis Crochet Cafe is an amigurumi and foodie lover's dream! This beautiful and colourful book is jam-packed full of adorable foods that we all enjoy, divided into 5 main sections: breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and dessert. Lauren has such a knack for making ordinary and everyday items cute by creating her whimsical shapes and adding friendly faces. - Stephanie, creator of All About Ami, @allaboutami
£15.99
Abrams Cloth 100 Artists
Book Synopsis
£18.69
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc The Granny Square Book, Second Edition: Timeless
Book SynopsisThis updated second edition of The Granny Square Book offers crocheters at all skill levels even more to love about granny squares—featuring 25 brand new squares, and 25 all-new projects. Since it was first published in 2011, The Granny Square Book has instructed and inspired more than 70,000 crocheters to make and create beautiful, stylish projects with these classic motifs. Now designer and author Margaret Hubert has updated her best-selling and beloved book to include 25 additional crochet squares (for a total of 100!) and 25 all-new projects to make, wear, and give. Margaret shows the evolution of this portable and convenient technique of crocheting square by square as well as its amazing versatility and variety—how it can be used to make almost anything and interpreted in countless ways with different yarns. Among the designs are: Accessories (headbands, bags, and jewelry) Garments (vests, jackets, and tops) Decorative items and gifts (afghans, pillows, and a sweater set for baby) Fire up your crochet hooks! The Granny Square Book, Second Edition offers unlimited possibilities for creating with this timeless motif.
£17.09
Chronicle Books Star Trek Cats 1000Piece Puzzle
Book Synopsis
£15.36
3DTotal Publishing Ltd Creating Stylized Characters
Book SynopsisCreating Stylized Characters gives readers a valuable insight into the popular art of character design. Professional illustrators, animators and cartoonists, well versed in creating characters for video games, comics and film, guide the reader through accessible tutorial projects packed with images and advice. Any budding artist will soon be able to draw characters of all ages, shapes and sizes! This entertaining, beginner-friendly book is applicable to both digital and traditional media, and delves into many essential aspects of the character development process, from real-world research, to sketching gestures and poses, to exploring different genres, personalities and styles.
£22.49
The Crowood Press Ltd MouldMaking and Casting
Book Synopsis
£19.80
Search Press Ltd Trish Burr’s Embroidery Transfers: Over 70
Book SynopsisThis fantastic resource book contains over 70 iron-on designs from world-renowned embroiderer Trish Burr's best-selling embroidery books, plus 6 new bonus designs. Project instructions for each design are available in Trish's inspirational books Needle Painting Embroidery, Colour Confidence in Embroidery, Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery and Whitework with Colour. Choose from a wonderful range of inspiring designs, including flowers, birds, figures, animals and small vignettes. The book contains a short section at the start which gives colour inspiration for every design plus advice on using the transfers; the rest of the book consists of iron-on transfer paper. Using the iron-on transfers is very simple, and each design can be used, stored then reused multiple times. This book gives embroiderers a bumper selection of designs to choose from - it will provide embroiderers of all abilities with the confidence they need to get started creating their own masterpieces.Trade ReviewLove the transfers in this book, has definitely got me in the mood to get back into embroidery. -- Kathleen Nash * Amazon Customer Review *This is a wonderful book for making sewing embroidery on costumes so much easier, you could just use the techniques to print too and save stitching time – thanks Search Press. -- Jazz Tattersall * Amazon Customer Review *I love Trish's embroidery, I have been following her on social media for some time. Its good to see her patterns transfers. They transfer great onto the fabric and have good range of smaller and bigger pieces. -- Jessica Irene Morgan * Amazon Customer Review *The cover of the book is beautiful and explains exactly what you will get in the book, which is over 70 lovely iron on transfers all shown with fully embroidered colour pictures. The transfers are clear and inviting and for someone experienced in embroidery – it is like an Aladdin's cave. -- Davina Williams * Amazon Customer Review *This book isn’t quite what I expected but I do like it, I just hadn’t read the description properly ahead of time. The vast majority of the pages are filled with designs to transfer onto fabric so that you can embroider the images and the first few pages are photos from all of Trish’s previous embroidery books of the original embroidered works. In those books are where you’ll find the tutorials and thread colours and step-by-step instructions if you wish to follow her closely but of course you don’t have to, you can either attempt to colour match by eye from the photos in the book, or choose your own colour scheme and just go for it. The designs are intricate with plenty of details, most would fit in a 3-4” hoop with some larger designs included. Many of the pages include a number of designs on each and all are very clearly categorised and labelled by original book title so that you can easily go and find the corresponding instructions in that book if you wish to follow her tutorials. The transfer process itself takes a little practice but the written and visual instructions in the book are clear and by the second go I had it nailed. I also extended the time to 1.5 minutes which gave a much clearer outline and worked really well. I used the same transfer 3 times and it looks like it would still work well enough a 4th time, albeit it gets feinter each time. The flower and bird illustrations are really lovely and very much my cup of tea so I’m really looking forward to transferring and then embroidering those. All in all, it’s a good book, especially good if you have the books with the original art in. Overall, I’d recommend it. -- Lucy Fyles * Amazon Customer Review *A stunning book of transfers with well written instructions on how to use. -- Sara Hawkins * Amazon Customer Review *Trish Burr’s Embroidery Transfers is one of the many new embroidery books published by Search Press this year, as part of the 50th Anniversary celebration. They sent me an advanced copy, which took me a full three minutes to read. And that’s a good thing – because this isn’t a book you have to read. It’s a book of iron-on embroidery transfers featuring designs from Trish Burr’s embroidery books, plus a few bonus designs. The whole point of this book is to allow you to jump straight into the fun part of embroidery without having to worry about the difficulties of hand-transferring the designs. At the beginning of the book, you’ll find full colour images of the embroideries that are featured in Trish’s many books. There are no instructions for the embroideries in this book. If you need instructions, you’ll find all the projects detailed in Trish’s original books. From Trish’s iconic needlepainting projects featuring flowers and birds, to her miniature projects, to her “whitework with colour” projects – you’ll find them all ready and waiting for your iron! There are instructions on how to use the iron-ons (you can get about three good impressions from them, so they can be re-used), and then the iron-ons themselves, which are nicely spaced on the pages so that they’re not fiddly to cut out. The back cover of the book is a handy folder, so that you can tuck your cut iron-ons safely inside for future use. If you struggle with transferring embroidery designs, if you long to work Trish’s designs but are hesitant because of the transfer process, this problem goes completely away with this book! -- Mary Corbet * Needle 'n Thread *This book gives embroiderers of all abilities a bumper selection of over 70 iron-on designs, plus six new bonus designs. Using the iron-on transfers is very simple and each design can be used, stored then reused multiple times. * Machine Knitting Monthly *The transfers are all helpfully grouped in chapters corresponding to the books they are taken from. Ms Burr makes it plain at the beginning that no instructions are given here, you can find those in the books, but a transfer is just an outline for embroidering over so you can interpret them as you wish. The motifs depict a range of subjects from flora and fauna (the author lives in South Africa) to people, Jacobean style images and several stylized designs that are reminiscent of art deco. To give you inspiration and get the colours right on the wildlife and flowers there are coloured photographs of all the designs in their worked state. There are also six bonus transfers which are not shown stitched but as coloured drawings. For anybody new to transfers there is a page clearly showing how to use them in staged photographs. That’s it… you are on your own or referring to your copies of the books. Most of the images are perfect for the thread painting technique, but as they are simple shapes it would be easy and fun to do your own thing. They vary in size from whole page to smaller images fitted two or four on a page roughly 10” x 8”. A useful resource for embroiderers and guaranteed to make you want the books they are taken from if you don’t have them already! -- Rachel A Hyde * myshelf.com *Table of Contents2 Introduction 4 From Needle Painting Embroidery (designs 1-15) 6 From Colour Confidence in Embroidery (designs 16-28) 9 From Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery (designs 29-49) 12 From Whitework with Colour (designs 50-66) 15 Bonus designs (designs 67-72) 16-64 Iron-on transfers
£9.49
Bonnier Books Ltd The Royal Geographical Society Puzzle Book: Pit
Book Synopsis'This is a great puzzle book, for budding explorers and young adventurers. There's no better way to test your exploration skills without leaving the house!' - Levison Wood Can you pin-point the last-known location of Ernest Shackleton's Endurance?Can you help Amelia Earhart circumnavigate the globe?Are you the next Neil Armstrong?In this unique puzzle book, the Royal Geographical Society brings over a century of maps and expertise to inspire your inner Livingstone and tantalise your budding Columbus. With hundreds of questions on 50 iconic explorers and a mix of mind-boggling maps, word games and trivia questions - it's time to dust off your compass, pack your snow shoes and test your geographical skills against the most legendary adventurers ever to traverse the globe.Trade ReviewHere's another reason to love geography! The Royal Geographical Society Puzzle Book is the subject at its most exciting. * Nicholas Crane, Immediate Past President of the RGS and author of The Making of the British Landscape *A wonderful collection of fiendish puzzles, tricky quizzes and extraordinary stories about some of the greatest explorers to have ever travelled the world. This is the perfect book for aspiring geographers, curious historians and map-lovers everywhere! * Alastair Humphreys, adventurer and author of The Boy Who Biked the World *This is a great puzzle book, for budding explorers and young adventurers. There's no better way to test your exploration skills without leaving the house! * Levison Wood, explorer and author of Walking the Nile and Walking the Himalayas *
£15.29
Search Press Ltd The Complete Crochet Handbook
Book SynopsisTips and techniques to get that perfect crochet finish - from reading a pattern to weaving in ends, and everything in between.
£13.49
Quality Chess UK LLP Boost Your Chess 1: The Fundamentals
Book Synopsis
£25.03
David & Charles The Knotting Braiding Bible
Book SynopsisLearn how to master hundreds of knotting and braiding techniques to create stunning jewellery and accessories. Written by renowned jewellery crafter and first Ambassador for Swarovski Elements, Dorothy Wood, The Knotting & Braiding Bible is the essential guide to knotting and braiding techniques for jewellery craft.The book covers kumihimo (braiding), plaiting, knotting (including macramé) and fusion, with techniques for adding beads, using different cords/wire and attaching findings. All the instructions have step by step photography to make them suitable for beginners.Choose from a selection of contemporary jewellery, accessories and home décor projects to create beautiful gifts and home decorations.Table of ContentsIntroduction Materials Cords and Threads Findings General Equipment General Techniques Knotting Braiding Kumihimo Projects About the Author
£15.29
Floris Books Transparent Window Scenes Through the Year
Book Synopsis'Humans experience great joy in colours. The eye needs them as it needs the light.' -- J.W. GoetheBeautiful tissue-paper window scenes are a lovely way to bring colour and light into a home or classroom. This book has full instructions and templates for making a range of striking window transparencies that capture the mood of the seasons: yellow daffodils for spring, a red sailing boat for summer, orange leaves in autumn, a blue sled for snowy winter.Children will love seeing the transformation when colours are layered and the light falls through them. The projects in this book will support both beginner and expert, teachers of parents in developing cutting and layering skills, and sparking children's imaginations.Trade Review'This is an inspiring book for those with an artistic nature, and are new to the art form. Several of the pictures are truly inspired and produce spectacular results.' --Louise Jefferies
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Edward's Crochet Doll Emporium: Flip the
Book SynopsisDesign your own dolls with this amazing book of mix-and-match crochet patterns. Building up from the basic body, add hairstyles, hats, outfits and accessories to capture your family, friends and favourite people in crochet form. The flippable pages make it easy to follow the patterns in any combination. You could make a countless number of different dolls, or you could make one doll with an extraordinary wardrobe. The book has two flip sections: First choose who you want to make with the top ‘head’ flip – you could make your mum, grandad, sister, best friend, favourite actor or pop star – or even yourself! Next choose what they are going to be with the bottom ‘outfit’ flip – with costumes for an astronaut and a princess, a ballerina and a footballer, a mermaid and a pirate, a surgeon, a punk and more. With step-by-step instructions for all the basic crochet techniques that are needed, this is perfect for beginners. In addition to the flip pattern pages, there are 12 pages of colour photography showing how easy it is to combine the different flip costumes with the additional hats, clothing and hairstyles to make impressive modifications such as a wizard or a bride and groom. With tips on choosing the right skin tones, styling hair and adding facial features, the only limit is your imagination!
£16.14
HarperCollins Publishers Animal Riddles Book
Book SynopsisThe fun-filled quiz book that kids and the whole family will enjoyHave fun with family and friends with this book of brain-teasing riddles that will have everyone scratching their heads!I'm the world's fastest land animal. I can't climb trees. What am I?My eyes are bright, my chest is red, you might see me perched on your garden shed! What am I?My fur is black and white. I spray my enemies with a very smelly liquid. What am I?Packed with rhyming riddles, laugh out loud jokes, tricky teasers and tons of colourful photos they are sure to keep animal fans of all ages entertained!
£5.99
Workman Publishing So. Many. Feelings Stickers.: 2,700 Stickers for
Book Synopsis2,700 stickers for every mood! Feeling all the feels? Express yourself! This EPIC collection of meaningful stickers helps you do just that. Each one like an emoji on paper, these stickers are perfect for your journal, snail mail, or planner-anywhere you want to explore how you really feel and then let it out. Spread the sticker love!
£11.99
Anness Publishing Garden Enchantments: A Mystical Colouring-in
Book SynopsisWander through the pages of this charming book to discover a lost world of enchanted gardens, where flighty woodland nymphs play among the nodding flora and fauna and sleepy magical creatures stir among the fallen leaves. Bring these delightful scenes to life by colouring in the intricate drawings with pens, pencils or paints. Appealing to young and old alike, this beautiful activity book will provide hours of peaceful seclusion in an increasingly stressful world.
£9.49
Stewart, Tabori & Chang Inc The Modern Natural Dyer: A Comprehensive Guide to
Book SynopsisThousands of natural materials can produce glorious colour—the cochineal insect produces pink, maroon and purple, and more than 500 species of plants produce indigo blue. Now, in The Modern Natural Dyer, expert Kristine Vejar shares the most user-friendly techniques for dyeing at home with foraged and garden-raised dyestuffs as well as with natural dye extracts. Demystifying the “magic,” Vejar explains in straightforward, easy-to-follow detail how to produce consistent, long-lasting colour. With stunning photography of the dyes themselves, the dyeing process, and 20 projects for home and wardrobe, The Modern Natural Dyer is a complete resource for aspiring and experienced dye artisans.Trade ReviewOnce in a while you fall in love with a book and even if you cannot at the moment use the information in any way, you still treasure it just in case life presents you with that IF moment one day. I have no space to dye currently, especially not to dye with natural dyestuffs, yet I love this book. I love all the visual elements, the colours, the process and the end result. I have long loved colour it is the reason I knit, do textiles and dye small quantities of fabrics and threads. I once did an indigo vat and would love to do this permanently. This is a book of my dreams. It is a resource for natural dyeing, complete with projects. Find the natural materials for dyeing; discover the wonderful colours you can create; explore the possibilities. One of the most fascinating things about dye is the different colours produced by one source. Information is provided on each source. There is also plenty of information about what you can dye. All the processes are fully explained and different methods are included such as eco printing, dyeing from whole dyestuffs and from extracts. Step-by-step photos are included of the dyeing process. There are shade cards for different fibres. The projects are excellent and each one demonstrates different skills in dyeing and the projects include knitted and fabric items such as clothes, quilts, bags. Surface design is also included. This is a highly recommended, quality book that you will want to keep. Whilst not absolutely comprehensive and old hands might not find anything new, it is a wonderful book that I enjoyed immensely. * Karen Platt- yarnsandfabrics.co.uk *
£18.69
Watson-Guptill Publications How to Draw What You See 35th Anniversary Edition
Book SynopsisShows artists how to recognize the basic shape of an object - cube, cylinder, cone, or sphere - and use that shape to draw the object, no matter how much detail it contains.
£14.39
David & Charles The BeginnerS Guide to Upholstery
Book SynopsisTake your love of fabric to the next level and transform your home with this bright and accessible book for upholstery newcomers.The Beginner's Guide to Upholstery takes you gently by the hand and shows you the simple techniques you need to take the leap into DIY upholstery.Far from being a dry, technical, traditional upholstery manual, this beginner-friendly book presents 10 achievable upholstery and re-upholstery projects using modern materials and methods.In jargon-free, plain-English terms, talented upholsterer and workshop teacher Vicky Grubb takes you step-by-step through the process of upholstering desirable pieces of furniture found at antique markets, street sales and thrift stores, which are all upcycled and given a modern twist. Projects range from a simple stool, vintage sewing box, and blanket box to a fluted headboard, Danish dining chair, patchwork armchair and a mid-century sofa, all guided by the author's down-to-earTable of ContentsIntroduction Sourcing Furniture Fabric Essentials Getting Started Techniques Projects Simple stool Buttoned Sherborne footstool Vintage sewing box Blanket box/Ottoman Fluted headboard Danish dining chair Nursing chair Patchwork armchair Box cushion sofa Mid-century two-seater sofa Glossary Acknowledgments About the Author Suppliers Index
£15.29
HarperCollins Publishers The Times Codeword
Book SynopsisChallenge yourself at home with word and number puzzlesAn utterly addictive puzzle, Codeword is an enormously popular feature of Times2.This cracker of a puzzle is the perfect alternative to knowledge-based crosswords (you either know it or you don't, right?) and number-crunching Su Dokus.In this compelling collection of 150 brand-new Codewords, which for the first time ever are ranked in increasing levels of difficulty, you can really wrestle with your word power and test your logic to the max.The concept is simple. Each number represents a letter, so, starting with the solved letters, use your logic and vocabulary to reveal more letters, form words, and then crack the code!
£7.59
Fox Chapel Publishing Violin Making, Second Edition Revised and
Book SynopsisUtilising fewer tools, this manual makes the violinmaking process easy for the everyday crafter. Using step-by-step instructions and hundreds of detailed drawings and colour photographs, the obscure language and unfamiliar techniques of instrument-making are given a populist overhaul in this newly revised and expanded resource. Requiring only basic tools and everyday woods, aspiring luthiers can begin each new project with full-size component cut-outs, which are included for each instrument piece. An inspiring full-colour gallery of violins made by other amateur crafters is also included. From cutting and shaping each piece to assembly and performance, the theory that only elite crafters can make wood instruments is debunked.Trade ReviewPacked with full-size patterns, step-by-step instructions - a nice departure from the usual use of photographs - you too can craft a wonderful instrument.I suspect that the book that Bruce Ossman has written, is the book he wishes he had available to him when he first fell in love with the violin while a student at Penn State University in the 1950s. It wasn't long before he self-taught himself to make his first instrument. As the sub-title of the book indicates, this book is not intended for the serious luthier making concert level instruments. Ossman's book is aimed at the average woodworker or motivated musician wishing to build a decent sounding, playable violin on his or her first attempt. The book begins with an overview of the entire 30-step building process utilizing many line drawings and sparse text. It's an excellent way to convey, to the novice builder, the violin in its deconstructed state and the logical sequence of steps necessary to pull it all together. This is followed by a gallery of color photos of the work of five makers, some amateurs and some professional. If one needs some inspiration before beginning a project, this section will provide it. The first chapter is devoted to the violin's anatomy and acoustics. Although there is enough literature on these topics alone to float a battleship, Ossman manages to cover the absolute bare-bone basics in just a few pages. The second chapter covers the materials which go into a violin as well as some of the preparatory steps necessary to build an instrument, including the fashioning of some simple tools like spool clamps, the body form and carving table. However, the discussion of tone woods, which one would expect in almost any other book on violin making, is almost non-existent here. The author's focus is definitely on construction. The heart of the book is chapter three, where Ossman takes the builder through the nuts and bolts of building a violin. He relies on a great many line drawings and straightforward text. Being so brief, there is no room for an in-depth discussions of why he opted for one method, approach, or material over any number of other options available to him. For example, the matter of finish is a topic about which countless books, articles, and scientific papers have been written, but Ossman simply instructs the builder to apply several coats of varnish with a sanding between coats. That's it. Still, he knows that if the reader follows his instructions, the end result will be a decent instrument, first time out. The appendix includes templates and full-sized plans, some of which are printed over two facing pages with the binding down the middle, but with registration marks so that when photocopied at full-size, they can be taped together. There is no instrument which is more steeped in mythology and lore than the violin, where grown men and women swear that the best instruments are made by the light of the August Moon, using 100 year old German spruce, harvested from the leeward sides of mountains and finished with shellac using some approximation of Stradivarius's mysterious recipe. Serious luthiers like these can discuss ad nauseum the merits of absolutely any aspect of the violin from the shape of the f-holes, to the types of strings used, to the glues employed, to the placement of the sound-post, and more. This is a different kind of book. For the first time builder, there is much to be said for Ossman's straightforward approach, where he has avoided many of the kinds of issues that more experienced builders delight in debating, but which might distract the novice from simply getting on with it.
£13.49
Search Press Ltd A-Z of Flower Portraits: An Illustrated Guide to
Book SynopsisBilly Showell is a well-respected contemporary artist whose watercolour flower portraits have earned her the respect of watercolour artists all over the world. Worked to the same degree of accuracy as traditional botanical paintings, Billy's compositions are given a more contemporary twist, combining her unique eye for design with her love of flowers. In this book, 40 flower portraits are presented, arranged in alphabetical order, each one accompanied by small studies, details, step-by-step instructions and the colour mixes used to accomplish the finished work. At the start of the book there are useful sections on the materials and equipment needed and the main techniques used, including wet-into-wet, colour blending, lifting out, layering glazes, dry brushing and colour mixing, and at the end of the book Billy gives her own unique slant on composition and discusses the importance of creating a sketchbook. Whether you love to paint, or simply love flowers, this book will delight and inspire you.Trade ReviewBilly shows you how to complete beautiful flower portraits with the same degree of accuracy as traditional botanical paintings but with a unique contemporary feel. Guiding you through 40 flower portraits, each one is accompanied by small studies, details, colour mixes and step-by-step instructions. -- The SAA * The SAA Catalogue 19/20 *Dec 10 If you want to paint professional and attractive botanical pictures of flowers, here is a good place to start. Ms Showell’s earlier book on Watercolor Fruit and Vegetable Portraits (also reviewed on this site) showed how lovely even the humble spud could look when transformed into the sort of painting you could encounter in a priceless 18th century book. Now this talented artist turns her hand to flower painting, and it is time to get those watercolors out once again. Actually you can also find my review of Watercolour Flower Portraits in our archives as well, so prepare for more beautiful floral studies. Search Press is not known for their hardcover books but this is one, which will perhaps give you a clue that this is going to be something special. I love the way the flowers look so three-dimensional against the starkness of the white paper, and if your watercolors manage to look insipid then this is one lesson you can learn from this book to start with. There is good advice about composition, keeping a sketchbook and of course what to buy as well as mastering techniques such as wet-in-wet, color mixing, masking etc. Of course much of this is common to watercolor painting of any type, but I liked how it was all applied to florals with plenty of examples. Here too is advice on veining your leaves; painting fine hairs on stems, creating realistic water droplets and what colors you need to buy for flower painting. The flowers chosen are all garden favourites, ranging from traditional roses and lilies to daffodils and fritillaries, as well as yuccas, pitcher plants and quesnelia. Each project features a large, whole page study of the bloom along with a pencil sketch of part of it with some color added. There are instructions (not the type with staged photographs but just in writing) as well as a color swatch of all the paints you need to buy and what they look like mixed into the relevant shades. A short piece about the flowers together with the artist’s own reason for choosing them completes the entry, making it eminently suitable for all those watercolorists who have progressed beyond beginner primers and are wanting something more intermediate and relevant to their chosen subject. This is also just a lovely book to gaze at, a celebration of flowers and a handsome addition to bookshelves (and coffee tables) everywhere. Highly recommended. * Myshelf.com *Oct 10 Billy Showell approaches her subjects with the same level of accuracy as botanical artists. Her flowers are meticulous and realistic, but infused with her distinctive sense of design to give them a modern twist. This book gives information on materials and equipment needed, as well as clear instructions on the main techniques used, including wet-in-wet, laying glazes, dry brushing, lifting out, using body colour, masking and creating texture and pattern. There are details on colour mixing and on how to get the best out of brushes as well as insights into composition ideas and on keeping a sketchbook. There are also detailed step-by-step instructions showing how to paint 40 specific flower portraits, each accompanied by small studies, including a colour swatch illustrating the palette and paint mixes used for the work. Billy Showell's fans will need no further recommendation. If you are new to her work, you will be delighted at the clarity of instruction, the delicacy and vibrancy of the paintings, and the invaluable advice and inspiration this book offers. * Artist, The *Oct 10 Following her successful volumes on flowers, fruit and veg, Billy Showell returns with a collection of step-by-step instructions for painting a variety of plant species, alongside information on specific techniques like masking out and glazing. Showell doesn't aim for strict botanical accuracy, instead opting for a fresher artistic flourish in her work. While the practical aspect of the book is undebiably useful, this is also a great chance to see the artist's intricate flower portraits reproduced across many of the spreads. From anemone seeds to spots on the petals of a Stargazer, the level of detail she has achieved is astonishing, particulary considering these are watercolours. It all confirms Showell not just as an impressive floral painter, but also as one of the UK's leading watercolour artists in any genre. * Artists & Illustrators, The *Oct 10 Billy Showell is a fantastic watercolour artist. When I first saw her work I was amazed at how she takes the subject and renders is with an almost botanical attention to detail and yet has that magic touch that transforms work from what could be a somewhat stilted reproduction of flower, fruit or vegetable into a stunning and attractive work of art. Needless to say – I simply love her work and as very excited to read about her new book. In this book she takes 40 different flowers and shows us simple touches from simply observing closely tiny details specific to each flower, to the colour mixes she uses to create works, and different techniques such as wet in wet and lifting out. Its the clever extra touches such as the tulips on page 9 where she has used their natural tendency to curve and bend to form a heart shape from two stems that make her works so special. Of course its Billy's love for flowers and constant observation that allows her to know these differing characteristics to each plant. By observing plants around us and using a sketchbook as she advises we can learn this too. The paintings themselves are not quite the usual step by step paintings so common to art books but present a bit more of a challenge. I'm sure that will appeal to many artist who want to develop their own style rather than just follow other peoples instructions. Its certainly one of the things that make her books so exciting for me. Billy tells us the colour mixes needed for each flower and from observing the full page illustration we follow her instructions to complete that flower. With some of the more complex flowers she gives additional “mini demos” to show the best way to render the petals. The beauty of working this way is that it allows the artist to become a participant in the painting rather than simply a follower of instruction, and once confident that your rose or tulip you've painted following her advice is competent you will feel encouraged to do it again with one from the garden or supermarket with new colours and shapes. A superb book, full of exciting ideas for the artist who wants to do more than just follow instructions. * JeannieZelos.com *Dec 10 Following her first two books on painting flowers – Watercolour Flower Portraits and Watercolour Fruit & Vegetable Portraits, Billy Showell brings us her A-Z of Flower Portraits. The book opens with a section on composition, followed by useful advice on keeping a sketchbook, placing the flowers on the paper, and the importance of lighting. A chapter on materials and equipment precedes several pages on techniques, including such subjects as colour blending, lifting out, negative veining (a way of creating pale veins by lifting out fine, bright lines), layering glazes, masking out and texture and pattern. Billy realises that most of us don’t have endless time to experiment with colour mixes and helps us on our way by giving us details of her own mixes resulting from hours of trial and error. The colour mixes (which are beautifully reproduced by the publisher) start each section, describing the colours you need to combine to get the desired subtlety of colour for your subject. Less experienced artists can work through these preliminary sections, while more experienced artists may prefer to go straight to the projects. Forty painting projects are included, with subjects ranging from flower names of every letter of the alphabet, starting with anemones and aquilegia and ending with the zantedeschia (white arum lily to you and me). Billy is an inspirational flower painter, taking the best of the traditions of botanical painting yet imbuing her work with her own contemporary signature - a skill that has earned her five certificates of botanical merit from the Society of Botanical Artists. * Leisure Painter, The *Summer Catalogue 2014 This enchanting book and DVD set is bursting with top tips & detailed demonstrations to help you paint 40 breathtaking blooms. * SAA *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Composition 10 Materials & equipment 22 Techniques 24 Index 128 The Flowers Anemone 48, Aquilegia 46, Bergenia 50, Camellia 52, Clematis 54, Dicentra 56, Erythronium 58, Freesia 60, Fritillaria 62, 64, Galanthus 66, Gerbera 68, Helleborus 70, Hydrangea 72 & 74, Iris 76, Jasminum 78, Knautia 80, Lathyrus 82, Lilium 84, Lonicera 86, Magnolia 88, Narcissus 90, Nerine 92, Ornithogalum 94, Philadelphus 96, Podranea 98, Quesnelia 100, Rosa 102, Sarracenia 104, Spathiphyllum 106, Trachelospermum 108, Tulipa 110 & 112, Uvularia 114, Verbena 116, Weigela 118, Wisteria 120, Xeranthemum 122, Yucca 124, Zantedeschia 126
£16.19
Search Press Ltd Paint Yourself Calm: Colourful, Creative
Book SynopsisMeditative, peaceful and calming, watercolour painting offers a sense of control and self-worth to everyone, with no judgement or goal beyond the joy of painting itself. This book shows you how to calm and enhance your outlook through the movement of brush on paper. Master artist Jean Haines leads you on a journey through paint, showing you how to wipe away your worries with the soothing, gentle strokes of watercolour paint.Trade ReviewI am a crafter, but not a painterm so I wondered if I would like this book, From its opening of "colourful, creative mindfulness through watercolour" to "finding energy and strength... red is a powerful colour", it grabbed my attention. I like how Jean describes the different colours and, as the rainbow is seen all around at the moment, it was nice to start "...thinking about colours as blankets to wrap around you." I decided to follow Jean's guidance and paint a poppy. I read it through and immediately wanted to paint one. With clear instructions, nice anecdotes, and no pressure for it to be a certain way, I enjoyed going with the flow. While we are being peaceful and mindful (using calming blues and greens), it is important to remember we also need to re-energise (energising red, orange, yellow). This is an uplifting and calming book for stressful times. * Third Age Matters *This book is absolutely beautiful, full of gorgeous images, colour and inspiring quotes, 'Anyone can paint. Not only anyone, but everyone.' In Paint Yourself Calm, Jean has created an inspiring and uplifting book that will encourage anyone to pick up a paintbrush, dip it in your favourite colour and experiment. Magical! * Hot Brands Cool Places *Longtime watercolor art instructor and painting how-to author Haines (Jean Haines’ World of Watercolour) tries something a bit different in her latest title. Starting from the premise that everyone can paint, Haines frees readers of the goals and expectations of end results, and encourages simply enjoyment of painting. Open-ended, detailed exercises guide readers through experimenting with paint to gain a sense of control; to relieve stress; to escape; or to be in a better mood. The emotional and psychological properties of color are discussed as are obstacles to creativity and happiness. VERDICT Open-minded readers of all ages and skill levels can benefit from the unique blend of self-care and expression offered here. * Library Journal *September 2016 This is a really beautiful book about learning to paint, but with a real difference. Jean takes you on her own personal journey, revealing how her career has brought her to a magical realisation: that painting is therapeutic and calming for the soul. This book shows you how you can calm and enhance your outlook thorugh the movement of a brush. Jean leads you page-by-page on a journey through paint, showing you how to wip away your worries with the soothing gentle strokes of watercolour paint. She says 'Painting is something that you can do at any stage in your life... and no painting experience is necessary * Love to Make *Anyone can escape a stressful life and find inner peace, simply by playing with colors. These words of introduction by the artist Jean Haines describe aptly the content of her latest book. This time it is not the teachings of her fascinating watercolour technique in the foreground, but the process of painting itself. Many people believe they cannot meet the high demands of painting because they consider themselves untalented. But Jean Haines believes we do not paint to please others, but we should paint to relieve stress and find peace. In addition to her expressive watercolors we find meditative texts that reflect the personal attitude of the artist to the creative process in aptly. It is therefore worth the thorough reading before the first drawing exercises. The lessons build progressively on each other. We learn the ink flow to control and observe the interaction of two colors. Each chapter impressed by one hand, color-rich, on the other hand also by delicate screens. The accompanying texts are easy to understand and fun and with the heart and soul of the painter incorporated. Now the most impressive chapters of the book follow: The calming effect of nature. Each section covers a different color. From experience we know that red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet evoke certain moods in us. Jean Haines explains the effect of each color on the viewer. It shows step by step - instructions the watercolors of large-sized flowers, delicate grasses, feathery painted plants and the creation of sky blue. With this acquired knowledge we can apply this to a delicate landscape. In the final pages, the artist note summarizes the positive effect of painting on the inner peace of mind. Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of relaxing learning is generally known and is practiced in many rehabilitation facilities. Jean Haines shows us that every person can find by simple drawing exercises an oasis of calm, allay fears and worries can forget. Without having the coercive attend a painting class, succeed with simple exercises in a very short time stunning images. For advanced watercolor artist, this book is recommended as we can free ourselves from the pressure of expectations of a perfect view through the learning of a loose brushwork. Originally publishing in german: http://kreativreview.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/paint-yourself-calm-von-jean-haines.html * Kreative Review *Summer 2016, Issue 2 There are many of us who just don't do art, for whatever reason. The beauty of this book is that it coaxes us into painting for therapeutic purposes and takes away the pressure and takes away the pressue of any self judgement for what we create. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is large format and rich in stunning illustration (of course). The author was a painter first, then she became a painting teacher and now she is teaching calm through painting. When you become fully absorbed in an activity - and painting is a supreme example of this - your mind becomes much quieter. * Cygnus Review *This book should appeal to both the beginner who would like to paint but doesn't know where to begin and the 'improver' like myself. I found painting relaxing and exciting when I started some years ago but now tend to get bogged down in the complexities of techniques and different media. This book takes you back to colour and 'playing'. Not trying to create anything for exhibition or sale but just enjoying painting. Jean has suggested just the basic materials required and that is ample to get started. The book is very readable and would make an excellent gift. beautifully illustrated. The text contains descriptions and simple exercises with the emphasis on easy methods and keeping yourself relaxed and calm. I particularly liked the sections on herbs at the end as I felt it introduced a sense of reality with looking at and painting an object. The fragrance of herbs around is well known for providing a calming atmosphere. This would make an excellent gift for any painter. * Dorothy Barton *This is a visually stunning book. My first thought when I opened my parcel was of the impact of it's gorgeous colour. Inside the beautiful watercolour painting continues. Jean Haines strives to make her reader comfortable with the concept of simply 'playing with colour' and the wonderful examples of abstract painting which fill the beginning of the book help with that - they look so playful and not at all intimidating. While I understand Haines' need to make her reader comfortable, I do find the intro pages a little repetitive - really trying to drive the point home that anyone can pick up a brush, it could be a fantastic experience, etc. I do love her concept of 'playing with colour', though, it takes a step back from 'Art' with a capital 'A' and introduces an idea that one can simply play and experiment - what better way to learn? Even better, it sounds far more relaxing that launching in with the idea that you'll be creating beautiful masterpieces. I do love the materials section as well - it's very concise and to the point: you don't need masses of expensive materials and equipment, just two brushes, an old white plate, a clear jar, and three tubes of paint will do. That makes things less intimidating for a beginner. I've read several 'beginners' art books that contain pages and pages of different materials and tools that leave even someone with experience wondering where to begin. The practical section starts with 'Colour Experiments', getting you used to different techniques, the way the colours flow - the 'playful' part. It's about building up confidence. It flows almost seamlessly into the more complex and less abstract exercises. Again, the art is beautiful yet not intimidating - encouraging the reader to 'give it a go'. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow. At the end of the book, there's a quick summary about 'painting yourself calm' and positive thinking, and a useful index, and yet more wonderful watercolour paintings. Even just flicking through the pages is a lovely experience. Looking forward to working my way through the book! * Leanne Cane *With no painting experience necessary, Jean proves that anyone can put paint to paper with the object of relieving stress and exploring emotion to achieve a sense of calm. I can most heartily verify that painting is calming, because I feel that myself when I paint. It is all about the experience of painting and not the end result. The exercises are rather simple and basic shown as step-by-step. All in all, if you want some very basic ideas to get you into the routine of painting without taxing the mind, and to use painting as a way to find solace, you will find this book useful. It covers techniques such as salt, clingfilm, pouring and some ideas on colour. Jean's excellent use of colour and her finished paintings hold this book together * Karen Platt -yarnsandfabrics.co.uk *As I have been reading about the preparation and build up for this book the overall impression I have had is that it would be different and that is just what it is.... different! Not the usual format of materials, techniques, step by steps.... there is a small section on materials where Jean talks about what you will need to get started and how good paper is the most important thing, but this book doesn't dwell too much on things mundane!! It does however dwell on the joy and happiness we can find by pursuing this lovely pastime, how painting somehow helps us find a special place unknown to us before we painted. Since reading it I have been trying to think where it might fit into the painting population at large and I have come to the conclusion that although it isn't an instructional painting book per se it actually transcends all abilities and levels and I found myself once again inspired by Jean Haines, this time in a totally different way. As I am a painter who teaches, sells my work and occasionally exhibits I have worked hard on the techniques I have been taught by Jean and a number of other artists to the point where I have more recently been finding my own way but decided that as I have all Jean's other books I "needed" this one to add to my collection. While it isn't a teaching book in the way her others are, it has some wonderful inspiration, some beautiful illustrations ( I do like pictures in a book!!) and it gives a "can do " message to its' readers which a lot of painters need. I had read some of Jeans' blogs where she has talked about the book and how it was a departure from her previous publications and I honestly think this book is one which would be a fit for artists at any level including complete beginners. I have always felt that painting is available to anyone and everyone and it is very encouraging to read Jean's conviction that anyone can paint, how painting can enrich lives beyond comprehension and that no-one needs any special talent or skill to start. Joy to my ears! Art Therapy is known to have very beneficial effects and while we're not actually talking about that here Jean talks about aspects of colour and it's mood enhancing qualities, about the joy of creating, not for a finished masterpiece, but for the sole purpose of enjoyment and how painting for it's own sake can bring about a wonderful calmness and contentment. She very eloquently puts into words what a lot of us who are passionate about our art feel as we are creating and have the brush in our hand. As for my own inspiration, I don't tend to spend as much time playing with my paint as I once did and have had some art work I want to do for my own home which has been on the back burner for some time. Having read this book and looked at some of the simple exercises Jean has put together to get people started I have had lots of ideas as to how I might go about creating this illusive work!! The exercises look quite simple but the end results in turn look so effective leading me to feel that the book is worth buying for these little studies alone. I don't want to say anything frivolous about this book as it carries a more serious message beyond that of regular painting books. It talks about the mental benefits of painting, how we can escape to our little painting havens and become completely consumed and absorbed during the time we spend watching the paint and water do their magic on the paper. It also provides very persuasive arguments for allowing us to spend time painting... Finally, I loved the quote "It was only when I made a conscious decision to treat painting like eating, as part of my daily routine that my life and art career changed" That really struck a chord and separates the artists from the wannabes and something I need to incorporate into my daily routine too, another snippet of inspiration. * Judith Farnworth Art *July 2016 Jean Haines' Paint Yourself Calm shows you how to use the medium of watercolour to overcome anxiety and escape the stresses of everyday life. Aimed at the complete beginner, Jean describes how the action applying paint to paper can help you control your life, enhance your mood and improve watercolour painting at the same time. Illustrated with watercolour paintings this is a truly 'feel good' book. * The Leisure Painter *It’s hard to convey just how much I hate all that new-agey stuff. Most of it’s just an excuse for a load of self-obsessed navel gazing. And it’s never cheap, either. Do please feel free to disagree with me, but please read the rest of this before you write in! It would be a shame to dismiss this on the basis I’ve outlined, or even to regard it as having nothing to do with practical art. It has everything to do with the practice of painting and, above all, of getting yourself into the state of mind where you can put down on paper what you feel in your head and see with your mind’s eye. If you want a book that explains the creative process in a way that’s completely relevant and comprehensible, this is it. It may or may not be Jean’s prime purpose, but, for the artist at least, it’s the result she’s produced. The thing about painting is that it’s so much more than a mechanical process. Sure, there are things you have to do, such as prepare grounds, mix colours and lay washes, but these can take on Zen-like properties if you let them. A lot of people say that routine helps set them in the right frame of mind for what comes next, which is pretty much the same thing. A lot of the content of this genuinely intriguing book is what might be called pure watercolour. This isn’t a step-by-step how-to manual at all, not one that tells you how to paint specific subjects. Rather, it’s about the use and application of colour to create a state of mind. Jean’s intention, I think, is that this should be within yourself, but the thing is that paintings have an audience: other people will see them and that state can be induced in them as well. Art, as Edgar Degas said, is not what you see but what you make others see. It’s not exactly abstraction – most of the illustrations are entirely recognisable – but the form is definitely more important than the function. If you know how to paint, but want to understand why, and why that why is important, read this book. It’s beautiful, rewarding and full of insights. * Artbookreview.net *Table of ContentsTAKING A LEAP 10 Anyone can paint 12 Why you should paint 16 Mood changing 22 What we need 28 COLOUR FLOW 32 Simple landscapes 34 Simple colour flow exercises 38 Facing obstacles 44 Nature’s calming influence 54 Calming thoughts 60 THE PEACEFUL ZONE 64 What is the peaceful zone? 66 Lifting the mood 70 Finding energy and strength 74 Sands of time 82 Colour from the sun 88 Healing herbs 94 Nothing but blue skies 100 Healing lavender 104 Well-being 110 INNER PEACE 116 That peaceful feeling 118 Life experiences 120 A positive attitude 124 Index 128
£14.39
Fox Chapel Publishing Great Book of Celtic Patterns, Second Edition,
Book SynopsisUnravel the secrets to creating Celtic knot work as you adorn your completed wood burning, carving and scrolling projects with beautiful twists, braids and textures. In this new edition of the largest and most complete book on Celtic knot work, nationally known artist and best-selling author Lora S. Irish unravels the secrets to creating these intricate and beautiful designs. With over 200 original patterns and easy-to-follow lessons that can be applied to a multitude of arts and crafts, you'll learn the basics of creating the knotted line and the simple twists and braids that form the basis of Celtic art. Discover how to incorporate knot patterns and finials—such as animals, leaves or scroll work—into an unlimited number of styles and layouts that can artistically stand alone or adorn any form of craft. Great Book of Celtic Patterns is the essential guide for any artist or crafter seeking to create the historical beauty of Celtic Art.
£15.29
Penguin Books Ltd The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady Colouring
Book SynopsisA stunning new colouring book that will take you through a year in the life of the English countryside. Nearly 40 years ago, a rediscovered diary enchanted the nation. Edith Holden's 'Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady' from 1906 captured her observations on the English countryside's changing seasons, accompanied by exquisite illustrations of its flora and fauna. Now, for the first time, Edith's work been turned into an beautiful colouring book. Featuring black & white ink illustrations based on her paintings, alongside the original handwriting from the lost journal, this is a captivating colouring book that guides you through a year in the world of this truly remarkable Edwardian lady.Trade ReviewA stunning new colouring book that will take you through a year in the life of the English countryside. * From the publisher's description *
£19.37
Orion Publishing Co Do You Look Like Your Dog?: Match Dogs with Their
Book SynopsisThe viral sensation of 2018, as featured by ITV's Lorraine, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Metro, MailOnline, The Sun, Buzzfeed, Bored Panda and many more. Pair up the dogs with their owners in this hilarious card game. Fifty cards depict fun photographs of the dogs and owners, and humorous texts are included in the booklet to provide clues about 25 people and their furry best friends. Why DO people look like their dogs? Is it shared personality traits, barely suppressed narcissistic tendencies, or do they grow together over time like old married couples? This game explores the intense bonds we develop with our dogs, which are far from only skin, or even fur, deep. Play as a memory game with the cards face down for added entertainment. Collect the most pairs to win! This is the perfect gift for dog lovers and a must have Christmas gift. Trade Review"Dogs and their humans have developed bonds so strong that it's no wonder they start to resemble each other. The similarities often exist in subtle yet undeniable ways - be it through flowing locks, soulful expressions, or a silly grin. Photographer Gerrard Gethings highlights these "doggelgängers" in his charming collection of colorful portraits." My Modern Metropolis"These furry friends and their owners looks so much alike you might do a double take." Business Insider"This photographer captured just how much these dogs look like their owners. Or is it the owners who look like their dogs?" Reader's Digest
£15.29
Dover Publications Inc. Creative Haven Glorious Gardens Color by Number
Book SynopsisForty-six scenes encompass flowers, animals, mountains, waterfalls, and the occasional garden gnome. Achieve realistic effects with the help of lightly printed numbers that correspond to a simple color key.
£7.49
Tuttle Publishing Cherry Blossoms Gift Wrapping Papers 12 Sheets
Book SynopsisIn Japanese Culture, the art of gift wrapping and the presentation of gifts is equally as important as the choice of the gift itself. Gift wrapping is an ancient and highly respected art form and beautiful, high-quality paper is essential to this creative endeavor. The fine-quality tear-out gift wrapping sheets feature twelve traditional and modern prints, suitable for craft projects as well as for gift wrapping. These tasteful designs are ideal for any occasion and offer a variety of colors and patterns. An introduction details the history and meaning behind the designs.Trade Review"The papers are so pretty, that they cry out to be used for more crafty uses than simply gift wrap." --Castle View Academy blog"…the quality of the paper is very good. I found it easy to wrap with and it was a good strength." --Craft Moms Share blog
£14.27
Flame Tree Publishing Adult Jigsaw Puzzle Moomins on the Riviera
Book SynopsisPart of an exciting series of sturdy, square-box 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles from Flame Tree, featuring powerful and popular works of art. This new jigsaw will satisfy your need for a challenge, with the charming Moomin: A Dangerous Journey. This 1000 piece jigsaw is intended for adults and children over13 years. Not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts. Finished Jigsaw size 735 x 510mm/29 x 20 ins. Now includes an A4 poster for reference.Tove Jansson was a Finnish-Swedish writer and artist who created the Moomin family and their friends. She first started painting Moomintrolls in 1935 and her last Moomin book was published in 1970; but her stories live on and continue to be adapted and enjoyed by many generations.
£14.39
Tuttle Publishing Origami Paper 500 sheets Japanese Waves 4 10 cm
Book SynopsisThis pack contains high-quality origami sheets printed with colorful and attractive Patterns.
£11.39
Page Street Publishing Co. Pottery for Beginners: Projects for Beautiful
Book SynopsisEverything You Need to Get Started with Pottery If you ever daydream about delving into pottery but aren't sure where to begin, this is your book. Professional potter Kara Leigh Ford will be your personal pottery guide, helping you to overcome any doubts about your abilities. All you need are curiosity and a few simple tools to mold stunning stoneware with confidence. Inspiring projects and primers on equipment, technique, clay types and setting up a workspace make pottery approachable for complete newcomers, as well as budding potters who want to hone their skills. Plus, gorgeous photos from Kara's studio offer visual guidance every step of the way. Enter the wonderful world of ceramics with hand building, the meditative method behind your next mug, spoon set or soap dish. When you're ready for the wheel, easy-to-follow instructions cover the foundations of throwing bowls, plates, vases and other beginner-friendly kitchenware like a pro. Each stand-alone piece builds upon a skill introduced in the previous project: Craft all ten and you've learned pottery's fundamentals! Tutorials on glazing and decorative techniques will help you discover your own unique style and understand the basics of the firing process-whether in your own kiln or at a community studio-ensuring beautifully finished pieces. Kara's can-do approach brings handmade ceramic creations fully within reach. Whether you want to make charming home decor or thoughtful gifts for loved ones, you'll find all you need to embark on your pottery journey.
£17.09
Bonnier Books Ltd The Beatles Colouring Book
Book SynopsisChannel your creativity and love for The Beatles through this nostalgic colouring experience.
£7.59
Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale Pop Manga Beauties and Beasties Coloring Book
Book SynopsisColor pop-manga girls and their adorable animal friends in this quirky coloring book from acclaimed artist Camilla d'Errico. Drawn in Camilla d'Errico's signature Pop Surrealism, manga-inspired style, this adult coloring book includes 80 black-and-white images of wide-eyed girls with their furry, feathered, and scaly friends printed on non-bleed paper � all that's missing is your creative touch!�In Pop Manga Beauties and Beasties Coloring Book you'll find charming full-page illustrations, with select drawings on patterned backgrounds for extra mesmerizing fun. Take these black-and-white beauties and beasties and bring them to life.
£13.59
Pan Macmillan Start Painting Now: Discover Your Artistic
Book Synopsis'A beautiful, joyful book from cover to cover. Start Painting Now is packed full of brilliant and empowering creative advice that will compel you to shout from the rooftops I AM AN ARTIST. ' – Lorna Scobie, creator of the 365 Days of Art seriesStart Painting Now is an inspiring, practical, accessible guide to discovering your creative spirit, giving you brilliant new tools for relaxation and self-care. Renowned artist Emily Powell and her GP sister, doctor Sarah Moore, will guide you through the process of learning to ignore your inner critic and unwind from the stresses of daily life through painting.Whether you're returning to art after a long break or starting as a complete beginner, this book will motivate and encourage you to just pick up a brush and see where it takes you. Backed by the latest research on the benefits of art for mental health and wellbeing, Start Painting Now will empower you to put aside the fear of failure, turn off your phone and throw yourself into the joy of creativity.Complete with inspiring examples from a range of female artists and set alongside examples of Emily and Sarah’s own work, this book will give you all the tools you need to start painting now!Trade ReviewInspiring and informative. A joy to read! -- Annie McGrath, comedian and host of 'Secret Artists' podcastEmily Powell is known for her colourful, warm paintings that lift the spirits when the world feels grey. -- Harper's BazaarSarah and Emily have created such an accessible, friendly, inspiring, colourful and practical way to get us all painting. It’s a book for everyone, from the complete beginner to the practicing artist. I’ve taken so much from it and know that I’ll be referring back to it time and again! -- Anita Mangan, Graphic Designer and Illustrator of Escape the Rooms and The Chinese ZodiacA beautiful, joyful book from cover to cover. Start Painting Now is packed full of brilliant and empowering creative advice that will compel you to shout from the rooftops "I AM AN ARTIST." -- Lorna Scobie, creator of the 365 Days of Art series
£17.00
Search Press Ltd How to Draw: Animals: In Simple Steps
Book SynopsisLearn how to draw cute household pets, impressive wild animals and amazing birds using this fun and easy step-by-step method. Starting with simple shapes, four popular artists show how easy it is to develop circles, rectangles, squares and ovals into an exciting selection of creatures including cats, dogs, horses, lions, elephants, monkeys, penguins and eagles. If you have never drawn before this is definitely the book for you, and there is a lot here to inspire more experienced artists too. Uses material from the How to Draw series.Trade ReviewThis is a compilation of five previous books on drawing cats, dogs, wild animals, birds and horses, not a brand new book. If you don't have these previous titles you can now obtain them in one handy volume with nothing omitted. Each page (larger than UK size A4) shows you how to draw an animal or bird, starting with a rough outline and adding more in subsequent diagrams (usually six). The last two show the drawing shaded in pencil and finally with paint added for a colored study. One helpful aspect of this is that each additional drawing shows what has been added to it in a different colored pencil, although in some cases more stages would have made the book even more user-friendly. For a beginner it is not always obvious how to get from a simple line drawing to the fully shaded study next in line, but working it all out is perhaps part of the fun. Certainly this is a beautifully simple approach to drawing, where there are no captions - they frankly just aren't necessary - just steps to work through. I enjoyed using it, and anybody who wants to learn how to draw a range of different creatures will too.-Myshelf.com Another one from the popular How to Draw range, this time a compilation of individual books brought together to cover cats, dogs, birds, wild animals and my favourite section - horses. The artists show us in a series of simple steps how to create a selection of different animals in a variety of characteristic poses. They use a simple method of shapes, mainly circles and ovals joined together by lines to show us how easy it is to draw these, in a step by step format from the initial step to the finished portrait. The beauty of this book is that like all the How to Draw series it's so simple to follow each step. The first step is drawn in one pencil colour and subsequent steps in a different one, with the last step changing back to original colour. Its incredibly easy for even a very beginner to create great drawings following these simple instructions. Although all the poses are very typical of the individual animal( and birds!) my favourite are the horse ones. Having tried so many times to photograph my own horse moving and failed - I really only get a good picture when she's grazing - using this book I'll hopefully be able to tailor the poses into some lovely paintings of her. And of course use the individual portraits to bring some life into other paintings. If you'd love to draw but think you can't this book is the one you want, it demystifies all those problems and shows you just how simple drawing is by following a few key instructions.-JeannieZelos.com The ability to draw has many uses, including creating patterns for machine knitting. Learn how to draw cute household pets, wild animals and amazing birds using this fun and easy step-by-step method. If you've never drawn before this is definitely the book for you and there's a lot here to inspire more experienced artists too.-Machine Knitting MonthlyTable of ContentsIntroduction Cats 8 Dogs 37 Horses 65 Wild Animals 93 Birds 121
£11.69
