Nature in the arts Books

Book SynopsisAward-winning artist Angela Gaughan shares with you a life time's worth of experience in art. This book provides an insight into the distinctive techniques Angela Gaughan uses to achieve her amazingly detailed, life-like wildlife paintings. It is an inspirational guide to painting in acrylics; both for experienced artists who are interested in Angela’s methods, and those wishing to improve their skills. Sumptuous colour is at the heart of Angela's vivid, beautiful art work. Her unique techniques combine the advantages of acrylics and oils. In this inspirational book, Angela shares with you a lifetime's worth of experience in art. Learn her unique approach to using acrylics to produce depth and character in your own wildlife artwork, and follow the step-by-step demonstrations as you build up your skills. The book begins with detailed coverage of the materials, tools and media Angela uses. Chapters on colour and light, gathering reference, and composition build upon Angela's working method guiding you through her stages of working, from using photographic references, through completing a tonal drawing, to using transparent washes and opaque colours to create a full painting. The instructional techniques then connect into substantial chapters on colour, composition and finish off with masterwork techniques to help more advanced artists push their artwork further.Trade ReviewAngela Gaughan is a fantastic wildlife artist, I can say this with confidence because the reproduction in this large format book is supremely good. Angela works in acrylics and achieves levels of detail you'll find it hard to believe possible. Not only does she - when necessary - manage to depict individual hairs, but you can see them here, along with the brushstrokes she uses to create them. This is hyperrealism and, if that's your preference, this is a book to dive into with relish. There is an excellent balance between it being a showcase, which the work demands, an analysis of style and straightforward instruction. The level at which Angela works would never suggest a beginner's guide and this is much more of a masterclass. Demonstrations are few and assume a considerable amount of basic knowledge and experience. An advanced worker will never feel that they're being over-bothered with elementary details. -- Henry Malt * The Artist *There’s a variety of material in this utterly enthralling book, but by far the majority of it is of wildlife, and that’s what you’d buy it for. I’ve always been surprised by the success in the practical art market of books which deal with such sharp focus and fine detail. I don’t mean to denigrate the skills of amateur artists, but this kind of thing is almost certainly beyond the capabilities of more than a few. The truth is, I suspect, that it’s aspirational and you’d certainly be pleased if you could come up with something even half as good. Although there are demonstrations here, they aren’t really the focus of the book, which is much more of a masterclass aimed at those who already have quite a lot more than the basic skills. If you can already paint animals, you’ll be glad at the lack of rehearsal of the basics you already know. As far as materials are concerned, Angela works mostly in acrylics. The results are stunning. Angela absolutely understands form, colouring, posture and behaviour and here it’s not only her creatures that are believable, but their settings and their place in them. It’s true that she works a lot from photographs, but those don’t always give quite the right composition or feature the perfect specimen. The art is to provide what nature intended, rather in the way of the identification guide, which shows a typical rather than exact example. The majority of the subjects are large wildlife – apes, elephants, big cats – but there are some domestic ones as well as some figurative work that demonstrates similar skills. There’s not enough of this to make it a reason for purchase, but it adds variety and a further dimension. And now we must turn to the production, which is the jewel in the book’s crown. This is a slightly oversize volume and excellent use has been made of the space, both to showcase finished paintings and to feature details and stages at a good size. The quality of the reproduction is stunning. Angela’s work concentrates on fine detail and every hair and brushstroke are clearly visible. Going through, I started to wonder whether some of the images weren’t quite up to snuff and were perhaps not quite as sharp as they might be. Further inspection showed that this is absolutely not the case and that what I was actually seeing was the texture of the painting surface. Yes, it’s that good. Only a hundred years ago, colour reproduction was so coarse that you could see the individual dots of ink with the naked eye. Photo litho improved that and then mechanical tolerances in the printing presses themselves allowed much finer register and smaller dots, which you now need a powerful magnifier to see. For all that, there’s much that can go wrong and choice of paper is a major stumbling block. Search Press’s production department has been at the top of its game for some time, but this surpasses anything I’ve seen, even from more august publishing houses dealing with fine art. That they have achieved this with a cover price of just under £20 is barely credible and you have to suspect witchcraft may be involved! If you’re involved with book production, you should have a copy of this, just to remind yourself of what’s possible. You have nowhere to hide and there are no excuses for anything less. So, to sum up: an amazing book in every respect. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *I fell in love straightaway with the incredible art work in this book. Just beautiful. The book itself is a really good guide and resource for creating wildlife art- easy to follow, clear and helpful advice. I would recommend this for everyone- even ambitious beginners. The style of writing is pitched just right so as not to be off-putting for those who are just starting in their artistic journey. An inclusive book where the enthusiasm and compassion of the author just seeps through. I thoroughly recommend this gorgeous book and I cannot wait to get started painting! A super addition to my art book collection. -- Debi D * Amazon *Stunning wildlife paintings and inspiration for artists. A good balance of photos of beautiful paintings of wildlife to inspire, techniques and a brief history of the artist. I found it an enjoyable read as a stand-alone book, and know I will keep coming back to it as reference for my artworks going forward. In my opinion it would suit somebody with a bit of experience in painting rather than a raw beginner, but maybe that’s because Angela’s artwork is so exquisite! I love it. -- Christine Ingram * Amazon Customer Review *I fell in love straightaway with the incredible art work in this book. Just beautiful. The book itself is a really good guide and resource for creating wildlife art- easy to follow, clear and helpful advice. I would recommend this for everyone- even ambitious beginners. The style of writing is pitched just right so as not to be off-putting for those who are just starting in their artistic journey. An inclusive book where the enthusiasm and compassion of the author just seeps through. I thoroughly recommend this gorgeous book and I cannot wait to get started painting! A super addition to my art book collection. -- Kitty Luna * Amazon Customer Review *Table of ContentsForeword Introduction What I use to paint My approach Zebra – Creating an underpainting Preparing to paint Tiger Cub Creating your own paintings Colour and light Gathering reference Composing your paintings Masterwork techniques Afterword Index

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Book Synopsis An ABC adventure through the American Southwest, filled with vibrant art and playful rhymes for young children and their families. Discover the alphabet through a whimsical exploration of the scenic American Southwest! This magical book highlights canyons, monsoons, hats, animals, insects, boots, cacti, sweet treats, and other desert imagery with playful rhyming couplets that kids will love. Southwest ABCfeatures artworks from the collection of Phoenix Art Museum by well-known artists including Thomas Moran, Faith Ringgold, Charles Gaines, Elina Climent, Ed Mell, Tom Palmore, Mariana Yampolsky, and many others. This eye-catching learning resource inspires children to learn their letters, and practice imagination, critical thinking, and observational skills at home.

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Book SynopsisHorses have been the inspiration for hundreds of works of art over the centuries. This book celebrates the horse in all its glory, from its role as working animal in war and sport, to beloved pet. The horse's beauty and majesty is caught by artists as diverse as Stubbs, Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Magritte, Frink and Freud. The Book of the Horse is a cool and quirky collection of equine art and illustration by artists from around the world. Interspersed through the illustrations are entertaining quotations and short texts on the artworks.

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Book SynopsisElegant and beautiful, rich in history and supremely useful, birches have played an extraordinary yet largely unrecognized part in shaping both our natural environment and the material culture and beliefs of millions of people around the world. For thousands of years they have given people of the northern forests and beyond raw materials in the form of leaves, twigs, branches and bark, as well as wood and sap, not simply to survive but to flourish and express their identity in practical and spiritual ways. Tough, waterproof and flexible, birch bark has been used for everything from basketry and clothing to housing and transport, musical instruments and medicines, as well as a means to communicate and record sacred beliefs: some of our most ancient Buddhist texts and other historic documents are written on birch bark. Birches have not only shaped regional cultures – creating, for example, the Native American wigwam and the birch bark canoe – but continue to supply raw materials of global economic importance today. Birch explores the multiple uses of these versatile trees as well as the ancient beliefs and folklore with which they are associated. Richly illustrated, this book presents a fascinating overview of their cultural and ecological significance, from botany to literature and art, as Anna Lewington looks both at the history of birches and what the future may hold in store for them.

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Book SynopsisCatherine Hyde follows the journey of the bee and the sun in a calendar of glorious full colour paintings that celebrate the sensory delights of herbs, seasoned with bee and plant lore. From the rising and setting of the Pleiades, from sunrise to sunset, the bee and the sun work in harmony, a miracle of nature, growth and new life. Beneath the shifting constellations, equinoxes and solstice markers, as the bee progresses from plant to flower, acclaimed artist Catherine Hyde pays tribute to the magic and mystery of nature. Snippets of ancient bee beliefs and plant folklore are complemented by paintings of wild thyme, saffron, meadow sweet, basil, mallow, lavender and many more delights. A book to treasure, and an ode to the wonder of nature. 'This is a treasure... Such a celebration of the wheel of the year' JACKIE MORRIS, CILIP Kate Greenaway winner of The Lost Words, on The Hare and the MoonTrade ReviewBlending beautifully vibrant paintings with the written word, this gorgeous calendar of art celebrates the magic of nature, as well as the sensory delights and etymology of herbs * Daily Mail *PRAISE FOR THE HARE AND THE MOON: 'This is a treasure by Catherine Hyde. It is a thing of beauty that traps time... Such a celebration of the wheel of the year' Jackie Morris, CILIP Kate Greenaway winner of The Lost Words. 'She is, if you will, a visual poet weaving images, symbols and archetypes into paintings that resonate in the subconscious and linger there like half-remembered dreams or the dark fairy stories with which she has such affiliation' Pip Palmer, Galleries Magazine. 'Share the joy of leafing through the beautiful book which contains a treasure trove of visual and oral language... Atmospheric, entrancing and sparing enough to act as stepping stones into endless daydreams' Cornwall Today. 'It is the vibrant and atmospheric paintings and the way they bring to life the flora and fauna of the British countryside that make this book one that resonates... A book to treasure' The Field. 'An absolutely exquisite calendar of paintings, it's gorgeous... A celebration of flora, fauna and country life, this simply stunning tome would make the perfect girft or coffee table book' * The Countryside *

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Book SynopsisRivers of Wales does exactly what it says on the tin - in this book Jim Perrin introduces and revels in the nature of our rivers, writing from diverse perspectives. He looks at the geography, mythology, social history and natural history which exist as a result of the flowing waters. This is a celebration of Wales'' rivers and appeals to a broad readership.

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Book SynopsisArt has always been inspired by the wildlife around us. Since earliest times we have been continually fascinated by both wildlife and the challenge of representing it. This book sets the scene of how wildlife has been portrayed in art and guides the reader through the principles of practical drawing and painting wildlife. It covers recommended equipment, techniques, fieldcraft, composition and anatomy, and offers help for those wishing to exhibit their work.

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Book SynopsisWoodland Imagery in Northern Art reconnects us with the woodland scenery that abounds in Western painting, from Albrecht Dürer’s intense studies of verdant trees, to the works of many other Northern European artists who captured 'the truth of vegetation' in their work. These incidents of remarkable scenery in the visual arts have received little attention in the history of art, until now. Prosperetti brings together a set of essays which are devoted to the poetics of the woodlands in the work of the great masters, including Claude Lorrain, Jan van Eyck, Jacob van Ruisdael, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci, amongst others. Through an examination of aesthetics and eco-poetics, this book draws attention to the idea of lyrical naturalism as a conceptual bridge that unites the power of poetry with the allurement of the natural world. Engagingly written and beautifully illustrated throughout, Woodland Imagery in Northern Art strives to stimulate the return of the woodlands to the places where they belong — in people’s minds and close to home. Trade Review'Woodland Imagery is a beautiful piece of writing. Akin to the living objects that it treats, the book branches out unconfinedly from its core, moving towards the light along varied and lively paths. The author writes in economical sentences pleasing in cadence and rhythm. Her descriptions of woodland paintings are notably sensitive, delightful, and revealing. Academic jargon and endnotes are held to a minimum. These features make the book a joy to read accessible to a broad audience.' – David A. Levine, Historians of Netherlandish Art ReviewsTable of ContentsPreface; Intro; Kindle's Promise; Dürer's Linden; Jan van Eyck's Adoration of the Lamb; The Poet's Catalogue; The Copse; Survivor Sole; Sights of Tivoli; Love in a Ducal Forest; In the Heart of the Forest; Down by the Riverside; Epilogue; Bibliography; Illustrations

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Book SynopsisA charming gift book, celebrating the cats in Tate's collection Following Tate's publication Love, this new selection of works showcases the most endearing, quirky, and amusing depictions of cats drawn from Tate's collection. Divided into key themes--"Snap Cat," "Cats on Laps," "Fierce Felines," "Scratchy Sketches," "Painterly Paws," and "Prints and Pawings"--this little book considers how cats have been revered in culture and have influenced artists over the centuries. Works of art--including paintings, drawings, sculptures, illustrations, and installations--are introduced by a brief introduction text adding background detail or additional information about the art, artists, and their subjects. Featured artists include: Prunella Clough, John Craxton, Sunil Gupta, Edouard Manet, Bernard Leach, David Hockney, William Blake, Andy Warhol, and Alex Katz. Sometimes traditional, sometimes contemporary, often touching and occasionally telling, placed together these beautiful images create a fascinating and enlightening journey through the visual portrayal of cats in Western art.

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Book SynopsisIlluminating and insightful glorious exploration of horses in art Horses have appeared in works of art throughout history and across the globe, frequently as depictions of the horse in battle, as a form of transportation, or within the settings of racing, hunting, or breeding. Culturally, the horse is significant across the world. This book seeks to explore the long and rich trajectory of art focusing on horses and equestrian art from their historic use in battle or as tools in agricultural labor up to their representation as an allegory for wildness and power in modern art to the current fascination with horse racing and breeding. Offering in-depth explorations of over 50 artworks from the last 260 years, mostly in Western art, it explores the changing and fascinating relationship we have had with horses, from the classical paintings of George Stubbs to the subversive feminist performances of Rose English.

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated, comprehensive guide to botanical painting written by the Society of Botanical Artists. In this new book the Society of Botanical Artists provides a comprehensive guide to the different styles and methods of botanical painting, harvesting the talent of both Members and Distance Learning Diploma Course students around the world, past and present. Botanical Painting features techniques and materials for all levels and demonstrates how these skills can be used to develop your own expertise. There are chapters on drawing with graphite and metal point, coloured pencil, body and watercolour in plant portraiture and illustration as well as 'The Mixed Bunch'. The inclusion of the historic methods used for egg tempera and metal point, as well as the technique required for working on vellum, makes this a valuable source of advice on subjects not readily available elsewhere. An inspirational gallery of paintings at the end of the book provides a guided walk around an SBA exhibition. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout, with comprehensive critiques on the artworks and step-by-step demonstrations. It will be an invaluable and inspirational addition to the library of the more experienced botanical painter. Trade Review'This is a complex subject and it and its practitioners deserve to be given the serious attention they receive here.' * The Artist *

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Book SynopsisThe book showcases 75 beautiful words evocative of the wild, from all around the world, that describe natural happenings in nature. It includes words that describe weather, or a feeling you have when in nature as well as sensory words that explain the smell or sound of a place. The words used to express what is seen in the world are vital to an appreciation of it – language is a key component in the call of the wild. As words vanish from a language, it follows that what they describe may disappear. Words deepen understanding of what is seen, and what is seen comes more vividly to life through the words used to describe it. As the natural world and the time spent in it diminish in the face of modern life, it’s more vital than ever to recall it into being with the magic of language. Each of the 75 words will have a 100-word description, including its pronunciation, a geographical/historical/cultural background, as well as reflecting on the emotional/mindful response the natural phenomenon can inspire. Each word will be paired with an illustration Examples of words: Mångata. Sweden. Noun. The path of light that the moon makes on water. Sugar weather. Canada. Noun. A period of warm days and cold nights – the perfect weather to start the sap flowing in maple trees. Rudėnja. Lithuania. The way nature begins to feel as autumn takes hold and the vestiges of summer disappear. Komorebi. Japan. Noun. Beams of sunlight filtering down through the trees.

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Book Synopsis''Flittermouse'' features Jo Cox''s beautiful lino print of a bat in the night sky, above a passage of text about these funny little creatures from Tom Cox''s book 21st Century Yokel, the latest book by the Sunday Times bestselling author and social media sensation.

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Book SynopsisAn enigmatic meditation on the transition from life to death William Monk (born 1977) is known for his semiabstract, atmospheric and vibrant paintings that feature mysterious and otherworldly forms. Engaged with notions of the afterlife, Monk’s latest series The Ferryman is comprised of large-scale paintings and smaller compositions that focus on the journey from this life into the next.? Published to accompany Monk’s three-venue exhibition at Pace Gallery in New York and East Hampton and Grimm Gallery in New York, this paperback volume guides the reader through all three exhibitions, presenting the entire body of work in a visual narrative, utilizing cinematic proportions and images to replicate the experience of Monk’s careful spatial arrangements. A conversation between the artist and poet John Yau provides new insight into the artist’s creative practices, while text by art historian and critic Suzanne Hudson explores the nuances of the ferryman figure and his psychedelic environment.

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Book SynopsisThis collection of artwork from European comics master Sergio Toppi focuses on illustrations of beasts both real and imaginary presented in Toppi's inimitable pen-and-ink style. Sergio Toppi’s work has been hailed as an influence by such artistic masters as Sean Gordon Murphy and Walter Simonson.

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Book SynopsisPhotoscapes and the Egg is an intimate book to be savoured and kept nearby, perhaps on a coffee table because of its sheer beauty. Inside its robin egg blue cloth cover are improvised photos of objects, nature, and art, each matched with a photo of an egg inside a cosmic circle — eggs with personalities from the calm ethereal to the hot aggressive. In full, there are more than 100 stunning colour photos, all taken with an iPhone. The match of phenomena and eggs alludes to the dance of the material world with the invisible “birthing source” represented by the egg. Accompanying text and poems bring stories to the dance. The juxtapositions evoke surprise, insight, emotions, hope, and refreshment. They make wry jokes and touch on realities beyond the obvious. This book contains unabashed gentleness and spiritual toughness without pretence. Photoscapes and the Egg sprang from the mind of Patricia Z. Smith, a 79-year-old photographer and writer with extensive life experience and a pull since childhood to meld the physical with the esoteric. The design by Louis Brody is modern and serene. The book is a gift to the reader and her or his friends. It is a resource for these times and our future.

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Book SynopsisYlla (191155) devoted herself exclusively to animal portraiture at a time when no one had thought of only photographing animals. Driven by her symbiotic relationship with animals, she created a new genre in animal photography: the expression and personality in animals. Ylla: The Birth of Modern Animal Photography recounts the eventful odyssey of a New Woman par excellence, fearless and knowing no limits. She was part of artists' circles in Belgrade and Paris, however during WWII she fled to New York via Marseille where she started her career again from square one. Originally taking beguiling photos in her studio and zoos, Ylla finally traveled to Africa and India where she died in a tragic accident during a water buffalo race. Her Animals in Africa and Animals in India are some of the first books on the subject. Ylla also introduced photography to children's literature. Her books The Sleepy Little Lion and Two Little Bears are juvenile classics. This book details her remarkable life

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Book SynopsisA woman ahead of her time, Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) was an intrepid explorer, naturalist and scholar, as well as a magnificent artist. This lovely, impeccably designed book tells Merian's incredible life story alongside colourful reproductions of her engravings and watercolours of the butterflies she encountered during her lifetime in Germany and the Netherlands and her seminal trip to the Dutch colony of Surinam. The book recounts Merian's monumental expedition, her work as an advocate for the slave laborers of Surinam and her important studies of the anatomy and life cycle of the butterfly. Author Boris Friedewald employs Merian's favourite insect as a metaphor for the artist's own pioneering evolution from budding entomologist to educator, activist and artist. A visual treasure as well as a satisfying read, this exquisite volume is the perfect gift for anyone interested in Merian's amazing life and groundbreaking body of work.

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Book SynopsisSaved by a Deer is more than just a collection of photographs and words; it's a heartfelt expression crafted by Canadian photographer Chiara Zonca, serving as a love letter to the rural island of of coastal British Columbia she fondly calls home.

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Book SynopsisTen graded lessons to tackle beautiful colour in stunning botanical compositions. Building on Valerie Price’s previous and highly successful book, Botanical Illustration: The First Ten Lessons, this next volume provides a practical introduction to colour and composition in botanical illustrations. Formed of ten graded lessons, each chapter teaches a new skill that builds upon the last, with subjects that range from red tulips and pink roses to blackberries and green foliage. Full of handy information, and with easy-to-follow exercises, the book includes step-by-step instructions that show you how to produce beautiful colour in your compositions. This practical guide includes essential information on different watercolour techniques, how to arrange informative compositions and mix your own colours to achieve lifelike results.Trade Review[Botanical Illustration] is very accomplished and will certainly inspire any would-be botanical painters to get started. * Leisure Painter *Table of ContentsIntroduction Colour How to use watercolour Colours Composition Lesson 1: Green Lesson 2: White Lesson 3: Yellow Lesson 4: Red Lesson 5: Blue Lesson 6: Pink Lesson 7: Purple Lesson 8: Orange Lesson 9: Brown Lesson 10: Black Conclusion Preservation and presentation Further reading Suppliers Courses Online shopping Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisExplore the beauty and diversity of the animal world through more than 300 captivating imagesTrade Review'From cave painting to 3D printing, humans have long been fascinated by the likeness of the creatures with whom we share the earth. A new book Animal showcases the great variety of these depictions through 300 artworks.' - The Wall Street Journal 'Thanks to its easy-to-read text and beautiful illustrations, this coffee table-style book will appeal to art, animal, and cultural history enthusiasts.' - Library Journal 'Stunning.' - Parents-News.co.uk 'Utterly beautiful coffee table book for animal lovers. From guinea pigs to sea dragons there are over 300 images exploring the extraordinary creatures that make up the animal kingdom. A proper present.' - Angels & Urchins 'Here is the ideal book for a nature-lover's coffee table: a brilliantly conceived and impeccably rendered showcase of over 300 images of animals extant and extinct, real and imagined, selected for their visual impact and scientific significance... The aggregated images and their fascinating text are an addictive time sink. Better keep each two-page spread open for a week before turning to the next one, so that this lovely book can brighten and inform your living space for months to come.' - Natural History Magazine 'Any volume that examines 'humankind's fascination with animals' can only hope to be a conspectus, but Animal is an unusually ambitious and thoughtful effort, handsomely produced and with an introduction by a Harvard zoologist... Images are paired cleverly, sometimes touchingly, to show how our fascination evolves... Many will be less familiar and some strikingly new... Animal captures admirably two interlocking intoxications: the thrill of ever-expanding zoological knowledge and the sheer joy of looking at animals, which look right back and into us in challenge and entreaty.' - Country Life 'Beautiful... Bridges the gap between art and science, compiling the story of humankind's relationship with animals alongside hundreds of glossy images... So what can we learn from flicking through this book when the internet can deliver us images of every insect, animal and amphibian under the sun? The answer is: a lot. It sets into context how our study, depiction and understanding of animals has changed throughout history, and indeed, how our knowledge continues to develop exponentially... [James Hanken's introductory essay is] academic in tone but highly accessible, it breaks down into digestible chunks exactly what zoology is - in short, the scientific study of animals and their biology - and offers an overview of why we have made images of animals through history, how these have changed and the future of what zoology looks like... Peppered with fascinating facts... These pages keep on giving and giving... This is a book that would make David Attenborough proud. If anyone knows him, be sure to buy him a copy for Christmas.' - Elephant.art 'A visual survey of mankind's fascination with the animals we share the planet with.' - The Herald (Scotland) 'Boasting imagery from some of the all-time greats... Animal is as stunning on the exterior as it is internally. Dust up on your zoological knowledge and bless your coffee table with [a] copy.' - Airows

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Book SynopsisPart of bestselling designer Cynthia Hart''s Victoriana Dogs stationery line, these high-quality wrapping papers feature sweet and charming pups from the Victorian era, combining two big trends-dogs and vintage-into one sophisticated gift.Dogs were celebrated during the Victorian era because they embodied important cultural values of the time: steadfast, loyal, courageous. They became the most popular domestic pets-Dash, a King Charles Spaniel, was considered Queen Victoria''s closest childhood companion-and were pampered just as they are today. Created by artist Cynthia Hart, who layers antique paper ephemera, fresh flowers, ribbons, and vintage objects into lush collages filled with life, color, and energy, these twelve gorgeous sheets of wrapping paper and gift tags will make the wrapping as desirable as the gift inside. Tear out the decorated sheets along the perforations, unfold them, cut to size, and wrap your gift in beautiful style.- 12 illustrated she

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Book SynopsisIn electrical and electronic systems, a ground noise is a sound interference, a stray noise considered as disturbance. Like a flying insect trapped in a lamp, it is a continuous rustle, a vibration that seeks to escape. Its presence is considered annoying, therefore one usually seeks to get rid of it. Insects and arthropods trigger atavistic reactions in us. Even dead and pinned under glass, a spider will be able to frighten, even for a moment, an adult human being. Admittedly, we have somehow tamed our fears towards them, through admiration (“the incredible work of ants”, “the beauty of butterflies”) or recognition (“the bees, our so useful nurturers”), but this teeming fauna remains nonetheless mysterious, obscure, even unsettling. This work is extended by a conversation between Céline Clanet and eco-acoustician Jérôme Sueur, a specialist of the “melody of insects”.

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Book SynopsisCute and cuddly, fuzzy and finned--animals come in all shapes and sizes, and this big book will teach you how to draw everything from dogs and cats to horses, lions and hammerhead sharks. No experience necessary!

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Book SynopsisImage-transforming techniques such as close-up, time lapse, and layering are generally associated with the age of photography, but as Florike Egmond shows in this book, they were already being used half a millennium ago. Exploring the world of natural history drawings from the Renaissance, Eye for Detail shows how the function of identification led to image manipulation techniques that will look uncannily familiar to the modern viewer. Egmond shows how the format of images in nature studies changed dramatically during the Renaissance period, as high-definition naturalistic representation became the rule during a robust output of plant and animal drawings. She examines what visual techniques like magnification can tell us about how early modern Europeans studied and ordered living nature, and she focuses on how attention to visual detail was motivated by an overriding question: the secret of the origins of life. Beautifully and precisely illustrated throughout, this volume serves as an arresting guide to the massive European collections of nature drawings and an absorbing study of natural history art of the sixteenth century. "

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Book SynopsisThis dazzling collection showcases the very best of the British Wildlife Photography Awards, presenting over 150 of the winning, commended and shortlisted images from the 2017 competition. Featuring a range of photography from world-leading professionals as well as inspired amateurs, it is a book that captures the magnificent diversity of the British Isles. Now in its eighth year, the annual competition has a long tradition of supporting conservation. It provides a platform for the finest examples of British nature photography, revealing its wonders to a wide audience and engaging with all ages through its evocative and powerful imagery. With a 20,000 prize from lead sponsor Canon, it is one of the most prestigious photography competitions, attracting major sponsors and culminating in an exhibition at London's Mall Gallery. British Wildlife Photography Awards 9 is divided into the competition's fifteen categories, from Animal Portraits through to the Young People's Awards. Every photograph is beautifully reproduced in a large format, with detailed technical information alongside the photographer's personal account, to appeal to both photographers and natural historians. Featuring a fresh new design, and supported by a major media campaign, this is a book that will bring every reader closer to the often unseen and always surprising world of British nature.

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Book SynopsisVincent Lagrange is undoubtedly one of the most significant animal portrait photographers of our time. With the photo book Between Us, he has expressed his very personal declaration of love to our animal relatives. In sensitive colour and black-and-white photographs, he showcases his models and provides a magnificent insight into their closeness to humans.Vincent developed his love for photography at an early age in his father''s photo studio, where he practically spent his entire childhood. There, he practiced capturing the grace and dignity of his feline companion, Dwiezel, through photography. For this, he employs techniques that are typically used in human portraiture. The results he achieves with this approach are remarkable.Lagrange considers it important to emphasise the social nature, emotions, and connections of animals. And he succeeds like no other. In 2022, Lagrange''s work received international recognition with one of his images

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Book Synopsis Discover the magical world of the honeybee with this deluxe book, featuring 70 stunning images shot with ultraviolet technology. A comprehensive look into the amazing science of bees, this book collects mesmerizing ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence (UVIVF) photography of flowers and nature and offers fascinating research that explores every aspect of our relationship with honeybees. Learn about the history of beekeeping, current environmental impacts affecting bees, and the rise of bee products in medical and wellness spaces. As you travel through the world of bees, you''ll discover a diverse range of flora showcased in a whole new light through the ultraviolet spectrum, from orchids and anemones to manuka and cactus blossoms. A gorgeous gift for environmentalists and photography fans alike, this in-depth book invites us to reimagine the world from a bee''s point of view and better understand its importance to the future of all life on earth.P

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Book SynopsisFrom distinguished critic and curator John-Paul Stonard, a dazzling, panoramic world history of art from ancient times to the present for the twenty-first century reader. Creation tells the extraordinary story of how people all over the globe, from prehistory to the present day, have created images in order to understand the world they inhabit. It explores the remarkable endurance of this creative impulse, and by tracing the diversity of artistic forms through the ages, offers a comprehensive and exhilarating introduction to world art.Historian, critic, and curator John-Paul Stonard has assembled a dazzling array of paintings, sculptures and artifacts to tell a story of vitality and renewal. Fully illustrated, each chapter of Creation allows intimate access to key works of art and the conversations surrounding them, from the earliest cave paintings of the Palaeolithic Era to the conceptual art of today. Stonard has written a captivating anTrade ReviewA worthy and richly illustrated successor to Ernst Gombrich's fabled The Story of Art * Sunday Times, Best Art Books 2021 *Stonard traverses the sweep of human history, moving between cultures and hemispheres ... His book consists of myriad flashes of brilliance and inventiveness ... In sheer scope and ambition, Creation finds a precedent in Ernst Gombrich’s The Story of Art (1950) ... Stonard both emulates and expands upon Gombrich’s masterly and ubiquitous account. But he also offers something distinct, substituting the grand narrative with a pluralistic, incidental and shifting approach. It leads into the near present in the style of a prolonged ellipsis – a promise of "more to come" -- James Cahill * Literary Review *If The Story of Art were written today, it would look very much like Creation … This bountifully illustrated book is a history of connections … [Stonard has a] lucid, thoughtful style ... He manages to show both how the great names of Western art and their peers elsewhere in the world were driven by the same forces, but above all that making art is "part of what it means to be human" -- Michael Prodger * Country Life *Creation has moments of delight and insight * The Critic *

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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 450 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 *“…a glorious, oversize volume collecting Haeckel’s artistic work.” * The Wall Street Journal *“The book’s prints and commentary shed new light on the prolific output of Ernst Haeckel and his impact on modern science and philosophy.” * vice.com *“Through Haeckel’s steady hand everyone can grasp the beauty, the elegance - and sometimes the sadness - in all walks of life.” * smithsonianmag.com *“…a glorious book… his influence on art and the natural sciences remains profound, and his stunning artworks continue to stand the test of time.” * American Scientist *“This is a bible for those who love pattern.” * The Times *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for Procreate beginners or more advanced artists, this inspiring book shows how to create impressive paintings using very quick and simple techniques.These tricks provide the perfect base for aspiring artist to build confidence and grow their skills. More advanced artists can also take the techniques in this book and use them to speed up their digital-painting process.Procreate for the iPad continues to be the most popular digital-painting software in the world, with around 30 million users. 3dtotal Publishing''s previous Procreate titles have sold over 74,000 copies to date, so the desire in our audience to learn more about this software is proven. This book goes right back to basics, covering the use of selection tools, gradient fills, custom brushes, and more to quickly and easily build up quality paintings. These methods are introduced in an in-depth chapter of must-know basics, which are followe

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Book SynopsisZen Buddhist priest Shunmyo Masuno understands that today's busy world leaves little time or space for self-reflection, but that a garden—even in the most urban of spaces—can provide some respite. In his words, "The garden is a special spiritual place where the mind dwells." With this in mind, Masuno has designed scores of spectacular Japanese gardens and landscapes with the aim of helping people achieve a balanced life in the 21st century.This book explores Masuno's design process and ideas, which are integral to his daily Zen training and teachings. It features 15 unique gardens and contemplative landscapes completed in six countries over as many years—all thoughtfully described and documented in full-color photos and drawings. Readers will also find insights on Masuno's philosophy of garden design and a conversation between the designer and famed architect Terunobu Fujimori.Zen Garden Design provides an in-depth examination of Masuno's gardens and landscapes—not just as beautiful spaces, but as places for meditation and contemplation.Trade Review"…a deeper dive into Masunos design process and ideas, so if you're after something that's instructional as well as inspirational then this is [an] option for you." -- Flowers Across Melbourne blog"The text is superb--very complex thoughts written in an almost readily understandable fashion, and most enjoyable to read. And the illustrations are even better--assisted, I am certain, by the quality of the gardens being illustrated." --Shakkei Journal"[Masuno's] ideas and design process, which are fundamental to his daily Zen practice and teachings, are explored through photographs, drawings and descriptive narrative." --ABC Gardening Australia magazine

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Book Synopsis100 Japanese Gardens is an ambitious attempt to profile the finest gardens in Japan, while also highlighting lesser known, but equally accomplished landscapes in less-visited parts of the country. A celebration of Japanese landscape design, this book features gardens from Kyoto and Tokyo, as well as from the sub-arctic island of Hokkaido and the semi-tropical islands of Okinawa. Author Stephen Mansfield travelled the length and breadth of Japan on a quest to identify the most impressive gardens in this vast and culturally varied archipelago. His erudition and love of the Japanese garden shines through on every page, making this the perfect primer for travel to Japan or an enjoyable armchair read for gardening enthusiasts. Mansfield's insightful descriptions of each garden examine design concepts and principles, space management, compositional elements, and the iconographic and metaphysical role of Shinto and Buddhist influences. Through his exquisite visuals and engaging stories, we experience Japanese garden designs not merely as landscapes, but as large-scale art installations.Trade Review"Is it a garden book? A travel guide? Pure eye candy? This visual romp across Japan, which explores some of its most serene and green spaces and includes addresses, visiting hours, and other practical details for each, is all of the above. Locales include the grounds at Shisendo (a 17th-century Kyoto hermitage) and Tokyo's Nezu Shrine, site of the Bunkyo Azalea Festival." --Publishers Weekly"…the book is far more than a travel guide. It is an ideal read for all lovers of Japanese gardens. Highly recommended!" --Shakkei Vol. 25 No. 4. Spring 2019"…It would be well worth having if you were going to Japan to view gardens…" -- Washington Gardener Magazine"…if there's [little room] in my suitcase, I can take Tuttle Publishing's pocket sized 100 Japanese Gardens by photojournalist Stephen Mansfield." --Hortus Journal

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Book SynopsisA FLAME TREE SKETCH BOOK. Beautiful and luxurious, the sketch books combine high-quality production with magnificent art. Perfect as a gift, the thick paper stock makes them ideal for sketching and drawing. Features a wide range of well-known and modern artists, with new artworks published throughout the year. BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED. The highly crafted covers are printed on foil paper, embossed then foil stamped, complemented by the luxury binding and bookmark ribbons. The covers are created by our artists and designers who spend many hours transforming original artwork into gorgeous 3d masterpieces that feel good in the hand, and look wonderful on a desk or table. THE ARTIST. Lucy Innes Williams is a painter and illustrator with an artistic interest in highly ornate textiles, patterns, and the decorative arts of the early-mid twentieth century. She uses a combination of gouache, watercolour and printmaking. THE FINAL WORD. As William Morris said, "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2023 Highland Book PrizeJoyful and mindful, a powerful argument for being still and listening' Sunday TimesA book about birds, birdsong and the countryside they inhabit, from the critically acclaimed author of Raptor.In Wild Air, James Macdonald Lockhart sets out to write about a series of birds as though he has his granny's role of listening to birds' songs and calls and relaying what she heard to her aged and by then quite deaf father the famous naturalist Seton Gordon. From a nightjar's strange churring song on a heath in the south of England, to a lapwing displaying over the machair in the Outer Hebrides, he writes about eight different birds who he has spent most time with, returned to most often and relays what he hears.The eight species are all representative of a different habitat. Nightjars on a lowland heath; shearwaters on a mountain overlooking the sea; dippers on a river; skylarks in farmland; ravens in woodland; divers on a loch; lapwings on the coastTrade Review'My oh my this is a beautiful book. My favourite kind of nature writing: quiet, subtle, watchful, immanent.' Helen Jukes, author of A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings ‘Lockhart is committed to understanding each (bird) in its habitat, and to capturing that sense of place in the song… It is both joyful and mindful, a powerful argument for being still and listening.Lockhart doesn’t make the point explicitly, but I think he would say that these songs, and these creatures, are beautiful in themselves, and that beauty alone justifies protecting them and enjoying them — and writing about them. At the close of the book, he passes a fellow enthusiast in the dark out listening for nightingales. It’s “just extraordinary”, the man says. The book is pretty extraordinary too.’Sunday Times ‘As I see it, Lockhart is really attempting to enter into the realm of these creatures, and to convey a feeling of what their lives are like… He writes beautifully, using words to paint exquisite portraits of his subjects… Poetry, folklore and natural history are woven into the mix. But what I particularly liked about this book is that Lockhart treats the birds and their surroundings as inextricably linked. A dipper’s stream is painted as vividly as the animal itself, giving a sense of clear, cold, running water, small pools, mossy banks.’ Financial Times ‘(A) fascinating insight into the lives of the twittering, fluttering creatures that share our world.’ The Herald ‘Lockhart’s skills as a naturalist are second to none, his observations of skylarks especially fresh and sharp.’ Countryfile ‘Enchanting’ Nature

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Book SynopsisLearn artist Remington Robinson’s ingenious approach to plein air painting—using a mint tin as palette and easel to create mini masterpieces on the go. The talented artist behind the popular Instagram and TikTok accounts @remingtonrobinsonart has gained a devoted following by showcasing his unique and portable painting setup. In Mini Plein Air Painting with Remington Robinson, he reveals his secrets and teaches you how to set up your own miniature plein air studio using mint tins. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can carry your art supplies, including a small canvas, brushes, and a mini bottle of mineral spirits, all in your pocket or bag. Whether you’re at home, on a plane, or exploring new destinations, you’ll have everything you need to immerse yourself in the art of plein air painting. Painting en plein air allows you to capture the true essence of a location, infusing your work with the unique atmosphere, light,

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Book SynopsisNuno Oliveira began his riding career with maestro Jonquin Gonzales de Miranda, Master of the Horse to the King of Portugal. In the 1940''s he opened his own riding school and soon became an international name in the world of classical equitation. In the 1950s and 1960s he gave exhibitions in Geneva, Brussels, Paris and London, followed by clinics in Saumur, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Australia and the USA. His pupils include the most talented dressage riders, officers of the Cadre Noir, and riders of the Portuguese School. First published in France in 1957, it was translated into English by Phyllis Field in 1976. Times change but classical principles remain. Over 30 years may have passed, but this book remains one of the most relevant descriptions of Nuno Oliveira''s work.

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Book SynopsisFrench flower painter Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759–1840) devoted himself exclusively to capturing the diversity of flowering plants in watercolor paintings which were then published as copper engravings, with careful botanical descriptions. The darling of wealthy Parisian patrons including Napoleon’s wife Josephine, he was dubbed “the Raphael of flowers,” and is regarded to this day as a master of botanical illustration. This elegant catalogue brings together all engravings from Redouté’s illustrations of Roses and Choix des plus belles fleurs (Selection of the Most Beautiful Flowers) and the most astounding images from The Lilies. Offering a vibrant overview of Redouté’s admixture of accuracy and beauty, it is also a privileged glimpse into the magnificent gardens and greenhouses of a bygone Paris.Trade Review“The magic of his art still has an almost meditative effect today. A magnificent volume.” * Victoria Magazine *“One of the most gifted botanical artists in history.” * Victoria Magazine *

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