Painting, drawing and art manuals Books

Book Synopsis Grab your pencils and become the ultimate Pokémon Trainer with this mega colouring book!

Read more less

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

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA sumptuous large-format hardback containing sketches and paintings from the illustrated Lord of the Rings, together with brand new and previously unseen material.In this large-format hardback Alan Lee reveals in pictures and in words how he created the images in the authorised illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings. These images would prove so powerful, matching perfectly with Tolkien's own vision, that they would eventually define the look of Peter Jackson's movie trilogy and earn Alan a coveted Academy Award.The book is filled with over 150 of his sketches and early conceptual pieces to show how the project progressed from idea to finished art. It also contains 20 colour paintings reproduced in full-page glory, together with numerous examples of his conceptual art produced for the films and brand new pieces drawn specially for this book. It also includes an exclusive foreword written by Sir Ian McKellen.The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook provides a fascinating insight into the imagination of the man who painted Tolkien's vision, firstly onto the page and then in three dimensions on the cinema screen. It will also be of interest to many of the 100,000 people who have bought the illustrated Lord of the Rings as well as for budding artists and illustrators interested in unlocking the secrets of book illustration.Trade Review‘Alan Lee’s artwork has a beauty and lyricism about it. His art captured what I hoped to capture with the films.’Peter Jackson ‘Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the 20th century.’Sunday Telegraph ‘An extraordinarily imaginative work, part saga, part allegory, and wholly exciting.’The Times ‘A grand piece of work in both conception and execution.’Daily Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn essential little book perfect for the pocket or art bag covering all practical aspects of sketching and drawing. Sketching is a skill that every artist needs to master and this handy book shows you how in a very clear and simple way.Jackie starts by describing all the different media used for sketching, including pencils, charcoal, coloured pencils, pens, pastels, watercolours and gouache, as well as the different types of sketchbooks. She then looks at the basic techniques of sketching, emphasizing the importance of observation and showing how to make marks, use tone, create 3-D form and portray pattern.She then covers a wide range of subjects, such as plants and flowers, skies, animals, the urban landscape, and figures and portraits, explaining how to compose your sketches and giving useful tips about sketching on the move. There's also a fascinating section on sketching from the Masters, to provide additional inspiration.The instruction is clear and concise throughout, providinTable of ContentsSimple, practical advice on how, where and what to sketch Covers all media, from pencils, pens, charcoals and conté to pastels, watercolour and gouache Essential tips on sketching plants and flowers, landscapes, buildings, water, the coast and figures

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor the millions of people who have uncovered their creative selves through The Artist's Way: a workbook and companion to the international bestseller. In this elegantly redesigned and user-friendly volume you'll find: - More than 110 Artist's Way tasks - More than 50 Artist's Way check-ins - Insights into the creative process - New ideas for Morning Pages and Artist's Dates The Artist's Way Workbook is an indispensable book for anyone following the path to creativity laid out in The Artist's Way.Trade ReviewThe queen of change * New York Times *Fascinating (and fun) ... Three times in the last decade I've committed to doing The Artist's Way's program, and each time I've learned something important and surprising about myself and my work ... Without The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love -- Elizabeth GilbertI absolutely love this book ... It's a really good starting point to discover what lights you up -- Emma Gannon, author of Sunday Times bestseller * The Multi-Hyphen Method and Ctrl Alt Delete *Unleashing our creative potential is the key to a more meaningful life * Psychologies *Designed to help you unlock creativity in any form ... in art, poetry or music - or even using creativity as therapy * Yoga Magazine *If you have always wanted to pursue a creative dream, have always wanted to play and create with words or paints, this book will gently get you started -- Anne LamontCameron wants you to have a serious think about what you really want from your life * The Times *Julia Cameron invented the way people renovate the creative soul * New York Times *Everything creative I've done has led from the freedom this book gave me. This book truly changed the path my life was taking [and] I still go back to it when I feel stuck. -- Cariad Lloyd, host of Griefcast and author of You Are Not AloneI talk about this book all the time - I use quotes from it when I interview people, I use techniques from it to improve how I work, I'm pretty obsessed with the book, I've read it twice, it's amazing -- Fearne Cotton

Read more less

Book SynopsisENTER PLANET CUTE!!! Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Stuff teaches you how to draw anything and everything – people, animals, food and everyday objects – in an adorable manner. You don't need any specialist tools or materials to start drawing cute stuff: all you need is a biro or marker pen, then you're ready to go! With artist and illustrator Angela Nguyen, start by learning the techniques of kawaii through quick and easy exercises on the basic shapes, effects and style. You can then dive right into making your kawaii characters, as the step-by-step, how-to sequences inside make drawing cute stuff really simple. A perfect book for beginners - add cute-appeal to any drawing in no time at all! Trade ReviewKawaii is Japanese for cute, and this book shows you how to draw all kinds of people, animals and objects in a cute style. Learn how to simplify your ideas and what makes something look this way and then get drawing with the simple, staged projects. It really is a lot simpler than I imagined drawing in this style; far more so than getting to grips with drawing manga characters. You only need the basics of pens, pencils and paper and reading the introduction will show you how to depict cuteness. Don’t worry, it is just a couple of pages and then it is on with the projects which are divided into people, creatures and things. The people section starts with a look at topics such as proportions, expressions, garments and accessories so you already have a mix and match repertoire to enable you to tackle drawing a person. After that the rest of the book has a page per project and shows it in various poses and moods, simplifying the drawing part by showing the subject first drawn as a series of shapes. Projects show you the cartoon shorthand of showing things like various moods, motion, humor etc as you go along as well as how to ink in and add color. Subjects include all kinds of people from police and chefs to cowboys, ninja and witches through a wide range of animals and finally cute buildings, transport, food items and plants. I was surprised how easy it was to do and it is a great way of making original and personal greetings cards to give one example. One for the keeper shelf. * myshelf.com *Kawaii in Japanese directly translates to lovable, cute or adorable and means the culture of cuteness in Japan! In Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Stuff, Angela Nguyen shows you how to draw cute! She starts by suggesting tools and surfaces you might like to start off trying but fully encourages you to run wild as with her techniques really anything can be used to create cute. The basic techniques for drawing cuties is introduced with some tips and tricks that can be translated into most pictures. Chapter 2 focuses on cute people. The reader is taken step by step through how to create the cutest of characters as the chapter covers expressions, poses, how to draw witches, astronauts, cowboys, ninjas and much more. Cute creatures are covered in chapter three with tips and tricks and the clearest of guidelines taking you through the process to create creatures such as unicorns, the Loch Ness monster and owls to name a few. By the end of the book you are confident that you can turn anything cute with the final part of the book covering off how to draw cute things. If you know someone with an enthusiasm for Japanese culture or just cuteness in general and let’s face it who doesn’t need some cuteness in their life, then this book is a must. -- Alex Scott * Customer Review *Though not necessarily cake-specific, kawaii is becoming more and more popular and has definitely found a place in the cake decorating market recently. In her book, Angela showcases a collection of cute people, animals and objects, offering her own techniques and advice throughout. You don’t need any special equipment to get started; you can practise with pen and paper first before moving onto different surfaces if you want, such as cakes! Angela’s step-by-step instructions and full colour illustrations are perfect for beginners looking to dabble in decorating. And not only do they look super cute, but each design is quick and easy to make. From big cakes to cookies and cupcakes, with kawaii, there's something for every occasion. * Cakes & Sugarcraft *Table of ContentsAngela's World 6 Chapter 1: Getting Started 8 Chapter 2: Cute People 16 Chapter 3: Cute Creatures 48 Chapter 4: Cute Things 98

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this follow-up to the best-selling The Master Guide to Drawing Anime, manga master Christopher Hart focuses on some of the most popular characters of Japanese anime: the dynamic and beautiful women and girls. Aspiring anime artists will learn all the ins and outs of creating these stunning heroines, schoolgirls and fantasy characters. Basic templates make it easy to draw the head, hairstyles, clothing, body proportions and more. Tutorials on creating scenes and multiple characters take the drawings to the next level. All of these topics and more are covered with Christopher Hart's trademark easy-to-follow steps with helpful techniques and tips.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Collins Gem series is being relaunched in Spring 2004 and this new title features a new internal design and a strong new cover design. Packed full of tips for the aspiring watercolourist, its handy format makes it ideal for quick reference either in the studio or out in the field.Contents include:essential tips on all the basic watercolour techniques, plus helpful advice on sketching and drawingguidelines on painting skies, backgrounds, foregrounds, the main subject, trees, details and shadowsclear and straightforward step-by-step instructions for painting a complete landscape in 7 easy stagestips on painting water in various forms and adding people to a paintingTable of ContentsPractical tips and techniques to get you started in watercolour Easy-to-follow step-by-step exercises throughout Tips on painting skies, trees, water, figures, buildings and landscapes

Read more less

Book SynopsisHungry for a new drawing challenge? Well, get ready to enter planet cute! In her new collection, artist-author Angela Nguyen turns even the most mundane foods into living, breathing, adorable characters that you will want to draw yourself. As well as cute food-creature fusions such as blueberry kittens and sausage dog hotdogs, in Angela’s captivating world, sleeping cats lounge atop sushi, curl inside donuts, or peek out from pizza crusts. Including beautifully clear and straightforward step-by-step instructions and minimal text, How to Draw Really Cute Food is great for both visual learners and those interested in learning the essential techniques of kawaii. With chapters on appetizers, entrees, desserts, snacks and drinks, these inventive designs are sure to delight and amuse.Trade ReviewSuch a fantastic book! As soon as it arrived, my daughter and I sat down to have a go. It's instructions are simple and easy to understand, we had no problem creating any of these super cute foods. There are so many different designs as well as different expressions to use. We couldn't get enough of it and have created so many cute pictures. It will be a book we will use again and again. -- Jennelee Baxta * Customer review *Arrived in the post for my 12 year old daughter yesterday and she immediately pulled out the sketchbooks and started drawing. She loves it! And it's supercute! She's delighted, I'm chuffed she's off her laptop, it's win-win! -- Helen O'Niell * Customer review *If you have bought the first two titles in this series you will know that kawaii is Japanese for cute. Now you have mastered drawing animals and objects it is the turn of food to get a cute makeover! It is simpler than I realised and these books all end up on my keeper shelf together with my collection on drawing in the manga style. If you find this difficult rest assured that making things look cuter in the Japanese style is a whole lot easier. The first few pages show how to simplify your drawings and looks at what makes something look cute. Then you can start drawing with the simple, staged projects. You only need basic materials such as pencils, pens, paper etc making this an inexpensive way to make your mark. The book is divided into chapters so you can choose from depicting snacks, entrees, desserts and drinks. Main meals are incorporated into entrees for some reason. Each item takes up a double page spread and shows how you can build up a drawing, adding colour and also how to vary it. Popcorn kernels can be shown on their own or in a machine for example. Chocolate can be a bar or in fancy shapes. Helpfully each chapter starts with a page of thumbnail sketches of each item so making your choice of what to draw is easy. There aren’t any projects included but it is not hard to envisage your cute drawings looking great on anything from greetings cards to T-Shirts. I hope there will be more titles in the Draw Cute series. -- Rachel A Hyde * MyShelf.com *During the Summer holidays we were gifted a copy of Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Food by Angela Nguyen. I love to try new things and quite fancied trying my hand at kawaii. Have you heard of the word kawaii before? It is Japanese for ‘cute’ and covers everything from food to clothes and toys. Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Food I thought I would get a chance to look through this book and try out some of the projects for myself. Sadly my 9 year old took the book as soon as he saw it! My son just loves to draw and learn new things so he set himself up at the table with the book, his favourite coloured pencils and plenty of paper. The book is really well set out with step-by-step instructions and minimal text. It’s great for both visual learners and those interested in learning the essential techniques of kawaii. My son loved reading the book and was soon drawing away. Artist-author Angela Nguyen turns even the most mundane foods into living, breathing, adorable characters that you will want to draw yourself. As well as cute food-creature fusions such as blueberry kittens and sausage dog hotdogs, there are sleeping cats who lounge atop sushi, curl inside donuts, or peek out from pizza crusts. There are chapters on appetizers, entrees, desserts, snacks and drinks. It’s a lovely book and my son has covered the house with his drawings. I’ve even had a go too and it’s fun to see how the characters are created. Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Food – Draw Adorable Animal Food Art in the Cutest Style Ever! by Angela Nguyen is published by Search Press. It’s the third in the Kawaii series with Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Animals and Kawaii: How to Draw Really Cute Stuff. -- Jenny Kearney * The GingerBread House *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: Getting Started Key drawing techniques Chapter Two: Cute Appetizers Small Plates - soup, devilled eggs, bruschetta, wrapped foods, skewers, stuffed foods, rolls, pastries, fries, corn, bao, leaf-wrapped delicacies. Larger Plates: cheese and bread, salad, chicken wings, chips and dips. Chapter Three: Cute Entrees Bowls - rice bowls, stews, noodles, noodle soups, hot pot, stone pots. Plates - pasta: different pasta types, rice and curry, crepes, dim sum, eggs, sushi, breakfast, party food. Finger Food - burger, sandwich: panini and bagels, mexican food: tacos and burritos, pizza. Chapter Four: Cute Desserts and Snacks Snacks: chips, trail mix, popcorn, candy. Finger Food - macarons, pastries, donuts, cupcakes, s'mores. Plates - ice cream, cake, pie, pudding, waffles, in-a-cup, jello, fruit desserts. Chapter Five: Cute Drinks Milkshake, milk tea with boba, juice boxes, fruit drinks and smoothies, soda, coffee, tea. Index and Credits

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGet lost in your creativity with 365 Days of Drawing, a thoughtful and inspiring art journal designed to help you carve out moments of self-expression.Lorna shows you that drawing does not have to be scary – it can be done with any materials, in any colour, in any style and can be done anywhere.Each activity has been given a loose category: imagination, tutorial, relaxation, colour theory, and observational, so that you can practice a broad range of drawing skills. Each 'theme' is designed to expand your creative skills and spark the artist within.With helpful prompts and pages that encourage you to try new materials to draw with, 365 Days of Drawing is guaranteed to stir your imagination and put a little creativity into every single day.Discover all the books in the 365 Days of Art series: 365 Days of Art, 365 Days of Art in Nature, 365 Days of Creativity, 365 Days of Drawing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis fourth book in the 'Kawaii' series is packed with adorable creatures from a range of cultures and mythologies. In the hands of author-teacher Angela Nguyen, even a three-headed dog is drawn in a style that will have any young artist cooing! This book teaches young readers what kawaii is all about and how to draw any mythical animal in an adorable style. There are clear step-by-step diagrams that are great for visual learners and make it super-easy to follow the instructions. The wonderful beasts are organized by the terrain in which they are found: air, water and land. There is also a section devoted to how young readers can create their own creatures: elephants with tiny wings, bunnies with unfeasibly large ears, and 'mash-ups' like giant bats. Angela has created 'feature spreads' showing imagined landscapes where some of these creatures might safely graze. Taking cuteness to the next level, this wonderful resource makes drawing instantly achievable and great fun! Trade ReviewFor the fourth title in this series, the author gives fantasy creatures the cute makeover. If you doubted whether a kraken or basilisk could ever look remotely kawaii, then look no further for proof! Here is another in this excellent series for my keeper shelf. I think that these have to be the most user-friendly drawing books ever, and I enthusiastically recommend the series for all those Japanophiles who find mastering the manga style tricky. The key to success is largely in understanding what makes something cute, and then altering elements of a drawing to achieve this. Learn how to simplify facial expressions to convey a wide range of moods and add in simple but effective backgrounds. Basic art materials are all you require, and you can draw on anything, so this hobby probably won’t require any outlay at all – always good news. Build up your beastie from simple shapes, add in details, and you have a drawing worthy to be turned into a soft toy, painted onto a T-shirt, or made in polymer clay. The book is divided into chapters so you can choose from depicting creatures from water, air, and land environments. Each item takes up a double page spread and shows how you can build up a drawing, adding colour and also how to vary it in usually two ways. Creatures include dragon, unicorn, Nessie, and griffin, but most are mashups invented by the author, such as a rabbit with a mermaid tail, flying elephant, fluffball and many more. At the back there are ideas on how to create your own with examples. There aren’t any projects, but cute creatures like these are ideal for translating into any craft project you can imagine. More titles please! -- Rachel A Hyde * myshelf.com *A great chance to return to my childhood! I loved the easy to draw figures and step-by-step illustrations. It helped me to unwind and relax as well as discover I can draw! -- Caroline Watson * Amazon Customer Review *A really great read. The instructions are so clear with adorable results! -- Janet Barnes * Amazon Customer Review *Table of ContentsMeet Angela! Tools Fiber-tips, colored pencils, no special equipment required. Make It Cute! The key ingredients to making a cute drawing are explained here: big head, large eyes, fat cheeks, and a little bit of magic, capturing the essence of a creature’s character. The Menagerie A roll call of all the creatures, making it easy to choose the one to draw first. Chapter One: Water Loch Ness Monster (aka Nessie) Water horse Kraken (a sea creature from Norse myth) Snapping turtle River monsters Ghost whale (bake-kujira, from Japanese myth) Inkanyamba eel (a legendary river creature from Zulu and Xhosa folklore) Crocodile gbahali (from Liberia) Water dragons Water bunnies Chapter Two: Air Air dragon Griffin Pegasus Phoenix Giant bat Winged elephant Giant butterfly/moth Kongamato (pterosaur-like creature from Congo) Elemental birds Winged deer Winged lion Flying rabbit Giant dog Chapter Three: Land Giant dog Basilisk (magical serpent) Cerberus (three-headed dog) Unicorn Robot monster Tree creature Bigfoot Big antler deer Ozark howler (a shy, legendary creature living deep in the Ozarks) Three-eyed cat Rock monster Kasa-obake (an umbrella-shaped mythical creature from Japanese folklore) Nuppeppo blob (a baggy, saggy creature from Japanese folklore) Land dragon Sphinx Grootslang (Afrikaans and Dutch for “big snake”) Horned rhino Ghost creature Floofle (a furball with ears) Horned tiger cub Now Draw Your Own Index and Credits

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book builds on the success of Terry Harrison's Sea & Sky in Watercolour, adding six new projects and plenty of new paintings. Terry's clear, no-nonsense advice takes the mystery out of painting clouds, clear skies, sunsets, foam bursts, breaking waves, rippled water, reflections, boats, cliffs, rocks, beaches and much more. There are plenty of tips and techniques to show how to use Terry's specially made brushes to paint watercolour seascapes the easy way. There are then nine beautiful step-by-step projects that show the techniques in action.Trade ReviewApril 2015 By dealing with two perennially popular and persistently problematical subjects in one book, Terry Harrison demonstrates ways of handling both ground and aerial perspective. This is a relatively elementary book, but Terry has a way of explaining things that can have even the most experienced artist saying, 'Of course! His waves have motion and substance, his reflections hint at hidden depths and his clouds can contain real menace. There's a good variety of material here as well as landscapes, building and boats, of which Terry is a master. All round, this is excellent value. * Artist, The *March 2015 You'd expect nothing less than a comprehensive guide from Terry Harrison, and that's exactly what you get here. His 'easy way' is to work with a relatively limited palette and with a series of brushes he's developed that produce results quickly and predictably. Terry paints atmospheric scenes and all weather and conditions. You'll get storms and calm, waves crashing onto rocks or lapping a sandy shore. You'll get heavy clouds and peaceful sunsets. You'll also find boats, piers and buildings as well as all the other landscape elements associated with maritime subjects. Above all, what you'll get is Terry's patient and easily-followed guidance. He's one of those people who knows the question you're going to ask before you've thought of it yourself and he's there with just the right advice and just the right illustration. The Easy Way - I reckon that's it. Someone should bottle it. * SAA *Building on the success of his Sea and Sky in watercolour, this new book by Terry Harrison includes six fresh projects and many new paintings. Using his specially made brushes, Terry shows us how to capture sea and sky in clear step by step stages and with a disarmingly easy style. In all there are step-by-step projects and plenty of hints and tips. * Leisure Painter, The *February 2015 Terry Harrison isn’t the only person to have used “the easy way” in a book title, but he pretty much owns the phrase at the moment. Very sensibly, he makes no attempt to define it. You know that a Terry demonstration is going to be clear, succinct and easy to follow, and that’s probably enough. This new book is a comprehensive guide to just about every maritime subject there is, as long as it’s on the coast – we’re not in open water here. You get calm seas, rough seas, breaking and crashing waves as well as help on what to do with the horizon. At this point, moving upwards, we get to the sky – clear, cloudy, stormy and with the sun setting. As well as shorelines, cliffs and buildings, the odd boat finds its way in uncredited too, and Terry is particularly sound on the way boats sit in and not on the water. After these two-page exercises, the book concludes with a series of projects, fully demonstrated, that bring everything together. There’s no easy way to paint, you know that, but there is an enjoyable and fulfilling way to learn that makes it seem easy. How do you find that? Follow Terry Harrison. You won’t go wrong. * Artbookreview.net *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 6 Materials 8 My palette 10 Using photographs 12 Techniques 14 PAINTING SEAS 24 Calm water 26 Choppy water 28 Breaking waves 29 Crashing waves 30 A shoreline 31 Bands of colour 32 The horizon 33 PAINTING SKIES 34 A clear sky 36 A cloudy sky 37 A stormy sky 38 Another cloudy sky 40 A sunset 41 Painting reflections 42 Other elements 50 PROJECTS 58 Crashing Waves 52 Coastal Footpath 56 Sunset on the Sea 62 Breaking Wave Estuary Boats The End of the Pier On the Rocks Sunlit Shore Lighthouse in the Evening

Read more less

Book SynopsisLearn to draw pretty much EVERYTHING. With over 2,000 images, this visual reference book offers instructions for drawing animals, people, plants, food, everyday objects, buildings, vehicles, clothing, and more. Each entry is broken down with step-by-step illustrations making this book perfect for beginners or experienced artists in need of a quick refresher.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow do you find time in your busy day to get creative? Why, with 15-minute Art Drawing, of course! Explore the pure joy of colouring pencils and markers with 15-minute projects that encourage you to explore drawing, colouring and shading in a relaxing, free and fun way. Each project can be completed in no more than six steps and will include practice pages, colour swatches and helpful hints to make light work of the artwork. With sections including Patterns, Nature, Food and Characters, you can try your hand at drawing flowers, fruit, faces and more. Plus at the end of each chapter, Jess will show you how to put all of the objects together to create a beautiful still life scene.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn imaginative and fairytale-inspired colouring book from the author of Garden of Fairytale Animals and Kingdom of Curious Creatures. This beautiful collection of 80 line art designs captures a magical and charming setting. Fully-coloured examples are included as inspiration and full-spread designs are mixed with stand-alone designs to offer a variety of colouring options, all printed back-to-back on high-quality paper

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis handy, practical and inspirational little book is perfect for the pocket or art bag. It shows watercolour painters of all levels how to loosen up their paintings and maintain spontaneity by painting simple watercolour studies in no more than 10 minutes.Written by popular artist Hazel Soan, the book is arranged in three parts: the first section explains all about the equipment you will need; the second section covers techniques and shows what can be achieved with watercolour in a short time span; the third section looks at various subjects that are ideal for painting quickly.All the essential techniques are covered, focusing particularly on maximizing brushstrokes and exploring colours, and there is useful advice on deciding what to include and what to leave out. With helpful chapters on painting a wide range of subjects people, landscapes, seascapes, buildings, gardens, flowers and still life this little guide is ideal for quick reference when working in the studio or out in theTable of ContentsThink you have no time to paint? See what you can achieve in just 10 minutes! Inspirational advice to help you paint quick and spontaneous watercolours Essential tips on painting people, landscapes, seascapes, buildings, animals, flowers and still life

Read more less

Book SynopsisAward-winning artist Harriet de Winton shows you how to create contemporary watercolour artworks to treasure and share. Through more than 30 step-by-step projects, discover how to paint individual flowers and foliage, as well as beautiful botanical compositions. Use your new skills to make art for your wall, unique cards, invitations, or simply paint for pleasure.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe sixth book in the best-selling 'Kawaii' series teaches you how to draw almost 100 different woodland friends in an adorable manner. This kids' how-to art book lets the inquisitive child experience the woodland world through drawing, with clear step-by-step diagrams which are great for visual learners and make it super-easy to follow the instructions. Each spread - drawn in Angela's trademark playful style - offers an easy step-by-step guide to drawing adorable animals (birds, bears, and bugs), fairies, fungi, ferns and flowers, woodland folk, rock-dwelling creatures, and forest trees. Angela also shows how to draw cute woodland homes - complete with furniture, belongings, and even vehicles inspired by their forest surroundings - so kids can create a full world for their new woodland friends. You don't need any specialist tools or materials to start drawing cute stuff: all you need is a biro, marker pen or pencil, then you're ready to go!Table of ContentsAngela's World 6 Chapter One: Getting Started 8 Chapter Two: Woodland Folk 18 Chapter Three: Forest Creatures 48 Chapter Four: Plants and Fungi 90 Chapter Five: Woodland Takes Over 114 Credits 128

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is an essential book for anyone learning to draw, or wishing to improve their drawing. Starting with the basics of drawing techniques, Civardi gives expert advice on drawing portraits, the clothed figure, hands and feet and scenery, finishing with a section on the importance of light and shade. Civardi's technical advice and practical tips, accompanied by his own outstanding drawings, make this an invaluable resource for any artist. Previously published as Giovanni Civardi's Complete Guide to Drawing (9781844482061) and now includes The Nude (9781844482443).Trade ReviewNov 09 Most of this first appeared as Giovanni Civardi's Complete Guide to Drawing, but this smaller format edition also includes the volume on The Nude. It's a sound introduction to drawing in pencil and the smaller page size makes it more manageable, but also means that you have to strain slightly to read the text, which has also been reduced. The style is best described as "classic", meaning that it's all well done, but perhaps slightly dated. If you don't mind that, and it's the technique that's more important to you, then this is a book it's hard to better. If your eyesight's not 100%, however, best buy a pair of stronger reading glasses as well. * Artbookreview.net * Dec 09 For those wishing to learn to draw or improve their skills this book is an essential read. Previously published material has been used along with new information in the compilation of this fabulous instructional volume. Packed full of beautiful illustrations, we begin with the very basics of drawing techniques, from description of use and simple mark making with pencil or graphite onto using carbon sticks and ink, each accompanied by many varied depictions where he tells us what media was used for each, and very importantly, what technique was used. All these details help the reader to understand the process of selecting media and technique to render the drawing they want to achieve. The section on portraits covers small details like hands, eyes and placement of features, all necessary to achieve a lifelike rendition through to full figures, both clothed and naked. The book is full of details such as anatomy of figures, and how to find the correct proportions to the fall of fabric on clothed figures, again in great detail and easy to follow. Scenery is covered in the same in depth way, from linear and aerial perspective, light and shade, tonal work and use of source material. All sections come with the same incredibly detailed illustration showing use of media and methods. If you want just one book to learn or improve your drawing skills, and draw well then this is the book for you. Its packed full of all the essentials you need to learn to create realistic 3d images in a 2d media. * JeannieZelos.com * Jan 2010 Drawing, A Complete Guide by Giovanni Civardi is a comprehensive exploration of hand drawing techniques and tools. While this book is focused on these techniques from a pure artistic point of view, the skills that are covered have real relevance and value for modern Graphic Designers. Technology changes everything and Graphic Design is no different. It doesn't seem so long ago that Graphic Design was a much more hands on discipline, with ideas mocked up on layout pads and then worked up through various refining stages, until the final design, along with a specification sheet overlay, was supplied for typesetting with the final artwork being produced through cut and pasting. Now it is possible for anyone with basic skills to produce understandable concepts using a PC and desktop printer, but there is real value for Graphic Designers to develop their drawing skills. Such skills can help Designers to quickly and clearly develop ideas wherever they are and can also allow them to produce hand drawn graphics for inclusion in finished designs. * Suite101.com * Mar 14 This a collection of smaller books which each delve into an element of drawing and cover the key parts using pictorial examples throughout. It is well laid out and can be easily accessed by both learners and tutors. As a concept art tutor I found the tutorials and information thorough and a great use of excellent examples. Having asked learners the response was positive and a definite request to access more. The anatomy sections covering the musculature of hands, feet and head were especially informative and helpful. I will be asking my subject librarian to purchase. * Marian Carr, Bradford College *Table of ContentsPreviously published as Giovanni Civardi's Complete Guide to Drawing 9781844482061 and now includes "The Nude" 9781844482443

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPetra Thölken’s practical and inspiring book examines what it means to make an abstract work of art. She encourages the reader to consider the subjects of composition, planes, and subject and expression, while also examining the more practical topics of colour theory and colour mixing, how to work with pigment, canvas and priming, spatula techniques and working with unconventional backgrounds. All these elements build up into a vocabulary of visual pointers from which the reader can begin to explore their own adventurousness and creativity. Through the 20 beautiful projects that Petra demonstrates, step by step, readers will learn how to create texture, work with unusual tools and create soft transitions or high contrast. Her clarity of thought and inspirational advice will open your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your paintings and achieving the self-expression that leads to visually exciting and technically innovative work. For some of the projects, there are links to Petra's popular YouTube videos, demonstrating how she created the individual paintings.Trade ReviewThis is a visually beautiful book with plenty of helpful advice, information and tips. I have done a couple of the exercises and although I am not happy enough to show you the results, I feel encouraged to continue with abstract. I don't think this book is for a complete beginner to art but is perfect for an artist who is a beginner to abstract art. I am very glad I added to my library of art library. -- Alison Currin * Amazon Customer Review *I have long been a fan of abstract art but find it so difficult to achieve myself without ending up with a muddy mess. This enchanting book covers the basics in great detail from which paints to use, creating your own paints with pigments and binders, using commercially available paints, colour theory and composition and includes a section of what exact colours to mix to get a specific colour which I found useful. The author gives simple analogies throughout to explain concepts such as subject and planes, making for easy reading and understanding. There are exercises to complete to help you explore the techniques mentioned. They are detailed and precise, perfect for a beginner. The artist walks you through 20 of her own works of art and gives in depth instructions for you to replicate the painting yourself. I always find it interesting to see the process of other artists' work and how they achieve certain marks and textures. The artist's work was engaging, energetic and colourful with lots of textures to draw the eye in and make you want to touch the real painting! Overall, this is a lovely book to get beginners started on their abstract journey and introduce you to some of Petra’s beautiful work. I am definitely happy to have it on my bookshelf. -- Samantha Gilliam-Scott * Customer Review *This is a really lovely book not only for those new to abstract painting, but I think excellent for someone that may have got stuck in a rut with their work. It’s sensibly laid out with the expected clear explanations of materials, colour theory etc. But I like the unconventional tools section, encouraging the artist to make use of what they may already have. Projects vary in complexity and have some wonderful ideas for bringing texture into abstract work. All in all a great book and I'm going to enjoy incorporating some of the ideas into future projects. -- Julie Pearce * Customer Review *Unleash your inner artist and create visually exciting and technically innovative work with Abstract Painting by Petra Tholken. Through learning how to create texture, work with unusual tools and create soft transitions or high contrasts, Petra's wealth of knowledge and advice will open your eyes to a whole new way of working. * Crafts Beautiful *For any artist who wants to take steps towards abstraction, this is the book for you. Petra Thölken is an artist and freelance designer based in Germany who opened her own painting school in 2004 and created her internationally popular Youtube channel under the name Künstlerstreich. Her new book, Abstract Painting, shows readers how to take skills they already possess with composition, colour theory and techniques and to build upon them while exploring more adventurous methods, working with unusual tools (or objects they may already have), and unconventional grounds. Twenty step-by-step projects are included, which will stretch your painting skills to create works with heightened contrasts, textures, and emotional connection. Some of the projects are linked to Petra's Youtube videos so that you can watch her in actions. -- Leisure Painter * Leisure Painter *20 projects and creative techniques in acrylic and mixed media. The front page is very attractive. It tells you exactly what it is. When you open the book it tells you a bit about the author. When you are looking though the book it tells you all about paints and how to use them. Then it goes on to the projects you can do. The projects are very easy to follow and have step-by-step instructions, as well as handy tips. Very easy to follow if it’s your first time doing abstract painting. The 20 projects are all very different and colourful. Would recommend this book if you are new at this. -- Debra White * Customer Review *Table of Contents6 FOREWORD 8 THE BASICS 10 Pigment 12 Acrylic 13 Binding agent 14 Traditional colour theory 16 Mixing in practice 17 Making pigment paste 18 Composition 19 Planes 20 Subject and expression 22 Brushes 24 Unconventional tools 26 Canvas 27 Priming 28 What is glazing? 29 Spatula techniques 30 Spatula: Exercise 1 32 Spatula: Exercise 2 34 Texture in the picture 36 Emphasizing texture: Exercise 1 38 Emphasizing texture: Exercise 2 40 Sponge 42 Drawing implements 43 Gold plating 44 Unconventional backgrounds 45 Your colours 46 PROJECTS 48 My Japanese Water Lilies 52 Golden Skyline 56 Patina Allure 60 The Golden Rectangle 64 Creative Board 68 What Good Can I Do Myself Today? 72 Give Colour Some Room 76 Inspiring Colour Field Painting 80 Days Like This 84 Wandering into the Distance 88 Flower Interplay 92 Summer Courtyard Whispers 96 Garden Art From Long Ago 100 True Colours 104 Silence is Golden 108 Sailing in a Storm 112 Dreamy Green 116 Overland Cornfield 120 Expressive Abstract 124 Abstract Colour Play 128 NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR 128 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis15-Minute Art Watercolour explores the art of watercolour with fifty 15-minute projects. From fruits and fish to flowers, animals and patterns, illustrator Jola Sopek encourages you to explore this popular craft in a relaxing, free and fun way. Each project can be completed in no more than six steps and includes practice pages, colour swatches and helpful hints to make light work of your artworks. Featuring traceable templates of all 50 projects, this book will helps you to get over the fear of the blank page and proves that watercolour painting doesn’t have to be intimidating. An engaging and inspiring hobby, 15-minute Art Watercolour inspires you to tap into your creativity for just a few minutes every day.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third title in Christopher Hart’s bestselling Master Guide to Drawing Anime series, Tips & Tricks has over 100 essential drawing techniques for artists who want to fine-tune their anime and manga drawing skills. This is the guide that all anime and manga artists—of any level—need! Chris Hart delves deep into the specifics of drawing anime characters and scenes and explores every aspect of anime forms. He reveals his secrets for composing a complete picture, and discusses rarely covered topics. Entirely new tutorials include instruction on drawing hands and feet in different gestures or positions, arranging characters within the action, and creating nuanced expressions. Fans of the Master Guide to Drawing Anime books will find this anime drawing book to be invaluable in strengthening their drawing skills, while newcomers ready to learn to draw will see this as a perfect introduction to the series.Suitable for all levels, from beginners who are just starting to learn how to draw anime, to advanced users who want to hone their skills, this is the ideal resource for all fans of anime and manga drawing, and can be used on its own or with the other titles in the Master Guide to Drawing Anime series. Drawing books are a perennial present to inspire young artists and a popular gift for teens. There is no greater tool than an art book to spark creativity, develop new artistic skills, and help kids and teens channel their energy towards positive self-expression. Paperback; 144 pages; 9 in W by 10 in H.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'You will quickly amaze and delight yourself. Hands down the best and most life-enhancing thing I've done in lockdown' India Knight, Sunday Times, about Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook accompanies the world's most widely used drawing instruction book by Betty Edwards. This workbook reinforces the five basic skills of drawing and includes: - 40 exercises to practice your drawing abilities - A range of subject matters from portrait drawing and still life, to landscapes and imaginative drawing - Advice for a variety of mediums such as pen and ink, charcoal and graphite - A pull-out viewfinder tool The original Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain helps artists to nurture the creative right side of the brain, dramatically improving your ability to draw, whether you are a professional, an artist in training or someone who draws for a hobby. This workbook will help you practise that knowledge with success at every step.Trade ReviewA guide to enhancing creativity and artistic confidence * Independent *The workbook contains just enough of Edwards' theory - along with dozens of illustrations - that one need have no qualms about giving it as a gift... does a pretty good job of breaking down the technique of drawing into easily-digested pieces. * Artists & Illustrators *The first edition of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain... was a landmark in drawing tuition... The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook has been written as a supplement... (The viewfinder) is an ingenious way to understand and overcome the problem of foreshortening and to grasp the fundamentals of form and relationships. * Leisure Painter *Think you can't draw? You absolutely can . . . You will quickly amaze and delight yourself. Hands down the best and most life-enhancing thing I've done in lockdown -- India Knight, Sunday Times, about Drawing on the Right Side of the BrainA consciousness-expanding work -- LA Times about Drawing on the Right Side of the BrainA way to unleash our latent drawing abilities ... you'll be amazed at what a good artist you are -- Psychology Today about Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Read more less

Book SynopsisTansy Willow is a bestselling colouring book compiler with a taste for all things bold, beautiful and perfect for colouring. From intricate mandalas to stunning landscape scenes, she selects designs that inspire a sense of peace and wonder and tap into the mindful benefits of colouring. She is based in London, UK.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA complete course, packed with instruction and profusely illustrated. This fantastic book is all you need if you want to start drawing the figure, or if you want to develop your life-drawing skills. It is the ultimate reference book, a most inspirational guide and above all it offers everything you ever needed to know, including tips on simple ways to ‘get it right’, essential advice on anatomy, help with easy drawing methods and many different examples of the drawn figure. It is important to understand how the body works and detailed sections show hands, feet, faces, limbs and much more.Trade ReviewA lot of things claim to be the complete guide but, at a whopping 312 pages, this one certainly looks and feels the part. Getting inside it confirmd that this is indeed a substantial work, with every aspect of the human form examined from block shapes through muscle and bone structure to the completed artwork. Each section follows the same progression, so it becomes easy to follow which, given how much there is to absorb, is a definite plus. Because there's so much, though, you need to be aware that this is something to sit down and take time with, rather than dip into. Think of it as a structured course and you won't go far wrong with it. Gottfried covers male and female figures, both static and in motion and in a variety of poses, as you'd probably expect from a book of this kind. He also deals in the same detail with eyes and ears as he does with bodies and legs, so there's literally no stone unturned. If you can't get a private tutor, this is very much the next best thing. It's structured very much like a course and is absolutely thorough in its attention to detail and should satisfy the most demanding student.-Artbookreview.net This one of the most thorough and exhaustive guides to figure drawing I have ever seen and certainly lives up to the claim inherent in its title. Progress is steady and logical, starting with the basic shapes of male and female figures, adults and children, and moving on to how they appear both stationary and in motion, before progressing to the various body parts and, eventually, how everything fits together. All the sections follow the same pattern, moving from basic form and structure to musculature, followed by a series of exercises and examples. As a result, the book becomes easy to follow and it's definitely the intention that the reader should work through it as a formal course. This is a substantial book and its length betokens the thoroughness of the author's approach, which is about the nearest thing you can get, in a book, to face-to-face teaching.(Henry Malt)-The Artist Learn to draw the human figure from scratch without having to persuade anybody to take off their clothes! Of course there is no substitute for a real teacher and real flesh-and-blood models but if these are lacking a book like this is surely the next best thing - This is a large book with over three hundred pages and it covers a lot of ground. You can learn to draw people of every age in here, starting with learning about the basic proportions and progressing through motion studies, individual body parts and keeping a sketchbook. The tasks to complete are many, and they start off very simply indeed with basic exercises, many of which are quick to complete but which build up an impressive body of knowledge. Get to grips with proportions using strips of paper, learn about the relationship between one limb and another, practise brush strokes, go out and observe people and many more. The book is profusely illustrated not only with work by this artist but with many sketches from old masters and others from the Renaissance to the present day. There are drawings showing muscles, bones and other anatomical details and naming them, so the student gets a good look at the underpinnings of the human body and how it moves. After trying out a few exercises I was impressed at how much I was learning, so if you want to master drawing and painting the human body then this is a good book to get.-Myshelf.com This practical guide is organized around the human anatomy with considerable attention devoted to proportion of the figure and how to portray bodies in motion and at rest. Bammes (The Artist's Guide to Human Anatomy) emphasizes the many drawings and illustrations of various styles packed tightly onto each page and allows them to do most of the explanatory work. Minimal text descriptions accompany the figure drawing examples, offering the reader necessary advice and highlighting technique. This guide will be most effective for serious intermediate and advanced artists who wish to improve their life drawing skills.-Library Journal USATable of ContentsPreface 8 Basic approaches 10 Study of Proportion The principal proportions of the body 12, The contours of the male body 14, Building the structure for a male figure 16, The male figure broken down into geometrical shapes 18, The male figure: structural issues and exercises 20, Further exercises on the male figure 26, The male figure in profile 30, The female figure 32, Exercises on drawing the female figure 34, Studies of the female figure with further exercises 40, The young female figure 46, Studies of the young female figure with exercises 50, Sketchbook work 54, The young male figure 58, The child’s figure 60, Infants (2–5 years) and pre-pubescent children (7–10½ years) 62, Young figures in sketchbook work 64 Rest and Movement Studies with a brush 68, The contrapposto stance 72, Exercises and sketchbook work 74, Exercises recommended for locomotive movement 84, Examples of different movements and solutions 86 Legs and Feet Overall structure and recommended exercises 94, Structure and mechanism of the knee joint 100, Exercises in drawing the thigh and knee 104, Structural shape of the foot skeleton 108, Exercises in drawing feet 112, The leg as a whole with its muscle groups and mass 116, Exercises for studies of the leg 120 Torso and Shoulder Girdle From the basic skeletal shape to the developed form 128, Exercises on drawing the skeleton of the torso 132, Shoulder girdle and rib cage 136, The torso muscles 140

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of the best-selling art book, Pure Watercolour Painting and guest judge on Channel 5's Watercolour Challenge, Peter Cronin. Sketching is more than just drawing quickly. It is training your eye and hand to work together, to respond immediately and naturally to the scene before you. Starting from a clear, simple method to bring all the senses into play, successful author and acclaimed artist Peter Cronin shows the reader how to bring artistry and economy to their sketching; making for swift and impressive results. Whether sketching as the basis for painting, or simply for pleasure, this book teaches the reader all they need to know. Numerous simple step-by-step exercises as well as larger projects lead the complete beginner through the book, building towards more complex and rewarding artworks. The book teaches how to sketch with a range of media, starting from graphite pencil and including information and exercises on charcoal, pen and ink and others. In the best-selling Absolute Beginner series, this book is suitable for absolutely everybody who wants to take their sketching skills further and become an accomplished artist. Trade ReviewThis is one of the very best books on sketching I have seen. Starting from the basics, Peter introduces techniques, styles, subjects and media and the whole thing is as close to a complete course as you're likely to get. There's a very good chance you'll finish it and feel you don't need any further guides and are ready to strike out on your own. after a brief survey of materials and equipment and some thoughts on what to look for and how to see, you're straight into some reassuringly simple guidance that opens with How to Hold a Pencil and some simple scribbles. This quickly develops into line work and exercises in simple outlines based on real landscapes rather than asbtract shapes - in fact, if you fear pages of circles, rectangles and cones, you won't find them here, and hooray for that. As you progress, you'll be exploring pencil, ink, charcoal, watercolour and a refreshing amount of line & wash. You'll find subjects that include landscapes, buildings, trees, animals, boats and water, as well as different seasons and weather conditions. Techniques includes line work, shading and hatching, giving you an impressive armoury to work with. Everything is accompanied by examples, exercises and demonstrations and the book is every bit as practical as you could hope. The illustrations are clear and excellently reproduced and the while thing has an open and welcoming feel to it. -- Henry Malt * Paint SAA Magazine *Part of Search Press's best-selling Absolute Beginners series, Peter Cronin's Sketching for the Absolute Beginner shows you how to develop your sketching skills, from very first steps to accomplished drawings. Aimed at the complete beginner, Peter uses simple step-by-step exercises and larger projects in a range of media. * Leisure Painter *Peter Cronin tells us that he found drawing in “special” classes at school, having been diagnosed as dyslexic. For him, it was a release from the tyranny of the worded page and an introduction to a world that was all his. All of which is a roundabout way of saying that this book is, as much as anything else, a paean to the joy and freedom that Peter finds in working with drawing materials. Yes, it’s a book of instruction and, yes, it covers all the basic principles, but Peter also manages to convey throughout the joy he feels when working, and he’ll share it with you the reader. So, yes again, it’s a course, but it’s also a journey of discovery. Peter’s drawings are subtle and sensitive, and he works mostly with pencil but also pen & wash. With plenty of examples and short exercises, he introduces line, composition, perspective, form and hatching as well as ways to control the weight of the mark to create values, tone, and shading. There’s a huge amount to get to grips with here and this is a book that you can easily work through or just dip into for advice and inspiration. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *Although Peter Cronin starts from basics and includes plenty of demonstrations and explanations, this is one of the most complete surveys of drawing materials and practice I have seen. In many ways, it is the sheer clarity of the approach that makes the book so attractive. Within a deceptively simple exterior, there lies a wealth of practical, technical and creative information. Materials include pencil, charcoal, and ink as well as pen and wash and a dip into mixed media. Subjects range from landscapes and buildings to people, animals, boats and harbours. Peter also takes in rain, mist and sunshine as well as composition, hatching, recession and perspective in concise, simple sections that are easy to absorb. This is very much an overview, but all the better for that, as it never dwells too long on any area and carries the reader along, allowing them to work at a sensible pace. -- Henry Malt * The Artist *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials 8 The eye, the hand and the heart 18 Making a start 22 Farm in Sunlight – step-by-step 28 Seeing the world 30 Harbour Scene – step-by-step 46 S.E.T. in action 48 Churchyard Scene – step-by-step 56 Types of sketch 60 Beyond the pencil 64 Composition 84 Fixing the Farm – step-by-step 92 Handling complex subject matter 98 Boat Sheds – step-by-step 138 Afterword 142 Index 144

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJ.M.W. Turner is one of the most influential and important British artists of all time. His watercolours, with their extraordinary effects of shifting light and dramatic cloudscapes, are especially highly regarded. This book reveals the secrets of his technique for the first time, allowing watercolourists to try them out for themselves. For the first time, this book reveals the secrets of Turner's technique, allowing present-day watercolourists to try them out themselves. There is an accessible introduction that explores Turner's life and career and the materials he used to achieve the masterpieces we know and love today. The book then goes on to list the modern materials the twenty-first century watercolourist will need if they aspire to take on similar subject matter. Successive chapters look at a particular theme, such as Sky, Water, Trees, Buildings, People, Animals, Sunrise, Moonlight and Fire, illustrating each with one of Turner's works. Expert contemporary watercolour artists then explain, step-by-step, how to paint a version of that particular picture and how to use the techniques learnt to paint other compositions. With a glossary of technical terms, high quality colour reproductions and backed by the authority of Tate, the world centre for Turner scholarship, this is a must-buy purchase for all lovers of J.M.W. Turner and of watercolour painting.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf you love the Kawaii style but don't know where to start, this is the book for you! 10 Step Drawing: Kawaii will help you turn simple shapes into cute drawings in this popular style in just ten easy steps. Create over 50 different characters from a cuddly penguin and a magical unicorn to a cheeky bubble tea and a cute cupcake, by following the step-by-step instructions. Learning to draw has never been so simple!Trade ReviewAs someone who loves drawing but is always disappointed with the results, I was delighted to see that this book gives such clear guidance that it’s really hard to go wrong. There are over 50 kawaii drawings ranging from animals through food and people to fantasy and expressions. The illustrations are easy to follow and have detailed instructions for every step of the way. Although recommended for 10 years and over my 8 year old granddaughter was able to follow the illustrations (the written instructions are in a font she found difficult to follow) and was very happy with the finished results. She was keen to take it home to help occupy her in the school holidays! -- Naomi Shaw * Amazon Customer *If you love the Kawaii style but don’t know where to start, this is the book for you! 10 Step Drawing: Kawaii will help you turn simple shapes into cute drawings in this popular style in just ten easy steps. Create over 50 different characters, from a cuddly penguin and a magical unicorn to a cheeky bubble tea and a cute cupcake, by following the step-by-step instructions. * Craft Focus, August/September 2023 *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 6 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 7 KAWAII EXPRESSIONS Smiling 10, Shy 11, Crying 12, shocked 14, Cute 15, Angry 16, Panicked 18, Confused 19 KAWAII ACCESSORIES Phone 22, Purse 24, Handbag 26, Jewellery 28 KAWAII MONSTERS Ghosts 32, Mummy 34, Pumpkin head 36, Bat 38, Vampire 40, Witch 42 KAWAII ANIMALS Panda 46, Rabbit 48, Dog 50, Cat 52, Hamster 54 KAWAII BIRDS Cockatiel 58, Penguin 60, Chick 62, Lovebird 64 KAWAII FANTASY Unicorn 68, Fairy 70, Dragon 72, Mermaid 74 KAWAII FOOD Sushi 78, Fish and chips 80, Bubble tea 82, Rice ball 84, Bento 86, Curry 88, Ice cream 90, Fruit 92, Mochi 94, Dango 96, Kakigori 98 TEA PARTY Teacup 102, Teapot 104, Sandwich 106, Cupcake 108, Muffin 110, Cookies 112, Macaroon 114, Apple pie 116 KAWAII PEOPLE Princess 120, Prince 122, School kids, 124, Kimono girl 126 ABOUT THE ARTIST 128 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 128

Read more less

Book SynopsisA researched study on art's most fundamental themes, Colour and Light bridges the gap between abstract theory and practical knowledge.Trade ReviewJames Gurney's series of illustrated fantasy adventure stories, beginning with 1992's Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time, produced a generation raised on Gurney's highly realistic paintings of an entirely unreal subject.... Still it was no surprise to the author-artist-blogger and his long-time publisher Andrews McMeel when his recently released second volume of art instruction, Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter, became a bestseller for AMP immediately upon its release in December 2010, selling out its 10,000-copy run in just two months. (Mark Schulz, Publishers Weekly)Dinotopia author and plein-air painter Gurney offers a practical, well-organized, and informative handbook for artists of all levels. (Chronogram Magazine)This is a terrific book, highly recommended not only for young artists but anyone with an interest in traditional art technique. (Karen Haber, Locus)

Read more less

Book SynopsisEscape the mayhem of the busy world and indulge in this relaxing colouring book. From animals and landscapes to mandala patterns and scenes from everyday life, this delightful collection of more than 60 designs will bring hours of pleasure. This colour-by-numbers book is perfect for those who love colouring but prefer to have some guidance regarding colour-choice. It includes a key of suggested colours on the back flap, meaning you can flip these out to refer to when colouring each design. This stress-relieving book, printed with large-print numbers for enhanced readability, will help you create wonderful and professional-looking artwork with ease and enjoyment.ABOUT THE SERIES: The bestselling Arcturus Large Print Colour by Numbers Collection contains an array of enchanting designs, printed on thick, high-quality paper with large-print figures for easy reading.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover an all-in-one introduction to neon watercolour paints with this beginner''s guide to the essential techniques. Put your skills to the test and paint the beautiful collection of fantastical beasts and bring the extraordinary creatures from worlds far from our own to life.Follow the simple, step-by-step instructions to learn everything from brush positions and blending colours to adding fine detail. Use the brush and paint palette to apply your new skills across 25 pages of wondrous illustrations from myth and legend.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOriginally published in German in 1964, Professor Gottfried Bammes’ Die Gestalt des Menschen is still considered the definitive guide to drawing the human form. Having undergone numerous editions since it was first published and still much in demand today, this, the first ever English translation of the complete work, has been long awaited. Based on the most recent German edition and faithful to the original, it contains over 1200 photographs, diagrams and drawings, including work by the author himself, and spans over 500 pages. Now, both new and experienced English-speaking artists and illustrators can benefit from the vast body of knowledge accumulated and lovingly presented by Professor Bammes in his acclaimed work. This comprehensive guide begins with the history of human anatomy for artists, and its influence on the development of the artistic visualisation of the body. Bammes goes on to explore in depth the human skeleton and musculature; the proportions of the body; the static and dynamic laws of posture and movement; body language; and the interrelationships of the various elements of the body. Through his systematic and practical approach to teaching, the reader will acquire an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and the ways in which it can be used to express the human form in art.Trade ReviewFirst published in German in 1964 at a time when contemporary art school theory in the UK did not see figure drawng as central to perceptual education, this book's 500 pages have endured a 10th edition, published now for the first time in English. Drawing from life is in revival today, popularly pursued as a fundamental discipline, and wealth of illustration here in every aspect of configuration of pose analysed graphically, photographically, by muscle, along with examples of master drawings and technique makes compulsive reading for anyone so occupied. For practising artists this book allows contemplation before and after a study and more essentially the 'science' and 'art' of drawing meet in reference in a way which it is hard to see able to improve upon. * Galleries magazine *July 2017 This is the most substantial volume on anatomy and figure drawing I've ever seen, and it might also be the most accessible. The secret I think is that by giving himself space Gottfried Bammes does have to cram everything in together. Each drawing includes just enough information to illustrate the point in hand and no more. All the skeletal and muscle structure is there, but in artistic, rather than medical detail. Photographs, block diagrams and classical examples serve to enhance the experience. The book is structured so that you're only aware of the section you're in, and never intimidated by the rest. This is a thorough course and not really for the beginner, but niether do nyou need to be a specialist to appreciate it. * The Artist *March 2017 Gottfried Bammes (1920-2007), once Professor of Artistic Anatomy at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, was the prolific author of many successful books on life-drawing, some published in English. The Complete Guide to Anatomy for Artists & Illustrators, initially published in 1964 as Die Gestalt des Menschen, is undoubtedly his masterpiece. The nine editions of this book in German are a measure of its success and impact and this – the tenth and the first in English – is very welcome. The bulk of the book consists of six chapters devoted to regional anatomy, each integrating descriptions of the structural components in relation to the dynamics of function and to artistic expression. The final section of each chapter gives relevant examples from works of art. Throughout, the emphasis is on providing the teacher with progressive methods of instructing the student to acquire an integrated approach that combines art and science. Three further chapters address more general issues: bodily proportions in relation to age and gender; the dynamics and bearing of the human body; and the “building blocks” of the body, namely, the skeleton, muscles, and skin and fat. The English text sometimes betrays its origin but any weakness in translation is fully compensated for by the wonderful range of more than 1,200 illustrations which speak a universal language. The anatomical drawings are notable for both their clarity and attractiveness. There are also sketches and diagrams by the artist-author and photographs of nude models that cover a wide variety of ages and body-forms. The diagrams of silhouetted figures and limbs in action, with the skeleton and muscle delineated, are particularly informative. The medical historian will be interested in the introductory chapter, showing how Renaissance humanism called for more than the simple rendering of the human form, which had previously satisfied the demands of mediaeval religious painting. Leonardo da Vinci, though not the first anatomist, launched the study of anatomy as an artistic, dynamic process. Vesalius set new standards for scientific observation, discrediting Galen, and, with Stephan von Calcar, reached new heights of artistic anatomical representation This volume can be warmly recommended as an essential reference book for professional figurative artists and illustrators, for teachers of life drawing, and for keen students of the art. http://bshm.org.uk/notice-board/book-reviews-alt/ * Barry Hoffbrand - British Society for the History of Medicine *Apr-17 Gottfried Bammes's The Complete Guide to Anatomy for Artists & Illustrators was originally published in Germany in 1964 and is considered to be the definitive guide to drawing the human body. It has now been translated into english for the first time and contains over 1200 photographs, diagrams and drawings within its 500 pages. A must for anyone serious about capturing the human form in detail * The Leisure Painter *This is the most substantial book I’ve seen on the subject of anatomy. Substantial, however, doesn’t mean incomprehensible and, looking into its pages, it becomes possible to believe the jacket’s claim that the original German edition is “bestselling” – even though I doubt it would have troubled the literary pages of the Frankfurter Allgemeine. Gottfried Bammes does a remarkable job of explaining every aspect of both anatomy and the practice of drawing it in a way that simplifies without reduction to absurdity. Anatomy, rather like perspective, is complex and comes with the additional hazard that, when writing about art, any author needs to avoid something that looks like a medical textbook. That Gottfried avoids this is, in large part, down to the quality of the drawings he uses to illustrate everything. He has a lightness of touch that, while it might be out of place in a hospital lecture theatre, is more than adequate in a drawing studio. The result is not only manageable, but looks and feels manageable. On top of this, the way the book is structured makes each section a unit in its own right; you can concentrate on the room without feeling weighed down by the rest of the building, large and ornate though it is. I’d hesitate to recommend this as a primer but, if you’re interested in anatomy for artistic purposes, I doubt you’ll ever find a better, and certainly not a more complete, guide. * Artbookreview *Originally published in Germany in 1964, this has become a definitive guide to drawing the human figure. This is the first English translation of the complete work. The tome contains over 12,000 drawings, diagrams and photographs covering all aspects of the human form. Structure, function and anatomical processes are all described in detail. It is a systematic approach to learning anatomy offering steps and exercises to reveal practical development for the artist. It provides an in-depth look at the subject. The book includes Anatomy For Artists Past and Present; The Proportions of The Human Body; Bearing and Movement; Building Blocks; Lower Extremities; Skeleton; Muscles; Upper Extremities; Neck; Head including facial features and Artistic Freedom. It talks about measuring processes, developmental stage and proportion3-dimension and space, poses and all factors that have to be taken into account when drawing. The developmental sequences, for example, of knee construction are fascinating. The highly detailed instruction is probably beyond the Sunday painter, but for any serious painter of the human form, this is the best book I have seen. Illustrated with fine examples of well-known artists such as Michelangelo, Matisse and Durer. Brilliant. * yarnsandfabrics.co.uk *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ultimate guide to fantasy character design from renowned illustrator, Meng Zi. This comprehensive manual, packed with breathtaking illustrations, is your key to crafting the most extraordinary beings in the realm of fantasy: it is an essential tool for game and animation designers, hobbyists, art students and teachers alike. Astonishing in detail and meticulously conceived, Meng Zi's fantasy characters are a masterclass in conceptual design. Whether you're looking for an inspirational reference or an idea generator, this book will spark your creativity. Filled with artistic insights and practical exercises, this comprehensive guide will teach you basic anatomical structure, help you to finesse your own design ideas, and then improve your aesthetic prowess through observation and practice. Inside you'll find:Design and drawing: A technical overview of conceptual design and drawing, including point, line and plane, geometry and various forms of perspective, all explored visually, and critical for breathing life into your characters. Human anatomy and kinetics: Understand the structure and movement that serve as the foundation for all character design. The skeletal and muscular systems are explored in a number of ways, from traditional musculo-skeletal illustrations to line and cube forms. Also included is a guide to creating hands, feet, limbs and facial features full of character and expression. Animal anatomy: Discover the real-world building blocks that will shape your mythical creatures, including skeletal form and musculature as well as features such as wings, spines, horns and tails. Fantasy fusion: Merge reality with imagination as you design fantastical beings, from fire-breathing dragons and elegant centaurs to robots, aliens and demons. Conceptual design for game and animation:Develop unique characters with guidance on body shapes, lines, and personality-infused accessories. Practical exercises throughout: Hone your skills with practical exercises that reinforce each lesson and inspire growth throughout the book. A huge range of illustrated characters: Learn from detailed archetypes, including ghosts, demons, goblins and mechwarriors, to inform and enhance your own designs.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'If you want to learn about gouache, this should keep you satisfied for a very long time.' Artbookreview.net If you love painting with watercolour and are ready to experiment with something different, then the versatile medium of gouache could be just the thing for you. Gouache is water-based, quick-drying and, can be painted light over dark as well as dark over light. Ideal for the beginner, it can be used thinly in a watercolour style, or more thickly as with oils or acrylics. This guide covers all the materials and tools required and has a comprehensive techniques section that includes overlaying colours, colour blending and troubleshooting. Experienced author Jeremy Ford takes you through three simple, step-by-step projects, each showcasing a unique style of painting with gouache. Numerous finished paintings are included to demonstrate the range of subjects, styles and techniques that you can achieve, and encourage you to develop your own style of painting using this exciting medium.Trade ReviewIf gouache is a medium you've been wanting to explore, this fantastic book gives you everything you need! An often overlooked medium, Jeremy present this 'opaque watercolour' via using a wide variety of styles and subjects. Ge us a patient and confident teacher and it's impossible not to be enthused by the results he produces here. * The SAA *Quick-drying and water-based, gouache is the ideal medium for the beginner as it is so forgiving and work can be painted over if corrections are necessary. In The Art of Gouache, experienced author Jeremy Ford, introduces us to the medium, with information on materials and tools and comprehensive descriptions of techniques, including overlaying colours, colour blending and troubleshooting. Jeremy clearly illustrates the exciting possibilities the medium offers, with plenty of paintings in various styles to inspire you. Three step-by-step projects are included; Rosebay Willowherb; Ullswater Lake; and Red Onion Still Life. * Leisure Painter, May 2019 *'Just as they did with Oil Pastels, Search Press have set out to rescue a Cinderella medium and, in Jeremy Ford, they’ve found an author who’s prepared not merely to look at the medium, but to champion and challenge it. A substantial book with plenty of illustrations, examples, lessons, exercises and demonstrations, this is as thorough and comprehensive a guide as you could wish for. Jeremy not only discusses materials and techniques, but looks at just about every way gouache can be used, from straightforward representation to poster-style and to images that look almost photographic. Subjects include landscapes, flowers, people and animals and there’s plenty of instruction as well as discussion of what you might want to do and how to tackle it.' 'If you want to learn about gouache, this should keep you satisfied for a very long time.' Read the full review here. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 What is gouache? 8 Materials 12 Getting started 16 Colour and light 22 THE ART OF GOUACHE 32 Gouache techniques 34 Overcoming common problems 52 Project: Rosebay Willowherb 54 CREATIVE GOUACHE 66 POSTER STYLE 74 Introducing poster style 76 Project: Ullswater Lake 80 ILLUSTRATIVE STYLE 94 Introducing illustrative style 96 Project: Red Onion Still Life 102 Moving forwards 114 Composition 116 Painting portraits 126 Painting animals 132 Framing and mounting 140 Afterword 143 Index 144

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery painting technique explained and demonstrated, plus everything you need to know about paints, additives, brushes, papers, canvases, colour palettes, colour mixing, composition, and more. 'This is the ultimate resource guide for acrylic painters.'The Leisure Painter

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 365 Days of Feel-good Art, Lorna Scobie explores art-based tasks which will help to boost your overall confidence, wellbeing and happiness.Full of tips that will encourage you to nurture your creativity, 365 Days of Feel-good Art teaches readers of all artistic levels how to tackle creative tasks, even if they are unsure of where to start.With breakout 'Expand' exercises, readers will be able to immerse themselves in more involved activities such as making cards for loved ones, or keeping a gratitude diary. And for those looking for a swift creative challenge there will be quick-hit happiness activities throughout the book that can be slotted into any busy day. Journal pages encourage readers to record their thoughts and reflect on their creative journey, wherever they may be on it.The accessible format of the book allows readers to work their way through the activities in any order that they would like, making it perfect for anyone who is looking for creative inspiration that isn’t too involved and doesn’t require any specialist equipment.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEggs aren’t just for breakfast! With a bit of imagination, they can also be transformed into beautiful decorative items and gifts. A modern and accessible hobby, egg art is something all generations can take part in, and connect over. Egg Art feeds into the current trend of working and crafting with natural, everyday objects, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Hatch a plan and get cracking on your egg-cellent designs now!Trade ReviewEggs are not just for Easter you know. I’ve been inspired to look at my baking staple again in a whole new light. With so many beautiful egg designs I couldn’t wait to get started. I love books like this as a source of inspiration, to flick through from time to time. Sparking my creativity. I am looking forward to developing my egg decorating technique and I can’t wait to make some of the projects that showcase my newly learnt techniques. A great resource for my craft room. -- Ruth Cartwright * Craft with Cartwright *Some wonderful egg painting projects and brilliant techniques using different mediums. There are designs for every skill level. I love it and will enjoy painting lots of eggs. -- Denise Sayles * Amazon *This is a great book to dip in and out of. It is well thought out and presented with beautiful photos. The book starts with a clear list of materials needed, and I feel that you can have a go without having to invest a lot of money into a new hobby. The 50 designs/projects within the book mean that there is something to suit everyone's skill and sense of décor. I can't wait to try the peacock feather egg myself. There are both simple and complex designs in this book so there are family friendly projects along with designs to suit a more experienced crafter. I was pleased to see that there is something for everyone without it being to basic. After the project section there is a section on how to display the eggs and they look fabulous! There is also a thorough and detailed technique section so everyone can jump in and have a go. Its been many years since I decorated eggs at school but this is a much more sophisticated and modern way of doing it. I think this book would also make a nice gift idea along with a nice set of paints. -- Sarah Gage * Amazon *I was really impressed with the step-by-step guide to creating the egg designs, together with the tool guide and the detailed explanation of the different techniques used. There are some really great designs and I really love the Gender-Reveal Gold Crackable Egg, a really original idea! Some designs are more adult based, but there are also some designs which could be tackled by children, which makes it perfect for family crafting! -- Susie Wilkinson * Amazon *A varied collection of beautiful egg art projects, ranging from polka dots to the most intricate designs. Complete with techniques for preparing the eggs for painting, including "How to Blow Out an Egg". A lovely book. -- Myra Armson * Amazon *Table of ContentsChapter 1: Egg Art Projects 10 Colour Block Egg 12 Peacock Feathers Egg 14 White Polka-dot Egg 16 Bohemian Floral Egg 18 Japanese Fan Egg 20 The Hunter Bull’s-eye and Arrow Egg 22 Colourful Pebbles Egg 24 Baby Girl Keepsake Egg 26 Decorative Belts Egg 28 Yellow Geometry Egg 30 Red-and-White Candy Cane Egg 32 Blue Starburst Egg 34 Neolithic Pottery Egg 36 Zigzag Hipster Egg 38 Damask Medallion Egg 40 Forty-eight Triangles Egg 42 Glittery Orange Abstract Egg 44 Fish Scales Egg 46 Gender-reveal Gold Crackable Egg 48 Indian Treasure Egg 50 Winter Star Egg 52 Gold Blocked Egg 54 Colourful Spiders Egg 56 Zebra Stripe Egg 58 Oak-leaf Motif Egg 60 Abstract Lines Egg 62 Confetti Egg 64 Paper Clips Egg 66 Black-and-Red Knitted Pattern Egg 68 Diagonal Geometric Egg 70 Vinegar-etched Brown Egg 72 Teal Twigs Egg 74 Black-and-silver Marked Egg 76 Turquoise and Red Egg 78 Black and Yellow Contrast Egg 80 Teacup Cornflower Egg 82 Simple Organic Pattern Egg 84 Scottish Treasure Egg 86 Blue Vinegar-etched Egg 88 Orange and Lilac Botanical Egg 90 Gold Chevron Egg 92 Blue Polka-dot Egg 94 Swedish Country Egg 96 Hot Pink and Black Flower Egg 98 Herringbone Egg 100 Pink Stripes Egg 102 Green Grass Egg 104 Nativity Scene Egg 106 Black-and-white Snowflake Egg 108 Vinegar-etched Egg 110 Chapter 2: Showcasing Your Egg Art and Techniques 112 Showcasing Your Egg Art 114 Techniques 121 Cleaning the Eggs 121 How to Hold an Egg 121 How to Blow Out an Egg 122 Using a Stylus 123 Filling the Hole Before Dyeing 124 Removing the Wax Plug After Dyeing 124 Dyeing the Egg 125 Removing Wax from the Entire Egg 125 Index 126 Credits 128

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less