Watercolours or pastels Books

Book SynopsisLearn to paint tropical watercolor flowers and foliage in simple steps with this free and easy approach to watercolor painting for beginners. Marie Boudon?s beautifully presented creative course will get you started in this expressive and fun medium.Find out about the essential materials you need, learn about color mixing for an on-trend jungle palette, get expert tips on transparency, overlays and negative space, discover ideas for compositions and then work step-by-step through over 20 tutorials for jungle plants and flowers.From palm trees, monstera leaves and other jungle foliage to tropical flowers such as hibiscus, bird of paradise and anthurium, you''ll find easy exercises and inspiring ideas for jungle-themed art, which is a huge trend in interiors and surface pattern design.Along the way, be inspired by Marie''s gorgeous ideas for presenting the finished work as art pieces, journal pages, handmade stationery and greetings cards, inspirational quote frames, personalized gifts and more.Table of ContentsForeword CHAPTER 1: Basic techniques Essential materials Extra-fine colors Creating a color chart Water usage Mixing colors Jungle palettes Mastering transparency Working in the wet Experimenting with overlays Negative painting Keeping brushwork fluid Ideas for compositions Ideas for framing My method CHAPTER 2: Jungle plants Banana tree Swiss cheese plant Palm tree Other jungle plants A varying pattern Transparent jungle Other ideas CHAPTER 3: Tropical flowers Hibiscus Bird of paradise Heliconia Torch ginger Ginger flower Pincushion protea Anthurium Tropical border Bouquet CHAPTER 4: Urban jungle plants Variegated plants Pilea Caladium Calathea orbifolia Other ideas Index

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Book SynopsisThis journal offers you joy-based, hands-on ways to enrich your art-making journey and your creative life, and these beautiful pages invite you to pick up your brush and grow.

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Book SynopsisLearn to paint outstanding fashion watercolors with expert guidance from a leading fashion illustrator. Watercolor is a wonderful medium for figure and fashion as it creates loose, impressionistic results that capture the essence of a look without getting too bogged down in the details. In this complete course, professional fashion illustrator Francesco Lo Iacono shows you how to master creating delicate, beautiful fashion illustrations.  The book begins with the best tools and materials, from paints and brushes to pencils, paper and more. You''ll then explore simple watercolor techniques such as washes, wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and using the white of the paper. Francesco then goes on to teach you about lighting and shading, which can have a dramatic effect on your work. And finally in the front section, you''ll learn about colour, how to create palettes, how to mix colours and achieving a range of skin tones.  Once you''ve covered these fundamentals, Francesco explores the key elements of illustrating fashion, with guidance on how to approach both male and female faces, a wide variety of hair types and styles, different male and female poses, and how to draw and paint garments, reflecting tailoring, drapery, volume, texture and patterns.  Twenty step-by-step projects then take these building blocks and show you how to use them to create beautiful fashion watercolors, starting with easier subjects and building in complexity as your confidence grows. You''ll begin by painting handbags and shoes without models before starting to introduce figures. The range of subjects included covers all angles, from full figures front on and in profile to close-up make-up and beauty illustrations. You''ll also learn how to create dynamic compositions for editorial fashion illustration. Finally, Francesco covers the best ways to digitize and retouch your work, how to incorporate other media alongside your watercolors, how to work live at fashion events and how to take everything you''ve learned to develop your own personal style of fashion illustration. Francesco''s clients include fashion brands Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton - and with this book you''ll have all the tools you need to become an A-list fashion illustrator too. Trade Review"As in the arts, fashion illustration has had its master watercolour artisans, including the infamous David Downton, an avid watercolour and ink draftsman, Antonio Lopez and Kenneth Block, who captured the fashion figure with the most direct and considered brush strokes. Francesco is bringing this medium into a modern era, combining the skills of watercolour and technology to edit and refine his final outcomes. His rich, vivid tones always delight, leaving the viewer with a taste in the mouth for more after every sitting. Like Francesco as a young boy, revealing the rainbow palette of his first watercolour set, this book will give you the possibility to make your own marks and tell your own story." -- Patrick Morgan"This book is packed with handy tips and tricks that are worth their weight in gold, the kind of instructions that only someone who has a lot of experience in the medium can give." * London Runway Fashion Magazine *Table of ContentsForeword 4 INTRODUCTION 5 Using this book 6 Tools and materials 8 EXPLORING WATERCOLOR 12 Approaching the blank page 12 Mixing your paints 13 Practice exercises 14 Understanding lighting and shading. 16 Understanding color 19 ILLUSTRATING FASHION 24 Working in the fashion industry 24 CREATING A CHARACTER 26 General features 26 Women’s faces 30 Men’s faces 31 Hair 32 Painting beautiful hair 33 POSES 34 The body 35 Examples 38 RENDERING FABRICS AND PRINTS 40 Exploring fabrics and textures 41 Prints and patterns 43 TUTORIALS 44 Canvas tote bag 46 Wedge platform shoe 48 Gown on mannequin 50 Womenswear head to toe 54 Menswear head to toe 58 Girl with bag 62 Eye makeup 66 Girl with hat 70 Woman in print dress 76 Boy with hat 80 Perfumes 84 Focus on beauty 86 Girl with sunglasses 92 Man in print shirt 96 Vintage jewelry 100 Menswear composition 102 Catwalk moment 108 Close-up beauty look 112 Womenswear composition 118 Editorial with background 126 READY FOR BUSINESS 132 Digitizing your work 132 Mixed media 136 Working live 138 Developing personal style 141 About the author and acknowledgements 142 Index 143

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Book SynopsisGlen Scouller’s paintings are full of vibrant colour and light. In Colour and Line in Watercolour – his first book – he explains how he achieves these effects. He combines traditional watercolour techniques with adding pen and ink, pastels and crayons to create paintings brimming with colour and spontaneity. Using step-by-step demonstration paintings, Scouller shows how he builds up his paintings, working first in watercolour and adding other media to create his original style. He gives advice on his methods and techniques and encourages the reader to experiment with mixed media. He believes that keeping a sketchbook is very important, especially when travelling and shares tips on how to start and use one. There are also sections on painting outdoors and in the studio. The subjects covered are boats and boatyards, landscapes, still life, animals and figures and portraits. Colour and Line in Watercolour encourages all watercolourists, whatever their level, to experiment with the medium and produce exciting and challenging work of their own by adding line in various mixed media to their watercolours.

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Book SynopsisAn easy introduction to the enjoyable art of watercolor sketching!A Beginner's Guide to Watercolor Painting is the perfect book for anyone who wants to experience the spontaneity of watercolor sketching with a water brush pen—a rewarding hobby that enables you to paint anytime, anywhere with very simple materials. The beginner-friendly lessons in this book contain all the information you need—detailed tips and instructions along with step-by-step photos to walk you through the process of painting everything from still life to portraits and landscapes.The 15 lessons in the book show you how to paint the following popular subjects: Lifelike fruits and vegetables such as zesty lemons, sweet cherry tomatoes and crisp sugar snap peas Beautiful flowers like brilliant yellow sunflowers, pastel pink roses and stunning floral bouquets Adorable pets like friendly calico cats and fluffy Shibu Inu dogs Tasty treats including indulgent strawberry shortcakes, coffees and teas Charming buildings and landscapes such as quaint canal-side buildings and exotic tiered pagodas And much more! Each lesson opens with a reference photo and suggested color palette, followed by the step-by-step process of creating an underdrawing and applying brilliant watercolor paints. This handy book is the perfect companion for vacations and weekends. Toss it into your bag with your paper, paints and brushes—and go out and capture interesting subjects in the world around you!Trade Review"A wealth of practical and clever advice that beginner artists will find useful." --Sara Shreve, Library Journal Life+Style

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Book SynopsisLearn how to create manga art from pencil sketch to finished painting, with this comprehensive guide. Start by exploring a wide range of techniques including how to draw manga faces, poses, hair and eyes, then learn about background textures, colors and more. Finally, complete 12 step-by-step painting projects to perfect your manga art skills.Table of ContentsForeword 4 Materials 7 Paints 8 Basics 11 Paper 16 Preparation 18 Brushes 19 Techniques 21 Color theory 22 Color selection 24 Effect of color 25 Examples 26 Basics 28 Proportions 29 Faces 32 Shading 34 Sketching 36 Wet on wet 37 Dry technique 39 White areas 40 Special techniques 41 Exercises 43 Gradients 44 Doodles 48 Gemstones 56 Feathers 58 Snakeskin 60 Dragon scales 62 Walls 64 Water 66 Trees 68 Landscape 72 Gouache 74 Hair 75 Eyes 76 Projects 79 Sweet chibi girl on a slice of cake 81 Fresh steampunk chibis against a bright background 85 Chibi sorcerer's apprentice in a flying teacup 91 Chibi Harry aka a world-famous wizard 97 Young girl framed by a romantic floral design 101 Sailor boy in a symbolic sun circle 107 Girl in a kimono backlit by a window with flowers 113 Historic heroine in a voluminous ball gown 119 Melancholic schoolgirl against a fluorescent background 123 Silhouette in the evening sunset 127 Food overload: boy in the land of plenty 131 Girl's face with expressive eyes 137 About the author/Acknowledgements 142

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Book SynopsisLearn to paint gorgeous watercolor flowers, houseplants and arrangements with this inspiring guide, featuring 30 step-by-step tutorials.

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring creativity guide for keeping a sketchbook as an artistic practice, with techniques and sources of inspiration for experimenting, drawing, painting, and seeing the world through a colorful lens, from watercolor artist and author of The Joy of Watercolor Emma Block Keeping a sketchbook is a wonderfully rewarding pursuit for artists and hobbyists alike. Your sketchbook is a safe place to explore, experiment, try new things, record your progress, and sometimes mess up, and working in a sketchbook, particularly on location, is an innately mindful practice. You become completely focused on the things you are sketching or painting and completely immersed in the atmosphere of the place. In Keeping a Creative Sketchbook, Emma Block shares her own sketchbook practice and offers inspiring artist interviews and numerous techniques and practices for beginning or transforming your own. Packed with ideas and prompts to get

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Book SynopsisBetween 1886 and 1942, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Pomology Division pomology being the study of fruit growing commissioned an illustrated register of fruits. These watercolour illustrations were invaluable to growers, who used them as records of prized varieties that were in danger of being stolen or counterfeited by competitors. The illustrations realistically portrayed fruit in all conditions, showing not only immaculate pomegranates fit to eat off of the page but bruised bananas as well. These watercolours, most of which were painted by women, chronicle an agricultural landscape at the turn of the twentieth century and provide a visual time capsule of many fruit varieties now lost.This book highlights 250 vibrant, mouthwatering watercolours from the Pomological Watercolor Collection, showing fruit from all 50 states and around the world, from apples and oranges to gooseberries and plums. As small as an apple or avocado you would hold in your hand, this miniature book will entice both gourmets and art lovers.

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Book SynopsisThe follow-up to the popular WATERCOLOR CRUSH and WATERCOLOR DREAMS,this beautiful kit teaches watercolour techniques and provides18 pages of illustrations.

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Book SynopsisLearn to paint cute animals and wildlife in this free-and-easy approach to watercolor. Artist Natalia Skatula has a beautiful, whimsical style that will charm readers through 12 simple step-by-step projects and over 100 worked examples.

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Book SynopsisLearn how to combine watercolor illustrations with hand lettering to create beautiful art and gifts. Self-taught artist Tanje Pöltl shares the tips, tricks and know-how she''s learned on her creative journey so that you can fast-track your skills. Discover the materials you''ll need in terms of paints, brushes, paper and pens, then get started with Tanja''s exercises to learn the basic techniques of watercolour painting and hand lettering. 20 amazing step-by-step projects include ideas for gift boxes, journals, greetings cards, jar labels, posters, hoop art, table runners, height charts, box frames and more ? all beautifully illustrated in a modern yet timeless style. Kickstart your own creative journey with this accessible and indispensable guide to easy watercolour and hand lettering techniques and make art that makes you happy!Table of ContentsForeword INTRODUCTION 365 days of creativity Your creative journey BASIC MATERIALS Hand lettering pens Watercolors Brushes Paper HANDLETTERING KNOW HOW Handlettering basics Warm up exercises Practice letters Faux calligraphy Joining letters Bounce lettering The line grid Alphabets WATERCOLOR KNOW HOW Paint/water ratio Basic techniques Handling the brush Color knowledge Tonal value, transparency, opacity Your personal color palette Exercises PROJECTS Moodboard Inspirational cards Seasonal gift boxes Botanical table runner Plant journal Floral greetings Hoop art 3D flowers Fruity labels Party stationery Seasonal calendar Recipe cards Birth poster Milestone cards The big ABC Picture wall Height chart Beetles frame Butterfly booklet About the author Index

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Book SynopsisPainting expressive portraits of iconic faces has never been easier with this unique approach to watercolor painting. In this fresh and super-accessible approach to modern portraiture, artist Nelli Andrejew removes any barriers to painting instantly recognizable faces. In just a few simple brushstrokes you can capture the essence and likeness of 15 international icons and create modern watercolor portraits you will be proud to hang on the wall.The 15 famous personalities included have all made a valuable contribution to the world in some way - be it science, art or human rights. The subtle style of the portraits you''ll learn how to paint in this book bring these heroes to life in watercolor, with step-by-step instructions and practical templates for tracing, removing the need for any real skill ? just trace, paint, have fun, and paint portraits that will surprise and delight all who see them.With this book you will learn how to paint:Leonardo DiCaprio ? Virginia Woolf ? James Dean ? Lana Del Rey ? Bob Dylan ? Michelle Obama ? Albert Einstein ? Marilyn Monroe ? Girl with a Pearl Earring ? Martin Luther King Jr. ? Audrey Hepburn ? Mona Lisa ? Coco Chanel ? Emma Watson ? Vincent Van GoghIn addition to the step-by-step tutorials, Nelli shares her tips and experience in the basic techniques you will need, from how to transfer the templates to your watercolour paper, to different ways to work with watercolors to successful portraits.This beautiful guide will inspire you to try all the faces included and then go on to paint your own original portraits with the same techniques. The perfect way to spend a creative afternoon!Table of ContentsIntroduction Basics Watercolor and portraits Materials Basic techniques Color Structure Step-by-step Final tips Displaying your work Projects Leonardo DiCaprio Virginia Woolf James Dean Lana Del Rey Bob Dylan Michelle Obama Albert Einstein Marilyn Monroe Girl with a Pearl Earring Martin Luther King Jr. Audrey Hepburn Mona Lisa Coco Chanel Emma Watson Vincent Van Gogh About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisOur Butterflies QuickNotes collection of full colour notecards are a selection of beautifully reprinted watercolour paintings from the very talented Becca Stadtlander. Our QuickNotes boxed notecards are full colour, collectable greeting / notecards that are blank inside and can be used to convey personal greetings, thank-yous and invitations. 20 5x4 notecards and envelopes ‌5 cards each of 4 images ‌Packaged in a keepsake box with magnetic lid ‌Measures 140 x 114 x 38mm. We choose the best images from well-known classic and contemporary fine artists, plus talented emerging illustrators and designers from around the globe.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing simple step-by-step instructions and hundreds of illustrations, this sketching and watercolor primer reveals how creating art can enhance any outdoor experience.In this inspirational guide, Cathy Johnson, a nationally recognized artist, naturalist and teacher, offers personal anecdotes, exercises and useful tips that are perfect for every amateur artist. This book covers a wide range of subjects, including: Tools and equipment Mixing paints and washes Selecting a subject to sketch or paint Capturing the illusion of light Sketching clouds, flowers, trees, plants and animals Using field sketches as studies for future paintings Understanding color and using a color wheel  A source list for art supplies With more than 280 of Johnson’s own illustrations—both in color and black and white—this book will inspire you to appreciate every detail of the natural world.  

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Book SynopsisGet to know the kingdom of Fungi like never before with this unique book that blends the science of mycology with lyrical prose and watercolor paintings. Take an extraordinary expedition into the diverse and enchanting realm of fungi. The Wonder of Mushrooms is where science meets poetry, where ancient wisdom converges with modern discovery. Maya Jewell Zeller and Jenny deFouw Geuder guide you into the hidden world beneath our feet. With a blend of scientific insight and artistic appreciation, the authors portray the crucial role of mushrooms in our ecosystem and celebrate their profound cultural significance. Learn about mushrooms’ history and lore. Appreciate their myriad colors, shapes, and forms, as well as their vital role as nature’s decomposers. Discover astonishing facts, such as how some bioluminescent species glow like fallen stars and where the extraordinary Humongous Fungus spans 2,385 acres. Perhaps most importantly, find out how fungi might prove to be humanity’s unexpected saviors, offering solutions for everything from environmental pollution to sustainable architecture. Maya’s lyrical prose pairs with Jenny’s bright watercolors, creating an unparalleled ode to these foraging favorites that feels like both a scientific textbook and a beautiful gift book. Whether you''re an artist, naturalist, or someone who’s simply curious about the natural world, this book presents a profound journey into the kingdom of Fungi, where beauty and science intertwine in unexpected ways. Book Features: Lyrical prose that blends science with literary references and poetry Professional watercolors that help make complex scientific concepts accessible Wide range of topics, including anatomy, biology, and ecology Educational tribute that promotes wonder and curiosity

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Book SynopsisGo beyond lettering and learn to use your brush pen markers to create vibrant, colorful watercolor paintings! In this easy-to-follow guide, noted artist Jessica Mack teaches all the techniques you need to get started and practice through a series of fun projects.Markers are vibrant, inexpensive, and extremely versatile. They re also less messy than paints, and require less equipment to get started, making them the ideal tool for creating at home or on the go. And when you blend them with water you really unleash their magic!With over 35 projects you re bound to find something that suits your mood. From fashion illustration to florals, galaxies to food, each project will help you hone your painting skills, and you ll have a beautiful, finished piece of art at the end. Whether you re new to painting, or looking for another way to use your markers, these fun projects will provide you with a relaxing and enjoyable way to grow your skills.

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Book SynopsisThis complete beginner’s guide to painting flowers in watercolour is ideal if you want to learn to paint but are short on time. Each of the 35 quick and easy exercises takes no more than 30 minutes to complete, and will teach you how to paint flowers of different shapes, colours and families – lilies, orchids and hellebores amongst others – or learn a key technique such as masking out, working wet in wet and colour-mixing. The exercises are all worked at postcard size – ideal for a 6 x 4in (A6) watercolour pad, and tracings are included for each study. The book is broken down into five chapters that focus, respectively, on working with watercolour, watercolour techniques, colour and tone, form and detail, and finally flowers in context. The final section of the book contains three complete paintings that demonstrate how to combine all the techniques and elements of painting flowers, as learned from the preceding chapters. These paintings, too, are accompanied by actual-size tracings. Trade Review Having just had a handful of ‘beginners’ watercolour lessons and finding them very challenging I was introduced to this book. Wow! I found it to be very exciting and inspiring. For people new to painting and to watercolour this is the book for you. You don’t even need to be able to draw! The book is full of ideas, tips and projects for you to work through. Each chapter leads on to new and interesting techniques to learn such as ‘spattering’, ‘wax resist’ and the use of salt. For those who find drawing difficult as I do tracings are provided of the flowers, leaves and seed heads featured so there is no excuse not to get started! Each ‘tracing’ is carefully cross referenced to the relevant project and page where you will find step-by-step instructions to lead you through the painting techniques needed to complete your chosen project. At the beginning of the book there is information about the basic equipment needed. A list of the paint colours used throughout is given but as well as their names there is also a colour chart. I found this a great help as it meant I could mix the colour I needed if I didn’t have the particular paint mentioned. As it is now autumn I decided to have a go at the leaf (see Pic 1). This involved painting ‘wet-in- wet’. I particularly enjoyed trying out the effect of ‘spatter spots’. Painting the ‘Anemone with shadows’ picture (pic 2) introduced the idea of using ‘negative space’ to keep areas white, and of using masking fluid to reserve areas of the paper from the paint in order to add a different colour at a later stage. The background to the flowers is achieved using the ‘wet-in-wet’ method whereas to deepen the shadow and add detail required ‘wet-on-dry’. My most successful picture was achieved using wax resist to paint a picture of Honesty seed heads (see Pic 3). I was very happy with the result at just my first attempt! If you love flowers and have always wanted to paint them then this book is for you. https://notcompulsory.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/two-ready-to-paint-in-30-minutes.html * Not Compulsory *September 2017 The original Ready to Paint series sold well to more experienced artists who might have been expected to dismiss it as 'jumped up painting by numbers'. A complete re-think has produced this development which is a whole new departure. In place of complete paintings there are 30-odd half-hour exercises that concentrate on a single element -skies, shadows, trees, rosebuds, seed heads or leaves. There is also more emphasis on technique and therefore on the learning process. It's definitely worth a look. * The Artist *September 2017 Ready to Paint in 30 Minutes is a brand new series from Search Press aimed specifically at the complete beginner. The focus is to provide quick and easy instruction for anyone short on time, as each exercise is designed to take no more than 30 minutes. The series kicks off with two titles - Street Scenes by Grahame Booth and Flowers in Watercolour by Ann Mortimer. Street Scenes is broken down into eight chapters covering tone, colour, perspective, the wash. edge control, brush strokes, adding details and putting it all togethe. There are 32 easy exercises for you to work on, each of which covers an element of street scenes, such as doorways or people. The time is limited to 20 minutes spent on each and the size is limited to postcard size, which make them ideal for an A6 watercolour pad. Three finished paintings are demonstrated at the end of the book and are accompanied by actual size tracings to make it easier for the complete novice to get started with their painting. Ann Mortimer will be well known to Leisure Painter readers and in her 30 minute book she covers five main aspects of painting flowers in watercolour: working with watercolour, watercolour techniques, colour and tone, form and details, and finally, flowers in context. Once again the size and time is limited for each exercise and the final section, also accompanied by actual size tracings, demonstrates three paintings that combine all the techniques learnt. * The Leisure Painter *This is genuinely exciting evolution of a popular series. You'll be guided through some simple exercises and on to complete painting, gaining valuable insights that will develop and improve your skills. * Artbookreview.net *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Basic painting equipment 8 Working with watercolour 10 Washes 12 Working wet in wet 14 Layering 16 Blending out 18 Using the white of the paper 20 Techniques 22 Masking 24 Cutting out 26 Negative painting 28 White flowers with shadows 30 Spattering & scribbling 32 Salt & wax resists 34 Colour & tone 36 Mixing greens 38 Mixing dark colours 40 Mixing shadow colours 42 Mixing yellows 44 Mixing autumn colours 46 Contrast & tone 48 Backlighting 50 Form & detail 52 Drawing & composing 54 Flower shapes: star 56 Flower shapes: bell 58 Flower shapes: cup 60 Flower shapes: cone 62 Complex flower shapes 64 Buds 66 Painting leaves 68 Leaf shapes 70 Seed heads 72 Seed heads: ‘Honesty’ 74 Flower markings: orchid 76 Flower markings: hellebore 78 Flowers in context 80 Flowers in a vase 82 Mixed border 84 Woodland with daffodils 86 Flowers in pots 88 Dog roses in a landscape 90 Pansies in a vase 92 Clematis on a trellis 94 Index 96 Templates 97

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Book SynopsisThis exquisite book by the founders of the studio May & Berry shows you how to create beautiful messages through the combination of hand lettering and watercolour. Broken down into easy-to-follow stages, you will soon learn how to use different pens and inks to produce gorgeous lettering, embellished with simple yet stunningly effective watercolour motifs. This practical book guides you gently through the materials and tools you need to get started, and sets you on your hand-lettering journey with some simple exercises. There are then ten pretty step-by-step projects for you to try, after which you’ll be confidently creating your own handwritten artworks that you can display on your wall, send as notecards to loved ones, or use to decorate your journals and scrapbooks. At the back of the book there is a treasure trove of gorgeous botanical-style motifs and borders along with four delightful alphabets created by the authors in a variety of scripts – perfect for gently encouraging beginners and inspiring more experienced hand-lettering artists to play with new designs and styles. This is followed by six handy worksheets on which to practise your letter-writing technique. You'll soon find that hand lettering with watercolour is quick and fun to learn, and a wonderful skill that will bring you joy for many years to come.Trade ReviewHand lettering - the art of combining beautifully drawn letters and watercolour illustrations - is becoming increasingly popular. Relatively easy to learn, the technique lends itself to creating lovely homemade artwork, beautiful journal pages or delicate painted notes and cards for friends and family. Lettering with Love advises on the basic tools and techniques, with step-by-step instructions for a range of different projects. * Woman Alive magazine *This exquisite book from the founders of the May & Berry studio shows readers how to create beautiful messages using hand lettering and water-colours. Broken down into easy-to-follow stages, the title explains how to use different pens and inks to produce gorgeous lettering, embellished with simple yet stunningly effective watercolour motifs. There are 10 projects inside, all with step-by-step instructions, and at the back of the book there's a treasure trove of botanical-style motifs and borders together with four delightful alphabets created by authors Sue Hiepler and Yasin Reddig. * Craft Focus Magazine Dec 2018/Jan 2019 *Say it like you mean it with a beautiful combination of hand lettering and watercolour painting. In an age of keyboards, printers and the Internet the very idea of writing something out by hand and decorating it makes it less “instant” and consequently a lot more special. Grab anything you can write with and some watercolours and get ready to make your mark. I confess to having had a go at real calligraphy using ink and a special pen and not getting very far with it. This book is all about a different method, known as faux calligraphy which is far simpler and less rule-bound. Basically it is about forming letters using first a pencil, and then any type of pen, brush or marker you like. The book starts by explaining all this and listing what you need; all fairly basic items most people (especially those into art or craft) already own. The faux calligraphy method is explained simply with a few examples, and then follows a short section about watercolouring. The rest of the book contains lovely projects which combine the two and are all about enjoying yourself and going with the flow when working, rather than worrying about perfection. Most of the painted embellishments are floral in nature, celebrating the garden. Instructions are given throughout on how to form the loose and flowing plants, and there are several lettering styles to try too. The book has hard covers so opens out neatly and stays obligingly flat for easy reference when working. Turn to the back for several alphabets to copy for practice plus some floral wreaths, pot plants, single blooms plus a few cacti. Working through all this is a great way of getting into the style, and it is a fun way of relaxing and producing something beautiful. The projects in here include pictures for walls and greetings cards, all of which can be resized and used as a starting point for your own ideas. I love something that is a bit different, and I haven’t seen a book on this subject before. A great way of saying what you want and getting creative that does not need a lot of outlay for materials. -- Rachel Hyde * myshelf.com *Not only is this a beautiful book to look at, it is filled with some stunning examples of watercolour artwork and hand lettering, that is both inspiring and easy to achieve with a little practice. Simple step by step instructions show you how to create a piece of artwork that will be perfect to give as a gift or to decorate your home. You do not need an expensive array of tools, just a pencil and some watercolour paints to get started will suffice. I love the idea of decorating journals, my love of papercrafting will really benefit with what I learn from this lesson in paint and ink. There is a gallery of painted flowers to encourage creativity and also included are lettering in both upper and lower case, as well as practice pages to help you develop your style. Lettering with Love is exquisite. It is wonderfully presented and would make a delightful gift. It is definitely on list of things to buy for my crafty friends. -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *Written by Sue Hiepler and Yasmin Reddig, Lettering with Love shows readers how to create beautiful messages using a combination of hand lettering and watercolours. Broken down into easy steps, the guide demonstrates ways in which to use different pens and inks to create stunning effects. There's also 10 step-by-step projects and useful worksheets on which to practice. The book retails at £12.99. * Craft Focus *Table of ContentsIntroduction 3 Chapter 1: Good to know Anatomy of letters of letters are explored along with essential materials, techniques and handy advice Chapter 2: Let's get started Discover ten stunning projects to paint yourself and learn how to hand letter and paint as you go Chapter 3: Creative Treasure Trove Exercises for drawing and painting your letters included, along with several alphabets for different script styles. In addition is a gallery of gorgeous botanical motifs, from flowers to cacti, for inspiration and tracing. Materials The authors Publication details

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Book SynopsisThis complete beginner's guide to painting animals and birds is ideal if you want to learn to paint in watercolour but are short on time. Broken down into 32 quick and easy paintings measuring just 15 x 10cm (6 x 4in), this basic course will teach you all the skills you need to paint domestic and wild animals and birds, in home settings or in nature. Best-selling author Matthew Palmer shows you how to paint a diverse range of animals and birds, including a parrot, cat, dog, zebra, stag, cow and swan, and teaches you how to paint realistic markings, fur and feathers, and how to create faces filled with character and personality. Tracings are provided for all the paintings, including the three projects at the end of the book. Simply trace them off onto your watercolour paper and paint with confidence, without the need to make an initial drawing. Each painting takes just 30 minutes to complete and teaches you a different technique, so by the end of the book you will be equipped with all the skills you need to complete one of the three full-size projects: a King Charles cavalier spaniel, a snow leopard and a hummingbird. Trade ReviewHere’s an ideal subject for this nicely-maturing series. Matthew presents simple exercises that cover just about every type of animal and coat from hide to hair, fur and feathers (birds are included). Some of the backgrounds are plain, allowing you to concentrate on the subject, others include wider settings that provide context. Nothing is over-complicated, however, and the idea of working quickly on a single idea is never compromised. Each of the 29 exercises is accompanied by an outline tracing that allows you to get the basic shapes down quickly and you’ll be working at A6 size, so you won’t need to make elaborate preparations or clear a working space. 30 minutes is probably best seen as a target rather than a limit – if you want to spend a bit more time, that’s fine, just don’t get too tied up with details and land up over-working. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *Animals in Watercolour by Matthew Palmer is added to the Ready to Paint in 30 Minutes series and provides 29 postcard-size exercises that cover wild and domestic species and highlight fur, feathers, structure and features along with pre-drawn outline tracings to get you started. -- Henry Malt * The Artist *This book is a perfect introduction to painting with watercolours for those with little or no experience. The tracings that are provided make it simple to get started if you’re not confident at drawing freehand, and each of the 32 projects helps you to learn a new painting technique so you can gradually build on your skills as you work your way through the book. Everything is well explained and easy to follow even for novice painters. I hadn’t read any of Matthew Palmer’s books before this one, and I wish I’d discovered them sooner. -- Dawn Andrews * Amazon Customer Review *This is my first time trying out one of these books and I was incredibly impressed. Not only were the images great for practicing drawing the animals myself but the watercolour steps were broken down in a way that were easy to follow. I will definitely be trying the other books in the series! -- Dale Dow * Amazon Customer Review *Table of ContentsTracings, Introduction 6, Basic painting equipment 8, Basic techniques 10, Parrot at sunset 16, Bird in flight 18, Koi carp 20, Zebra 22, Swan 24 Key features 26 Cat’s eyes 28, Peering tabby 30, Curious kitten 32, Tiger 34, Dog’s eyes 36, Puppy 38, Highland cow’s muzzle 40, Cockerel’s head 42 Textures and markings 44 Penguin’s wing 46, African elephant 48, Lamb 50, Ram 52, Great tit 54 Portraits 56 Drawing a portrait from a photograph 60, Alsatian 62, Rabbit 64, Chimpanzee 66, Meerkat 68 Animals in the landscape 70 Cat on the lookout 72, Sheep in a field 74, Flamingos paddling 76, Penguins 78, Asian elephant 80, Stag in woodland 82, Robin on a branch 84, Stag in winter 86, Giraffe 88, ‘Max’, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 90, Snow Leopard 92, Hummingbird 94 Index 96

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Book SynopsisAdding other mediums to your watercolour paintings is a fantastic way to take your work in new, more exciting directions. However, the vast array of painting mediums and materials on the market can be daunting, especially for the beginner. This book introduces the reader to the range of media that is available, explains briefly and clearly how to use the materials and provides six step-by-step projects and inspirational finished paintings to encourage you to take a definitive leap into the exciting world of mixed media art. Author Alison C Board covers a multitude of topics in her work, and this book features flowers, animal portraits, dancers in motion, cityscapes and landscapes. She explores how to combine wet and dry media, and how to create vibrant collages from man-made and natural found objects. There are no mistakes in mixed-media artwork, and Alison encourages the reader to be unafraid and embrace the experimental.Trade Reviewi found this book from Alison C Board to be very inspiring. She takes you on a journey to explore a variety of watercolour and mixed media techniques and includes detailed photographed stages to guide you through 6 very different projects. I can see it will be a resource book I’ll enjoy dipping into to help further my knowledge & skills. -- Claire Harding * Amazon *There are no mistakes in mixed-media artwork, and Alison encourages you to be unafraid and embrace the experimental! Adding other mediums to your watercolour paintings is a fantastic way to take your work in new, more exciting directions. This book introduces the range of media that is available and will open your eyes to new and inspirational ways of creating. The book provides six step-by-step projects to encourage you to take a definitive leap into the exciting world of mixed media art, covering a multitude of subjects including flowers, animal portraits, dancers in motion, cityscapes and landscapes. Alison explores how to combine wet and dry media, and how to create vibrant collages from man-made and natural found objects. * The SAA *Mixed media is all too often an excuse for playing with technique to no specific end. Alternatively, it’s a footnote in a book about another medium – “you can always add a bit of gouache to create highlights” or “how about rolling up some cling film and seeing what happens?” Alison has made something of a career out of working with a huge variety of techniques and media and her armoury is huge. So huge, in fact, that if she wasn’t absolutely on top of it, this would be the messiest book ever, both in terms of results and organisation. She is, however, absolutely confident with her methods and this is a masterpiece. Its main merit is that it isn’t a technical book at all. Or, rather, it’s absolutely about technique, but only for creative ends. You don’t put paint on paper to cover up the surface, you do it to create an image that satisfies both you and the viewer. You might want to convey the tranquillity of a rolling landscape, or the play of light and colour in a flower or plant, but the point is that it’s all about the end result, not how you got there. A chef creates a dish that delights the diner and, if another chef admires the method of cooking, that’s just a sideshow. So, buckle up and prepare to be astounded. The projects here include flowers, landscapes, people and animals. Materials include both wet and dry media as well as accessories such as hessian, bubble wrap and even chicken wire to create texture. All these things you’d expect, but look at the results – they don’t scream “clever” at you, they invite you to study the inner character of the subject. Less is more, the invisible is the first thing you see. Oh, and by the way, the figure demonstration is of a dancer: the sense of movement Alison (a trained ballet teacher) gets into a static pose will just take your breath away. If you haven’t already gathered that I’m calling this the best book ever on mixed media, well, I am. * Artbookreview.net *A Beginner's Guide to Watercolour with Mixed Media encourages beginners to energise their watercolours by using other media, and takes the fear and confusion away from the often bewildering array of materials on offer. In this clear and practical guide, Alison shows readers what's available and how to use these painting mediums and materials, with six step-by-step projects to work through. Subjects include flowers, animal portraits, dancers, cityscapes and landscapes. * Leisure Painter *Table of ContentsIntroduction Watercolour Hellebore – Step-by-step project Dry media Riley – Step-by-step project Wet media Naomi – Step-by-step project Found objects Natural found objects Man-made found objects Poppies & Physalis – Step-by-step project Collage and text The West Side – Step-by-step project Surfaces and textures Towards Hod Hill – Step-by-step project Taking inspiration Index

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Book SynopsisExplore the deserts, mountains and souks of the Middle East, with best-selling author and artist David Bellamy. Following on from David’s highly acclaimed Arctic Light, this book provides an intriguing and often entertaining insight into South Arabia and the Swahili Coast, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman. It describes the history, culture, customs and geography of the region and the daily life of its inhabitants, as viewed through the eyes of a world-renowned watercolour artist and life-long adventurer. Filled with personal anecdotes and humour, David Bellamy’s unique account shines a light on the Middle East and highlights the incredible beauty and fascinating culture of this much-neglected region. David’s stunning artwork, that he painted during his various expeditions, features throughout the book and captures perfectly the diverse and majestic nature of the region. Watercolourists will be inspired by the author’s awe-inspiring ability to depict sweeping vistas and create a sense of space in his paintings, and to capture the very essence of a place through his art.Trade ReviewIf you thought the Middle East was just sand and showy ziggurats, think again. David Bellamy has always been a travel writer at heart and this book explores the spirit of a region the West often dismisses. His skill lies in finding the hidden corners that define the character of a place rather than its public faces and spaces. He also explores the life of the region through its people as they go about their daily lives; again, these are things done for practical purposes rather than public show. Thus, we get a quiet corner of Cairo at night (David doesn’t completely eschew the larger settlements), the eerie light of midday heat among the rocks of a wadi (a dry valley), where scale is provided by middle-ground figures. At the same time, David also visits Petra and Abu Simbel, somehow managing either to avoid the crowds, or at least edit them out. These results typify his ability to capture atmosphere – in words as well as pictures – with an assuredness that betokens both familiarity and understanding. David is no wide-eyed first-time tourist, and the book tells the stories of several journeys, giving each section an effective narrative arc, for he is also a master storyteller whose words and pictures are part of a whole, rather than one being an adjunct to another. Travel books are often separated between a writer and a photographer whose visions are – even if subtly – different. As a result, you look at the pictures as one piece of the jigsaw and the words as another, the illustrations being a counterpoint to what you are told. When the author is an artist, the images are not necessarily a blindly faithful record, but rather an assemblage that captures both the essence of the scene and the impression it made on the painter. That eerie light would be almost impossible to capture with a camera, but responds perfectly to the subtle hues and granulation of watercolour. The overall impression of this beautiful book is of the narrative arc I referred to before. It’s the story not just of a journey, but of a place and its people and David has done it supreme justice. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *Following Bellamy's highly acclaimed Arctic Light, this book goes to the other extreme in terms of heat, with a fascinating look at South Arabia, the Swahili Coast, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman. With his usual humour and personal insight, David creates a unique account in words and beautifully captured watercolour and sketches, of this ancient region, its history, culture, customs and geography. There's plenty to inspire the watercolourist here with a dedicated chapter and practical advice on capturing the essence of place and working in the heat with a fast-drying medium. * Leisure Painter *If you thought the Middle East was just about sand and glass skyscrapers, think again. David Bellamy is one of the best travel guides around and he introduces a world that’s filled with variety, colour and spectacle. As well as being an accomplished painter, David is a very capable writer and his career as a popular teacher has always been punctuated by books that absolutely capture the character and essence of a place. Here, he describes and illustrates the landscapes, culture, history and people of a region that will probably be unfamiliar to many. David works in a variety of weather and lighting conditions. He also finds the hidden corners as well as the wide vistas and includes traditional buildings and boats, as well as mountains, monuments and busy markets. Above all, he meets and talks to the people, learning about legend and tradition and bringing to life a world that teems with animation. The book is written as a journey and we learn about all corners of this fascinating area, as well as some of the practical aspects of painting in hot places – how to deal with washes that dry too quickly, blinding glare, suitable palettes and quite simply the etiquette of working with people to whom you are a complete stranger. Merely describing facts can be as dry as an empty oasis, but David is a canny narrator and he’ll take you with him on a journey of discovery that’s full of colour and light as well as stories and anecdotes, many of them more than a little amusing. When I knew this was coming up, I wasn’t at all sure what I was going to say about it: my interest in the Middle East was limited at best. But David has converted me. I’m more of an armchair traveller and I have every intention of reading this from cover to cover. * Paint Magazine (SAA) *David Bellamy is a master of travelogue. Take a journey with him here into a world that will be unfamiliar to many, but which presents riches for both the artist and the enquiring mind. In this enthralling book, he explores a wide area of the Middle East, examining landscapes, buildings and settlements. He meets its people and explains much of its history, illustrating both wide vistas and intimate corners. Although not a traditional tuitional book, the secret to its success is the symbiosis of words and pictures, for David is a compelling writer as well as a master of watercolour and drawing. While many travel books have a tension between the writer and the illustrator, here you are in the same sympathetic hands throughout. David's work is often dramatic, and there is indeed drama here, but also quiet views and corners. Above all, there is light, for the region is about so much more than sand and deserts and presents broad skies, varying weather and deep shadows in both towns and mountains. This is an eye-opening book, filled with beauty, information and anecdote that satisfies the enquiring and creative mind in every way. * SAA Catalogue *David Bellamy is fast establishing himself as a travel writer of the very finest quality. His publishing career began that way, of course, with The Wild Place of Britain, but this and his Arctic book are of a different order altogether. If you think the Middle East is all about glass skyscrapers and sand, think again. There are mountains, gorges and landscapes of breathtaking beauty as well as villages, markets, and above all, the people David meets on his travels. There's light and colour too, but this is a narrative that's told through words as well as pictures, with eloquent descriptions, narrative and anecdote complementing the images of stunning quality that the production here does full justice to. It's easy to dimiss the Middle East as perhaps of only passing interest, but tour de force makes it clear that it's a region whose beauty and variety should not be ignored. -- Henry Malt * The Arist *Table of ContentsIntroduction South Arabia & the Swahili Coast Egypt Jordan Oman Gilf Kebir Expedition Lebanon Painting in hot places Afterword Glossary Select bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFill your home with original, professional art – and learn to paint at the same time. This innovative new series is a poster book, an art pad and a step-by-step painting book all rolled into one! Each of the five posters is ready to pull out, frame and display. In addition, you can enjoy the calming pursuit of painting each of the pictures yourself using the pre-printed outlines – so no drawing required. The large, landscape format of the book allows each stage of painting to be clearly and comprehensively explained with innovative annotations. Simply pull out the stage-by-stage tutorial pages and pin them to your easel, then paint directly onto the watercolour outline for fantastic results. In this title, City Scenes, learn to paint iconic scenes of London, Paris and New York, and enjoy five masterclasses in painting from renowned artist Geoff Kersey.Trade ReviewThe Paint Pad Poster Books from Search Press are aimed at beginners and designed to produce fast results. Each book includes five posters to pull out and frame, as well as a watercolour outline and step-by-step instructions so that you can have a go at painting the subject yourself. The books are printed in a large, landscape format, which helps to present each annotated stage clearly, and the instructions are east to remove from the book and pin to your drawing board for reference. This new poster book focuses on city scenes painted by popular artist and tutor, Geoff Kersey, including London, Paris and New York. * Leisure Painter *The first thing that’ll strike you on opening this is the sheer amount of detail in the source images. These are not simply blow-ups of the ones that appeared in the original books, they’ve been completely re-originated so that colours, marks and even granulation are immediately visible. It’s striking, as it should be. The five scenes here cover bridges, statues, vegetation and street furniture as well as water, buildings and other structures. The instructions are simple and you should be able to produce results you can be proud to display for only a little over £3 a time. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *This is the third entry in Search Press’ innovative series for novice watercolour painters. The large format (A3) book contains five sheets of watercolour paper with outlines printed on them, plus fully illustrated tutorials, and a brief overview. When you have finished you will have learned a lot about working in your chosen medium plus a set of five elegant cityscapes to hang on your walls. This is a great idea for anybody who is keen to make a start with watercolour painting but is not sure where to begin. It also eliminates the need for buying a pad of suitable paper and an instruction book; just purchase paints and brushes. There is a handy page which shows you a shopping list of everything you will need for each painting, plus a section at the beginning which tells you a bit about each item. Discover how to use masking fluid, what forms the paint comes in and the basic types of brushes as well as how to prepare your paper and what size frames to buy. To show you what your picture will look like there are exact size pictures of all five paintings which is helpful. Each project is built up in four stages, and for each stage an A5 sized image has arrows leading to captions describing what has been done, plus smaller pictures show details in close-up. This eliminates having to read a lot of text and there is nothing quite as good as an image to show rather than tell. If you don’t want to use watercolours these pictures can also be completed using pastels, coloured pencils, or acrylics. Thus, the book is also ideal for somebody who wants to try a new medium or who can already paint but wants to try a new subject. The pictures show the Arc de Triomphe, Tower Bridge, a London skyline, Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge. I hope that soon there will be more additions to this excellent series. -- Rachel A Hyde * myshelf.com *Table of Contents- Introduction to the book and general instructions - 5 pull-out posters - Brooklyn Bridge tutorial - The Arc de Triomphe tutorial - The London Eye tutorial - Tower Bridge tutorial - The Statue of Liberty tutorial - 5 ready-to-paint outlines on watercolour paper

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Book SynopsisAnyone can produce beautiful botanical paintings with this, the first guided watercolour book. Printed on specialist watercolour art paper and containing step-by-step tutorials, this book is the perfect introduction to producing exquisite illustrations. 15 works by Rachel Pedder-Smith have been recreated by the artist in outline-only form, ready for you to paint, along with recommended colour palettes and artworks to copy. Follow author Rachel's tips for layering colour, or follow the outlines of single stems, blooms or more intricate designs, and create a gallery of floral images. The paper is easily removed, taped down and painted on directly, meaning you can display your colourful creations. If you're feeling more experimental, this paper will also work beautifully with other media such as acrylic paint, artists' pencils and fibre-tip pens.

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Book SynopsisFlowers are a perennial favourite of artists; and what better medium than luminous, delicate watercolour? Fiona Peart's new book is a complete course in learning to paint flowers, packed with handy hints and tips for new artists – or indeed anyone who wants to capture the beauty of flowers with paint. Numerous simple step-by-step exercises are seeded through the book to allow the reader's skills to grow towards more complex and rewarding projects. A range of flowers are included, from hydrangeas to camellias to hellebores. Fiona's clear, down-to-earth and friendly instructions encourage the reader to try different styles, while the 21 full-size, traceable outlines included mean that even those who don't wish to draw can get started quickly and simply, following the instructions provided. In the best-selling Absolute Beginner series, this book is suitable for absolutely anyone who wants to take their painting skills further and become an accomplished flower artist. Trade ReviewPart of the Absolute Beginners series, Watercolour Flowers for the Absolute Beginner by Fiona Peart provides a complete course in learning to paint flowers in watercolour. Simple step-by-step exercises take you from basic marks and shapes to more complex projects, with a host of flowers to paint from hydrangeas and camellias to hellebores. Twenty-one full-size traceable outlines are included so you can get started with your watercolour straight away. * Leisure Painter, June 2023 *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials 8 Getting started 14 Greeting card – step–by–step 24, Daffodils in Spotty Mug – step–by–step 34 Colour and tone 38 Sweet Mock Orange – step–by–step 54 More ideas and techniques 62 Majestic Magnolia – step–by–step 72 Finding your own way 82 Camellias – step–by–step 96 Creating movement 106 Blue Hydrangea – step–by–step 118 Index 144

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Book Synopsis'This series from Search Press is simply brilliant and brilliantly simple. Take one look and you'll get it immediately. I just love them.' Henry Malt, Paint Magazine Use the full-size traceable outlines and the clear step-by-step instructions to create 6 beautiful landscape paintings. Whether you are a beginner to watercolour or looking to brush up on your skills, you will be amazed at how quickly you can produce beautiful paintings following the easy-to-follow written and visual steps. Written by professional artist and tutor Grahame Booth, this guide features a short but inclusive ‘what you need’ section, enabling you to gather together the paints, brushes and basic equipment required before you start painting, and some brief guidance on general techniques such as how to hold the brush, how to add water to your paint and how to mix colour, plus how to frame and display your work. The 6 stunning step-by-step projects that follow build in difficulty as you work through the book, introducing new techniques as they are used and incorporating numerous handy hints and tips from the author to help you progress on your painting journey. The outlines for each of the 6 projects appear at the end of the book for you to trace, transfer and customize so you can start to paint impressive landscapes straight away. Previously published as The Paint Pad Artist: Watercolour Landscapes (9781782216278).Trade ReviewPart of the Anyone Can Paint series from Search Press, Grahame Booth's Anyone Can Paint Watercolour Landscapes has been reimagined from his previously published book, The Paint Pad Artist: Watercolour Landcapes. Six projects are included, increasing in difficulty as you progress and outlines for each are provided with step-by-step instructions from Grahame to help you produce your own impressive landscapes. Short 'what you need' sections organise your workstation and the ready-made outlines allow you to get painting straight away. There's helpful advice on general techniques, mixing colours and on how to frame and display your work. Grahame Booth is an inspiring and experienced tutor and he shares plenty of tips and handy hints along the way. * Leisure Painter, October 2023 *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 How to use this book 8 What you need 10 General techniques 12 - Preparing to paint 12, How to hold your brush 12, Adding water 13, Creating a smooth, wet wash 14, Creating a graduated wash 15, Mixing colour 16, Colour biases 17, Framing your work 17, Sharing your work 17 THE PROJECTS 18 Windmill Hill 20 - Aerial perspective 20, Overlapping objects 21, Connecting shapes 21 Mountain Road 32 - Painting convincing silhouettes 32, Creating variety in repeating objects 33, Creating perspective on a mountain road 33 River and Bridge 46 - Simplifying shapes 46, Creating trees at different distances 47, Reflections 48 Alpine River 60 - Directional strokes 60, Connecting washes 61 Springtime in the Park 72 - Integrating buildings into a landscape 72, Creating winter trees 73, Creating drifts of flowers 74 Snow Scene 84 - Still-water reflections 84, Figures in a landscape 85 Index 96 Watercolour outlines 97

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Book SynopsisThis inspiring book has been reimagined as part of the accessible Anyone Can Paint series. Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced artist you will be amazed at how quickly you can produce beautiful paintings following the clear, straightforward written and visual steps. The outlines for each of the six projects appear at the end of the book for you to trace, transfer and customize so you can start to paint impressive floral compositions straight away. Written by professional artist and tutor Julie King, this guide features a short but inclusive ‘what you need’ section, enabling you to gather together the paints, brushes, and basic equipment required before you start painting. Additionally, the book provides some brief guidance on general techniques, such as how to hold the brush, how to add water to your paint, and how to mix your colours to achieve the perfect petal hue. The six stunning step-by-step projects that follow build in difficulty as you work through the book, introducing new techniques as they are used and incorporating numerous handy hints and tips from the author to help you progress on your painting journey. Previously published as The Paint Pad Artist: Watercolour Flowers (9781782216261).Trade ReviewPreviously published as The Paint Pad Artist: Watercolour Flowers, Anyone Can Paint Watercolour Flowers by Julie King features six easy step-by-step projects to get you started painting flowers in watercolour, plus information about the materials and equipment you will need and guidance on general techniques. The six projects build in difficulty as you work through the book and your confidence and skills grow. The book includes outlines for each of the six projects for you to trace and transfer so that you can start painting right away. -- The Leisure Painter * Issue 647 *Table of ContentsIntroduction How to use this book What you need General techniques Preparing your paint Loading the brush and applying the paint Cleaning your brushes and palette Colour relationships How to prepare a colour mix in your palette How to mix colours on the paper Useful mixes How to frame and display your work The Projects Tulips Wet-on-dry – flat wash Wet-in-wet – creating form Painting fine lines Hibiscus Gradated washes – fading out Glazing Stippling Day Lily and Rudbeckia Vibrant shades – letting colours mix on the paper Wet-in-wet stippling Press and sweep Clematis Variegated wash Lifting out Negative painting Sweet Pea Shaping Vignette background Sharp highlights White Rose Shadows on white Adding salt to create texture Foliage – positive and negative The outlines Index

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Book SynopsisWay to the West is a glorious collection resulting from a collaboration between disciplines of art. Featuring twenty-five beautiful full-page watercolours alongside accompanying poems, its focus is on the western tip of Cornwall. For Andy and Vally Cornwall’s geographical remoteness, its abiding attraction as a holiday location, its proud fishing and mining history and the varying and often dramatic moods of its weather and sea are an inspiration and cause for celebration. The profound emotional and psychological effects on visitors to Cornwall is not lost on the authors, who have a long association with the area, having walked its entire coastline and holidayed there for over a half a century. Way to the West is a celebration of the natural world and the home, the past and the present, and of the fierce interconnectedness of people with their landscape.

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Book SynopsisBlake engaged with the legacy of Milton all his life. These watercolours, made around 1816-20 to illustrate the most perfect of Milton's shorter poems, are some of the finest of all his works. All 12 watercolours are reproduced here in actual size.

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Book SynopsisThe characteristics of watercolour naturally complement botanical art and this beautiful book shows you how to make the most of this versatile medium. It starts by guiding you through the complexities of painting flowers, with advice on materials and colour mixing, using colour to achieve translucency and clarity, building confidence with step-by-step examples and the importance of observation and botancial accuracy. It then creates detailed and beautiful compositions for the more experienced botanical artist. This new book has ideas and tips on composition and how to include animal life and is structured by season to include a range of flowers and plants.

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Book SynopsisRudolf Steiner painted his Archetypal Plant watercolour in 1924, at a time when contemporary scientific methodologies were emerging and nature was being examined under the microscope. In contrast to the dissecting tendencies of natural science, however, Steiner's painting depicts the living, dynamic potential which stands behind the plant - lifting us out of the specific genus and providing an image of the growing and formative forces inherent within each individual plant. Researching Rudolf Steiner's painting of the Archetypal Plant can help reconnect our outer sense-perceptions with the inner realm of imaginative cognition, releasing us from the spell of matter. To support and enliven such research work and processes, Angela Lord surveys her subject-matter from various aspects, including the historical, evolutionary relationships we share with plants; the representation of plants in art and architecture; plant myths and legends; poetry inspired by flower imagery; cosmic aspects of nature, including earth's relationships to the sun, moon, planets and stars; formative, creative forces of colours and their relationships to plant forms; and finally, working artistically and painting the Archetypal Plant motif itself. In developing a broad overview, the author forms a deeper, more complete picture of the plant world, paying homage to its diverse characteristics, and stimulating new perceptions and perspectives. This book is richly illustrated with full-colour images.

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Book SynopsisOver his long and successful career David Remfry MBE RA RWS has achieved a mastery of watercolour that few have matched. Unusually for the medium, he works on a large scale and often focuses on people, exploring the dance hall and the nightclub in breathtaking images that are at once beautiful and edgy. This book is the first full-length monograph devoted to the artist's watercolours. Its author, James Russell, is well known for his writing on 20th-century British artists. Russell brings his scholarship, humour and fascination for people and their lives to his study of Remfry’s career, tracing the evolution of a remarkable talent, looking in depth at the most significant works and placing Remfry in the context of both the British watercolour tradition and international contemporary painting. This is at once a glorious art book and an intimate portrait of city life. Having spent 20 years living and working at the legendary Chelsea Hotel in New York, Remfry has a following on both sides of the Atlantic. New Yorkers – often in party mode – feature in many of his watercolours, and his recollections of people and places add colour to the text.

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Book SynopsisThe Baron de Cabrol’s legendary scrapbooks capture a golden era of glamour and reveal the sheer elegance and decadence of the cosmopolitan café society. The glamorous aristocrats Daisy and Fred de Cabrol formed one of the most prominent twentieth-century high-society couples on the international scene. Leading members of the exclusive café society, they socialized with the biggest names in the haut monde—from the Maharani of Kapurthala to Queen Amelia of Portugal to their close friends the Windsors. Reproducing pages from the scrapbooks crafted with beauty and wit by the Baron de Cabrol between 1938 and the 1960s, this volume reveals the privileged and extravagant world of the café society. Through collages, watercolors, and previously unpublished archival documents, readers will discover the exceptional journey through the golden age of elegance and art.

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Book SynopsisParis and its gardens is no less beautiful than its streets, squares and palaces, and Paris without its gardens would not be the most visited capital in the world. Few large cities can boast such a rich variety of gardens as Paris. The picturesque rubs shoulders with the geometric, the most modern designs stand side by side with the ancient layouts and manners, and exotic species have been so well acclimatized that they have become commonplace. This is without forgetting the innumerable private gardens, sometimes reduced to a window box on a balcony, sometimes vast and secret. Such is the prodigy that a two-thousand-year-old culture has managed to accomplish.

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Book SynopsisThis beautiful publication presents a catalogue raisonné of Léon Bonvin’s work published in both French and English. Introduced by several illuminating essays and accompanying an exhibition at the Fondation Custodia, this book enriches our understanding of the previously overlooked, yet immensely talented, French artist. Léon Bonvin never enjoyed the same notoriety as his half-brother, Francois (1817–1887), who was a well-regarded realist painter in the nineteenth century. He is characterised from the few remaining sources as misunderstood and ill-fated. As he was struggling to make a living, Bonvin took over his father’s inn in Vaugirard, while continuing to paint watercolours. His work, depicting wild flowers, still lifes and views of the still rural and working-class plain exhibit a deep sincerity.This catalogue raisonné is introduced by a series of essays, the outcome of intensive research that sheds new light on the life and art of Bonvin. Weisberg delivers two essays, a study of his career, and an exploration of contemporary receptions to his art. Luijten’s essay questions the artistic inspiration that Bonvin drew upon. Briggs considers the transatlantic appeal of Bonvin’s works whilst Guichané and Quentin explore his character and artistic practice. The catalogue documents all known works by the artist, which are scattered throughout public and private collections, mainly in the United States of America and France. Among these are many drawings which have never been published before. Together, the essays and comprehensive catalogue of his works, provide an essential foundational knowledge upon which an appreciation of Bonvin’s magnificent oeuvre may be built.

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Book SynopsisThis hands-on guide to landscape watercolour and other drawing and painting techniques takes readers on a series of excursions from the sea to the city, mastering the use of line and colour along the way. A useful manual for drawing on the spot, it offers valuable insight into how to carefully observe the landscape before us and choose what about it we want to express; how to select and prioritize visual information; and how to apply drawing techniques to create the illusion that our compositions have been arranged effortlessly, as if by nature itself. In each of the book’s five sections (Colour and Materials; Horizontality and Depth; Graphics, Shadows and Light; Lines and Perspective; and Urban Lines and Colours), the author suggests some of the questions we should ask ourselves when observing a landscape. We will learn how to tell a story while painting, prioritizing colour ratios and graphic elements over faithful representation in the final result. Through these engaging exercises, readers will soon be able to manage compositional line and color effectively as they experiment with different drawing, painting and landscape representation tools and techniques.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing two vibrant and ephemeral floral puzzles from beloved watercolor artist Helen Dealtry, featuring romantic and playful pansies.

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Book SynopsisLeave your artistic insecurities behind as you easily re-create the simple but beautiful paintings in Art Made Easy: Easy Watercolor.Easy Watercolor offers you a definite way to succeed as a beginning artist. Without getting bogged down in a lot of technical detail, just gather a few inexpensive supplies and put paintbrush to paper! Even if you have never painted with watercolors before, the engaging and easy subjects are simple to re-create by following the step-by-step progressive images. Projects include: Brushstrokes and shapes Letters Botanicals Still lifes of everyday objects Animal portraits Landscapes and architecture And much more Along with the beautiful, on-trend art projects, tips and common pitfalls are explained throughout to ensure your art is the best it can be. No matter your skill level going in, you will be proud to frame your creations and just might feel encouraged to progress to more in-depth art in the future. And the best part is, as you’re painting, you’ll be familiarizing yourself with art concepts without feeling like you’re taking a serious class. If you want to move on to more difficult subjects, you’ll have a basic understanding of color, value, form, texture, perspective, composition, and more. With the simple, fun, and low-pressure approach found in Walter Foster’s Art Made Easy series, absolutely anyone can create a work of art! Continue your streak of creative successes with another book in this series, Easy Drawing. Table of ContentsGetting Started Introduction, Supplies, Painting BasicsExploring Color Color Theory, Color Mixing, Color Explorations, Four PalettesBrushstrokes & Shapes Brushstrokes, Letters, Shapes, ResistsBotanicals Peonies, Roses, Open Flowers, Closed Flowers, Greenery, Painted Cactus Garden, WreathsEveryday Objects Living Room, Cozy Cottage, Subjects All AroundAnimals & People Fox, Squirrel, Rabbit, Chicken, Pig, Dog, Cat, Beetle, Butterfly, Elephant, Lion, Animal Studies, Human FacesOutdoor Scenes Sunset, Landscape, Oceanscape, Skies, Buildings About the Author

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Book SynopsisWatercolor Is for Everyone guides you through 21 intuitive, process-based painting lessons that help you discover your own unique artist-within while creating works of beauty you will joyfully send out into the world to share. In this beautiful book, artist Kateri Ewing, author of Look Closer, Draw Better, guides you through a series of simple creative projects using a soulful, meditative, and reflective process. Whether you're picking up a paint brush for the first time or are an experienced artist, you'll discover and deepen your creative potential through these exercises, because everyone can make art. Each project results in two art pieces: one to keep for yourself, and then another one, such as a postcard or mini painting, to share with someone else or send out into the world, to spread their color, creativity, and joy in new places. With Watercolor Is for Everyone, you can learn how to build a daily practice and how to set intentions and create, even if you have just 10 minutes a day. The projects draw inspiration from poetry, music, literature, and the natural world, and invite experimentation with a variety of sources, from tarot and oracle cards to rocks and feathers. You'll pursue your personal passions through accessible projects as you build your artistic skills, confidence, and creativity.Trade Review"An intuitive, meditative practice to inspire original creations." * ForeWord Reviews *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION A CREATIVE PRACTICE FOR EVERYONE: WHAT IS INTUITIVE, PROCESS-BASED ART? THE FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF CREATIVE PRACTICE One: Honor and Appreciate this Moment in Time and Your Tools and Materials Two: Show Up Every Day Three: Setting Your Intentions, Inspiration, and Two-Fold Joy Four: Scatter Your Joy Far and Wide THE LESSONS 1 Our Sacred Tools and the Monogram 2 Beginner’s Mind, Beginner’s Heart 3 The Watercolor Meditation Practice 4 Without a Plan 5 Many Voices, One Song 6 Indigo and Rust 7 Angels Among Us 8 Two-Color Pondscape 9 Ancient Song 10 Three-Color Landscape 11 Mythical Color Magic 12 Dreamfeathers 13 Tiny Beings of Light 14 Etegami 15 Dance by the Light of the Moon 16 Expressive Flowers 17 Perseverance 18 Ensō 19 Change of Perspective 20 Free Flow 21 Less Can Be More Final Thoughts Resources for the Creative Practice Acknowledgments About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisDiscover how to create vibrant, colorful watercolor paintings of a range of animals. With Colorways: Watercolor Animals, learn to paint all your favorite animals, from an elephant and a whale to a dog, cat, fish, and more. Each step-by-step demonstration shows not only how to capture the animal’s likeness, but also how to use color to create magical, otherworldly, and whimsical paintings. In these tutorials, you will also learn how to use watercolor paint to suggest texture and fur on your animal subjects. Along the way, you will find technique instruction and tips for using different types of strokes, working with various brush shapes and sizes and using washes and underpaintings. Geared toward intermediate and advanced artists looking to play with color, this book offers fun subject matter and eye candy for all art lovers. The Colorways series teaches artists how to employ color across a variety of media in unique and imaginary ways to create innovative and inspired artwork. Focusing less on realistic artistic representations and more on creating expressive art, this series invites you to break the standard rules of color and let your imagination and artwork soar to new heights in order to create unconventional, whimsical, and fanciful works of art. Learn the customary rules of color, and then bypass them, with the help of Colorways: Watercolor Animals, a book that encourages you to use color for interpretive means and personal expression while painting your favorite animals.Table of ContentsIntroduction Getting Started Tools & Materials Watercolor Techniques Basic Color Theory Setting Yourself up for Success Preparing for a Painting Session Step-by-Step Painting Projects Galaxy Whale Peeking Pet With a "Pop" of Color Betta Fish in Dark Waters Pair of Parakeets in Pastels Puffin Bees & Flowers Silhouette Animals Unicorn Iridescent Beetle Playful Otter Freestyle Elephants Colorful Dog About the Artist

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Book SynopsisVivienne Cawson's luminous painting style and considered use of flat or patterned backgrounds gives her work a contemporary, beautiful feel all of its own. Published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as a celebration of their annual Orchid Festival, this stunning book teaches you how to paint a selection of orchids in watercolour. The book contains a thorough techniques section that guides you through Vivienne's decision-making, colour-matching and painting process. It teaches you how to capture form with speed and confidence, practise painting different leaves, flowers, and roots and create different textures with paint. The book contains exercises that will hone your skills and encourage your artistic intuition, followed by three complete step-by-step projects that feature a range of flowers in wild and still-life settings. The paintings feature touches of watercolour pencil and crayon, along with panels of gouache, which complement the delicate watercolours. The book is interspersed with images from the Kew Art Collection, showcasing the rich variety and beauty of this much-loved family of flowers.Trade ReviewYou might think that painting orchids was a subject too specialised to be of general interest. They are, however, one of the most varied flower types and, of course, some examples are highly prized by collectors. Not all types are exotic, though, and there's a good chance you have some in your own garden or at least locally. I realise I'm probably going to have to work quite hard to convince you that a book about a single flower type is one you'll want to read, but Vivienne Cawson helpfully comes to my aid. She is not, she explains in her introduction, a flower painter by nature: "My heart would sink when my tutor appeared laden with flowers of suggested that we go to the Botanical Gardens." Her background is textile design and geometric shapes, which means she brings a fresh eye to the subject. It gets more interesting when she mentions her influences, including Shirley Trevena and Elizabeth Blackadder, as well as developing interest in gardening. Suddenly, she has the materials to work with. So, what we have here is a new approach to the subject that provides endless opportunities. The result is a book which is endlessly fascinating and which tells you far more about flower painting in general than you'd ever expect. Although this book is backed by Kew, it is by no means a botanical guide - which is something of a surprise in itself. Rather it's about colours and shapes - in simple terms, it's about the art, not the flowers. Now do you see why I'm getting a bit excited? In practical terms, the introductory sections contain succinct yet thorough information on colour, tonal values, positive and negative space, shape, brushwork and a whole lot more. It's all thoroughly practical and there are plenty of examples and exercises to get stuck into. It's actually quite easy to forget you're dealing with orchids specifically as you learn about stems, leaves and petals - even roots - and how everything complements something else. It's all rather good fun, which is perhaps the most important thing. It all comes together in just three full projects, which should be enough unless you're really into orchids. The main thing is that you'll have had a thoroughly good time learning about colours, shapes, contrast and harmony - a well-tended garden, in fact. -- Henry Malt * Paint magazine *I really enjoyed this book by Vivienne Cawson. Firstly, it appealed to my looser style of watercolour painting and I picked up some useful tips on mixing colours, especially greens, and expanding my palette. Her useful section on techniques has encouraged me to try the addition of water soluble crayons to my paintings to enhance and contrast colours. I particularly like the way Vivienne has written the book, interspersing information with useful tips and quotes and writing in a personal and friendly voice. Of course, the information about the various orchids is fascinating and an important addition to her text. -- Julie Mellor * Amazon *Perfect for spring, The Kew Book of Painting Orchids in Watercolour shows readers how to recreate these beautiful blooms. Written by Vivienne Cawson and published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, the book covers techniques, decision making, colour matching and painting with exercises to help readers hone their skills. * Craft Focus *Orchids might seem like a rather over-specialised subject for a whole book, but they are one of the most varied species around and offer a wide variety of shapes and colours. As a result, this has plenty to offer the more general flower painter and Vivienne Cawson's methods of working and teaching have much to commend them. Whilst being recognisable blooms, these are not detailed botanical illustrations, in spite of the Kew connection, which might suggest they would be. Rather, Vivienne takes advantage of the opportunities variety has to offer and explores colour, tone, shape and setting in ways that have broad appeal and can be applied to any flower or plant. After discussions of palettes, leaves, flowers and even roots, there are three detailed projects where the quality of the illustrations makes following the instructions particularly straightforward. This is a book which promises much and delivers at every stage. * The Artist *The striking beauty and huge variety of orchids make them a fascinating subject for the painter, and in her new book, The Kew Book of Painting Orchids in Watercolour, Vivienne Cawson shows you exactly how to paint them. Published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as a celebration of their annual Orchid Festival, the book teaches you how to capture form with speed. Well-planned exercises will develop your skills, encouraging you to practise different leaf shapes and colour palettes, and three complete step-by-step projects feature flowers in both wild and still-life settings. As well as watercolour, the paintings also include watercolour pencils, crayons and gouache. Images from the Kew Art Collection are interspersed with Vivienne's work. * Leisure Painter, February 2020 *Paint inspiring, luminous orchids using this practical, contemporary guide from artist Vivienne Cawson, in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It teaches you how to capture form with speed and confidence, practise painting different leaves, flowers, and roots, and create textures with paint, before completing three step-by-step projects. * Crafts Beautiful *Table of ContentsPreface 6 Introduction 8 Tools and materials 10 Choosing complementary elements 14 Inspiration 18 My approach 22 The world through your eyes 26 How to start 28 Understanding colour 34 My palette 37 Local and reflected colour 40 Using a range of tonal values 42 Matching colours 44 Basic watercolour tips and techniques 48 Creating pattern and texture 52 Flower techniques 56 Leaf techniques 60 Root techniques 64 Composition tips 66 Project 1 70 Project 2 86 Project 3 98 Over to you... 127 Index 128

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Book SynopsisA beautiful survey of the work of the members of the internationally respected Royal Watercolour Society, representing the finest contemporary watercolour painting in Britain today. This stunning book showcases the work of the members of the prestigious Royal Watercolour Society, including Ken Howard, Sonia Lawson and many other fine and well-known contemporary watercolour painters. Each artist discusses their inspiration and gives their best practical advice for working in this medium, offering a fascinating insight into the methods and techniques of professional artists. Have you ever wondered how an artist starts a piece, what keeps them working at it, how they make marks and mix colour or when they know a painting is finished? This intimate exploration of the daily creative striving of the artist and their patient technical procedures will fascinate professional and aspiring artists, collectors and anyone with a general interest in painting.Trade ReviewA surprise every time you turn the page * ArtBookReview.net *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Diana Armfield RA RWS Fay Ballard RWS Charles Bartlett PPRWS Richard Bawden RWS RE June Berry RWS Akash Bhatt RWS Dennis Roxby Bott RWS Francis Bowyer PPRWS William Bowyer RA RWS David Brayne RWS Liz Butler RWS Michael Chaplin RWS RE Helga Chart RWS Michael Collins ARWS Jane Corsellis RWS Claire Dalby RWS RE Alfred Daniels RWS George Devlin RWS John Doyle PPRWS Jim Dunbar ARWS Anthony Eyton RA RWS James Faure Walker ARWS Sheila Findlay RWS David Firmstone PPRWS MBE Tom Gamble RWS Janet Golphin RWS Isla Hackney RWS Charlotte Halliday RWS Susan Hawker RWS Julie Held RWS William Henderson RWS Sarah Holliday RWS Ken Howard RA RWS Jonathan Huxley ARWS Wendy Jacob VPRWS Barry Owen Jones RWS RE Olwen Jones RWS RE Janet Kerr RWS Sophie Knight RWS Karolina Larusdottir RWS RE Sonia Lawson RA RWS Jill Leman RWS Martin Leman RWS Arthur Lockwood RWS Caroline McAdam Clark Angus McEwan RWS Colin Merrin ARWS Michael Middleton ARWS RE Bridget Moore ARWS Peter Morrell RWS Alison C. Musker RWS John Newberry RWS Paul Newland VPRWS David Paskett PPRWS David Payne RWS Simon Pierse RWS Richard Pikesley RWS Geoffrey Pimlott RWS Neil Pittaway RWS RE Thomas Plunkett PRWS Salliann Putman RWS Peter Quinn RWS Mark Raggett ARWS Stuart Robertson RWS James Rushton RWS Denis Ryan RWS William Selby RWS Agathe Sorel RWS RE Richard Sorrell PPRWS Janet Q. Treloar RWS Alexander Vorobyev RWS Ann Wegmuller RWS Jenny Wheatley RWS Michael Whittlesea RWS Annie Williams RWS RE Charles Williams RWS Index

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