Search results for ""batsford""

New ideas for working with nature to nurture creativity in felted and embroidered textile art. Immerse yourself in nature and rewild your creative practice with inspiration from textile artist Jeanette Appleton. With a focus on the versatile medium of felt, she takes readers through a series of ideas for working with nature to boost creativity, inspire, and make us more sustainable as artists. The book covers: • How to capture the nuances of nature through creating exciting felt surfaces – lines of sea, frosted puddles, hedge and grass – and how to translate them into subtleties of texture and stitch. • Transform recycled cloth by bonding memories, mixed-media and found objects into your work. • Cutting and repairing techniques: making cuts and slits in the layers of fabric to reveal the secret strata of nature beneath, echoing the planet’s fragility. • How to make the best use of sketchbooks, maps and mapping to record inspiration from time spent in nature. • A variety of strategies for overcoming artist’s block, from revisiting past diaries and sketchbooks to interacting differently with your local environment. Throughout, the author constantly challenges the felt process, discovering a new creative working practice through connecting with the outside world. Richly illustrated with exciting examples of the author’s beautiful and reflective work, this inspirational and practical guide will appeal to textile and felt artists of all levels.

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A wonderful portable edition of Millie Marotta’s Woodland Wild, from the Sunday Times and international bestseller artist. Lose yourself in the calming world of woodland wildlife, from peaceful pine groves to a steamy tropical forest, with over 80 amazing illustrations to colour in a smaller format. Discover intriguing creatures, from foxes, fireflies and fallow deer to lemurs, leaf frogs and ladybugs. Millie's much-loved intricate drawing style will be irresistible for those who love to colour. Meander through a world of towering trees, leafy canopies, exquisite blossoms and underground burrows to meet a huge array of animals that make the woods their home. Featuring species from across the globe, this is a celebration of the world's forests and woods, guaranteeing hours of relaxation and colouring fun, especially while on the go, and perfect to pop in a travel bag.

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This glorious book is a modern guide to weaving, an ancient craft that is reaching new heights of popularity, from acclaimed contemporary weaver and textile artist Rachna Garodia. It contains a wealth of practical advice and tons of inspiration for every aspect of this endlessly adaptable craft, from gathering materials to making and exhibiting ambitious woven masterpieces, bringing in a wide selection of mixed media. Meditative and calming, a session at the loom is a great way to relax, and create something beautiful in the process. And you don’t need expensive equipment: you can start your weaving journey on a small wooden frame or even a piece of cardboard, and it’s now easy to book time on larger looms outside the home. The book includes: • Setting up and using your loom, from the simplest small frames to sophisticated table and floor looms. • Design and planning: taking inspiration from the natural world, sketching, photographing, making moodboards and exploring colour. • Gathering materials: from natural straw, grass, flowers, feathers, bark and seedpods to more traditional yarns and threads and even paper and photographs. • Personalising your work by incorporating well-loved old fabrics and precious sentimental items. • Unusual techniques: weaving with photographs or directly onto handmade paper, three-dimensional sculptural weaving, non-loom techniques such as looping and netting. • Gorgeously illustrated with work from the author and other artists from around the world, this book is an engaging and beautiful introduction to weaving for established textile artists or those coming to the craft for the first time.

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366 prompts for noticing nature every day of the year. Arranged in day-by-day format, this beautiful book is a celebration of the nature you can find in your city or town, such as urban foxes prowling in the street, wildflowers sprouting from a crack in the pavement, butterflies on your balcony and the joys of wandering along a canal path.Learn how to put up a bug hotel on the 5th January, search for cherry blossom on the 4th April and have a picnic underneath a willow's branches on the 11th June. There are cloud formations to spot, avenues of trees to walk down and elderberries to harvest. Over the past few years, many city dwellers have learned to appreciate the nature on their doorsteps, as part of the lasting legacy of lockdown.This timely book is a celebration of the vast variety of wildlife around us, proving that you don't need a trip to the countryside to enjoy the natural world.

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Capture the wonders of nature in watercolour with this quick guide to wildlife painting, packed with techniques and inspiration. Bestselling author Hazel Soan demonstrates how to paint a variety of wildlife, from garden favourites to exotic wild beasts. With easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step exercises, it has never been easier to capture the likeness of an animal, in your chosen medium, in a few quick strokes. The book covers all the key skills you need, including techniques for speed, capturing pose and proportion, advice on painting fur, feathers, hair, hides and markings, working with colour and light, and adding background and setting, as well as further work that can be completed in the studio. From cats, big and small, birds and foxes to magnificent elephants, lions and zebras, Hazel's simple tips, practical demonstrations and beautiful paintings can be applied to any moving subject and will help you master the art of capturing animals – in watercolour, oils, pencils or pastels – in no time at all.

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Fascinating and richly illustrated stories of flowers for every day of the year. Every day of the year a different species of flower bursts into bloom somewhere in the world. This collection of 366 flowers reveals not only their beauty but the fascinating botanical, literary, folkloric and historical stories behind them. Discover the magnificent magnolia, which evolved more than 95 million years ago at the time of dinosaurs, and the specific perfumed rose that covers the land around Grasse in France. Read about the powerful medicinal elements of the Manuka bush flowers and the inspiration behind William Wordsworth's 'host of golden daffodils'. Here are also the cheerful Mexican marigolds bedecking urban graveyards, delicate cherry or sakura blossoming along Japanese avenues, spectacular tropical vines hanging in the Philippine rainforest and flamboyant wildflowers carpeting meadows across Europe, showcasing the amazing variety of the natural world. Illustrated with stunning photographs and works of art, this collection is a celebration of flowers and their special place in both the natural world and our culture.

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A beautifully designed celebration of the 40th birthday of the Barbican Arts Centre, in the heart of the City of London. It is the largest multi-arts centre in Europe, encompassing an art gallery, theatres, concert halls, cinemas and a much-loved conservatory, and regular collaborators include the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Compiled by Nicholas Kenyon, the Barbican Centre's Managing Director 2007–2021, this is an in-depth exploration of the centre, drawing on the vast array of material available in its archives, much of which has never been seen before. It includes plans and photographs from the centre’s design and construction, original signage and branding, and brochures and programmes. All this is accompanied by a wealth of photographs of the huge range of performances and exhibitions that have taken place over the years, from early RSC performances to the popular Rain Room installation of 2012 to today’s impressive programme of events put together in conjunction with schools and the local community. The book's authoritative and evocative text includes: ·Foreword by Fiona Shaw ·Introduction by Sir Nicholas Kenyon ·Cultural historian Robert Hewison on how the centre came into being ·Architectural historian Elain Harwood on its architecture ·Music critic Fiona Maddocks on music ·Writer and theatre critic Lyn Gardner on theatre ·Editor and creative director Tony Chambers on visual art ·Author and film critic Sukhdev Sandhu on film With listings of Barbican events from 1982 to the present day, and snippets of oral history from some of the many people associated with the centre over the years, this sumptuous book is an invaluable companion to one of the world's most important cultural spaces.

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Renowned botanical artist and professional gardener, Carolyn Jenkins combines her love of art and gardening to create stunning compositions (often very different from traditional botanical painting) with vibrant colours that leap from the page. The first part of this book – Botanical: Grow – explores time well-spent in the garden and covers much of the traditional details of botanical painting, from observation to capturing light, colour and texture. The second part – Contemporary: Paint – explores how Carolyn works with photography, using the computer to help with crop and composition, achieving maximum impact and creating luminous paintings that shine from the page. Her stunning illustrations are full of vibrant colour, and her larger-than-life artworks have gained an enthusiastic following on Instagram. This practical guide contains all the techniques and practice you need to create beautiful botanical art, plus step-by-step photography, crop, composition and photoshop demonstrations, to bring luminous colours, textures and impact to your own work.

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An exciting new approach to flower painting with step-by-step demonstrations for creating contemporary flower portraits and landscapes that are truly unique. This is more than a ‘how-to’ on flower painting. It is a guide encouraging artists to explore new and exciting ways to create flower paintings bursting with individuality and moving towards a contemporary and impressionist style. Mixed-media artist Soraya French, well known for her gloriously vibrant flower paintings, shares the secrets of her work, with expert advice on all aspects of this endlessly rewarding subject. The book covers: Colours, shapes, patterns and textures particular to various flowers through the seasons, from fresh green foliage in the spring to rich red and gold hues in the autumn. How to incorporate flowers in both still life and landscape paintings, pictured in woodlands, seascapes, meadows and hedgerows as well as vases. How to assemble the perfect palette for flower painting and how to mix vibrant secondary colours, subtle tints and natural greens. The huge range of painting materials available today, from traditional watercolour to vividly coloured wax pastels to innovative textural mediums such as crackle paste and glass bead gel. The secrets of good composition and how to lead the eye around a painting, giving a sense of rhythm and movement while maintaining unity and harmony. Packed with exciting new ideas and illustrated with stunning examples of Soraya’s own work, this book will take your flower painting to a new level and help you find your unique visual voice.

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Tips and techniques for spectacular and sustainable gift wrapping From simple bows and neat corners to Japanese fabric wrapping, this book shows how to wow friends and family with beautifully wrapped gifts while minimising waste. You will learn how to master the art of wrapping through easy step-by-step instructions of key techniques. There are ideas for creating both simple and intricate designs, all made using materials that are recyclable, reusable and sustainable. Techniques include wrapping with pleats and pockets, using paper bags and how to wrap unusual shaped gifts, such as bottles. A section on Furoshiki, fabric wrapping, shows how to create gift wraps from tea towels and beautiful pieces of fabric. There’s also guidance on ribbons, bows, string, wool and using plants and flowers to create the perfect gift. Bursting with ideas, this innovative book offers a mindful creative outlet that will both delight friends and family and help save the planet by reducing waste.

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A guide to landscape painting for complete beginners with simple exercises. Hazel Soan is a hugely successful painter and an outstanding teacher and author of art books, which have introduced the wonders of art to a generation of amateur artists. In this book she teaches you how to get to grips with watercolour landscapes in the space of an afternoon. The book explores the basics of watercolour landscapes with lots of simple exercises and step-by-step demonstrations that are perfect for beginners. That life-long ambition of painting somewhere that is important to you can become a possibility with the help of this nifty little book. Topics covered include creating space, composition and focus, light and shadows, colours of the landscape and the mixing of watercolours. Watercolour painting techniques such as painting en plein air, brushwork, creating texture, wet into wet and wet on dry are explained. The book also explores specific landscape themes such as skies, foliage, forests, gardens, seascapes, wilderness, sunsets, urban landscapes, panoramas, sunsets and many more.

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An evocative exploration of how travel - local and far away - can inform, inspire and enhance textile art. Travel has always featured heavily in textile art, from artists’ ‘travelling sketchbooks’ to large-scale installations mapping coastal erosion or the effects of climate change. In this book, renowned textile artist Anne Kelly shows how to capture your travels, past and present, in stitch, with practical techniques sitting alongside inspiring images. She begins the book by discussing maps in textile art, including their iconography as well as incorporating actual maps into textile work. She then goes on to explore the influence of different cultures from across the globe on textile art. From India and Peru to Scotland and Scandinavia, the book shows how to harness traditional techniques, fabrics, motifs and colours for use in your own work. The chapter ‘Stopping Places’ captures the moments in time on a journey that can be distilled, remembered and documented to create stitched postcards, sketchbooks and other pieces. The final chapter, ‘Space and the Imagination’, explores the possibilities of space travel as a source of inspiration, and covers inner space too, with artists mapping their own emotional journeys. Including a wealth of practical tricks and techniques as well as exquisite photography of both Anne’s own work and that of other leading textile artists, this fascinating book will inspire all textile artists, embroiderers and makers to use past travels to influence their work.

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A creative and practical guide on how to get in touch with your local natural world to create thoughtful works of textile art. Filled with projects and step-by-step techniques, this book is perfect for textile students and professionals alike. Renowned quilter and textile artist Helen Parrott explores the creative potential of your local surroundings and teaches you the processes and techniques used to create beautiful textile artworks. Drawing on the Slow Stitch movement, she explains how mark-making techniques can be used meditatively to record personal lives and surroundings influenced by seasonal changes of colour, energy and light. She encourages you to connect to your own locality, whether it be urban or rural, at home or on holiday, and its specific seasonal aspects in order to create a personal, working cycle of textile art. The book is divided into seasons; from learning how to spot the first signs of Spring to recording seasonal characteristics – equinox through to solstice – Helen teaches you how to be in tune with your environment. Each location will have different signs, so each artwork will truly be unique. Techniques and projects are also covered in this book: she first teaches you the basics of both hand and machine stitch techniques, working with free-form stitching, chain stitch, corded quilting and then moves onto appliqué, blackwork and dyeing. The techniques build in complexity ending with pieced textiles and collages. Helen also explores how to work with dot and line, repeating patterns, light and shadow, colour (and lack of colour), plant structures and people in landscapes. The last chapter consolidates techniques you've learnt in the book and showcases finished works from her exhibitions, as well as the Bradford Textile Archive, to help you better understand where inspiration leads.

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A showcase of Britain's most extraordinary gardens and landscapes from the twentieth century to present day. 100 20th-Century Gardens and Landscapes highlights the evolution of gardens and landscapes over the past century, tracing how these distinctive creations complemented buildings of their period. Entries in this book are grouped in chronological periods, documenting changing styles and techniques in a visual timeline. The examples chosen take the story from the Arts and Crafts garden and the garden city, through the landscapes created for mid-century housing and the new towns, to the low-maintenance gardens of the 1980s and contemporary trends for community and wildlife gardens. Designed landscapes were often integral to the conception of twentieth-century developments; the inclusion of a handful of particularly successful landscapes for memorial gardens, offices, industry, transport and parks demonstrate a changing attitude to public green space during the century and its increasing importance as private gardens have become ever smaller. Designers and architects such as Piet Oudolf, Charles Jencks, Frederick Gibberd, Geoffrey Jellicoe, Vita Sackville-West and Gertrude Jekyll are all featured, alongside more detailed essays on the history of gardens, planting styles, the importance of modern landscapes, and the career of Geoffrey Jellicoe. The text is written by architectural, landscape and garden historians including Elain Harwood, Barbara Simms and Alan Powers. Beautifully illustrated throughout with photography, illustrations and garden plans, this book is ideal for gardeners and landscape lovers alike.

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A delightfully Danish guide to whittling for the home, crammed with projects for all ages and abilities. Our interest in the simple but satisfying art of whittling has never been higher. Our Danish-inspired book on whittling (snitte in Danish) has a range of wonderful simple whittling projects for the home. The beautiful Scandinavian projects range from simple wooden toys for children, including a bird whistle, ring catcher, animal figures and a wooden sword to practical items like door hooks, butter knives and then to decorative pieces such as a wooden necklace, buttons, delicate carved flowers and a chess set. All the projects are amazingly simple, and with the visual step-by-step technique section at the front of the book, even a beginner could take on these projects. The art of whittling has never been more accessible and these beautiful but simple projects capture the spirit of the Scandinavian love of craft and nature. Author and Danish craftsman Frank Egholm shares not only his considerable knowledge but also his passion for simple wooden carving.

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A fun and accessible guide to painting flowers in watercolour with step-by-step exercises. World-renowned artist Trevor Waugh reveals the secrets of painting flowers in watercolour in this fun, easy-to-follow book. Focusing on the techniques that matter the most, you'll be able to start producing better flower paintings in the space of an afternoon. The book includes expert guidance on all aspects of flower painting in watercolour, including the basic shapes and how to combine them, how to design the perfect composition and how to create subtle and evocative effects. The author shares tips on how to use colour to create realistic-looking flowers and foliage, his go-to basic palette and details on how to create beautiful, nuanced colour mixes. There is also a section on how to achieve real artistry in your work, using hard and soft edges, clever observation and different angles to perfect your work. Armed with this beautiful book, packed with breathtaking inspirational paintings and a selection of helpful step-by-step demonstration sequences, you'll become an expert flower painting in no time at all.

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This practical step-by-step guide to haute couture embroidery covers everything from machine and hand stitching, to tambour beading, goldwork and monogramming. Whether you are interested in adding monogrammed initials to your favourite bathrobe, stitching a flower on your favourite jacket, adding sparkling beads to a new dress or creating a goldwork embellishment, Fashion Embroidery teaches you how to add a unique touch to your clothes. In this beautifully illustrated book, Jessica Pile, the Production Director at Hand & Lock embroidery, explores the intricate techniques used in fashion embroidery. With hand-drawn designs, catwalk photographs and step-by-step guides, this book is perfect for beginners looking to personalise their own clothes, as well as more experienced embroiderers who want to apply new techniques to different fabrics. Beginning with an inspirational overview of the fashion industry, Jessica looks at examples of embroideries and embellishments by a variety of couturiers, including Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hardy Amies and Burberry. The book then demonstrates the basics of three main techniques – goldwork, tambour beading and embroidery stitches including silk shading, satin and stem stitch. In do-it-yourself projects, Jessica first helpfully explains the basics of materials; she teaches you how to pick the right fabric, what tools to use, where to source materials, what types of wire or beads to use and terminology. Taking influences from existing couture designs, she then shows you how to execute these learned techniques onto your own clothes. This book is perfect for fashion students, textile artists, and those who want a more unique look to their clothes.

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A stylish hardback notebook from the bestselling illustrator Millie Marotta, complete with elastic closer. The notebook features 15 full page illustrations of wild animals, birds and insects from Millie Marotta's Wild Savannah for colouring in. This handy narrow-ruled journal is perfect for fans of Millie Marotta's illustrations as well as those looking to relax and get creative with their coloured pencils.

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Glen 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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Celebrated quilt artist Sandra Meech's last book, Connecting Art to Stitch, explored the ways in which fine-art concepts can be taken into stitch to make outstanding pieces of quilt art. In this exciting new title, the author turns her attention to the rules of design, and how they can be harnessed – and broken – to inform your quilt-art work. You will learn how to recognise good design, and the immutable rules all designers need to know. The author's signature practical workshops and exercises help you translate these rules into your own textile work, stimulating your creativity and encouraging you to explore new textures, materials, techniques and compositions. Detailed analyses of textile artists' work provide a breakdown of how design rules can be applied. Illustrated with a wealth of inspirational images from the world's best quilt and textile artists, this beautiful book is a must-buy for everyone who wants to create better textile art.

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Use spunbonded fabrics to create stunning effects that cannot be achieved with any other manmade or natural fibres. Covers a range of exciting fabrics, from Tyvek to Lutradur, plus new fabrics such as Evolon and heat-distressable tissue. Fabrics can be washed, dyed, painted, printed, stitched, burned, fused, foiled, stencilled and slashed to create beautiful and innovative effects. Lutradur and Evolon belong to a category of manmade fabrics called spunbonded textiles. They have been available for a few years, but the explosion of their use in the textile world is very recent. They are spunbound, non-woven polyesters, which are very strong and flexible, but soft to the touch and ideal for textile art. All the different types of spunbonded textiles are covered including Lutradur, Evolon, heat-distressable tissue and some older textiles in this category, such as Tyvek, nappy (diaper) liner and kunin felt. The author introduces a range of simple colouring techniques, from painting and printing to dyeing. The book then guides you through heat-distressing, fusing and soldering techniques for which these spunbonded textiles are perfect. The other popular technique – image transfer – is also made simple with these manmade fabrics. Other techniques explained, step-by-step, include foiling and stamping. An essential book for all textile artists who want new and exciting ideas on how to use these versatile textiles.

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A sumptuous celebration of the life of His Majesty King Charles III, published to coincide with the festivities, traditions and pageantry of his Coronation in May 2023. On 8th September 2022, His Majesty King Charles III, formerly The Prince of Wales, ascended to the throne. As Britain, the Commonwealth and people across the world eagerly await the Coronation of the new monarch, this fascinating account tells the story of the boy born to be King. Follow his journey, from schoolboy and eligible young bachelor to his time in the armed forces, and from the birth of his sons, William and Harry, to his more recent role as grandfather. This captivating chronicle describes his accession to the throne – lived out in the public eye following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II – and recounts his interest in sport, his royal homes and his life with his wife Camilla, who will be crowned alongside him as Queen Consort. Alongside his dedication to his work as a senior member of the Royal Family, the book explores not only his official and ceremonial duties, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, but also the patronages and passions that he has long held so so dear. Giving a taste of the tradition and pageantry to be expected from the spectacular Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, this guide reflects on his previous role as Prince of Wales and looks towards the future in his role as King, giving an insight into the man behind the throne.

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Fully illustrated with beautiful photographs, this special commemorative book by royal biographer Brian Hoey – who had the privilege of meeting Diana on several occasions – pays tribute to the life of this remarkable young woman. Diana, Princess of Wales was admired throughout the world for her vitality, compassion, determination and beauty. When she first came on the scene, she brought a new dimension to the Royal Family and quickly became regarded as one of the most glamorous women in the world. Yet she remained very much her own person: tough but touchingly vulnerable, self-willed but compassionate to a degree that was unprecedented in one of her generation and background. Her tragic death in 1997, in the prime of her life, shocked the world and unleashed a tide of public grief rarely seen. More than a quarter of a century later, her worldwide popularity remains as strong as ever: she is the unforgettable Diana.

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Explore the glories of Scotland on an evocative trip to Outlander country. This beautiful book, a companion to the bestselling Outlander's Scotland, introduces more than 25 of the locations featured in the hugely popular TV show, concentrating this time on Seasons 4–6. The intrepid Claire and Jamie Fraser are starting a new life in America that is packed full of the adventure and romance fans have come to expect, against a backdrop of stunning scenery – still provided by breathtaking Scottish settings. Discover the woods near Stirling where the Frasers make their new home, Fraser's Ridge, and the farm shop in East Lothian where the villainous Stephen Bonnet hosts his fight club. You'll see the very tree where Jamie carves his claim to Fraser's Ridge, the beach where Brianna is dramatically rescued in Season 4, and the house that became River Run, Aunt Jocasta's palatial home. Included in the book are useful guides to attractions that can be visited, along with several longer walks around the countryside showcased so beautifully on screen. We also reveal some secret locations for the upcoming Season 7! This gorgeous travel guide is a must-have for the legions of passionate Outlander fans, as well as everyone who loves Scotland.

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Explore ‘Beatle Land’ and the iconic sites associated with The Beatles’ fame. The ‘Fab Four’ – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – were all born and brought up in Liverpool, and this illustrated guide reveals why the city was crucial to their musical success. Following in their footsteps around Liverpool and Merseyside, the book explores the places that influenced The Beatles’ musical direction and eventual stardom. Discover the significance of the locations behind hit singles such as ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and ‘Penny Lane’, as well as iconic music venue The Cavern Club. The book’s handy location map will guide you to all the sights, including: • St Peter’s Church where Paul famously first met John, who was playing in his band The Quarrymen in the grounds. • The Mersey Ferry which provided a great venue for the Beatles to perform in 1961 and 1962. • Strawberry Fields where John visited summer fairs with his aunt, and which was the inspiration behind the hit single ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ • Penny Lane and its bus roundabout, celebrated in the song with the same name. • The Cavern Club, the iconic music venue where The Beatles played 292 times and where Brian Epstein first saw them perform in 1961. • John, Paul, George and Ringo's childhood homes. The book also looks at the band’s early childhood influences including schools, parents and relatives that left an indelible mark on the character of the boys as they grew up, as well as their manager Brian Epstein’s role and influence as another Liverpool lad. Fully illustrated, this is the ultimate Beatles fan’s guide to Liverpool.

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‘He seems perfection and I think that I have the prospect of very great happiness before me…’ Victoria in a letter of 15 October 1839 One of the greatest royal love matches of all time was that of Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert. The English princess, born at Kensington Palace in 1819, and the German prince were cousins, and first met when Victoria was 16. At their second meeting in 1839 she, by now Queen Victoria, proposed to him and they married the following year. Victoria and Albert’s romance marked a turning point for Britain’s royal family, and to the queen in particular love and marriage proved a source of strength and comfort. The two young people were brought together, like so many royal couples, by the scheming of matchmakers. The aftermath was not always easy. Albert’s adopted country remained wary of his intelligence and seriousness, most people as unaware of his private playfulness as they were of the contrasting aspects of Victoria’s own character. Victoria and Albert tells of a young couple’s love: how the two grew up, what they were like, how they first met. Love deepened within their marriage, as they became partners in private and in public, at home with their family and ever on duty as sovereign and consort. This beautifully illustrated book is part of the Pitkin Royal Collection series, celebrating the lives of the British royal family. Other notable titles in this insightful series include Royal Babies, The Queen and Her Family and Queen Elizabeth II.

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Ever since it came to the world's attention in the 17th century, the world's most famous tapestry has been a source of never-ending speculation. This book highlights the background of its construction and the events of 1066 that it portrays. It details warfare and weaponry, armour and costumes, depictions of everyday life, houses and farming.

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Cloth dolls are a huge hit in the creative world and textile artists have taken up the challenge, using them as the perfect three-dimensional vehicle for expressive textile art. A range of innovative textile techniques can be used to make stunning dolls. In 'Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists' the author provides patterns for different doll shapes, from the simplest stump doll to the more complicated jointed doll. The book gives practical instruction on needle-sculpting expressive faces, as well as details on how to use the patterns to make the basic cloth doll. Then you can really start to express yourself by using a range of textile techniques on the doll, whether directly on to the body or on the clothes – from beading, hand embroidery, machine embroidery and stamping to dyeing, felting (ideal for hair!) and even quilting.

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Master chess psychologist Amatzia Avni outlines a new approach to playing chess – be tricksy about your game, bend the rules where possible and always come out on top! Players of all abilities are urged, step-by-step, to unlearn everything they've learned so far and adopt a fearless attitude to the game. Every tip for bending the rules is included here with comprehensive illustrated games. Includes: The Nature of Tricky Chess: Virgin land • Raising the tension to boiling point • Coffeehouse chess • Not so elementary, my dear Watson • Peculiar moves Principled Issues of 'Tricky Chess': Twists and turns • The trap vs blunder dilemma • Methods of conducting 'tricky chess' Illustrative Games Assesment and Implementation: Evaluation of tricksy chess • Transforming into a 'tricky chess' player

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Following the success of Ideas Behind Modern Chess Openings, this comprehensive companion volume gives the complete opening repertoire for Black. A must for anyone who plays with Black pieces, these low-maintenance, easy-to-follow openings can be played from the very first move, enabling players to dictate the development of the game from a very early stage. Chess grids throughout demonstrate key lines and aid and accelerate learning. Gary Lane annotates the illustrated games in the instructive and accessible style that has made him one of the most popular chess writers in the world today.

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The latest book by the author of The Sunday Times Bestseller, Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom. Millie's new book whisks you away to the swaying grasslands of the savannahs, not only in Africa, but also Asia and Australia. The baobab trees and tall grasses are the backdrop to a world of wonderful creatures. Colour in the crocodile and kangaroo, oryx and ostrich, dazzling zebras and leaping gazelles. A feast of beautiful illustration, invitingly laid out for the reader to colour in or add their own drawing. Millie's work has fuelled the rediscovered art of colouring in and her latest book will satisfy her biggest fans, and gain her some more. A wonderful book for those thousands of devotees of mindful colouring in.

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This book is the perfect companion for the watercolour landscape painter. Richard Taylor looks at each element of the landscape in turn. He moves from small details, such as a quick painting of his backpack, drawn in a break from walking, to wide sweeping panoramas. Detailed annotations point to key areas of interest for each painting showing, for example, how a wash has been used to create shadows in still water, or how paper has been left blank to represent the tops of clouds. Alongside each painting you’ll find the palette of colours used, with advice on combining colours for best effect. Step-by-step demonstrations show basic watercolour techniques in action and longer projects reveal how Richard develops a fully-realised painting. Packed with invaluable hints and tips and illustrated with the author’s inspiring watercolours, this book is perfect for the beginner or more experienced watercolour painter.

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A great book for expressing your creative fashion urges, with doodling, drawing and colouring exercises to fill in. Fashion illustrator and lecturer Frances Moffatt provides suggestions and half-filled pages of drawings and doodles for you to continue. Including sections on designing your own fashion blog, creating your own festival fashions, styling street style models from across the globe, adding bling to celebrity pets and creating your own fashion patterns and prints. This book is packed full of fun exercises to get creative and bring out the fashionista in you. Unleash your creative potential by adding colour, patterns and glitter to these line drawings to make them unique to your style. Whether it's a simple colouring-in piece, or a more considered drawing, the suggestions offer something for everyone and encourage you to make the book about your own style.

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A guide to the capital's most terrifying and spooky corners – enter at your peril. London has been the site of executions, murders, betrayals and treason. It is said you can see the Ripper's victims on street corners, hear the screams of Guy Fawkes at the Tower of London, and much, much more. Discover what lurks behind the normal life of the capital city. Watch out for the mysterious monk commemorating the only act of violence in Westminster Abbey and keep your eyes peeled in Whitechapel for the tragic ghostly figure of Mary Ann Nicholls, the first victim of the gruesome Jack the Ripper. Step inside this guide and walk the ancient streets of Haunted London. Grouped by area and covering hundreds of years of supernatural spooky tales, this guide is sure to shock anyone. A city almost as full of ghosts as it is of tourists, London is full of ghoulish and eerie histories to make you shudder – read on if you dare...

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Introducing a beautiful new range of notebooks adorned with stunning illustrations and photographs from our rich archives. All exquisitely finished and cloth bound with woodfree paper, large pocket at the back and elastic closure. These iconic images were originally commissioned for Batsford book jackets in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Brian Cook's heightened use of colour encapsulates classic scenes of glorious countryside of old England and his work has become highly collectable. The perfect notebook for lovers of vintage book jackets!

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A reissue of a truly classic title on the Batsford backlist. First published in 1935, it is a wonderful snapshot of our capital before the Second World War, and a charming insight into our attitudes to urban life back in the Thirties. Our posh guide Cohen-Portheim offers us his interpretation of life in London through her people, her buildings and her history. The chapters include: Towns within Town Streets and their Life Green London London and the Arts London Amusements and Night Life Hotels and Restaurants Traditional London London and the British London and the Foreigner (surprisingly liberal!) It includes the iconic Brian Cook cover illustration of Ludgate Circus and St Pauls, and should be sought after for that alone. Add in the charm of the authentic voice of a 1930s Londoner, it should be enjoyed by all Londoners.

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A celebration of outdoor swimming – looking at the history, design and social aspect of pools. Few experiences can beat diving into a pool in the fresh air, swimming with blue skies above you. Whether it's a dip into a busy and bustling city pool on a sweltering summer day, or taking the plunge in icy waters, the lido provides a place of peace in a frenetic world. The book begins with a history of outdoor pools – their grand beginnings after the buttoned-up Victorian era, their falling popularity in the 20th century, and the newfound appreciation for the outdoor pool, or lido, and outdoor swimming in the 21st century. Journalist and architectural historian Christopher Beanland picks the very best of the outdoor pools around the world, including the Icebergs Pool on Bondi Beach, Australia; the 137m seawater pool in Vancouver, Canada; Siza's concrete sea pools in Porto, Portugal; the restored art deco pool in Saltdean, UK, and the pool at the Zollverein Coal Mines in Essen, Germany. The book also features lost lidos and the fascinating history behind the architecture of the pools, along with essays on swimming pools in art, and the importance of pools in Australia. In addition there are interviews with pool users around the globe about why they swim. The book is illustrated throughout with beautiful colour photography, as well as archive photography and advertising.

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A classic guide from beekeeping expert Ron Brown OBE. A charming and practical guide for anyone wishing to keep bees, accompanying the would-be beekeeper through every season of the bee-keeping year. From spring awakening and summer swarms to the autumn honey harvest and providing winter protection, this essential resource guides you each step of the way. There is extensive advice for beekeeping beginners, from siting and smoking your hives to rearing a queen and controlling your swarm. There is also in-depth information for improvers and more experienced apiarists who wish to experiment with different hive-management and queen-rearing techniques. Troubleshooting tips on protecting your hives and keeping your bees healthy are also covered. The book is also packed with practical advice on using beeswax, and of course, extracting and making the tastiest honey.

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Discover the professional way to colour in with this masterclass from leading artists and art teachers. The colouring-in craze has left many people looking for more interesting creative work that simple colouring in does not satisfy. Masterclass in Colour offers readers ways to take their colouring to a new level and even start on the road to watercolour work. Award-winning artists and tutors, Meriel Thurstan and Rosie Martin, explain simple colour theory in an easy-to-understand language. They will talk you through which colours look good together; demonstrate how colours can vibrate together or make each other more muted. They explain the materials of coloured pencils, water-soluble coloured pencils and fibre pens (felt tips) and how to mix colours together in all three media. The book is arranged by colour, with sections on red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, pink and finally greys and browns, including a brief description of each and examples of what you can add to it to make secondary colours. There are demonstrations to show how to master shadows, texture and pattern, highlights and even water droplets. Each page of techniques and demonstration is followed by a companion page for you to practice the technique and do your own experimenting. There are also full-page drawings throughout the book to colour in, as well as advice on what to do if you want to turn one of the drawings into a beautiful watercolour painting.

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A paperback reissue of a beautiful anthology. A diverse collection of poetry which celebrates both England and all that it means to be English – from the rolling hills, to those lost in battle over the centuries, to London’s bustling streets and a nation obsessed with the weather. Ode to England encompasses a breadth of poetry from our most renowned writers – such as William Wordsworth, D. H. Lawrence and William Blake – alongside verses from less prestigious names which equally capture many inspiring visions of our ‘sceptered isle’. The poems are accompanied by stunning illustrations which pay further tribute to the beauty of this green and pleasant land. The perfect gift for any Englishman or Anglophile, this wonderful collection captures all the beauty and eccentricities of England and Englishness.

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Colour it in psychedelic colours, in tasteful tones, in all shades of orange! But just colour it! Recapture the purest sense of creativity by colouring in the most beautiful figurative designs – flowers, birds, butterflies – provided by a leading textile designer. By adding the key ingredient of colour you add your own spark of creativity to great designs. The design team, who work closely with Tate Modern in London, provide 24 postcards with six different designs to choose from. You can experiment with the colour combinations, using crayons, pencils, felt/fibre tip pens, and even paint on these uncoated postcards. A brief introduction gives some tips on using colours and suggests colour combinations to use on the specific designs, but you are encouraged to let your own creativity get to work! Great fun for all those looking for a burst of creative expression and useful for designers of all types who want to experiment with colour. The cards can be kept together in the book or detached, framed or posted to a friend.

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Author Ruth Issett is one of the world's leading colourist in textile art today. Her stunning colour combinations defy colour rules and she shows you how to experiment with techniques to get the very best out of any textile work. The book is aimed at all those involved in textiles – embroiderers, patchworkers and textile decorators, as well as students and teachers of design. Lavishly illustrated with colour photographs of finished fabrics, this simple colour ‘recipe’ book gives guidance and reassurance on the technical aspects of colour and dyeing. It includes: How to dye different natural fabrics, including heavy cotton, silk, satin, linen, and cotton velvet as well as threads Colour mixing and inspiration: colour combinations; tones, tints, shades; complementary schemes Detailed guidance on the dyeing processes, including equipment, shades, colour families, over-dyeing, pre-treatment of fabric, and fabric types Ways of applying dye from the very, very simple onwards Techniques, including the various types of resists as well as discharge and bleached effects Advanced techniques and combinations, including the use of thickeners and over-dyeing

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WINNER OF THE BEST BRITISH BOOK AND BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE BRITISH BOOK DESIGN AND PRODUCTION AWARDS 2010 Join Clare Balding on some terrific cycle rides around Britain, whether it's a week-long cycling holiday or an afternoon ride with the family, the book has a cycle ride for everyone. Free-wheeling on and off road – along obscure lanes, bridleways and disused railway lines – Britain by Bike reveals a fresh perspective on our country. Revel in beautiful breathtaking and exhilarating cycle routes and scenery in the six regions of Britain and find out the unusual ways to enjoy these islands, whether it's going to green man festivals, learning local customs or resting up at remote campsites or posh yurts! Share in Clare Balding's practical and cycle-related challenge and learn how to make the most of pedal power with guidance on reading a map, puncture repair, bad weather and tricky terrain. Discover Britain by Bike.

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A leading embroiderer with a lifelong love and understanding of African culture and landscape translates the many striking images of Africa into textile art, using embroidery, dyeing and quilting. From the dusky colours of the savannah to the traditional beadwork and pottery of African tribes, the author has used a variety of sources and techniques to produce stunning textiles. The book covers the original source material, the design process and the various techniques necessary to produce stunning final pieces, including dyeing with flour paste resist, seminole patchwork, piecing, patching, stitching, applique, roulleaux, drawn thread surface embellishment and mixed media. Beautifully illustrated with over 90 colour images, the book covers: • The design process • Colour, from natural earth colours to the bright colours of African jewellery and body paint • Pattern, from stripes and zigzags to circles and triangles • Texture and surface, including ridges, raised surface, edges and surface additions • An exercise project to get you started

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A delightful gift book filled with the adorable animal paintings of Hannah Dale, creator of the immensely popular Wrendale Designs. This charming book, first published in 2014 but now reissued in a larger size to give the author’s beautiful images even more chance to shine, features 50 quintessentially British birds and animals painted by Hannah Dale in her uniquely quirky, characterful style. From the red deer to the harvest mouse, from the sparrow to the barn owl, the nation’s favourite creatures are brought to life by this award-winning artist, really bringing out the character in each creature. Additional smaller pictures include their tracks and feathers, to help you identify where they've been near even when you can’t see them. The author has also provided insightful and entertaining text to accompany each animal portrait, and it all adds up to an irresistible gift package for any nature lover.

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Lessons, motivation and coaching to make you a better chess player. In an ideal world, any aspiring chess player, at almost any level, would get better with a coach. If that's not possible, having chess champion coach Thomas Engqvist's book at your side is the next best thing. In his series of lessons, Engqvist guides you through not only the most important elements of chess to master but also the psychology, how to marry knowledge with imagination, and how to stay motivated. Suitable for older children through to adults, the lessons are drawn from chess games through history, from the 16th century to Magnus Carlsen and latest Alpha Zero computer chess. It features a range of key players, including Steinitz, Lasker, Nimzowistch, Botvinnik (Soviet chess school), and Fischer. With clear and accessible annotations to give clarity, the games highlight the most important lessons to learn and, just as importantly, how to 'practise' chess. International Master Thomas Engqvist has travelled the world teaching and coaching chess to a very high level for decades – and with this book, he can be your coach too.

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A wonderful portable edition of Millie Marotta's Secrets of the Sea, from the Sunday Times and international bestseller artist. Millie Marotta is a hugely popular illustrator and her idiosyncratic drawings of the world's wonderful creatures have enthralled millions over the years. This pocket colouring book features over 80 wonderful illustrations in a smaller format to add colour to. Discover the wondrous wildlife from the Arctic waters to the balmy Australian coast. Swim with dolphins, narwhals and manatees. Grab your pens and pencils and bring to life jellyfish, seahorses and polar bears. This an essential book for colouring fans who love her pattern illustration style, which allows for the most creative of colouring. On this beautiful journey around the seas of the world, indulge your creativity, discover some fascinating creatures, and enjoy the perfect mindful activity while on the go or to pop in your travel bag.

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From the Ghostbusters HQ in New York to Nemo’s fish tank in Sydney, from the Phantom of the Opera’s Parisian lair to scenes from Grand Theft Auto in LA, this is an amazing atlas of imaginary locations in real-life cities around the world. Locations from film, TV, books, computer games and comics are ingeniously plotted on a series of beautiful vintage-looking maps.Feauturing 14 of the world’s greatest cities, the maps show exactly where your favourite characters lived, loved, worked and played, and where iconic scenes took place. The locations have been painstakingly tracked down, mapped, annotated and wittily divulged by the authors, and an extensive index helps you find them all. Within the pages of this book, you'll discover:• Where in London super-spies James Bond and George Smiley are neighbours.• The route of the exciting San Francisco car chase in Bullitt.• The Tokyo homes of all the magical girls from the classic Sailor Moon anime.And many more fascinating locations drawn from the world’s imagination.Accompanying the maps are illuminating essays that explain how the authors came to their decisions, along with explorations of the key locations and fun timelines of imaginary events. Find out how to get to Sesame Street, where to join Starfleet and thousands of other places besides, in this indispensable guidebook to all those places you always wanted to visit – if only they were real.

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