ART BOOKS

Artist Toolbox - Painting Tools and Materials The Artist's Toolbox series provides easy-to-use reference guides for beginning and aspiring artists. While many instructional art books gloss over important concepts focusing instead on how to simply replicate a piece of art the Artist's Toolbox series breaks down the whats whens whys and hows of each relevant tool or technique clearly demonstrating its purpose and how to employ it to achieve desired effects. Author: Walter Foster Creative Team

A-Z of Flower Portraits Billy Showell is a well-respected contemporary artist whose watercolour flower portraits have earned her the respect of watercolour artists all over the world. Worked to the same degree of accuracy as traditional botanical paintings Billy's compositions are given a more contemporary twist combining her unique eye for design with her love of flowers. In this book 40 flower portraits are presented arranged in alphabetical order each one accompanied by small studies details step-by-step instructions and the colour mixes used to accomplish the finished work. At the start of the book there are useful sections on the materials and equipment needed and the main techniques used including wet-into-wet colour blending lifting out layering glazes dry brushing and colour mixing and at the end of the book Billy gives her own unique slant on composition and discusses the importance of creating a sketchbook. Whether you love to paint or simply love flowers this book will delight and inspire you. Author: Billy Showell

Projects, techniques and inspiration to get you started

Author: Tim Fisher

Screen printing is a print process involving the forcing of ink through a screen of fine material to create a picture or pattern. It has been around for many years and has long been perceived as a specialist subject accessible only to professional printers and textile artists due to the high cost of the screens and inks. Recently however screen printing has entered the mainstream and the equipment and tools have become more affordable and accessible. In this Beginner's Guide to Screen Printing Erin Lacy shows you how to make your own screen using an embroidery hoop and silk fabric and demonstrates how to create beautiful designs that are easy to achieve. Discover how to print onto different surfaces such as wood cork and fabric and create twelve stunning coastal and botanical-themed projects through bright and colourful step-by-step photography. The book includes templates and inspiration on how to design your own screen printing motifs.

Tips and techniques for learning Acrylic.

Beginning Acrylic teaches aspiring artists everything they need to know to get started painting in acrylic. From showing how to choose the right paper brushes and paints to basic painting tips and techniques this beginner?s guide to acrylic painting is bursting with valuable exercises and advice to help artists master this colorful and approachable medium. This book guides beginners through an exploration of acrylic painting with easy-to-understand concepts and step-by-step methods including how to paint a variety of skies trees mountains roads clouds and waterscapes from start to finish.

By Susette Billedeaux

A multidimensional approach to learning the art of basic drawing

From the first brushstroke to the finishing touch let the Portfolio series guide you as you begin your artistic journey in watercolour painting. Beginning Watercolor teaches aspiring artists everything they need to know to get started painting in watercolour. This helpful resource begins with a basic introduction to the essential tools and materials artists need to get started including choosing the right paintbrushes watercolour paints sketchbooks and canvas. Additionally artists will learn the fundamentals of watercolour as well as a variety of painting techniques including creating washes mixing colours creating soft blends rendering realistic textures and working wet-into-wet.

Beginning Watercolor guides beginners through a series of easy-to-follow step-by-step projects covering a variety of watercolour methods and techniques including helpful tips and advice when painting landscapes still lifes portraits and more. With helpful tips and detailed beautiful artwork to guide and inspire Beginning Watercolor is the perfect resource for watercolour artists just getting started in this colourful medium.

Author: Maury Aaseng

Artist and Designer Lauren shows you simple techniques for creating your own printing blocks out of art-foam. With no cutting and chiseling, these art-foam blocks can be made into shapes and patterns using only scissors and a pencil. Use these printing blocks, or purchased stamps, to create repeat patterns or bundled groupings to get that classic block print look for wallpaper, book illustrations, framing prints, greeting cards, gift wrap, fabric prints, and so much more! Throughout the book, find inspiration from selected works of block print artists from around the world. The new, easy-to-use block printing materials are great for beginners and skilled artists alike. Make your mark with Block Print!

Boost Your Watercolour Confidence Kick-start your creative spirit and develop a new zest for watercolour in this inspirational book from Katie Putt. When using watercolour it is important to allow your painting to simply unfold across the pages of your sketchbooks and to learn from your successes as well as your mistakes. This wonderful book will show you how through 68 challenges ranging from basic to more advanced techniques that you can work through in your own time. To help you on your way 24 sheets of high-quality watercolour paper with printed outlines are included corresponding to the projects in the book. So relax experiment learn from and build on your mistakes and let your watercolour skills take their own course. Author: Katie Putt Format: BC Paperback Pages: 96 Size: 210x285mm Illustrations: 450 Colour Illustrations

Brain Ben: Extreme Architecture Mazes Featuring the stunning artwork of architect and drawing-obsessed artist Mister Mourao Brain Bend is a collection of 25 of his original drawings presented as both mazes and coloring templates.

Drawing A Complete Guide - Giovanni Civardi Starting with the basics of drawing techniques Civardi gives expert advice on drawing portraits the clothed figure hands and feet and scenery finishing with a section on the importance of light and shade. Civardi’s technical advice and practical tips accompanied by his own outstanding drawings make this an invaluable resource for any artist. Author: Giovanni Civardi

A complete guide to figure drawing by Giovanni Civardi

Compendium of Acrylic Painting Techniques Brimming with expert advice Gill Barron's Compendium of acrylic painting techniques is perfect for all levels of artists. Broken down into carefully thought categories this comprehensive guide will show you all you need to know: from what to do and what not to do; mixing colours and creating effects; to setting up your own studio using household items to save money. With over 40 years of expertise Gill is well placed to pass on her knowledge assisting you in becoming the successful artist you crave to be. Aimed at all painters from beginners to the more experienced this book is packed with expert advice on all aspects of acrylic painting: what to do and what not to do. Learn how to choose and mix colors and create a multitude of effects using only one set of tubes. Discover how to make your own equipment set up a "studio" space and use household materials to save money. Beginners can follow processes stage-by-stage while more experienced artists can dip in and out for help with specific problems. A unique section on how to develop your art and take it to a wider public is full of professional secrets which can bring you success much more quickly. “Try it” and “Fix it” panels placed throughout the book suggest ways of practicing and developing new skills and avoiding or correcting common painting errors. Author: Gill Barron

Encyclopedia of Watercolour Techniques A brilliant book that details lots of tips for watercolour painting. Author: Hazel Harrison

Young artists learn to bring these incredible creatures to life, guided by realistic illustrations. Step-by-step instructions for 20 different dinosaur species. Book dimensions: 21.6 x 0.3 x 27.9 cm. Number of pages: 32

From the best-selling Almost Everything series comes an edition on drawing made especially for kids.

Practice makes perfect (and is fun too!) with tracing and easy steps to teach kids to draw almost everything under the sun. From soccer balls to panda bears and rainbows to racing cars, this book not only makes kids feel successful at drawing, but is fun for all ages. Rainy days, Sunday mornings, or after school-all kids will enjoy improving their drawing skills with this step-by-step approach.

Each book in the Almost Everything series offers readers a fun, comprehensive, and charmingly illustrated visual directory of ideas to inspire skill building in their creative endeavors.

How To Draw: Animals Book on How to Draw Animals in Simple Steps Over 130 step-by-step drawings A fantastic selection of popular animals and birds Easy fun methods and great results Suitable for beginners and experienced artists. Includes tips for household pets impressive wild animals and amazing birds.

Lovely book teaching How To Draw Dinosaurs in simple to follow steps by Dandi Palmer. The step-by-step way to learn how to draw a fantastic collection of dinosaurs. This visual and practical approach will have you reaching for drawing tools time and time again.

Since people first started finding the bones of these long dead creatures dinosaurs have held a fascination. Our love of monsters and fabulous beasties is well served by these animals that once trod the earth millions of years ago and with new ones being unearthed all the time this is very much a live subject. Capture these amazing creatures on paper with this helpful book. This is the latest entry in the series that shows in six stages how to create a drawing from a few shapes to the finished graphite pencil or colored drawing stage. Helpfully each step shows the earlier lines in green with new details added in purple ensuring that you can see what is happening at each stage and thus be inspired to have a go yourself. These pages are bare of words but then they are not really needed as the drawings speak for themselves.

How To Draw Dogs Dogs can be a pleasure to draw whether they are dignified elegant cute or scruffy. Susie Hodge shows how and includes a great selection of popular breeds. Even complete beginners will be able to create good drawings using her simple step by step technique. There is a lot to inspire more experienced artists too. Author: Susie Hodge

How To Draw Faces The human face is central to art – from childhood it is what we want to draw. Here Susie Hodge shows how to draw a fantastic selection of faces. Even beginners will be able to create realistic portraits following this simple step-by-step technique and experienced artists will benefit from the variety of faces shown. Author: Susie Hodge

How To Draw Horses This is a wonderful introduction to drawing horses and it really demystifies the process of building up the images from initial simple shapes right through to the finished animals. Eva Dutton breaks down the stages into easy steps using a two colour process that clearly shows every line and curve. Even absolute beginners will find themselves creating great drawings when they use this book. An invaluable guide for anyone interested in this subject. Author: Eva Dutton

28 easy-to-follow simple shapes and step-by-step illustrations to get you drawing these wonderful manga chibi characters.

How To Draw Manga Girls This book from artist Li (Mecha Mangprovideside a text-free step-by-step guidance for drawing manga characters. Sequential colour-coded sketches walk the reader through illustrating many charming human manga personalities. A simple exercise per page ends with a full-colour finished character illustration. Aside from the author's short introduction no other words are found in these guides. Li emphasizes energetic poses and narrative suggestion in this book. Portraying a range of emotions and facial expressions in the manga style is demonstrated throughout. Ideal for children and younger teens. Author: Yishan Li

This chilling introduction to drawing monsters completely demystifies the drawing process, showing how images can be built up easily, from initial geometric shapes right through to the finished creatures. Jim McCarthy includes a terrifying selection of monsters; choose from Fang Monster, Horned Monster, Red Monster, Eye Bug Monster and many more. Jim uses a helpful two-colour method that clearly shows every line and curve of the step-by-step pictures

How To Draw People in Action This book features a range of subjects including runners walkers swimmers and dancers in various dynamic poses such as bending jumping skipping and playing sport. There are 28 pages of two-colour step-by-step line drawings plus a finished image in full colour. There is one subject per page and the sequences are not overly complex. The method of illustration is simple: basic geometric shapes evolve stage by stage into the finished forms. In order to make the sequences easier to follow the artists use different coloured pencils for each of the stages. The colours act as a guide with new shapes built on old shapes and distinguishing features are added as the images develop. The penultimate stages show tonal representations of the subject and the final stage is a full-colour image of the finished drawing. The drawings are designed to inspire and will act as a starting point to help the reader capture their unique creative flair. Author: Susie Hodge