From New York Times best-selling author of the Dinotopia series, James Gurney, comes a carefully crafted and researched study on color and light in paintings. This art instruction book will accompany the acclaimed Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesna (TM)t Exist.
James Gurney, "New York Times" best-selling author and artist of the Dinotopia series, follows "Imaginative Realism" with his second art-instruction book, "Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter." A researched study on two of art's most fundamental themes, "Color and Light" bridges the gap between abstract theory and practical knowledge. Beginning with a survey of underappreciated masters who perfected the use of color and light, the book examines how light reveals form, the properties of color and pigments, and the wide variety of atmospheric effects. Gurney cuts though the confusing and contradictory dogma about color, testing it in the light of science and observation. A glossary, pigment index, and bibliography complete what will ultimately become an indispensible tool for any artist.
This book is the second in a series based on his blog, gurneyjourney.com. His first in the series, "Imaginative Realism," was widely acclaimed in the fantastical art world, and was ranked the #1 Bestseller on the Amazon list for art instruction.
"James Gurney's new book, "Color and Light," cleverly bridges the gap between artistic observation and scientific explanation. Not only does he eloquently describe all the effects of color and light an artist might encounter, but he thrills us with his striking paintings in the process." --Armand Cabrera, Artist

Let go of your pretensions squeeze, shape, knead & play your way to spiritual growth.

I am being formed by the clay. I am reconnecting with the earth, and with the other basic elements, too air, water, fire and life itself. Every gesture leaves its trail in the clay. Every fingerprint, a message. My breath fills the cavity. My touch curves the wall of a bowl. And inwardly, I am being formed by the outward practice. I am learning to trust the process, to lean into the possibilities rather than striving for some predetermined goal. I am being hollowed out, stretched and constricted, trimmed and sometimes reworked entirely. from the Prologue

Drawing from her first-hand experience of working with clay, Marjory Zoet Bankson takes you through the seven-step process of making clay into a pot, drawing parallels at each stage to the process of spiritual growth: Grounding Connecting with our core elements Kneading Awakening to the inner realm Centering Gathering everything togetherShaping Focusing inner and outer pressures Finishing Trimming away the excessDecorating Adding a playful touch Firing Committing to transformation

This simple connection with the earth has the potential to put you in touch with the whole of creation and, at the same time, your soul s longing to participate as an artist, creating something new and unique.

Through reflective questions in each chapter along with a wealth of unique clay projects that even beginners can do Bankson invites you on a journey of spiritual discovery, a path of reconnecting with your body and spirit, and with the earth itself."

Award-winning artist Nita Engle's breakthrough approach to watercolor shows readers how to combine spontaneity and control to produce glowing, realistic paintings. Her method begins with action-filled exercises that demonstrate how to play with paint, following no rules. Subsequent step-by-step projects add planning to the mix, demonstrating how to turn loose washes into light-filled watercolors with textural effects achieved by spraying, sprinkling, pouring, squirting, or stamping paint. Engle's approach, and her results, are dramatic and dynamic; now watercolor artists can create their own exciting paintings with help from "How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself."

Over the years J. Steele has worked with some of the best gems God's earth has to offer. He has now put this guide book together for all to use. This is a simple informative guide book. Buying colour gems is a challenge. Written for both consumers and professionals, it is easy to read, has colour photographs and gives practical pointers on how to decipher the differences. Whether you are interested in jade, opal, ruby, topaz, spinel, garnet, tourmaline or some other coloured gem, you will find this guide to be a fascinating and valuable resource.

The definitive, comprehensive guide to botanical painting, covering basic botany, plant groups and a scientific approach to the subject. Drawing on her experience as a botanical art teacher, Christina Brodie takes you on a holistic approach to botanical art and expertly covers botanical terminology, drawing and painting techniques in a wide range of media, dissection and examination of plants, fieldwork studies, microscope work and tips on presentation. Through step-by-step projects and with clearly explained techniques, learn to draw and paint flowers, fruit, leaves, stems and roots, trees, fungi, ferns and horsetails, seaweeds and other algae, mosses and lichens with remarkable precision and stunning detail.

Celebrate the beautiful and the unique with a sticker compendium of more than 1,000 stunning selections from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. In collaboration with the Smithsonian comes a book of over 1,000 stickers of varying sizes showcasing incredible photographs and illustrations from the millions of captivating collections from the Smithsonian, the world's largest museum and research complex. From Victorian anatomy illustrations to rare animals; seashells to insects; scientific oddities to jewelry; spacecraft and airplanes to letters and numbers, this book is brimming with a curated selection of stickers perfect for mindfulness and creative relaxation.

In Morpho: Clothing Folds and Creases, artist and teacher Michel Lauricella presents a unique approach to learning to draw clothing. By connecting the underlying anatomy to clothing, as well as considering the body's posture and movement, you can learn to draw accurate and realistic clothing. Whether you're interested in art, animation, or fashion, this book is a great resource for anyone sketching or drawing clothing. Geared toward artists of all levels from beginners through professionals this handy, pocket-sized book will help spark your imagination and creativity. (Publisher's Note: This book features an exposed binding style. This is intentional, as it is designed to help the book lay flat as you draw.) Table of Contents Foreword Introduction Head and Neck Torso and Shoulders Upper Limbs Lower Limbs Resources

Take your art in a bold new direction-go gouache! In Creative Gouache, artist Ruth Wilshaw shares her step-by-step techniques for creating brilliantly vibrant effects with this easy-to-master medium, a perfect companion for transparent watercolor. In this comprehensive guide to gouache, you'll: Get an overview of essential materials and surfaces. Learn basic handling and coloring-mixing techniques, including layering, creating blends, and adjusting opacity, plus troubleshooting tips for common challenges, such as dealing with shifts in color and value from wet to dry. Explore how to paint fun, simple motifs, flowers, butterflies, landscapes, and lettering. Discover fun gouache techniques, such as adding texture and painting gradients and blends. Learn how to incorporate other mediums with gouache, including paint pens, colored pencil, and watercolor. Use what you learn to create inspiring projects such as dimensional artwork, clay decor pieces, and cheerful banners. See what you can create with gorgeous, wall-to-wall color with Creative Gouache! Perfect for creative beginners, the books in the Art for Modern Makers series take a fun, practical approach to learning about and working with paints and other art mediums to create beautiful DIY projects and crafts.

Knitted cables, with their three-dimensional twists and turns, are a common element in lots of patterns - but most patterns don't include directions for executing them. Cable Left, Cable Right, by expert knitter Judith Durant, eliminates the mystery with detailed, in-depth instructions for creating 94 different styles of cable, from perfectly plain to fantastically fancy. Close-up photos and clear instructions teach you the techniques you need, including design options like braids, diamonds, and pretzels so you can make your cables truly one-of-a-kind. This book is the perfect companion to any knitting pattern featuring cables, giving you the information and skills to make polished, beautiful, and unique cables for any project.

Learn to create detailed female characters to include in your own comic strip or graphic novel! Professional manga and anime artist Kyachi offers aspiring artists an easy-to-follow approach to drawing manga women. For beginners, it can be intimidating to know where to start when drawing the human form. This book is meant to dispel those fears and wipe away any hesitation, so you can begin with a blank page or empty screen and start populating it with people. Soon your simple forms will take on greater detail and your characters will come to life before you! Kyachi has distilled her specialized knowledge of the skeleton, muscles and physical structures, explaining and analyzing the most difficult aspects of figure drawing and presenting it to you in a clear and simple way. With this all-in-one, how-to guide you'll: Create compelling characters and eye-catching action poses Learn about contrapposto (a specialized art term, meaning that most of the body's weight rests on either the left or right leg, achieving an angular or asymmetrical stance) Master traditional freehand, as well as digital techniques Follow along with the step-by-step progressions, before it's time to try it on your own Consult the cartoon guide who pops up and chimes in when expert tips are needed most A series of detailed lessons shows you how to draw the female form in every possible position. Individual chapters cover standing, sitting, reclining, walking, running and jumping. Essential details are then added--such as realistic creases to clothing and colorizing with brightness, contrast and saturation effects. Lovers of action manga and those hoping to create original, complex female characters will find this book absolutely indispensable! *Recommended for artists 16 & up*

With Design Your Own Anime and Manga Characters, you'll learn character design for these popular entertainment genres from renowned concept artist and teacher TB Choi. Constructing a Character. Build a character right from the start with the basics of human anatomy and proportion. Simplifying Forms for Poses and Gestures. Streamline form to develop effective poses and gestures from a variety of angles. Drawing Hair, Clothing, and Accessories. Render authentic details that support your characters and enrich your stories. Conveying Dimension, Emotion, and Character. Refine your use of line, shadow, and form to create visual variety, depth, and emotion. Pets, Chibis, and Sidekicks. Create pets, chibis, anthros, and kemonomimi with personality. Exercise: Design and Draw a Character. Learn a simple method for developing an original character, from mind map to finished drawing. Filled with step-by-step demonstrations and expert guidance and advice, Design Your Own Anime and Manga Characters teaches you everything you need to bring unique characters to life.

From the creator of the best-selling Tattoo Colouring Book, The Tarot Colouring Book features images from Oliver Munden's equally successful Tattoo Tarot specially re-designed for colouring. From the golden lion symbolising Strength to the fertile green of The World, tarot imagery is bursting with significance, and colouring fans will delight in the intricate details. Follow in the steps of the fool as he undertakes his tarot journey from innocence and ignorance to completion and perfection, as you colour your way through this personal growth journey in book form.

From Beginner to Professional Tips, Tricks and Trade Secrets Glycerin Soap Spectacular new ways to use, melt and mold soaps Learn how to add new colors, scents, lavender, roses, peppermint, tea leaves, oatmeal, cornmeal, and even catnip. Perfumes and Essential Oils More than mixing, matching and handling tips, learn fun secrets too. What Your Favorite Fragrances Say About You Are rose lovers more romantic? Are people who adore apricot more forgetful? If mango is your favorite, are you more sensuous? Do mulberry lovers make the best spies? More then 120 Exciting Soap Recipes Romantic Lavender and Wild Rose, Chamomile, Rain Forest, Blackberry Cobbler, Stress-Away, Tranquillity, and many more. 200+ No Stress Craft Projects Relax while making beautiful no fuss, no muss, creations. Perfume allergies? No Worries Make these sensational projects with scented or unscented soaps. Victorian and Country Crafts Sponges, stencils, herbs, flowers, Tole painting and more Childrens' Crafts and Holiday Gift Ideas Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas

An inspirational, hands-on how-to guide for making and praying with beads, for people of all faiths and traditions. In stories and pictures, this book shows how people of all faith traditions use prayer beads as a spiritual tool and a means of expressing their creativity. Every major world religion has a tradition of praying with beads and all are explored here, including the history and use of beads and specific prayers. Describes in detail and with diagrams how to make sets of prayer beads for personal use.

Discover the joy and versatility of watercolors with forty gorgeously illustrated lessons for any skill level. Watercolors are beautiful in their simplicity: a basic palette of paints, a few brushes, and nice thick paper will do the job. The medium is also beautiful, though, in its depths and complexities. Here, watercolor artist and instructor Emma Block focuses on techniques, materials, and lessons to help you explore new watercolor techniques, build creative confidence, and discover your unique style of painting. She'll show you--with clear, step-by-step instructions--how to paint everything from people, plants, and animals perfect for framing to patterns and washes perfect for stationery and housewares. The forty lessons cover useful topics like: * Quality materials and how they can elevate your craft * Color theory 101 to help you confidently create artwork all your own * A techniques glossary full of exciting new skills to learn * Tips for finding creative inspiration in your everyday life Note: For complete instructions on mixing hair colors (page 192), visit https://www.runningpress.com/articles/errata-note-watercolor-life/.

This extensively illustrated volume focuses on William Morris (1834-1896), placing his wallpaper designs within the context of the radical changes in taste witnessed during the Victorian era. Against a backdrop of the fanciful, naturalistic patterns that typified fashionable papers in Morris's youth, the impact of the Reform Movement of the mid-19th century is underscored, particularly the reformers' crusade against such multi-coloured ornamental decoration. Instead, the insistence on the concepts of honesty and propriety as promoted by A. W. N. Pugin and Owen Jones, are demonstrated as influences on Morris. The role of imported Japanese wallpapers is also explored, giving insight into a seldom-discussed cultural exchange evidenced within the story of Morris & Co, which produced wallpapers from 1864 until 1940 and, after a post-war hiatus, from the 1960s to the present. Amplifying Morris's role in the creation of an influential and lasting style, his work is set within a selection by other designers, including Christopher Dresser and C. F. A. Voysey. Also introduced are firms of significance including Jeffrey & Co. and Arthur Sanderson & Sons, both of whom block-printed the Morris wallpapers. In a highly visual presentation, what is revealed are influences across time and within a global context, as pertinent to the creation of wallpaper art in the 19th century as it is today.

This early work on Indian Slipper making is a fascinating read for any shoemaking enthusiast or historian. Comprising a step-by-step illustrated guide to making Indian slippers, it is a thoroughly recommended title for the cobbler's shelf. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.