Turner's sketchbooks were private things which he kept to himself. They might live for some time, rolled up in his coat pockets or travel bags, to be pulled out as need arose. In the studio, they served as memory banks for future work. The sketchbook reproduced within this unique publication includes watercolour sketches Turner made on his trip to Lucerne in Switzerland capturing the beautiful Rigi mountain, a landscape he returned to again and again. Drawn back to the mountains, Turner made these sketches after the famous The Blue Rigi, Sunrise 1842, and they reveal his masterful hand as he portrays the ever changing moods of the Swiss-Alps, tantalising depicted through rainy showers, sunbeams filtering through clouds and rainbows cast across the blue mountain peaks. This edition of the sketchbook reproduces all these beautiful watercolours in facsimile, with an illustrated introduction by Turner expert David Blayney Brown discussing their background and impact.

Up to fifty percent of the world's flower species could be are threatened with extinction. Each year, numerous flowers disappear from the face of the Earth without ever being documented. Indeed, many of these natural beauties remain as yet unknown to humankind. Photographer Richard Fischer can be regarded as the ambassador for flowers. For many years, he has staged graceful and endangered floral specimens in his photo studio, capturing the uniqueness and transience of each flower. In collaboration with the world's leading botanical gardens, his strikingly original images provide the flowers with an aesthetic framework in which their power of expression and majesty remain intact. Fischer's precise, yet delicate floral compositions record the unique color, form, and texture of each flower, while signaling to the extraordinary beauty, diversity, and fragility of the natural world. Fischer's inimitable flower photographs have bestowed him with exhibitions around the world: In Paris, London and Tokyo, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, and the renowned China Academy of Art in Hangzhou. Richard Fischer prints are much sought after collector's items in the art photography market and calendars of his flower images appear annually. Now, for the first time, Richard Fischer brings together his best pictures spanning 15 years in one flower photography book, showcasing his artwork and little-known floral exotica. Throughout the volume, the photographs are accompanied by informative and captivating texts, leading the reader through an unknown and dwindling world of flowers.

This innovative and compelling study reconsiders Whistler's work from the context of his military service and his relationship with `nature at the margins'. Whistler came from a family of soldiers and engineers; his father, Major George Washington Whistler, was originally a US military engineer. Drawing and mapmaking were important components of the military training that Whistler acquired as an offi cer cadet at West Point Academy in 1851-4 and subsequently in the Drawing Department at the US Coast and Geodetic Survey, where he attempted to realise his father's hopes that he would make engineering or architecture his profession. These infl uences in turn shaped Whistler's attitude towards nature, as expressed in works ranging from his celebrated London `Nocturnes' to his French coastal scenes - all of which were created after Whistler moved permanently to Europe in 1855. Whistler's close observation of nature and its moods underpinned his powerful and haunting visions of nineteenth-century life. His images explore the contrasts between the natural and man-made worlds: rivers and wharves, gardens and courtyards, the ideal and the naturalistic. And his singular vison was always defi ned by his enduring affi nity with the makers of railways, bridges and ships, the cornerstones of Victorian wealth and trade. Infl uenced by Rembrandt, Whistler's early etchings of London are notable for their focus on line and topographical accuracy. From the 1860s, his enthusiasm for Japanese art, too, infl uenced his attitude to perspective and spatial relations between objects. This led him, in his London Nocturnes, to reduce the external world before him to its bare bones. Whistler's smoky images of warehouses, bridges, harbours and tall ships were designed to showcase a new kind of productive, wealth-generating landscape. It is a view of nature constrained by man-made structures: the shadowy outline of the warehouses and chimneys on the far shore; the mast and rigging of a Thames barge in the middle distance. This absorbing book reassesses a familiar and notoriously colourful artistic fi gure in a fascinating and pertinent new light, and is an important new contribution to our understanding of the Victorian art world and its physical context.

The Book of the Bird celebrates the bird in art with an elegant, international collection of paintings, illustrations and photographs, featuring all kinds of birds from the smallest tits and wrens to colourful exotics. Interspersed though the illustrations are short texts giving background to the pictures and information on bird species. This is the perfect gift for all bird lovers.

George Stubbs (1724-1806), now recognized as one of the greatest and most original artists of the eighteenth century, stands out from other practitioners in the field of animal painting. His most frequent commissions were for paintings of horses, dogs, and wild animals, and his images invariably arrest attention and frequently strike a deeply poetic note. Stubbs did not emerge as a painter until he was in his mid-thirties, but then his genius flowered astonishingly. He steadily celebrates English sporting and country life and reveals himself-in his "incidental" portraits of jockeys and grooms, for example-as a perceptive observer of different levels of social behavior. Among his many experiments with technique were his chemical experiments with painting in enamels, first on copper and later on earthenware "tablets," manufactured for him in Wedgwood's potteries. This is the first full catalogue of Stubbs's paintings and drawings. Along with the full catalogue entries, the book offers a lengthy study of Stubbs's art and career.

A Dog A Day began life with a Facebook post in 2013: 'My name is Sally Muir and this is a new gallery where I will add a dog drawing/painting every day, adding up to a massive 365 day dogfest.' As the Facebook page grew in popularity, so did Sally's dog portraits, leading to commissions, exhibitions at prominent galleries, and dog sketching events at venues including Anthropologie - who went on to commission an incredibly successful collection of dog-a-day crockery and textile-based household accessories. Drawing on artworks from the site, A Dog A Day is a lovingly curated collection and celebration of dogs. Containing 365 beautiful artworks of dogs of all shapes and sizes (big, small, pedigree, cross breed), the book includes a range of exciting mediums from loosely worked sketches, lithographs and potato prints to finished oil paintings. Delightfully packaged, this is the perfect gift for all dog lovers.

This book provides a thorough and expert guide to the subject of botanical drawing, through detailed text, examples of the author's own studies, short exercises and larger projects. Penny Brown produces traditional botanical drawings primarily rendered in pencil. The book touches on the history of botanical drawing, the rules and practicalities, and includes an accessible, basic study of botany for the absolute beginner. From creating an initial line drawing to adding tone and then creating more complex compositions, Botanical Drawing is a detailed study of the practice for anyone wishing to explore the subject in great depth, led by an expert artist.

From the author of adult-colouring sensations 'Botanical Wonderland' and 'Desert Wonderland', as well as the bestselling 'Color Workshop', comes a stunning guide to drawing a garden full of flowers. Rachel Reinert is the perfect artist to explain the intricacies of drawing flowers. With the straightforward, step-by step instructions that are the hallmark of her teaching style, 'In Bloom' covers more than 30 flowers from around the world, from beloved tulips, roses, violets and tiger lilies to the more exotic proteas, kangaroo paws and birds of paradise. Featuring matte paper stock and instructions on colouring your drawings, this is an exceptionally beautiful book with a decidedly modern feel.

This is a basic instructional guide to drawing trees. With the aid of step-by-step drawings the author explains clearly and concisely how to use pencil, pen and ink, Conte and charcoal to achieve successful drawings of trees.

This hardback pocket diary is illustrated throughout with Mairi Hedderwick's beautiful sketches of the Hebrides through the seasons. Featuring distinctive full-colour paintings by one of Scotland's best-loved authors and artists, this exquisite diary is a wonderful celebration of the extraordinary natural beauty of the Hebrides. The paintings have been collected over the past forty years and show the changing faces of the landscapes. Mairi's drawings range across many of the isles from Arran to Tiree, expertly capturing the essence of these beautiful and diverse islands. Following the huge success of the previous diaries, this new 2019 version is set to enjoy continued success.

This fantastic book showcases the prestigious Embroiderers' Guild's huge collection of embroidered birds through the ages. Featuring photographs taken especially for the book, items are shown in full along with detailed images that show off the stunning birds at their best.

An exquisitely illustrated volume in celebration of the world's foremost library of botanical works The renowned LuEsther T. Mertz Library of The New York Botanical Garden counts among its holdings many of the most beautiful and pioneering botanical and horticultural works ever created. More than eight centuries of knowledge, from the twelfth century to the present, are represented in the library's collection of over one million items. In this sumptuously illustrated volume, international experts introduce us to some of the library's most fascinating works-exceedingly rare books, stunning botanical artworks, handwritten manuscripts, Renaissance herbals, nursery catalogs, explorers' notebooks, and more. The contributors hold these treasures up for close inspection and offer surprising insights into their histories and importance. The diverse materials showcased in the volume reflect the creative efforts of eminent explorers, scientists, artists, publishers, and print makers. From the rare, illuminated pages of Pliny the Elder's Naturalis historia (1483), to the earliest book ever published on American insects (1797), to lovely etchings of the water gardens at Villa Pratolino in Florence (1600s), the Mertz Library holdings will inspire in readers a new appreciation for the extraordinary history of botany and its far-reaching connections to the worlds of science, books, art, and culture.

Elegant and beautiful, rich in history and supremely useful, birches have played an extraordinary yet largely unrecognized part in shaping both our natural environment and the material culture and beliefs of millions of people around the world. For thousands of years they have given people of the northern forests and beyond raw materials in the form of leaves, twigs, branches and bark, as well as wood and sap, not simply to survive but to flourish and express their identity in practical and spiritual ways. Tough, waterproof and flexible, birch bark has been used for everything from basketry and clothing to housing and transport, musical instruments and medicines, as well as a means to communicate and record sacred beliefs: some of our most ancient Buddhist texts and other historic documents are written on birch bark. Birches have not only shaped regional cultures - creating, for example, the Native American wigwam and the birch bark canoe - but continue to supply raw materials of global economic importance today. Birch explores the multiple uses of these versatile trees as well as the ancient beliefs and folklore with which they are associated. Richly illustrated, this book presents a fascinating overview of their cultural and ecological significance, from botany to literature and art, as Anna Lewington looks both at the history of birches and what the future may hold in store for them.

Mike the Tiger has symbolized the spirit and resolve of Louisiana State University for over seventy-five years. Fiercely confident, keenly competitive, marvelously clever, and the only live tiger to reside on a college campus, Mike reigns nobly from his home just outside of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

In this completely updated and visually stunning new edition of Mike the Tiger, David G. Baker and W. Sheldon Bivin tell the story of the famed mascot from the Civil War origins of LSU's fighting tiger tradition to the present age of social media. They debunk the myths, confirm the legends, and share priceless behind-the-scenes anecdotes as they chronicle the reign of each of the six Mikes. Included are 70 additional photos, for a total of 200 images, as well as new details about:

? The construction of a spacious natural enclosure for Mike in 2005, complete with waterfall, stream, pool, shrubs, rocks, and grass

? The final years of Mike V, who was hand-raised at LSU, and the outpouring of condolences upon his death

? The exciting arrival and introduction of Mike VI and the establishment of his reputation as possibly the most affectionate and inquisitive personality of any LSU tiger to date

? The naming of a sixth subspecies of tiger, the Malayan, and the current status of global tiger preservation efforts

? Frequently asked questions and answers about Mike's care and lifestyle

Mike the Tiger provides a treat for all who ever said, "Meet me at the tiger cage," for all who still marvel at his regal appearance, and for all who will forever bleed purple and gold.

Each year between 1819 and 1825, John Constable (1776-1837) submitted a monumental canvas to the Royal Academy of Arts in London for display in the annual Exhibition. These so-called six-footers vividly captured the life of the River Stour in Suffolk, where Constable grew up and where he returned to paint each year. The Leaping Horse, the last of these, now a major work in the Academy's collection, is the subject of this fascinating new book. Humphreys explores Constable's often avant-garde working methods, as well as his struggle to gain full acceptance within the art establishment of the early nineteenth century. With reproductions of his full-scale preliminary sketches as well as brand new photography of the painting itself, this book is the ideal companion for art lovers who seek a deeper appreciation of Constable's iconic depictions of the English countryside.

This hardcover book with internal wire-o binding is 6.5in x 8in, a perfect size for readers to keep handy in the studio, and reference often. The stylish design of this book, along with the interior photographs, illustrations and diagrams, make the learning process simple and fun for beginning painters and provides useful tips for more advanced artists.
This book is divided into three sections. In the first section, you will find practical advice on choosing the necessary tools and equiopment as well as hints on mixing colors--one of the trickier skills to master until you have learned some of the basic properties of color. Next, the techniques used in watercolor painting are explained in detail, from the most basic like laying washes and reserving highlights to some of the more unusual and exciting methods like wax-resist or spattering paint.
Tutorials and more than 100 step-by-step sequences demonstrate how to paint a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, buildings, people and still life. Over 180,000 copies sold worldwide.

Plants and flowers have always captured man's imagination, with their delicate harmonies and the perfection of their symmetrical forms. Over the centuries, the world of plants has stirred the aesthetic sense of many artists, who have approached the representation of the natural world with creative spirit. Art merged with science when man began to investigate Nature and her secrets with a critical spirit; botany and art then blended in a union that resulted in any number of splendid masterpieces. Guided by the accuracy of their observation, but also by a sense of wonder at the beauty of these botanical specimens, some of the greatest illustrators of the past have left us marvellous coloured images that portray the amazing wealth of the world's flora, from the most common species to the rarest varieties scattered in remote corners of the planet. This splendidly illustrated volume will guide the reader in discovering the golden era of botanical art. It is a journey through the centuries that illuminates the evolution of the techniques and the styles, and it offers a panorama of the most important artists who have captured the pure essence of the plant world, conveying its beauty to paper. Ranging from the first herbals dating from the Middle Ages to the florilegia that illustrate the species associated with specific regions or habitats, or from the artists who accompanied the great expeditions to every corner of the world.

A selection of goats and sheep portraits in a profile, a sideward glance, or direct gaze. When American photographer Kevin Horan moved from city to country, he found among his animal companions goats and sheep whose chorus of sounds suggested they were not just herd animals, but perhaps individuals as well. Experienced in portraiture, Horan decided to photograph them in his studio, as though they were privileged clients. The resulting images ask us to notice the variety, dignity, and personalities of these lowliest of creatures, who speak to us through the camera in a profile, a sideward glance, or direct gaze. With different coats, faces, and expressions, they are funny, fascinating, intelligent, curious, engaging "others" who command our undivided attention and respect. They remind us that we too are fellow creatures - and the camera isn't always on us.

Step-by-step photographs and clear explanations show how to achieve the effects needed to paint the various elements of a landscape with watercolors. From the initial sketch to the finishing touches, getting started is easy with this manual that features a pull-out section of tracing papers that guide the hand and establish a balanced composition. Learn how to create impressive paintings of snowy villages, poppy fields, country woods, and more from among the featured projects that build skills, build confidence, and enable beginners to develop their own style.