How does an artist decide what to paint? Consistency Vs. Creativity is the dilemma. A year of paintings is included in this volume.

Artists who work from photographic source material need to learn how to adapt and improve in order to create a successful painting. Geoff Kersey is a master of this way of working, and here he shows how it is done. Reference photographs, colour charts and preparatory sketches are shown alongside all the finished paintings in this book, with full details of the adaptations and creative processes involved. There are plenty of clear tips and advice, and an illustrated glossary of all the painting terms used. Readers who want much more advice on adapting from reference sources than is provided in step by step painting books will have all they need here, and there are dozens of beautiful paintings to inform and inspire them.

Now in its second edition, this informative book - by an artist who began to paint after he retired - focuses on the tips and techniques not found in any other art book. As the title suggests, the author discovered most of the ideas in this book after doing things the hard way and then asking: there must be a better way. Readers will find that A Watercolor How-to imparts information in an easy-to-read format, with touches of humor, that is certain to help even the most reluctant beginner painter. The new edition includes practical tips to help you set-up your work space and palette. Plus there are additional chapters filled with more technical information such as "Some Perspective on Perspective" and "Creating Textures (Without Texting), as well as a new glossary and index. The 128-page book concludes with a chapter featuring dozens of "unique frames" Joe designed for his own paintings. He hopes they will give you some ideas for framing as you go about completing works of art, and displaying them for friends and family. As Joe says, art is adventure meant to be shared.

Learn all the tips, tricks and techniques you need in order to paint beautiful scenes of boats and harbours in this inspiring and practical book. Terry Harrison explains that you don't need to be an expert on all things nautical to paint great boats and harbours, you just need to learn to paint what you see using the advice and exercises in this book. There is excellent advice on using photographs, painting reflections, rigging, sails, jetties and harbour walls, as well as boatyard clutter, beaches, estuaries, figures and all the varied moods of the sea. There are then 6 beautiful step-by-step projects including a tall ship at sea, Greek boats by a sunlit jetty, a river harbour, a sparkling lake, a ship at sunset and a harbour village.

Step-by-step, learn how to create a beautiful still life in watercolor from initial concept to the finished painting.

Learn the basics of painting trees in watercolor. Includes tips on how to use watercolor to create washes and expressive brush strokes.

The Art Handbooks provide the best in art tuition in a small, handy format, covering all the major aspects of painting and drawing in various media. There is excellent advice on what materials are needed and on basic techniques, followed by step-by-step demonstrations with clear photographs of each stage and easy to follow instructions. The titles have previously been published in our larger format Leisure Arts series, best-sellers over many years. Previously published as Step-by-Step Leisure Arts: Sea and Sky in Watercolour; ISBN 978-0-85532-920-4

Birds fill our gardens with color, motion and song. What a delight it is to capture them on paper, down to every little detail. Gouache, an opaque watercolor, is the perfect medium to depict soft feathers, hard beaks and sparkling eyes. In this book you'll learn to use gouache to paint detailed illustrations of a Great Horned Owl's eye, a Black Capped Chickadee, an American Goldfinch and a Blue Jay. The easy to follow step by step demonstrations can be beneficial to the beginning artist and artists with more experience who'd like to learn a new and versatile medium. So put aside some quiet time, get out your paints and brushes and explore the world of Illustrating Birds in Gouache.