Leading watercolour artist Michelle Scragg uses the popular medium of watercolour to produce paintings that have a strong sense of colour, in both her figurative and abstract work. But her work is also well designed and she shows how watercolour can translate very effectively into design for fabrics, furnishings, illustrations and other applications. The book comprises the following chapters: 1. Exploring Watercolour's Strengths: with skills, techniques and practical considerations 2. Bold Colour: from selecting colours to colour and composition 3. Expression and Design: Drawing and sketchbook work plus Effective Design, Fabric Design and Watercolour illustration. 4. Interpretation: from feeling and response to observation and imagination 5. Studio practice: how to adjust your work depending on the aims of the painting and the various practical issues, particularly when designing for fabric or furnishings.

David Curtis is one of the most successful and loved artists in the UK. His books are bestsellers and in his latest publication he talks about the secrets of producing paintings with impact. Although his work is not showy, they are powerful and are much-sought after. His secrets for painting with impact are the sensitive consideration of balance and contrast in tone, colour, handling qualities and compositional elements. Whether you're working on location with a limited palette or in the studio with all the time and materials at your disposal, the author talks you through the ways to capture the essence of a subject matter and the mood or sense of the place, and always with a something that will grab the viewer. The key elements are covered: Selection - what to paint and if necessary how to simplify or dramatise those elements; Mood - creating a strong sense of mood through choice of medium, colour and painting technique; Colour - choosing the right colours to suit the intentions of the painting. The book discusses a range of inspiring locations, from marine subjects, beaches and harbours to city scenes, trees and the light of the Mediterranean.

The books in this bite-sized new series contain no complicated techniques or tricky materials, making them ideal for the busy, the time-pressured or the merely curious. First Steps in Drawing is a short, simple and to-the-point guide to learning the basic principles of drawing in a few short steps. Whether sketching people, places, buildings or just generally, in just 96 pages you will discover how to master the essential principles and create captivating and memorable work. Master sketching techniques Express yourself Develop new skills Refine your work