If you have always wanted to learn to draw but lack the confidence to start, Drawing for the Absolute Beginner is the book for you. The author, Carole Massey, is an accomplished artist with many years' experience of teaching and demonstrating, and even the most hesitant of beginners will soon pick up the skills and techniques needed to start drawing. The book is a complete drawing course, designed to help you progress from simple techniques such as lines, circles, squares and ellipses through to capturing landscapes, figures and buildings. There are numerous simple step-by-step demonstrations as well as larger projects, and outline tracings are provided of the more complex drawings that you can transfer straight onto your paper, if you wish to use them. Most of the artworks in the book are created using pencil, but the author also uses ink, ballpoint pen, pastel pencil and watersoluble pencils to encourage you to experiment with other media too. By the end of the book, you will have learnt all you need to know to take your drawing skills further and become an accomplished artist in your own right.

Drawing the human face has a timeless and universal appeal, though it's often perceived as being difficult to achieve. Carole's book removes the mystery from portrait painting, and makes the subject accessible to even absolute beginners. She shows you in easy step-by-step stages how to use line, tone and form to capture a likeness and give it both personality and expression. Containing simple exercises along with longer step-by-step projects, this book leads you by the hand through the different elements of the face, allowing you to gradually build your skills before leading on to successfully describing your subject's likeness and character. Composition, clothing, props and more personal characteristics like age and hairstyles are all covered. The book also includes information on drawing from life.

This is a practical and inspiring guide for acrylic artists of all levels of ability, from beginners who want to learn how to paint with acrylics to experienced artists looking for inspiration and ideas. Three well-known artists and authors share their expertise and enthusiasm for this exciting medium, starting with the materials and basic skills you need for painting with acrylics and moving on to more advanced techniques. Wendy Jelbert demonstrates colour mixing and the wonderful effects she creates in her stunning paintings, and David Hyde explores landscapes, from composing landscapes and choosing colours to creating depth and depicting the seasons. Carole Massey shares her love of flower painting and gives expert advice on mixing colours for flowers, using tone, drawing and composition. There are ten easy-to-follow, step-by-step demonstrations with clear photographs and helpful instructions, and many inspirational paintings for readers to admire. Comprises material from the Leisure Arts series: Painting with Acrylics (9780855328405) Landscapes in Acrylics (9780855320234) Creative Acrylic Techniques (9780855328481) Flowers in Acrylics (9780855328535)