This comprehensive book offers a guide to all the materials, techniques and approaches an artist needs to start painting and drawing with confidence. As well as step-by-step instruction for beginners, it offers expert tips, advice and ideas to offer inspiration to more advanced practitioners. Throughout, lively and original works by contemporary artists illustrate the skills in action. Special 'focus' features are included on painting and drawing popular subjects such as portraits and figures, landscapes, buildings and flowers. With tried-and tested techniques and expert guidance, this book provides an invaluable practical reference for every amateur artist looking to hone their skills in oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolours, charcoals, pen and ink or coloured pencils.

This magnificently illustrated box set explores the four most popular art mediums and techniques. How to Paint with Watercolours discusses brushwork, texturing, line and wash, and masking; How to Paint with Oils & Acrylics deals with mixing paints, knife painting, underpainting and glazing; How to Learn the Art of Drawing explains how to work in monochrome, how to draw with pencils, and the mechanics of drawing; and How to Draw with Pastels shows how to mix pastels, use charcoal, lay a textured ground, and how to create sgraffito effects. Together, the four volumes provide an invaluable practical reference for any amateur artist keen to improve their skills.

A new, up-to-date edition of the popular and comprehensive encyclopedia by professional artist Hazel Harrison. Ideal for artists of all skill levels, this exhaustive reference covers a multitude of areas concerning watercolour. The book is divided into three sections: the first covers the essential materials and tools you need to get you started on your watercolour journey, and how to set up your indoor and outdoor working spaces. The second provides step-by-step demonstrations that guide artists through a variety of techniques, from basic washes through to creating special effects using salt and wax resist. The third and final part tackles picture composition, from guiding readers on how to choose their palette and how to work with different lights, to understanding important concepts such as perspective and spatial depth. This resource provides a wealth of stimulating ideas to help artists - both amateurs and veterans - develop their own impressive watercolour painting style.