A-Z Of Flower Portraits

Billy Showell is a well-respected contemporary artist whose watercolour flower portraits have earned her the respect of watercolour artists all over the world. Worked to the same degree of accuracy as traditional botanical paintings, Billy's compositions are given a more contemporary twist, combining her unique eye for design with her love of flowers. In this book, 40 flower portraits are presented, arranged in alphabetical order, each one accompanied by small studies, details, step-by-step instructions and the colour mixes used to accomplish the finished work. At the start of the book there are useful sections on the materials and equipment needed and the main techniques used, including wet-into-wet, colour blending, lifting out, layering glazes, dry brushing and colour
mixing, and at the end of the book Billy gives her own unique slant on composition and discusses the importance of creating a sketchbook. Whether you love to paint, or simply love flowers, this book will delight and inspire you. About the Author Billy Showell graduated from St Martins School of Art with a B.A. in fashion design, but was irresistably drawn to painting and illustration. In 1993 she set course for a career as an artist and now paints, illustrates and teaches botanical painting at her studio and art clubs in the UK, USA and Australia. She lives in Tunbridge Wells, UK with her husband and two sons. Billy has been awarded five Certificates of Botanical Merit from the Society of Botanical Artists and her first book on watercolour flower portraits has been hugely
successful in the UK and abroad. Billy's paintings are collected by her followers the world over and many are available as limited edition prints. Review from The Artist October 2010 Issue Lavishly and colourfully illustrated from start to finish, this book is a feast for the eyes. Its the third book by watercolour artist Billy Showell and in it she explains how she produces her detailed watercolour flower paintings with their unique, contemporary edge. Approaching her subjects with the same level of accuracy as botanical artists, Billys flowers are meticulous and realistic, but infused with her distinctive sense of design to give them a modern twist. She says that, for her, achieving the right design and composition are as important as attaining the true colours and shapes of
every individual flower. The first part of this book gives information on materials and equipment needed, as well as clear instructions on the main techniques used, including wet-in-wet, laying glazes, dry brushing, lifting out, using body colour, masking and creating texture and pattern. There are details on colour mixing and on how to get the best out of brushes as well as insights into composition ideas and on keeping a sketchbook. Then, arranged in alphabetical order, are detailed step-by-step instructions showing how to paint 40 specific flower portraits, each accompanied by small studies, first drawing stages, methods of applying paint and a colour swatch illustrating the palette and paint mixes used for the finished work. If you are a Billy Showell fan - and she has
many throughout the world - then you will need no further recommendation. If you are new to her work, you will be delighted at the clarity of instruction, the delicacy and vibrancy of the paintings, and the invaluable advice and inspiration this book offers. Susie Hodge