This book offers a unique combination of reference material & practical guidance for the painter in any media. It is divided into two parts: the first is a directory of all major painting techniques, & gives examples of their use, & of the particular media appropriate to them. The second section shows the applications of these techniques to a wide range of popular painting subjects. With step-by-step demonstrations & detailed close-up photographs on how to do everything from frottage to scumbling, to blending, backruns & masking out, this is an invaluable & inspiring sourcebook for painters of all abilities & media. ...

Take your paintings to a whole new dimension! In this workshop, Laurie Humble shares five essential techniques for enhancing your focal point & giving your art a realistic, three-dimensional effect. Start by brushing up on your composition know-how, then follow along with exercises on layering, creating contrast, hard-&-soft edges & more, as you paint a variety of subjects. Inspirational finished painting examples throughout will give you added insight & enjoyment. ...

Learn how to use what is perhaps your most powerful tool for emphasizing your focal pointthe unifying wash. Artist Laurie Humble uses exercises & finished painting examples to show you how to use small- & large-scale washes in your work. She then demonstrates how these washes can work together to add a depth to your paintings that will immediately make them more realistic & lifelike. ...

Whatever age or skill level, even if you think that you can't be taught, you can learn how to draw incredibly realistic children in basic black & white with time-tested drawing principles refined into a foolproof program. This title concentrates on the basics of drawing children in black and white, with available materials; a pencil & paper. ...

Carrie Stuart Parks' first book, Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces, gave readers all the tools they needed to render strikingly realistic faces & self-portraits. Now, she & her husband Rick bring their fun & easy techniques to painting with watercolours. Artists of all levels will be able to create true-to-life portraits of their friends, family & themselves with proven exercises, detailed step-by-step photos, & the secrets for painting realistic eyes, noses, mouths & hair. About the Author Carrie Stuart Parks has been a professional artist since 1976 & a forensic artist since 1981. In 1986, she attended an FBI class & became a composite artist, later developing a portrait-drawing course for all ages. Rick Parks spent thirteen years in forensic art for the FBI in Washington DC. He & Carrie formed Stuart Parks Forensic Associates in 1988. Rick & Carrie run a website at www.stuartparks.com ...

These paints are easy to use, spectacular & even magical. This paint can be used to decorate fabrics in a very simple way
- using
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This title takes you inside the creative processes of 42 artists through their personal sketches, along with the occasional related finished piece & 'chatty' remarks on inspiration and more
- edited as little as possible to retain individual voices. Each artist shares intimate details that let you look inside their minds; some insights on techniques; & the risks, lessons, mistakes & dreams that lead them every day. The art is selected to pack the book with a lively, interesting mix of images from a wide variety of artists that the reader will enjoy looking in on.
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Sketching & drawing from life is fundamental to artists, who have always used it to record observations, experiences & ideas. Artists also want to be able to use their sketchbooks to capture the character of everyday life in their drawings. In " Sketching People", readers will learn how to develop the skills necessary in order to add life to their drawings. Essential techniques are emphasized, allowing the reader to build successfully from simple to more complex topics. About the Author Jeff Mellem is a senior editorial production artist for National Dragster magazine & has designed video games, created sets for film & helped design costumes for a nationally traveling circus. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University & has studied drawing extensively at the American Animation Institute in North Hollywood, California. Click on the tool below to view inside the book: load Widget (''); ...

Sparkling Cake Designs & A Cake for a Christening This is a fantastic value two book set from master cake designer Karen Davies, ...

A special offer pack containing the Derwent Inktense Blocks tin of 12, six Derwent block grippers & a Grate 'N Shake. Save £2 on buying these individually. Dry Derwent Inktense delivers pure vibrant colour but when completely washed out it is transformed into a translucent ink-like paint which, when dry, can be worked over. The blocks are extremely versatile & can be used for a wide range of creative effects. You can use them like pans of paint. Dip them in water & apply colour directly to the paper, use dry on their side of apply directly to wet paper for instant intense colour. Grippers keep your hands clean when you are using Inktense blocks! Made from rubber these grippers slide onto the block keeping it secure & more comfortable & cleaner to use. They also fit other Derwent blocks such as Pastels, Natural Graphite & Compressed Charcoal. The Grate 'N Shake means that you can grate the Inktense blocks & mix paint & create your own colours. Ideal for creating translucent colour washes or painting ink to cover large areas. It can also be used with Aquatone Sticks. ...