An introduction to Italian painting in the 15th century & the social history behind it. The book covers the structure of the picture trade & its economic basis through contracts letters & accounts. The author also illustrates how art history can be used to give insights into social history by showing how the visual skills & activities of daily life can be related to the painters style. Renaissance painting is related for instance to experience of activities such as preaching dancing & gauging barrels. Finally 16 concepts used by a contemporary critic Cristoforo Landino in his description of Masaccio Filippo Lippi Andrea del Castagno & Fra Angelico are described & illustrated as a basis for looking at 15th century painting. In addition this new edition has an appendix of the original Latin & Italian texts referred to throughout the book providing access to the relevant authentic sources. ...

Painting & Understanding Abstract Art" is a practical book on how to paint abstracts but it also explains how to approach & understand abstract art. It moves the teaching of art from a doing level of painting a certain subject in a particular medium to a thinking level of what am I doing when I paint? & what am I trying to say in this painting? Using practical exercises with explanatory text John Lowry develops the thinking & doing processes together & leads the reader to a greater understanding & appreciation of this most exciting art genre." ...

The perfect antidote to his ' Black Dog' a depression that blighted his working life Churchill took to painting with gusto. Picking up a paintbrush for the first time at the age of forty Winston Churchill found in painting a passion that was to remain his constant companion. This glorious essay exudes his compulsion for a hobby that allowed him peace during his dark days & richly rewarded a nation with a treasure trove of work. ...

The new paperback version of John Hammond & Robin Capons incredibly popular Free Expression in Acrylics (97800713490435)! It is not enough to learn just the techniques but to understand how to choose the right technique to express what you feel or how to interpret what you see. It is also important to paint the right element of what you see to give real impact. Using your instinct to simplify & exaggerate the book shows you how to have freedom of expression with a paintbrush. One of the key elements of the book is the picture analysis at the end of each chapter. A single painting is dissected to highlight
- in summary
- all the major points made within that chapter. Richly illustrated throughout with finished paintings close-up details & step-by-step instructions."

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Do you want to paint quick loose watercolours? This practical guide for beginners in a handy sketchbook format will show you how you can achieve attractive & successful paintings in just thirty minutes
- ideal for today's busy amateur artists. Expert watercolourist Fiona Peart shares her tips & techniques for producing quick & effective paintings of beautiful flowers. Ten step-by-step demonstrations follow an extensive range of the best exercises & techniques for watercolour. Each demonstration is designed to be painted in half an hour; ideal for those short on time but high on enthusiasm! The projects range from stunning vignettes to bright fresh stocks in a bundle on the back of a bicycle.
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Peter Wileman is one of the most dynamic oil painters in the UK today & is currently President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. In Painting Light in Oils he demonstrates how to create atmospheric landscapes in oils with stunning effects. Light is what motivates so many painters. It excites the eye & radiates an energy that transforms an otherwise ordinary scene into something rather special. In his first book Peter Wileman shows how he gets inspiration for his exciting landscapes & seascapes working both on location & in the studio. Several step-by-step demonstrations show how he captures light & shade on his canvas with such amazing effect. There are also sections on tone & colour harmony reflected & changing light & how to paint from both sketches & photographs. If you want to loosen up your oil painting & achieve landscapes & seascapes that are full of atmosphere this is the book for you. ...

David Curtis is one of the most successful & celebrated artists working in the UK today. His books are bestsellers & in his latest book he discusses & demonstrates his approach to painting outside on location. He paints on site whenever possible as he finds that working directly from the subject gives his work a sense of immediacy dynamism light & drama. Many artists are interested in painting outside but lack the confidence to successfully work in this way. Here David shows how to develop the necessary skills. He looks at every aspect from preliminary planning to appropriate painting techniques & above all how to capture the essence of the scene in front of you. He

Includes:: location sketching as well as advice on essential equipment to take with you. With practical advice & inspirational paintings covering a wide variety of subjects Painting on Location will prove valuable to all those who wish to paint outdoors whether to make finished paintings in their own right on location or to use the experience & information gathered as a basis for further work in the studio.

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Newly available in paperback Painting People" is an in-depth yet accessible survey of figure paintings renaissance in the contemporary art world. Established author & broadcaster Charlotte Mullins introduces over 85 of the most exciting international artists who place painting & the figure at the heart of their practice & puts their work & the themes they explore in historical social & artistic context. This book also

Includes:: a concise history of the genre & detailed biographies of all the artists featured."

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Designed to address beginning to intermediate artists this book is the ultimate guide to portraiture & figure painting in watercolour. It guides artists through the entire portrait & figure painting process from selecting the right materials & tools to exhibiting the finished painting. Richly illustrated the book features paintings by such masters of watercolour as Winslow Homer John Singer Sargent & Georgia O' Keeffe. ...

This book introduces the concept of realistic abstract painting
- a loosely impressionistic form of painting that leaves much to
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