Grab your paintbrush and discover all the fundamentals of successful painting. A comprehensive overview, The American Artist Guide to Painting Techniques shows you all the techniques you need to know to paint in watercolor, oil, acrylic and pastel. From clear instruction to new painting ideas, this a four-in-one foundation book for every artist interested in improving fundamental painting skills. First, you'll learn 45 painting techniques step-by-step through photographs and valuable tips. Each technique includes specific details for use in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and pastels. Next, you'll discover how to apply the techniques to subjects of particular difficulty, including landscapes, animals, portraits, still lifes, and more. Beginning painters will love the specifics on the unique properties of each painting skill, while intermediate painters will rely on the tips and reference materials to produce outstanding results. An easy-to-navigate resource manual, The American Artist Guide to Painting Techniques provides clear instruction, new painting ideas, and inspiration in encyclopedic detail for any artist picking up a brush.

"How paintings were made--in the most literal sense--is an important but largely unknown aspect of the story of American art. This book, like the authors' previous volume on American painting techniques from the colonial period to 1860, is based on descriptions of the materials and methods that painters used, as found in artists' notebooks, painting manuals, magazines, suppliers' catalogues, letters, diaries, books, and interviews. In interpreting this evidence, the authors have made use of their experience as conservators who have treated many important American paintings."--Book jacket.

With its combination of valuable tips, techniques, and engaging step-by-step painting lessons, Mastering Oil Painting is an ideal resource for aspiring artists who desire to work in oil.

“This comprehensive work covers the gamut of techniques… will take students from beginner to expert.” —The English Garden This definitive guide is the most thorough how-to available on every major technique of botanical artistry. The experts at the American Society of Botanical Artists offer step-by-step projects that move from introductory to advanced—so any level of artist can build on acquired skills. Helpful tutorials cover watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, vellum, egg tempera, oils, pen and ink, and printmaking. Filled with more than 900 photographs and stunning examples of finished art by the best contemporary botanical artists, Botanical Art Techniques is the authoritative manual on this exquisite art form.

You can make art and deeply appreciate the Art of Mistakes. When it comes to mistakes, we're all experts. Really. Yet fear of making mistakes often holds us back from trying new things. Inside, you will discover how our mistakes can be powerful opportunities for new ideas that we could never think up deliberately. Whether you are a seasoned artist, or just getting started, learning to embrace and use mistakes can spell the beginning of a new chapter in your art-making life. Perhaps you were told by a former teacher or "expert" that your drawing or painting wasn't good enough, or you've had your creativity stymied in some other way. Maybe you have artistic impulses and desires but feel like you aren't one of the "chosen few" who can make art. Now you can learn ideas and painting techniques that show you a way of creative thinking that turn even your mistakes into beautiful works of art! "Of all places, art is a spot where mistakes should be considered honored guests." 16 painting techniques to encourage creative thinking and experimentation Permission to make mistakes as you make art. Methods to discover how mistakes can serve your art and creativity

Ideal for beginning and intermediate artists seeking to develop their acrylic painting skills, Painting inAcrylic features a range of techniques and valuable instruction for working with this classic medium and painting a variety of subjects. Beginning with detailed information for using acrylic tools and materials, Painting in Acrylic introduces artists to the basics, including brushes, supports, acrylic mediums, color palettes, and other essentials for using this fast-drying paint. Artists will learn about color theory, the color wheel, and such basic techniques as impasto, stippling, glazing, drybrushing, washes, and creating an underpainting. Aspiring artists will explore value, perspective, light, shadow, and form, as well as how to effectively render a variety of textures, including wood, foliage, glass, metal, water, rock, and more. Engaging, approachable step-by-step projects appeal to artists of all skill levels and cover a range of subject matter, including still lifes, animals, tabletop compositions, landscapes, flowers, trees, and more, from start to finish. A professional acrylic painter provides easy-to-follow, comprehensive instruction and inspiration so artists can put their newfound skills to practical use as they discover the secrets to mastering this lightweight, versatile, and easy-to-use medium. Perfect for first-time acrylic painters, as well as experienced artists looking to refine their technique, Painting in Acrylic inspires creativity, provides suggestions for overcoming technical obstacles, and includes plenty of useful tips and encouragement. With comprehensive, valuable information; stunning artwork; and a fresh take on a traditional medium, Painting in Acrylic is the perfect addition to any artist’s library.

A study of an important but anonymous part of the history of American art: the materials and techniques used by American painters. Based on research including artists' recipe books, letters, journals, and painting manuals, it includes topics such as the quest for the 'secrets' of the Old Masters; the application of 'toning' layers; and more.

Bridging the fields of conservation, art history, and museum curating, this volume contains the principal papers from an international symposium titled "Historical Painting Techniques, Materials, and Studio Practice" at the University of Leiden in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from June 26 to 29, 1995. The symposium—designed for art historians, conservators, conservation scientists, and museum curators worldwide—was organized by the Department of Art History at the University of Leiden and the Art History Department of the Central Research Laboratory for Objects of Art and Science in Amsterdam. Twenty-five contributors representing museums and conservation institutions throughout the world provide recent research on historical painting techniques, including wall painting and polychrome sculpture. Topics cover the latest art historical research and scientific analyses of original techniques and materials, as well as historical sources, such as medieval treatises and descriptions of painting techniques in historical literature. Chapters include the painting methods of Rembrandt and Vermeer, Dutch 17th-century landscape painting, wall paintings in English churches, Chinese paintings on paper and canvas, and Tibetan thangkas. Color plates and black-and-white photographs illustrate works from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

Lessons of a lifetime. 24 modern-day masters share secrets to their success. Since 2009, thousands of artists have flocked to Lori McNee's FineArtTips.com for creative and professional advice. A social media guru as well as a professional artist, McNee has assembled a diverse and impressive group of today's most popular artists to create Fine Art Tips (the book!), an unprecedented master class in representational painting and art business advice. Fine Art Tips goes "behind the paintings" to show how 24 of today's top artists transform dabs of paint into incredible still lifes, landscapes, portraits and wildlife art. Along the way, they generously share practical, real-world tips on everything from evoking the illusion of sparkling water to professional networking. Plein air afficianado Ken Auster offers an unforgettable lesson on focal point. John Seerey Lester, a rock star in the world of wildlife painting, talks about the power of storytelling in paint. Joe Anna Arnett reveals her secret to painting white peonies, and Daniel Sprick discusses the foundations behind his classical portraits. The advice in these pages can be life-changing for artists, both aspiring and established. For art-lovers in general, Fine Art Tips is a brilliant showcase of today's top artists. Inspired by Lori McNee's art blog sensation, FineArtTips.com! • Illuminating tips, techniques and professional advice from 24 of today's most highly acclaimed artists • 26 step-by-step demonstrations in oil, acrylic and pastel • A thrilling range of signature styles and subjects

How to Paint Water! The secret to convincingly painting water is understanding why water appears as it does--it's all about the reflections! In this comprehensive book showcasing water in all its natural states, you'll learn how wind affects water as it goes from a dead calm to gale force winds. As you learn to use the reflections in the water to identify the perspective of the objects, you'll be able to move away from reference images and paint the water scenes you see in your imagination. With the expert instruction of renowned watercolor artist Ron Hazell, you'll find success as you paint water in every imaginable condition. From glittering lakes to calm harbor shores to foamy surf and turbulent waterfalls and rainy city streets to snow covered lawns and frozen ponds, you'll find the inspiration and techniques to guide you on a water-filled watercolor journey. 11 step-by-step demonstrations for painting puddles, streams, rivers, raging oceans, snow and more. 8 bonus demonstration videos to help you achieve realistic water paintings. More than 30 techniques for creating accurate shadow and light, reflections of objects and wave types.