Learn how to use watercolor to soothe your soul with this beginner’s guide to painting for relaxation.In this guide for the absolute beginner, artist and teacher Sharone Stevens makes the joy of watercolor accessible to everyone. With simple techniques and exercises, she shows how painting lines, patterns, and shapes can have a powerful meditative effect. Along the way, you will find yourself creating beautiful artwork that you'll be proud to display in your home. Watercolor painting can also help you connect with the world around you, finding inspiration in your every-day life and discovering the beautiful textures of nature. You'll learn how to mix a calming color palette and work of projects that range from simple gift tags, bookmarks, cards and small wall pieces to larger artworks that you never thought possible—all done with a focus on relaxation. Read more

Life doesn't imitate art - death does.A young woman is found in the deserted carriage of a Tyneside Metro train. She hasn't just been murdered - she's been mutilated, dismembered, and posed in a surreal manner.With no clues to her identity, no motive, and no suspects, DS Ryan Jarrod fears the enquiry is going nowhere until an abducted schoolgirl is discovered dead on a station platform in similarly bizarre circumstances. Suddenly, Jarrod and his colleagues are faced with an array of suspects and a multitude of motives to pursue.The chase to catch the maniac responsible leads them to investigate the transport network itself, a school for vulnerable children, and an emerging and highly controversial new artform.With Ryan struggling to unravel the tangled threads, he is forced to enter the mind of a narcissistic madman as the chase leads to an explosive climax above and below the streets of Newcastle Upon Tyne, with everything Ryan holds dear at stake.(Includes scenes some readers may find disturbing)Think of Ann Cleeves or LJ Ross with the gritty, urban twist of Ian Rankin and Peter James - that's the Ryan Jarrod series:explosive crime fiction in the mould of traditional dark thrillers.What people are saying about the Ryan Jarrod series:'Narrative so rich you can smell the Tyne’'Crying out to be a TV series or motion picture!''Just when you think you've seen all the plot twists, another one comes along!''A Geordie Rebus’'Wow! Colin Youngman you've done it again! You've penned another blinder of a novel''A real page-turner''A rollicking, edge-of-the-seat read.'The Ryan Jarrod novels are standalone stories though are best enjoyed when read in sequential order.Metro (Book 11)Sand Dancer (Book 10)The Graveyard Shift (Book 9)Bones of Callaley (Book 8)The Tower (Book 7)Low Light (Book 6)Operation Sage (Book 5)High Level (Book 4)The Lighthouse Keeper (Book 3)The Girl On The Quay (Book 2)The Angel Falls (Book 1) Read more

***OUT NOW: James Cahill's new novel THE VIOLET HOUR***SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS' CLUB FIRST NOVEL AWARD'Divine . . . the smart, sexy read you need' Evening Standard'Startlingly impressive' Daily Mail'An electric new novel' GuardianExiled from his university position for an inexcusable blunder, art historian Don Lamb flees to London, a city alive with sex and creativity. There, over the course of a long, hot summer, as he is immersed in the anarchic art and gay scenes of the mid-90s, Don sees his carefully curated life irrevocably changed. But his epiphany is also a reckoning, as his unexamined past is revealed to him in a devastating new light.Intense and atmospheric, Tiepolo Blue traces Don's turbulent awakening, and his desperate flight from art into life.'Wildly enjoyable . . . A novel that combines formal elegance with gripping storytelling' Financial Times'Dizzying and exciting and unsettling, and beautifully told' Reverend Richard Coles, Daily Mail Read more

A fabulous summer romance, first published under the pen-name Pippa Summers, for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Debbie Johnson, Phillipa Ashley and Bella Osborne.When Phoebe loses her beloved twin sister, the shock makes her realise that living carefully is pointless. Not when death comes with no warning. And how will Tiffany’s wonderful paintings ever reach the audience they deserve now?Following a case of mistaken identity, Phoebe makes the craziest decision of her life – and takes up her sister’s residency in an artists' commune at Wishing Well Cottage in Devon, pretending to be her to guarantee an exhibition spot for Tiffany's paintings.But taking on her sister's identity turns out to be trickier than she realised, and not simply because Phoebe can’t paint for toffee! Tiffany was always lurching from one wild affair to another, while Phoebe was the quiet one, guarding her heart from hurt.Now it seems their host, the charming Dexter, only arranged for Tiffany to win her residency place in hopes of a summer fling. Will Dexter see through her deception?WISHING WELL COTTAGE SERIES: sweetly romantic shorter reads with characters you'll never forget and a deeply emotional heart. Perfect for easy reading. The WISHING WELL COTTAGE ROMANCE series is set at an art retreat in beautiful rural Devon.What real readers on Amazon and Goodreads are saying about Summer at Wishing Well Cottage, Book 1 in the series:'Perfect for a Saturday afternoon read with a cuppa and some chocolate biscuits''A charming and uplifting read that can be read in one sitting''A gentle read, best served with tea and cake''This was a lovely and enjoyable read. Can't wait to read more in this series.''Lovely romance novel!''I really enjoyed this book. The author has a wonderful writing style and I hope to read more of her.''It was a good story and at times I was screeching ‘oh Phoebe - what are you doing?’ but that was all part of the fun. Dexter is a really sexy character and I found myself drawn to him.''An emotional roller coaster of a story. Made me think what would I have done in that situation?''If you enjoy a countryside setting with some romance then you can't go wrong with this.''FIVE STARS. A very enjoyable read.''Definitely worth reading. This cheered me up and made me smile.' Read more

Because nature is so expansive and complex, so varied in its range of light, landscape painters often have to look further and more deeply to find form and structure, value patterns, and an organized arrangement of shapes. In Landscape Painting, Mitchell Albala shares his concepts and practices for translating nature's grandeur, complexity, and color dynamics into convincing representations of space and light.  Concise, practical, and inspirational, Landscape Painting focuses on the greatest challenges for the landscape artist, such as: •  Simplification and Massing: Learn to reduce nature's complexity by looking beneath the surface of a subject to discover the form's basic masses and shapes.•  Color and Light: Explore color theory as it specifically applies to the landscape, and learn the various strategies painters use to capture the illusion of natural light.•  Selection and Composition: Learn to select wisely from nature's vast panorama. Albala shows you the essential cues to look for and how to find the most promising subject from a world of possibilities. The lessons in Landscape Painting—based on observation rather than imitation and applicable to both plein air and studio practice—are accompanied by painting examples, demonstrations, photographs, and diagrams. Illustrations draw from the work of more than 40 contemporary artists and such masters of landscape painting as John Constable, Sanford Gifford, and Claude Monet.  Based on Albala's 25 years of experience and the proven methods taught at his successful plein air workshops, this in-depth guide to all aspects of landscape painting is a must-have for anyone getting started in the genre, as well as more experienced practitioners who want to hone their skills or learn new perspectives. Read more

THE PAINTER (Detective Jason Smith #28) by Stewart GilesFrom bestselling author: Stewart Giles comes another brilliant addition to the Detective Jason Smith series.The Painter is the weirdest serial killer Smith has ever come across.Detective Smith is bored. Lockdown has kept crime at bay, so when a call comes in about a brutal murder in a house not far from where he lives, he's wide awake.A woman has been brutally murdered - she has been left on display with a portrait of the scene on her lap.Two days later, Smith receives an email telling him him the details of the next victim were in the painting.When two more women are killed and the emails keep coming, Smith is running out of ideas.The Painter has promised to keep on killing until Smith wakes up enough to see what has been staring him in the face the whole time.It's a case that Smith will have nightmares about for the rest of his life.What readers are saying about THE PAINTER:I loved all the action-packed drama which is gripping and also liked how the killer communicated with Smith during the investigation. – CAROLI adore this series. Stewart has the knack of grabbing the reader from the very beginning and not letting go. Jason has a wry sense of humour about him which eases the tension in a murder investigation and makes for a more light-hearted read. It's twisty, it's clever and it's captivating. – MISFITS FARMStewart is a prolific writer and his books are always gripping, fascinating and a little dark, although with traces of humour. He has a very active imagination. Despite being dark, I find them easy reads and really enjoyable. – MAUREENA very intriguing read with many things going on one of which is a locked room which all adds interest and intrigue to the story. Many red herrings and curve balls certainly kept my brain ticking over. – AMAZON REVIEWERBOOKS BY STEWART GILESDS JASON SMITH SERIESBook 0.5 - PhobiaBook 1 - SmithBook 2 - BoomerangBook 3 - LadybirdBook 4 - Occam’s RazorBook 5 - HarlequinBook 6 - SeleneBook 7 - HorsemenBook 8 - UnworthyBook 9 – VenomBook 10 – SeveredBook 11 – DemonsBook 12 - DeadeyeBook 13 - MotiveBook 14 – AustraliaBook 16 – WishboneBook 17 – GhostsBook 18 – The ScarecrowBook 19 – The BluesmanBook 20 – The LibrarianBook 21 – The ViaductBook 22 – The TwinBook 23 – The DogwalkerBook 24 – The FlytrapBook 25 – The ElectricianBook 26 – The CellarBook 27 – The LonerBook 28 – The PainterBook 29 – The HitchhikerBook 30 - The CreedDI O’REILLY MYSTERIESBook 1 - Blood on the IslandBook 2 - Lies on the IslandBook 3 - Fear on the IslandBook 4 - Malice on the IslandBook 5 – Revenge on the IslandBook 6 – Christmas on the IslandBook 7 – Silence on the IslandBook 8 – Secrets on the IslandBook 9 – Chaos on the IslandBook 10 - Sadness on the IslandBook 11 – Danger on the IslandBook 12 – Evil on the IslandBook 13 – Fire on the IslandBook 14 - Madness on the IslandDC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIESBook 1-The BeekeeperBook 2-The Perfect MurderBook 3-The BackpackerTrotterdown a box set of DC Harriet Taylor books 1-3DS JASON SMITH &DC HARRIET TAYLOR SERIESBook 1 - The EnigmaBook 2 – DropzoneBook 3 – The Raven GirlTrilogy: The DS Smith & Harriet Taylor box setTHE MIRANDA TRILOGY (psychological thrillers)MirandaMistressMedusaSTANDALONE NOVELSHorror - The DivideThriller - The GhostwriterThriller – The Guests Read more

Pulitzer-winner Sebastian Smee relives the remarkable birth of Impressionism from the ashes of war 'Enjoyable... a fine portrait not only of impressionism but the society that made it possible' THE SUNDAY TIMES Paris, January 1871 – the final, agonising days of the Franco-Prussian War. As the German army cements its advantage, shells rattle through the Left Bank. It is a bitterly cold winter; there is no fuel, no medicine, no food. The city’s poorer citizens have long turned to eating rats, cats and dogs. France has been brought to its knees. Édouard Manet, Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas are trapped in the besieged city. Renoir and Bazille have joined regiments outside of Paris, while Monet and Pissarro fled the country just in time. Out of the Siege and the Commune, these artists developed a newfound sense of the fragility of life. A feeling for transience – reflected in Impressionism’s emphasis on fugitive light, shifting seasons, glimpsed street scenes, and the impermanence of all things – would change art history forever. This is the extraordinary account of the ‘Terrible Year’ in Paris and its monumental impact on the rise of Impressionism. *** 'Vigorous and enjoyable' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Smee has a gimlet eye, a seductive style and a novelist’s feel for character and incident' NEW YORK TIMES 'Detailed, lively and at times richly novelistic' LITERARY REVIEW Read more

Master watercolour techniques with this indispensable artist's manual.Whether you are just starting with watercolour painting or you’re looking to push yourself and try new ideas, Artist's Watercolour Techniques is for you. Learn how to work with a variety of water-based media and discover a range of subject matter from landscapes and urban scenes to botanical paintings and portraits with detailed advice for all levels.Fully illustrated, step-by-step workshops from professional artists guide you through more than 90 watercolour techniques, including creating a wash, alla prima, glazing, and working in monochrome. All techniques are accompanied by inspiring exercises and projects to try at home to help you develop your skills, discover your style, and grow as an artist.Whatever your level of expertise, this all-encompassing guide will teach you everything you need to take your art to the next level. Read more

The development of painting in London from the Second World War to the 1970s is the story of interlinking friendships, shared experiences and artistic concerns among a number of acclaimed artists, including Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Frank Auerbach, David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Gillian Ayres, Frank Bowling and Howard Hodgkin. Drawing on extensive first-hand interviews, many previously unpublished, with important witnesses and participants, the art critic Martin Gayford teases out the thread connecting these individual lives, and demonstrates how painting thrived in London against the backdrop of Soho bohemia in the 1940s and 1950s and Swinging London in the 1960s. He shows how, influenced by such different teachers as David Bomberg and William Coldstream, and aware of the work of contemporaries such as Jackson Pollock as well as the traditions of Western art from Piero della Francesca to Picasso and Matisse, the postwar painters were allied in their confidence that this ancient medium, in opposition to photography and other media, could do fresh and marvellous things. They asked the question what can painting do? and explored in their diverse ways, but with equal passion, the possibilities of paint. Read more

A fabulous summer romance, first published under the pen-name Pippa Summers, perfect for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Debbie Johnson, Phillipa Ashley and Bella Osborne!Sometimes the world is too much and you need to be alone. That's how Sophia Scott feels when she books a residential painting course at a hideaway artists' retreat in Devon, hoping to find healing at Wishing Well Cottage.What she finds instead is Robert Marshall, charismatic artist.Sophia is shy though, and knows she'll never catch the eye of such a confident man. Yet while Robert may seem confident, there's a secret tragedy in his own past too. Sometimes love can creep into the cracks of a wounded heart. And grow there, refusing to be ignored ...WISHING WELL COTTAGE: easy reading romances with an emotional heart, this series is set at an arts retreat in beautiful rural Devon.What real readers on Amazon and Goodreads are saying about Summer at Wishing Well Cottage, Book 1 in the series:'Perfect for a Saturday afternoon read with a cuppa and some chocolate biscuits''A charming and uplifting read that can be read in one sitting''A gentle read, best served with tea and cake''This was a lovely and enjoyable read. Can't wait to read more in this series.''Lovely romance novel!''I really enjoyed this book. The author has a wonderful writing style and I hope to read more of her.''It was a good story and at times I was screeching ‘oh Phoebe - what are you doing?’ but that was all part of the fun. Dexter is a really sexy character and I found myself drawn to him.''An emotional roller coaster of a story. Made me think what would I have done in that situation?''If you enjoy a countryside setting with some romance then you can't go wrong with this.''FIVE STARS. A very enjoyable read.''Definitely worth reading. This cheered me up and made me smile.' Read more

A comprehensive, accessible course in landscape painting with acrylics from a seasoned artist and teacher.   Author Charles Evans’s no-nonsense techniques and engaging writing style bring acrylic painting within the grasp of anyone keen to dive into this versatile and popular medium. The book begins with excellent advice for the beginner, including easy drawing for painting, composition, easy perspective, light and shade, color, and how to use acrylics with different painting styles. There are six full step-by-step painting projects ranging from simple skies to snowy landscapes with horses, each of which is supported by additional exercises and techniques.   The step-by-step projects allow aspiring artists to put into practice their new-found skills, and produce six stunning paintings of their own, in a range of styles. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every project, and Charles shows how to transfer these onto the painting surface. Charles’s irreverent style makes learning to paint with acrylics easy and fun. Read more

In this imaginative new book, Barrington Barber presents an array of interesting subjects, including people, pets and everyday objects in and around the home. Each project is broken down into easy-to-follow steps which culminate in a finished drawing. The reader is then invited to make his or her own version of the subject. Combining guidance for beginners with challenging subjects for more experienced artists, 50 Drawing Projects is a relaxing way to discover and develop one of life's most rewarding creative skills.Subjects include:• Still lifes• Animals• Flowers• People Read more

The Landscape Painter’s Workbook is the definitive hands-on guide to the time-honored techniques and essential elements of landscape painting. Written by celebrated landscape artist, instructor, and author Mitchell Albala, this richly informative and beautifully illustrated volume leads you step by step through his approach to the genre, from establishing a composition using basic shapes to applying time-tested color strategies, with all-new lessons, practical exercises, and special topics, including: The Complete Color Strategy. What are the three aspects of color contrast that guide a painting’s strategy? Notan. Explore this special type of compositional study, which identifies the underlying shapes and patterns of a composition. Picture Formats. How does the picture format—horizontal, vertical, or square—affect the composition? What are the pros and cons of each? Color Grouping. A full chapter details this special practice, which helps maintain harmony by organizing colors into a limited number of groups. Composition. An in-depth review of variation, movement, and active negative space, with illustrations that diagram the action in each example. Workshop Exercises. Instead of demonstrations that show how the author paints, The Landscape Painter’s Workbook includes 10 skill-building workshop exercises to help you work through essential lessons on your own. With examples of work by 45 contemporary landscape painters—more than 80 paintings in all—​in oil, acrylic, pastel, and watercolor, the lessons are suitable for all mediums. Each painting is thoroughly analyzed in terms of shape, composition, or color, with supporting diagrams, thumbnails, and photographs. The Landscape Painter’s Workbook inspires and informs all artists, from aspiring to accomplished, on how to successfully portray the majesty and subtlety of the natural world. The For Artists series expertly guides and instructs artists at all skill levels who want to develop their classical drawing and painting skills and create realistic and representational art. Read more

Learn to Paint Acrylics is just one of the top-selling titles in the excellent Collins Learn to Paint series. The book contains thorough yet accessible instruction and stunning artwork by popular TV artist, Alwyn Crawshaw.Alwyn Crawshaw demonstrates all the basic methods of painting in this exciting, modern medium of acrylics. Acrylics can be used like oil paint (but without the long drying time), or watered down to look like watercolour – bringing a new adaptability to your painting.There are many step-by-step demonstration paintings of a variety of subjects – landscapes, seascapes, boats, flowers and still life. Read more

John Berger, one of the world's most celebrated storytellers and writers on art, tells a personal history of art from the prehistoric paintings of the Chauvet caves to 21st century conceptual artists. Berger presents entirely new ways of thinking about artists both canonized and obscure, from Rembrandt to Henry Moore, Jackson Pollock to Picasso. Throughout, Berger maintains the essential connection between politics, art and the wider study of culture. The result is an illuminating walk through many centuries of visual culture, from one of the contemporary world's most incisive critical voices. Read more

A fun, modern, and practical approach with instructions on how to paint simple motifs, create elegant lettering, and embellish projects beautifully.Popular watercolor artist and workshop instructor Ana Victoria Calderón shares her step-by-step techniques for painting modern designs in this classic medium. All the fundamentals needed to get started in watercolor are here, allowing you to quickly learn how to create beautiful watercolor paintings. Through a series of easy tutorials and projects, you will:Discover basic materials and tools, plus options for embellishing your paintingsMaster essential techniques, starting with easy warm-up activities. Then, learn to layer, and get into the flow with watercolorGet an introduction to scanning and digital editing for making multiplesPaint a variety of simple, beautiful designs: flowers and leaves, butterflies and critters, fruits and vegetables, and delightful letteringUse what you’ve learned to create unique, stylish stationery, including beautiful invitations, place cards, menus, monograms, recipe gift cards, thank you notes—any project you can imagine, for any kind of event you can think of!There’s never been a better time to dive into the world of watercolor, so why wait? Grab a brush and get painting!Perfect for all skill levels, the books in the Art for Modern Makers series take a fun, practical approach to learning about and working with paints and other art mediums to create beautiful DIY projects and crafts. Read more

This handy, practical and inspirational little book is perfect for the pocket or art bag. It shows watercolour painters of all levels how to loosen up their paintings and maintain spontaneity by painting simple watercolour studies in no more than 10 minutes.Written by popular artist Hazel Soan, the book is arranged in three parts: the first section explains all about the equipment you will need; the second section covers techniques and shows what can be achieved with watercolour in a short time span; the third section looks at various subjects that are ideal for painting quickly.All the essential techniques are covered, focusing particularly on maximizing brushstrokes and exploring colours, and there is useful advice on deciding what to include and what to leave out. With helpful chapters on painting a wide range of subjects – people, landscapes, seascapes, buildings, gardens, flowers and still life – this little guide is ideal for quick reference when working in the studio or out in the field. Read more

“ A river of harmony which moves between many worlds, infusing rhythms in naturewhich sings to all who listens to its wisdom silently, eternal yet permeating ourtemporal world, neither created nor destroyed, a prayer uniting all, its Purnam.” Purnam - Stories & Wisdom of the Feminine Divine, is a tribute to the ancient philosophies of the Goddess, to Earth' s ways which are encapsulated in her numerous narratives. As the Goddess vanquishes the dissonance, we are taken through a journey of the awakening of self, a portal through which the Devi guides the way for both the Asuras and the Gods, to re-establish balance in the elemental world.This illustrated book brings a fascinating collection of stories is a must-have for all! • The book introduces the readers to ancient Indian literature complemented by captivating artworks• The olden Indian stories are retold from a new perspective• It takes the reader on a spiritual and spectacular visual ride• It brings the reader closer to the Indian culture and traditions • It will cater to curious minds and the graphics will keep them hooked for hours Read more

Using clear and concise language and in-depth, step-by-step demonstrations, author and renowned artist Mary Whyte guides beginning and intermediate watercolorists through the entire painting process, from selecting materials to fundamental techniques to working with models. Going beyond the practical application of techniques, Whyte helps new artists learn to capture not just the model's physical likeness, but their unique personality and spirit. Richly illustrated, the book features Mary Whyte's vibrant empathetic watercolors and works by such masters of watercolor as Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Georgia O'Keeffe. Read more

Artists & Illustrators magazine's Book of the Month Taking inspiration from iconic paintings in the Tate collection, discover the techniques of the masters and improve your own painting skills with 30 guided projects. As you work through the exercises, you'll learn how to work 'wet into wet' with Maggi Hambling, master colour temperature with John Singer Sargent and create rhythm and unity in your paintings with John Nash.Whether you are looking to reinvigorate your watercolour practice with new techniques, try your hand at a wide variety of painting styles, or discover a new, inspiring master of the art, this book offers something new for every watercolourist. Read more