NEW IN PAPERBACK Billy Showell's exquisite and technically brilliant watercolour flower portraits are beautifully presented in this highly informative, lavishly illustrated book. Packed with information on drawing and painting techniques, colour mixing and composition, it is an invaluable source of ideas and inspiration for anyone who wants to develop their flower painting skills, whether or not they have any previous experience.

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.

Billy Showell is a well-respected botanical watercolour artist, and her exceptional eye for detail and ability to re-create the form, texture, colour and patterning of a wide range of plants have earned her a formidable reputation worldwide. Her compositions are given a contemporary, sometimes playful twist, while retaining all the beauty and accuracy of traditional botanical paintings. In this inspiring and indispensable guide for botanical artists, she reveals the materials, methods and techniques she uses to attain her stunningly beautiful portraits of flowers, fruit and vegetables. There is expert guidance on tools and materials, working from life, observation, and drawing and painting techniques, as well as detailed sections on pattern, texture, and colour and colour mixing. With numerous step-by-step studies, close-up photographs and examples of Billy's exquisite paintings, this book is not only packed full of invaluable advice and information but also a visually stunning showcase for the work of this amazing artist.

"First published in hardback in Great Britain 2009" -- Colophon.

The aim of this book is to inspire amateur artists to create beautiful flower paintings in watercolour by developing their own style right from the start. With this in mind, the book contains plenty of instruction on essential watercolour techniques and methods, and includes the following key features: projects - practical projects, with a system of self-assessment to monitor progress; demonstrations - developing a painting step-by-step; exercises - additional exercises to put theory into practice; ideas - flowers with still life, in garden settings, close-up compositions, flowers in the landscape, flower portraits and studies; and inspiration - a wide selection of flower paintings to show different styles and techniques. The book features paintings by the author and a number of other well-known contemporary artists, including John Lidzey, Shirley Trevena and Ann Blockley. It adopts a workshop approach, with practical projects, exercises and step-by-step demos.

Award-winning artist Harriet de Winton shows you how to create contemporary watercolour artworks to treasure and share. Through more than 30 step-by-step projects, discover how to paint individual flowers and foliage, as well as beautiful botanical compositions. Use your new skills to make art for your wall, unique cards, invitations, or simply paint for pleasure.

This is a collection of 60 superb flower images by professional nature photographers. Each photograph is accompanied by a step-by-step painting demonstration, with advice on special techniques and working methods, palette choices, and colour-mixing tips.