With this celebration of luminosity and color, artists can see how to use acrylics to catch light, capture mood, and build atmosphere. The inspiration and instructions come from John Hammond, one of the most successful painters in acrylics today. He uses more than 100 of his own paintings—some shown in various stages—to illustrate and explain the techniques and reveal the many possibilities of this flexible and increasingly popular medium. As well as presenting an overview of materials and methods specific to acrylics, Hammond addresses issues of composition, color, and texture; deals with working on location; and discusses a wide variety of themes, including “Water, Boats and Beaches,” “City Views,” “Mediterranean Light,” and “Figures in Light and Shade.”

The technical secrets of a professional painter for the best results and more room for creativity. Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide provides comprehensive guidance for painters of all experience. Realist painter Lorena Kloosterboer, known for her exceptional technical skill, starts with the basics and progresses to advanced techniques and professional practice. The topics include: About Acrylic Paint -- Types of acrylics, comparative advantages, how to read a paint label, using mediums and additives, gesso and varnish Materials and Equipment -- Art supply shopping, palettes, masking, special effects tools, brushes, knives and shapers, airbrush, supports, surface preparation, the studio The Foundation -- Color theory, mixing colors, size and dimensions, order of work, using references, transferring images, painting whites, grays and blacks Techniques -- Underpainting, washes, wet in wet, adding salt and alcohol, blending, dry brush and scumbling, pouring, masking and stenciling, grisaille, glazing, impasto, sgraffito, spattering, sponging, stamping, decalcomania, airbrushing Surface and Form -- Still life, wood, glass, metals, fabric, paper, flowers and leaves, portrait, skin, hair, animals, feathers, landscape, water, clouds, shrubs and trees, stone and brick Be a Pro -- Ethical behavior, competitions/exhibits, art community, consistency, painting titles, keeping records, recording your work, framing, shipping, reproductions, social media, tuition. A navigator sidebar refers readers to related sections for more information or problem solving. Appendices include a list of recommended brands and where to buy them, a glossary of art terms, how to fix common problems, and health and safety. Beyond its outstanding content, this book's size makes it an exceptional value. Other titles on this topic rarely exceed 200 pages, even the so-called "big" books. An affordable volume by a world-renowned, widely exhibited artist, Painting in Acrylics: The Indispensable Guide is a superb value that will provide years of expert guidance and inspiration. It is an essential choice for retailers and libraries.

"Artist John Hammond is renowned for his use of acrylics to capture light and mood. His paintings, with their dramatic light effects and loose, flowing brushwork, immediately convey a powerful sense of place and atmosphere to the viewer." "In this book, the artist reveals the secrets of this versatile medium. All the basic techniques are covered, but with the emphasis on an expressive approach: you are encouraged to experiment and interpret the subject using techniques that will lead to a more personal painting style. The book shows how to achieve greater freedom in acrylics, and how aspects such as simplification and emphasis can help convey your feelings for a subject." "The artist draws from a wide range of subject matter, from busy urban scenes to serene seascapes. The book also includes invaluable practical information on different ways of working, including using sketchbooks and photographs." "This impressive book contains essential advice on how to paint creatively, find your own style and reach new levels of competence and confidence with acrylics."--BOOK JACKET.

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

Capturing the Essence is a step-by-step personal guide – by one of Australia's greatest living bird artists – to observing, retaining the essential information and then painting birds from field notes and sketches, photographs and other field observations. The author takes the reader through the processes involved in oil painting, watercolour and acrylic techniques, and a piece of art is built up in stages to demonstrate the skills required in each of these media. While the book covers some of the general basics relevant to various kinds of painting of natural history subjects, the concentration is very much on birds. Painting or drawing any subject well, gives great satisfaction. In this book the author hopes to help the reader become competent at drawing and painting birds, or at least to enjoy trying!

Paint 16 scenes that conjure the romance of the sea Seagulls cawing, the meeting of sky and sea, the hypnotic ebb and flow of waves breaking on the shore—it's no wonder artists are drawn to the magic of the sea. Jacqueline Penney has lived near the water and been inspired by its many moods for over 30 years. In this book, she shares her favorite techniques and expert tricks for capturing the atmosphere and romance of the ocean in acrylics. • 16 gorgeous painting projects—from beautiful sunrises and a romantic walk along the beach, to scenes featuring lobster boats and lighthouses • Step-by-step instruction for painting a wide range of seascape elements including waves, skies, sand dunes, reflections, driftwood, grasses, rocks, sailboats, fishing shacks and more • Techniques for painting pebbly beaches, ocean spray, weather-worn rocks and other realistic textures • Creative variations to explore, including two-piece artworks, painting with a palette knife and moonlit scenes Complete with a gallery of finished paintings that deliver waves of inspiration to water-loving artists of every skill level.

Paint with passion, purpose and pleasure What do you want your landscape painting to say about this place, this moment? How do you use the visual vocabulary - line, shape, value, color, edges - to say it? With this book, your conversation with nature will direct your brush. With an exhilarating, synergistic combination of indoor and outdoor painting, Kevin Macpherson shows you how to create personal, poetic landscapes that capture the feeling of being there. Learn how to: • Use a limited palette in a way that is more liberating than limiting • Experience nature to the fullest and capture its vibrancy back in the studio through photos, sketches and outdoor studies • Cope with the fleeting qualities of atmosphere and light by establishing a value plan early and sticking with it • Incorporate impressionistic touches of broken color to give your landscape a depth and vibrancy that enhances its realism • Approach painting as a layering and corrective process that encourages non-formulaic solutions Stimulating warm-up exercises in the studio prepare you for your adventures outside, while eight step-by-step demonstrations show you how to put these methods into action. Throughout, Macpherson's own light-filled landscapes illustrate the power of these techniques. Full of fresh air and fresh art, Landscape Painting Inside and Out will guide and encourage beginners while challenging more accomplished artists to bring greater vitality and a more natural, less formulaic finish to their paintings.