Acrylics Unleashed

Glyn Macey's irrepressible energy and imagination shows through in every part of his work; and in this book he shares his painting techniques and methods with you. Learn to use your acrylic paints in unusual, creative and surprising ways to create open, inviting landscapes, breathtaking seascapes and urban scenes packed with life.

Discover fresh, forgiving techniques that promise less frustration and juicier results! Julie Gilbert Pollard subscribes to the "whatever works" school of painting. Not bound by tradition, she shows you how to unleash your watercolors for exciting and expressive results...and have lots of fun doing it! See how a few simple steps at the beginning can preserve the lights, lock in the darks, and allow you greater freedom to let your watercolor do what it does best: move and flow wet-into-wet, creating luminous layers of depth and vitality. Inside you'll find: • 9 step-by-step painting demonstrations, plus many more quick lessons illustrating basic techniques. • How to paint water, rocks, trees and other landscape elements in a lively manner. • Easy techniques for making your paintings pop, including tips for successful spattering. • How to combine a representational painting style with abstract acrylic underpaintings for unique and lively results. This book is all about painting boldly, embracing the medium's unpredictable nature, and achieving a loose, painterly quality. It's ideal for the beginner trying to get off on the right foot, as well as the intermediate artist looking for ways to "freshen up" their approach.

Unleash your inner artist and join Traci Bautista as she shares inventive ideas for making marks with handmade tools, nontraditional materials and simple DIY printmaking techniques. Pulsing with exploration and whimsy, Printmaking Unleashed features 60+ step-by-step demonstrations and countless possibilities for creating original prints, fabrics, art journal pages, mixed-media collage, and so much more. WHAT'S INSIDE... • Tools Galore! Create a variety of handmade mark-making tools and texture plates using everything from encaustic paints, Collage Pauge and chipboard letters to modeling compound, needlepoint canvas and recycled cardboard. • Mix-and-Match Techniques! Discover digital and traditional techniques for producing one-of-a-kind monoprints. Start with the basics, then build up layer after luscious layer of color and texture. • Pure inspiration! Every page offers new ideas, original artwork and creative jumpstarts. Flip through the pages and learn how anything with interesting texture or shape (rubber bands, vintage lace, the bottom of a bottle) can be incorporated into printmaking for exciting, unique effects. You will never look at a toothpick, freezer bag or plastic zip tie in the same way again!

Learn the essential techniques for painting from photographs with this illustrated guide by the acclaimed artist and teacher. Many artists enjoy using photographic reference material, but while there are many advantages to this way of working, there are also unique challenges. One must learn to choose what to leave out, what to keep in, and how to adapt the scene to create a painting. In this book, Geoff Kersey introduces twenty-seven of his own paintings, explaining how they evolved from one or more photographs. Kersey includes photographs, sketches, diagrams, details, colour charts and a wealth of tips explaining his techniques and artistic process. This volume also includes a glossary of painting terms as well as photographs for readers to interpret for themselves.

The master watercolourist shares essential techniques for adding depth and realism to your watercolour paintings in this accessible guide. In Perspective Depth and Distance, watercolourist and teacher Geoff Kersey demonstrates how to use line, tone, colour, and detail to create captivating landscapes. With this practical guide, you will learn to capture the beauty of mist-draped mountains and dense woodlands. You will also learn to paint boats, buildings, and natural features that seem to recede into the distance. This volume includes seven step-by-step projects with inspiration and ideas for your own original landscapes. It also features techniques for linear and aerial perspective.

A pro shares his techniques for painting stunning seascapes, with three step-by-step projects included. Painting teacher Dave White introduces the simple but effective techniques that he uses to paint stunning, dramatic seascapes with beautiful and realistic skies. He demonstrates spattering, blending backgrounds, painting horizons, finger painting clouds and foam. There is expert advice on the anatomy of waves and how they rise and collapse, creating ripples, surf, foam, and spray. In addition, clear instructions show how to paint effective reflections and beaches to improve your seascapes. The sky section shows effective techniques for painting all types of cloud, with some innovative methods such as tipping up the surface to let dilute paint run, to create cirrus clouds. Dave’s method of creating depth in sea, beach, and sky using lines projected from the vanishing point can radically improve your seascapes. You’ll also find a section on moods and sunsets, full of beautiful, dramatic examples. Finally, three step-by-step projects show how to paint a beach panorama with a rolling wave, a spectacular sunset over a calm sea, and waves crashing on rocks.

Doodle, draw, paint and play! With Doodles Unleashed, you'll discover wildly new ways to bring doodling center-stage! Traci Bautista teaches you how to use doodling as a meditative exercise, a raw form of expression and a vehicle for telling your personal story. Work with an arsenal of creative tools, from markers, pencils and pens to stamps, stencils, inks and paints, to find unique, intuitive ways to make your mark. Inside Doodles Unleashed, you'll learn how to: • Doodle spontaneous marks, repetitive patterns, stylistic scrawls and more • Create textured and doodled backgrounds for your mixed-media art • Use photographs, vintage fabric and typography as inspirations for doodling • Work with unusual tools--skewers, toothpicks, sequin waste and more--to create surprising and unique marks • Develop a doodling style that's all your own And if that isn't enough, you'll find links for additional downloads and video tutorials sprinkled throughout the pages, for even more doodle insight. With over 60 doodling techniques and exercises, you'll find plenty of ways to unleash your creative spirit and make your mark!