Most popular Painting & paintings books

Unwind with watercolours, allowing the movement of brush on paper to calm and soothe you. Jean Haines' takes you with her to explore the many benefits of painting to your wellbeing, so you can from escape from stress to a personal place of mindful calm.

Expert tuition from a high-profile author with an accessible style, plenty of tips and tricks from beginners and his own range of brushes and colours to simplify things.

Considered a founding father of modern painting, Vincent van Gogh is also one of the most famed tragic figures in art history. This comprehensive introduction brings together a detailed account of the artist's life with a complete catalog of his 871 paintings.

_______________Banksy. His work. Photographed. With comments by Banksy. In a book. This is that book. _______________

Dave White introduces the simple but effective techniques that he uses to paint stunning, dramatic seascapes with beautiful and realistic skies.

Learn to paint beautiful watercolor flowers in simple steps with this free and easy approach to watercolor painting for beginners. Marie Boudon's beautifully presented creative course will give you a good grounding in this new-to-you medium and teach you all you need to know to get started with painting flowers in watercolor.

Containing instructions for 65 abstract paintings, this book provides basic information relating to picture elements, composition, theme and design. It explores the meaning of abstract painting, and its importance as a means of self-expression and creativity.

Provides pull-out tracings for five floral paintings, along with instructions for how to bring them to life with watercolour paint. This book offers guidance on how to transfer the tracings to watercolour paper, along with a section on what materials to use.

Learn how to paint 40 exquisite flower portraits in watercolour following Billy Showell's step-by-step instructions.

Jean Haines' distinctive, expressive style is influenced by the places she's lived in and the people she's met during her life, and in this beautiful, inspiring book she takes you on an exciting journey through her world of watercolour painting.

Jean Haines' enthusiasm for watercolours burst through every page of this inspirational book that will guide you, step by step, to creating beautiful and unique paintings of your own, whatever your ability.

_______________Banksy. His work. Photographed. With comments by Banksy. In a book. This is that book. _______________

Anna's clear teaching will give you confidence in painting beautiful watercolour flowers in a modern twist on the botanical style, From complete beginners to more experienced watercolourists, this book offers in-depth instruction on drawing and painting, plus dozens of inspirational floral artworks.

Claude Monet's Impressionist technique still inspires to this day. Whether it's his stunning Water Lilies series, or genre-defining Impression, Sunrise, discover what made Monet the master of French 19th-century art in this exuberant exploration of his life and work.

The indispensable guide to the most exciting painters of recent years, chosen by leading arts professionals - now in paperback

The 30 Minute Artist series is for beginners and busy artists who want to achieve great paintings in just half an hour.

A selection of Vincent Van Gough's letters, based on an entirely fresh translation, revealing his religious struggles, his fascination with the French Revolution, his search for love and his involvement in humanitarian causes.

In So Much Longing in So Little Space, Karl Ove Knausgaard explores the life and work of Edvard Munch. Setting out to understand the enduring power of Munch's painting, Knausgaard reflects on the essence of creativity, on choosing to be an artist, experiencing the world through art and its influence on his own writing.

A clear, comprehensive guide to colour mixing for the watercolour artist. It begins with simple colour theory and a colour wheel, with a template provided so that readers can paint their own; a vital step towards understanding colour.

Showing the evolution and diversity of Hockney's prolific paintings, drawings, watercolours, prints and photography, this title features quotes from the artist himself that illuminate the thinking behind his work.

Jean Haines' first-hand experience of the energising and life-enhancing effects of painting makes her a perfect example of how watercolours can work for you.

'Search Press have reissued their eminently useful Top Tips series in paperback. If you haven't encountered these before, they're a handy way of taking the advice of your favourite artists out in the field with you.' Paint Magazine

Feminist icon, symbol of Mexican culture, political activist, groundbreaking artist: discover the many facets of Frida Kahlo, who transformed the afflictions of her life into unremittingly powerful paintings. In this introduction, Kahlo's body of bold, arresting works are presented alongside her turbulent life to shed light on the audacious...

'If there was ever a book you'd been eagerly awaiting, this is it. Subtitled "a lifetime of painting techniques", this absolutely lives up to expectations and won't disappoint.' Artbookreview.netAn invaluable source of tips and techniques based on a life-time of painting.

This new book presents all you need to know about Vincent Van Gogh's turbulent and prolific creative life, featuring fifty works from the world's leading art collections and museums.

A dazzling reprint of Hiroshige's views of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), one of the masterpieces of the ukiyo-e woodblock tradition and a paradigm of the Japonisme that inspired Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Art Nouveau artists, from Vincent van Gogh to James McNeill Whistler.

This comprehensive, go-to guide to acrylic painting provides in-depth teaching and expert advice from three successful acrylics artists. It includes a wide variety of styles and subjects, with 10 beautiful paintings explained using clear, step-by-step instructions and photos.

Shimmering, pulsating color masses characterize the Abstract Expressionist masterpieces of Mark Rothko. Like no other artist in his generation, Rothko developed his own stylistic vocabulary, creating ceiling-high canvases that were to be experienced as much as seen, submerging viewers in the drama, intimacy, and tragedy of the human condition.

Through eye-popping colors and simple forms, rejoice in the restless creativity and infectious energy of Henri Matisse, the artist who never stopped making art, and whose vivid palette gave nudes, landscapes, and interior views a whole new modernity. This compact yet comprehensive monograph includes preparatory sketches, full-page reproductions,...

This long-awaited follow up to Terry Harrison's Sea & Sky in Watercolour has six new projects and a wealth of beautiful new paintings.

A handy, practical and inspirational little book - perfect for the pocket or art bag - showing watercolour painters of all levels how to loosen up their paintings and maintain spontaneity.

Expert watercolour landscape painter, Geoff Kersey, explains how to work from photographic reference to produce beautiful paintings. Clear tips and advice are accompanied by Geoff's reference photographs, colour charts, preparatory sketches and finished paintings, and there are full details of the adaptations and creative processes involved.

Be inspired to think outside your humble box of watercolours.

"First published in hardback by Search Press 2001; reprinted in paperback in 2005."--Title page verso.

Now available in a paperback edition, this beautifully illustrated, delightfully informative collection of one hundred of the world's most significant paintings covers nearly every period, culture and style.

In this beautiful book, best-selling author Jean Haines shows you how to breathe life into your flower paintings, and experience the pleasure that can be gained from the art of painting flowers.

Terry Harrison's clear, no-nonsense advice and easy to follow instructions make painting accessible for people who have never had the confidence to try before.

Suitable for David Hockney fans and dog lovers everywhere, this book deals with two of the artist's closest friends, his dachshunds Stanley and Boodgie. It includes Hockney's paintings and drawings of his two companions, dozens of illustrations, and a text by the artist himself.

Join Sister Wendy on a journey through Lent, and discover the timeless wisdom to be found in some of the world's greatest paintings.

The Beggar Maid, more beautiful than day in Tennysons poem, takes on a particularly touching relationship with King Cophetua, while Medea gives new meaning to the word enchantress as she prepares the ingredients for a spell.

Take a masterclass with artist Matthew Palmer in this comprehensive guide to watercolour painting.

'I have reviewed a lot of books on painting for beginners but this series is the best to date. Very highly recommended for anybody who wants to learn watercolour painting.' www.myshelf.comWith 3 colours, 3 brushes and this practical advice, you can start painting watercolour landscapes.

Helen Bellany, twice married to the artist John Bellany, recalls their lives together in Scotland, London, and Italy, John's rise from poverty and obscurity to worldwide recognition, and the human cost inherent in creating great art.

'Search Press have reissued their eminently useful Top Tips series in paperback. If you haven't encountered these before, they're a handy way of taking the advice of your favourite artists out in the field with you.' Paint Magazine

This is a book for all landscape artists whatever their skill levels, and anyone who wants to learn more about painting trees whether they are magnificent in their winter habitat, gloriously bedecked in spring foliage, splendid in their summer raiment or stunning when their leaves turn to russet reds and spun golds.

This enthralling and comprehensive new book on Henri Matisse is an eye-opener for all students and art lovers interested in early twentieth-century art. Taking 50 of Matisse's most iconic works of art, John Cauman provides an accessible narrative about the man and his work, deciphering the themes, methods and intentions of this truly great artist.

Discover the shimmering and sensual oeuvre of Gustav Klimt, the Austrian symbolist painter who polarized the art world by combining decorative finesse with erotic thrill. From landscape paintings to glistening renderings of the female body, the founding member of the Vienna Secession continues to fascinate with his works of mosaic-like patterns,...