Blooms and Brushstrokes


Book Description

Blooms and Brushstrokes takes you on a unique journey through the history of Australian art, one flower at a time, examining the blooms depicted in still lifes, floral portraits, decorative interiors and botanical illustrations by a long line of Australian artists. Mother-and-daughter team Penelope and Tansy Curtin start this fascinating journey in the late eighteenth century, when the traditions adhering to the Western art canon were transplanted into the newly colonised Australia. They follow it through the rapidly developing artistic styles of the early twentieth century, to the new media of the contemporary period. These works of art also shine a light on the role and importance of plants and flowers in everyday life. They illustrate changing floral fashions, as well as highlighting flowers in their various forms - cut flowers, pot plants and gardens. And along the way you'll encounter many of Australia's most significant artists, including John Glover, Arthur Streeton, Margaret Preston, Grace Cossington Smith, John Brack and Margaret Olley, as well as some of Australia's most beautiful, and sometimes intriguing, native flora, such as the waratah and Sturt's desert pea, not to mention perennial garden favourites like roses, sweet peas and daisies. Spectacular, intimate, engaging and meticulously researched - and full of interesting and quirky facts about the flowers and the artists themselves, Blooms and Brushstrokes is a book for art, flower and history lovers alike.




Jackie Shaw's Learn to Paint Flowers


Book Description

Learn the craft of decorative painting with 19 featured flowers presented in meticulous detail, including full-size, ready-to-use shaded patterns.




Everyday Watercolor Flowers


Book Description

Author of Everyday Watercolor and Instagram darling Jenna Rainey presents a beautiful step-by-step guide to painting botanicals from lilies to daffodils in a wide variety of styles. Artist Jenna Rainey shares easy-to-follow ways to paint a wide range of botanicals, all in her fresh, modern style that appeals to the next generation of watercolor artists and creatives, from beginners to hobbyists. With gorgeously illustrated instructions for both loose and realistic watercolor depictions of more than 25 flowers, leaves, and plants, organized by form and shape, Everyday Watercolor Flowers is every nature-lover's answer to capturing that beauty on paper.




Expressive Flower Painting


Book Description

In Expressive Flower Painting, artist Lynn Whipple presents a range of creative painting exercises that help beginners develop vibrant nature paintings.




Donna Dewberry's Essential One-Stroke Painting Reference


Book Description

The ultimate guide to one-stroke painting Become a one-stroke wonder with this all-in-one reference! Here, beloved decorative painter and PBS television instructor Donna Dewberry takes you step-by-step through more than 60 demonstrations using her popular One-Stroke techniques. From flowers, trees and berries to birds, fruit and more, the at-a-glance format makes it quick and easy to find the subject you want. Simply grab a brush and follow along as Donna guides you through mixing colors, loading brushes and making strokes. Each demonstration features big, beautiful color photos, color swatches, brush selection and complete instructions that will have you painting like a pro right away. Donna even helps you put it all together with 10 gorgeous designs that show you how to create great compositions every time. This really is the perfect reference for every decorative painter. Start at the beginning to learn the basics, or flip through to quickly find what you need. Either way, Donna Dewberry's Essential One-Stroke Painting Reference is the book you'll turn to again and again for inspiration, instruction and instant creative success!




The Ch'i of the Brush


Book Description

Begin your voyage into this ancient style of watercolor painting with this georgeous introduction. Learn everything you need to know, from the essential materials and techniques to mounting a completed painting. A selection of classic motifs, freom enchanting flowers to captivating creatures, is accompanied by informative and inspirational textt that guides you through the creative process. With this unique and accesible approach, anyone can experience The Ch'i of the Brush.




Ivor Hele


Book Description

Ivor Hele was a prolific artist of extraordinary discipline and power. His front-line responses to war, the portraits that won him an astonishing five Archibald prizes in a single decade, his exuberant nudes and his magnificent landscapes cobine to make up a prodigious body of work. Jane Hylton's book focuses on Hele's non-war art, offering a wider view of the man, his exceptional ability and his contribution to Australian art than has been previously available. This book has some of his finest art work, allowing readers to see the genius behind this great artist and activist.




Bloom


Book Description

From the New York Times Bestselling author of The Pout-Pout Fish series Dig holes in the autumn soil. Drop the bulbs in one by one. Cover them with dirt. Come spring, the bulbs will flower! In this lushly illustrated story from Deborah Diesen that celebrates life and growing up, a mother and daughter plant a garden to see how something small blooms into something as beautiful and strong as their love.




Painting Realistic Flowers in Acrylic


Book Description

Master the techniques and skills for painting life-like decorative flowers.




Blooms: Contemporary Floral Design


Book Description

A glorious survey of work by more than 70 contemporary floral designers who are extending the boundaries of their art Blooms celebrates the explosive impact that floral designers from the last decade have had on a previously underappreciated art form. This stunning book is the most ambitious survey of contemporary floral design ever published and demonstrates just how far these innovative designers have pushed the boundaries of contemporary floral design. Blooms showcases the work of more than 70 designers across the globe – featuring established florists alongside rising new talent – each nominated by industry experts, from perfumer Lyn Harris of Miller Harris to floral-design icon Eric Buterbaugh. It's an expertly curated, gorgeously produced collection of talent that offers insight into the profound effect that floristry has on today's visual culture and on the world of design itself.




Recent Books