Archives: Walter Foster Books

Learn to paint in the beautiful and versatile medium of acrylic as you learn foundational painting techniques.

In Acrylic Painting Step by Step, you will find all the instruction and inspiration you need to master the medium or improve your painting skills. Accomplished artist Tom Swimm guides you step by step through 12 stunning acrylic projects, offering easy-to-follow instructions along with his personal artistic insights. This comprehensive introduction covers dozens of beginning and advanced acrylic techniques, from underpainting and glazing to impasto and texturizing. You will learn to paint a variety of subjects, including a lively floral, a striking still life, an eye-catching street scene, and a gorgeous seascape.

Aspiring oil painters can take a journey with four accomplished oil artists as they follow along with step-by-step demonstrations that feature a variety of techniques and a range of subject matter. Artists of all skill levels will appreciate the appeal of each approach as they learn to paint tropical seascapes, pastoral landscapes, dynamic still lifes, captivating animal portraits, and more. Oil Painting Step by Step walks you through concepts and techniques, including underpainting, composition, plein air, and special effects, assuring you a solid foundation in this wonderful art form.

Experienced artists and beginners alike will appreciate this concise, easy-to-follow guide with illustrated step-by-step demonstrations featuring four noted watercolor professionals.

Watercolor Painting Step by Step guides the reader through 12 beautiful watercolor projects, covering a variety of subjects, including still lifes, landscapes, and animal portraiture. With this comprehensive guide, you will learn about fundamental techniques such as mixing color, developing dimension, creating special effects, and more. With the help of this stylish, technique-filled book, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own watercolor masterpieces!

Whether you specialize in drawing—even cartooning and animation—or prefer media such as acrylic, oil, pastel, or watercolor, a good knowledge of perspective is invaluable. It is the foundation of all great paintings and drawings, no matter what medium. In the pages of Perspective, practice the methods of measuring and dividing areas proportionately; then learn how we perceive depth and distance, and how to render it correctly on paper or canvas.

You will learn the basics and beyond, covering concepts like foreshortening; cast shadows; reflections; and even one-, two-, and three-point perspective. And once you have a good grasp of the basics, it’s easy to graduate to more complex and irregular forms. This comprehensive guide will show you how!

In Pencil Drawing, a renowned master in the field, Gene Franks, explains how to develop your drawings from start to finish, teaching specific techniques for shading, contrast, texture, detail, and more. You will learn all aspects of pencil drawing as you follow the easy-to-follow instructions for drawing everything from animals and people to household items in no time at all. All you need is this book, a pencil, and a little perseverance!

If you’ve ever wanted to say what you really think—without actually saying it—Snarky Crochet has you covered. From viral crochet creator Lisa Ha (@gettohookingcrochet), this bold and brilliantly petty pattern book is designed for makers who want to turn their feelings into fiber. Whether it’s pettiness, irritation, heartbreak, or straight-up spite, there’s a project here to help you stitch it out with sass.

With 15 lippy crochet patterns that blend sarcasm, humor, and passive-aggressive charm, Snarky Crochet redefines what a craft book can be. Along with the patterns, you’ll find a hefty supply of crochet jokes, practical listicles, and must-learn tips, like how you can keep crocheting when surrounded by idiots. 

Inside this one-of-a-kind book, you’ll find:

• 15 cheeky patterns, including the Middle Finger Cactus, Spite Stripe Scarf, Cat Butt Coasters, and more!
• Beginner-accessible instructions so anyone can join the petty party—no matter their skill level.
• Tips for customizing projects to throw even more shade with your stitches.
• Listicles, jokes, and fiber puns for endless crochet fun!
• Inspiration for gifts, gag projects, and yarn-fueled emotional catharsis.

Each pattern is an outlet—whether you’re crocheting a revenge project for an ex-friend, or just need a reason to cackle while you craft. Lisa’s voice is equal parts hilarious and empowering, inviting you to be unapologetically yourself and have fun with your yarn.

Perfect for Gen Z crafters, punk-hearted fiber artists, and anyone who’s tired of pastel bunnies and cozy clichés, Snarky Crochet is a celebration of humor, honesty, and handmade rebellion. Use it to start conversations, get a laugh, or just vent in the most productive (and passive-aggressive) way possible.

Because sometimes the best way to heal—or roast someone—is one stitch at a time.

Bobbie Goods Cozy Coloring & Drawing combines winter-themed charm with hands-on creativity, perfect for fans of cute, whimsical art. This two-in-one book offers 32 pages of step-by-step drawing projects that guide budding artists through creating cozy animal characters, holiday scenes, and adorable objects. 

In addition to the tutorials, an attached pad includes 6 unique winter and holiday coloring pages and 6 memo sheets. Perfect for personalizing projects, jotting down notes, or sharing your creations with others, this pad offers endless possibilities for creative expression and fun!

Inside, you’ll find:

• Easy step-by-step drawing tutorials for drawing holiday-themed animals, cozy scenes, and cute decorations
• An attached pad with 6 cozy winter scenes to color and 6 memo pad pages

Whether you’re relaxing by the fire or looking for a creative holiday activity, the official Bobbie Goods Cozy Coloring & Drawing Pad offers a delightful, hands-on way to enjoy the winter season.

If you’ve ever been charmed and baffled by a cat’s quirks, A Cat Lover’s Activity Book is for you! Whether it’s their knack for napping in places they shouldn’t or their determination to investigate anything new (especially if it’s breakable), each page brings to life the charming absurdity that only a cat can provide.

Created by self-proclaimed cat enthusiast and humorist Rachel Hastings, A Cat Lover’s Activity Book perfectly captures those heartwarming, laugh-out-loud moments that every cat parent knows too well.

More than just a coloring book, this is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of everything we love—and endure—about cats. With relatable themes, witty illustrations, and plenty of feline shenanigans, it’s the ultimate way for cat lovers to unwind.

Inside, you will find:

• Hysterical coloring pages featuring iconic cat antics
• Spot the difference, memory games, and mazes
• Word searches and word scrambles
• Quizzes and funny fill-in-the-blanks
• Tips on coping with, er, enjoying everyday life with cats

Purrrfect for anyone who loves their cat more than they love sleeping in a bed without cat hair, A Cat Lover’s Activity Book turns downtime into a celebration of feline friendship.

A bark-out-loud tribute to dog lovers, A Dog Lover’s Activity Book brings the delightful chaos of canine companionship to life with coloring pages and puzzles that capture the humor, loyalty, and boundless energy dogs bring to their humans. This activity book is packed with scenes that reflect the rollercoaster of dog ownership—from muddy pawprints and joyful zoomies to suspiciously quiet moments and wagging tails that double as weapons.

Perfect for relaxing after a long day of explaining to your dog why the vacuum isn’t a threat, or for laughing with friends and family, A Dog Lover’s Activity Book offers a lighthearted look at the hilarious world of dog-loving life. With witty, relatable illustrations and fun activities, it’s the ultimate celebration of the special bond between humans and their furry best friends.

Inside, you will find:

• Hysterical coloring pages featuring iconic dog antics 
• Spot the difference, memory games, and mazes
• Word searches and word scrambles
• Quizzes and funny fill-in-the-blanks
• Tips on coping with, er, enjoying everyday life with dogs

This book is the perfect gift for anyone who’s ever laughed, cried, or tried to reason with a dog. It’s a tail-waggingly good way to honor the joy, comfort, and occasional chewed-up slipper that dogs bring into our lives.