Archives: Walter Foster Books

Learn to create eye-catching, well-composed works of art using acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints with Beginning Composition.

From the concept- and technique-driven Portfolio series comes Beginning Composition, which details how to compose a work of art so that it draws in—and then holds—the viewer’s attention. This book features quick exercises for getting started in art, primers on the principles of composition and the Rule of Thirds, what to look for when composing artwork, examples of successful (and unsuccessful) compositions from a selection of artists, and customizable painting projects.

Beginning Composition is written and illustrated by Kimberly Adams, an experienced author and professional artist with years of experience in creating versatile, stunning works of art, as well as co-author of Oil & Acrylic Workshop (Walter Foster Publishing). In this book, Kimberly teaches you how to create successful compositions in acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints. After an introduction to the essentials of composition and some examples of composition in action, you are then invited to create your own artwork on a range of subjects, including landscapes, florals, animals, and more. The painting projects encourage personalization and creativity. Other topics covered include conveying mood and emotion through composition, the Golden Ratio, focal points, and more.

The Portfolio series covers essential art techniques, core concepts, and media with an approach and format that’s perfect for aspiring, beginning, and intermediate artists.

Also available from the series: Beginning Acrylic, Beginning Drawing, Beginning Watercolor, Beginning Pastel, Beginning Colored Pencil, Beginning Color Mixing, Expressive Painting, Beginning Color Mixing, and Beginning Pen & Ink.

With the approachable instruction and contemporary approach to drawing featured in Anywhere, Anytime Art: Illustration, aspiring creatives of all backgrounds can learn how to make illustrative art on the go using pencil, pen, colored pencil, and more.

Learn how to make art inspired by your immediate surroundings, wherever you are—whether traveling abroad or exploring at home. Use your art and creativity as a means to document your experiences, capture your travel memories, and dream of new adventures.
 
After an overview of the suggested tools and materials, explore essential drawing techniques, such as mastering line art and gesture drawing, making quick on-location sketches, and working with color media to complement illustrations. Helpful tips include information for packing and traveling with art supplies, drawing in the open air, and working from photographs. Finally, easy-to-follow and customizable step-by-step projects show you how to creatively express yourself by combining color, pattern, texture, typography, and cultural experience with a variety of projects.
 
Packed with a plethora of fun and creative exercises, Anywhere, Anytime Art: Illustration is the perfect portable resource for creative types on the go.

Doodled Dogs is packed with creative prompts, fun canine facts, and step-by-step doodling projects for the dog-lover in you—the perfect book for on-the-go artists.

In Doodled Dogs, beloved artist and illustrator Gemma Correll provides inspiration and ideas for doodling a variety of different dog breeds in a fun, quirky style. From a Yorkshire Terrier and Gemma’s signature Pug to a Greyhound and Standard Poodle, doodle enthusiasts will learn to draw and doodle all their favorite canine companions, in addition to anthropomorphic dogs, canines in costumes, and even dogs in hats! A bonus project demonstrates how to create your own dog-doodled mug.

This compact hardcover book makes the perfect gift for on-the-go creative types and dog lovers alike.

Doodled Cats is packed with creative prompts, fun feline facts, and step-by-step doodling projects for the feline fanatic in youthe perfect book for on-the-go artists.

In Doodled Cats, beloved artist and illustrator Gemma Correll provides inspiration and ideas for doodling a variety of different cat breeds in a fun, quirky style. From a Persian and a Sphynx to a Scottish Fold and Siamese, doodle enthusiasts will learn to draw and doodle all their favorite feline friends, in addition to anthropomorphic cats, fashionable furballs, and even cats in hats! A bonus project demonstrates how to create your own cat-doodled mug.

This compact, hardcover book makes the perfect gift for on-the-go creative types and cat lovers alike.

In The Art of Map Illustration, four well-known artists take you on a journey through their unique techniques to mapmaking with a range of media, including pen and ink, watercolor, and mixed media, plus tips and advice for working digitally.

Each artist provides a brief overview of his or her recommended tools and materials, along with tips and inspiration for using, exploring, and experimenting with the medium. From intricate line drawings to bold and colorful city maps, you will bring your favorite locations to life and use visual storytelling to express time and place.

Packed with engaging instruction, professional tips, and beautiful finished artwork, The Art of MapIllustration is the perfect resource for contemporary artists seeking to learn the time-treasured art form of cartography.

With its intuitive design and approachable instruction, Pencil Drawing: Cats is the perfect resource for new artists learning the basics of pencil drawing before moving on to more complex drawing subjects. Filled with tips and techniques on the drawing fundamentals, including an introduction to tools and materials, arranging a composition, using the grid method, and practicing gesture drawing, Pencil Drawing: Cats is designed to appeal to the absolute beginner with its easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects and approachable design. There are also full-color photographs for easy reference as you learn to draw different breeds, such as the Russian Blue, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siamese Cat, and the household tabby.

Expressive Painting is the ultimate beginner’s guide to watercolor painting using dynamic, vibrant colors.

Following the same clean, contemporary, easy-to-read, and easy-to-follow layout and design of the other books in Walter Foster Publishing's popular Portfolio series, Expressive Painting gives beginning and aspiring artists the information they need to paint colorful watercolors that convey mood and emotion on canvas.
 
The book covers essential painting topics, including color theory, color mixing, selecting color schemes, and working with tools and materials, as well as watercolor painting techniques, such as painting wet-into-wet and wet-on-dry. Helpful tips are called out throughout the book for easy comprehension and reference, while step-by-step projects build on the featured techniques, allowing artists to practice making their own dynamic, colorful watercolor paintings. With Expressive Painting, beginning and aspiring artists will learn all they need to know to start creating watercolor art that’s full of color and emotion.

The Portfolio series covers essential art techniques, core concepts, and media with an approach and format that’s perfect for aspiring, beginning, and intermediate artists.

Also available from the series: Beginning Acrylic, Beginning Drawing, Beginning Watercolor, Beginning Pastel, Beginning Colored Pencil, Beginning Color Mixing, Beginning Color Mixing, Beginning Pen & Ink, and Beginning Composition..

Get creative with the Scandinavian concept of hygge (hoo-gah) and create your own whimsical, colorful artwork inspired by folk art with Creative Folk Art and Beyond!Continuing the hugely popular Creative… and Beyond series, Creative Folk Art and Beyond features the whimsical and colorful folk-art style of Scandinavia… and beyond! Inspired by the concept of hygge (an idea similar to coziness), Creative Folk Art and Beyond includes creative prompts,easy exercises, and step-by-step projects that embrace all things Scandinavian.

No matter your skill level, you can learn how to draw and paint beautiful, colorful art using a variety of accessible, affordable supplies. Starting off with basic tools, materials, techniques, and color basics, Creative Folk Art and Beyond then jumps into tips and exercises that will have you drawing and painting your favorite folk-art designs in no time. This book is a must-have for any “Scandophile” or folk-art enthusiast!

Create contemporary and colorful works of art using a variety of traditional and unique painting techniques with Oil & Acrylic Workshop.From classic tools to modern twists, it’s all here to try out!

Break out the art supplies, because it's time to discover how to create beautifully textured, vibrant, andcolorful works of fine art. Oil & Acrylic Workshop guides you through harnessing both traditional and unique painting tools when putting media to canvas in new and surprising ways.

Whether you're an aspiring or established artist, you will relish setting aside the paintbrush in exchange for the palette knife, sponges, and even your fingers to create colorful, contemporary works of art. This book comes packed with techniques for working with oil and acrylic, as well as color theory and approachable step-by-step projects.

Don't miss the featured projects, including the art of creating landscapes, mastering animals, painting delicate flowers, and much more. Budding artists will become masters of new and engaging painting techniques in no time.

Create modern and traditional mehndi designs and incorporate them into DIY art projects with Mehndi for the Inspired Artist. Your home will never be the same after you add the lovely flair of mehndi.

Mehndi for the Inspired Artist is your one stop resource for creating mehndi designs. Whether you're familiar with the art form, or are coming to it with fresh eyes and eager anticipation, our four expert artists will give you the most rewarding experience possible. 

You'll be creating artwork on day one with this guide book's step-by-step approach of creating a variety of traditional and modern mehndi designs. You will then learn to incorporate these elegant mehndi designs into DIY art projects you can place around the house, and have the pride of knowing each one has a unique, personal flair.

Customize candles and mason jarsjewelry and stationery, and anything else you can get your hands on. Mehndi for the Inspired Artist is sure to inspire endless DIY craft projects with contemporary mehndi patterns that will delight henna enthusiasts of all ages.