COLORWAYS ACRYLIC ANIMALS

This book helped me paint my best cat portrait to date! I loved it!

The title provides the subject matter, animals, whimsical, colorful, beginners. Learn basic color theory, tidbits of info, and for details, check elsewhere. For example, splatter technique. I've done one so far. My plan is to start from project one. Usually, my eyes gloss over when seeing words, "color theory", but here, it's painlessly mastered to some degree. For exhaustive studies, see Joseph Albers. For endless formulii, see William F. Powell. In addition, even that first project which seems simple isn't. A simple project allows me to see areas for improvement. For example, smooth transitions. For first washes, I use glazing medium rather than water in copious amounts. This allows the color to remain stable. I guess, retardant would be good for gradations. So, for starring out, see a total beginner book which explores acrylic mediums. I suggest buying those mentioned above. For paint, Arteza has a large set of 80 or so at a good price for small canvases. Still, mix colors and match in the book, and make pallettes as suggested. The pictures need light to dark shades to really show contrasts. So regarding the book, I think the pictures are adorable, and I love it. If short on cash, get wood scraps.

I've been painting for a long time and getting nowhere. Lost my mojo, and gave up. I did do some paintings that really pleased me, and others! But uncertainty, indecision and a tendency to be a perfectionist overcome my desire to paint - so all supplies were tearfully given away. Recently I returned to looking at art instruction books again and came across this one. Well! Right up my street, animals, slight abstraction, whimsy, and a dont be so hung up on perfectionism and have a blast attitude. Never knew i had this leaning before, but here it reared up and hit me. Got the book and look out everyone, I'm back in town! It's cheery, encouraging, and has started me off on a voyage of discovery. No rules, (as such) No,we don't do this and we don't do that or Turner, Hockney, etc. Just go for it kiddo! Paint all the animals you can source. Now I am looking at flowers, people, trees, fruit, EVERYTHING, with a beady eye again. LOVE IT! Its such a simple book, wouldn't have looked at it twice before, but it has saved my sanity.

I bought this book to help with my high school painting classes, and my students are super excited. They love the vibrant colors and all the animal ideas published within this book.

It explains everything easily step by step and you can end up with a nice piece of art you made yourself, I do recommend. It has been relaxing painting with a book tutorial.