Myshelf.com: Acrylics are surely one of the most versatile types of paint. You can use them like watercolors, or like oils; you can even paint on fabric with them (which is how I use mine). If art if more your bag than craft, read on - Despite the author having worked in the textile industry, there is no mention of fabric painting in here. There is however plenty of information about how to use it to paint pictures, and make the most of its unique characteristics. Using primed hardboard and acrylic gesso as a base (it tells you how to do this) here are several lovely examples to work through, during the process of which you can get to grips with the nature of the beast. Other topics mentioned in chapters include composing your picture, working out of doors, working from photographs, sketching and perspective. Coming through all this is the author's love of the countryside, both in his former home of Sussex and now Somerset. The examples include landscapes and seascapes which show the beauty of these areas, and the stimulating though brief text is filled with descriptions of the author's sketching trips near his home. Accessible and inspiring. JeannieZelos.com: Another excellent book from the how to paint series, this time about acrylics. Peter shows how to prepare surfaces ready for painting, what brushes to use, and - essential for acrylics - how to keep paints wet. He goes on to demonstrate the techniques he uses in his paintings, beginning with drawing the scene in charcoal over a red tinted board, though to beginning to paint and building up in layers and finally bringing in fine detail to complete the work. Peter explains the importance of sketching, and just how to use photographs as a valuable reference material. The basics of painting in any medium such as composition, linear perspective and aerial perspective are covered briefly but clearly and are followed by four simple and easy to follow demonstrations putting together all the information that has been covered in this book. An excellent book for anyone starting in watercolour.

Peter Jay studied painting and drawing at Beckenham and St. Martin's Schools of Art. After a short spell in advertising and a longer period in textiles, he moved to the country to paint full time. Based near the Sussex coast, he explored and painted the wilder areas of the countryside, with a particular interest in wild flowers. Beach scenes with endless sands or rock pools have been a recent source of inspiration. In 2007 he moved to Somerset and is now inspired by the countryside there. He exhibits mainly in the South of England, and has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on a number of occasions.

Introduction 6 Materials 8 Techniques 12 Sketching 18 Using photographs 19 Composition 20 Perspective 22 DEMONSTRATIONS 24 On the Rocks 26 Winter Sheep 36 Track Through the Hills 44 Poppies in a Daisy Field 54 Index 64