Books published by publisher Batsford Ltd

Follow artist Ann Blockley step by step as she demonstrates the techniques behind her most dramatic watercolor paintings! Take a workshop with watercolorist Ann Blockley, as she describes her key techniques and offers ideas and inspiration for painters to develop their own interpretations. Blockley’s beautiful paintings show how a subject can veer in unexpected or unusual directions, and how to make the most of these creative opportunities. She moves, with progressively challenging projects, from loose wildflower meadows, textured woodland, and rustic rambling walls to atmospheric or semi-abstract landscape corners, all rendered in her adventurous signature style. Unusual techniques include combining water-based paint and ink with granulation medium for dramatic texture; drawing with twigs; using gesso and collage to create unique effects; and manipulating paint with materials such as plastic wrap (clingfilm). The book’s personal commentary gives special insight into the mind of the artist and helps you explore, experiment, and unlock your own potential.

Lovers of botanical art will feast their eyes on the stunning collection of 80 works by the painter often compared to Georgia O'Keeffe. Rosie Sanders's botanical paintings lie at the extreme end of botanical art—they exude dynamism and sensuality in every brushstroke, while their richness of color sets her apart from her contemporaries. This large-format book showcases her finest paintings in exquisite detail, accompanied by excellent and accessible scientific commentary. Rosie’s glorious selection of flowers ranges from tulips to orchids, roses to irises, anemones to amaryllis, and she illuminates them by fascinating and skillful uses of perspective and light.Includes an introduction by renowned Swiss botanist Dr. Andreas Honegger.

An inspirational and practical art manual, packed with step-by-step projects.Artist Ann Blockley is renowned for her innovative approach to watercolour painting. Her highly anticipated new book provides a series of workshops demonstrating how to push the boundaries of watercolour, using key techniques to develop your own work and take your paintings to the next level. Ann's easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects demonstrate how some of her most dramatic paintings are created. She describes in detail some of the key techniques used and how you can experiment with alternative methods to create your own interpretations. Finally, her beautiful and inspirational artworks demonstrate how different interpretations of a subject might take an unexpected or unusual direction, and how to make the most of these opportunities. The book moves, with progressively challenging projects, from loose wildflower meadows, textured woodland and rustic rambling walls to atmospheric or semi-abstract landscape corners, all rendered in Ann’s adventurous signature style. Loose, expressive mark-making and unusual techniques include combining water-based paint and ink with granulation medium for dramatic texture, drawing with twigs, using gesso and collage to create unique effects; manipulating paint with materials such as plastic wrap (clingfilm); developing printed marks made using found materials. Following the huge demand for more practical guidance in experimental painting, the book provides plenty of techniques and instruction. Ann’s personal commentary also gives a unique insight into the mind of the artist – ways of looking at your subject, how to explore and experiment – to unlock the potential of your watercolour painting.