Trace & Paint Flowers

Aug 12

If you have always wanted to paint flowers, but have been daunted by how complex they seem - then this is the book for you. It contains several different types of flower painting - delicate watercolours, free style, botanical style and acrylics with a combination of both oil and watercolour styles. Step by step instructions show each effect is obtained, encouraging artists to try new methods and find out if it suits them. For anyone who has difficulty drawing, there are outlines that can be traced and reused. Among the flowers included in this book are poppies, sunflowers, roses, irises, tulips, jonquils and clematis. A very well organized book, which is easy to follow no matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist. Definitely useful, and full of helpful tips and ideas.

April 12

Search Press has put together four titles from its Ready to Paint Flowers series to produce this latest book. It includes 15 step-by-step projects printed with full-size drawings for each of them. All you have to do is pull out the outline provided and trace the drawing onto your chosen paper. You're then ready to paint! In addition there are extra outlines provided for some of the other paintings shown in the book. Both watercolour and acrylics are included and the styles of each of the tutors varies so there is something here for everyone, from detailed botanical works by Michael Lakin, delicate watercolours by Wendy Tait, colourful, free watercolours by Fiona Peart and strong demonstrations by Wendy Jelbert, who shows how acrylics can be used with watercolour and oil techniques. A section on materials you'll need and advice on transferring the image will help you on your way.

January 2012

Once again, this is a compilation of material that has previously appeared in the Ready to Paint series. However, it's particular good value and includes no fewer than 15 demonstrations from a nice mix of authors and is worth a book by any flower painter. The original series has developed nicely and has produced material that goes quite a long way beyond its originally quite basic concept, and this compilation includes much of the best. At the same time as being useful introduction to a popular subject, it also has quite a lot to say to more experienced flower painter and I'd have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who wants to look at the subject seriously.

Wendy Jelbert is a teacher and professional artist who works in pastels, oils, acrylics, inks and watercolours. She enjoys experimenting with different ways of using mixed media and texture and her sometimes unconventional methods often produce surprising and original results.
Wendy is a tutor at West Dean College, West Sussex. Follow this link to view her tutor page https://www.westdean.org.uk/CollegeChannel/Tutors/TutorProfilesandWork/WendyJelbert.aspx
Wendy lives in Andover, Hampshire.
Michael Lakin was born and bred in South Derbyshire. His early learning was basic but he always excelled in art. After leaving school he moved into engineering, becoming a manager, before he left to start his own business. Michael kept up art as a hobby and began to teach classes in Botanical Art to adults at Derby WEA. Since then he has exhibited in London and other parts of the UK.

He has a purpose-built studio next to his rural home, where he teaches and gives demonstrations throughout the year.