GARDEN ARTS AND CRAFTS

The Complete Course in Botanical Illustration is your personal guide to the study of botanical drawing and watercolour painting. Devised by an award-winning botanical artist, this course takes you from basic drawing techniques to advanced skills required for the analysis of complex forms in watercolour. Following the syllabus of the botanical illustration course at the acclaimed Eden Project in Cornwall, this book offers you the opportunity to perfect the many techniques used to produce beautiful and informative plant portraits. Full of practical information, and with easy-to-follow exercises and case studies, this book includes: * Observational skills * Plant dissection procedures * Perspective * Use of tonal contrast * Line drawing and pencil shading * Colour and pigment mixing * Application of watercolour * Highlights and shiny surfaces * Composition and arrangement

ISBN: 9780713490053

This superbly illustrated book, published in association with The Society of Botanical Artists, looks at one of the most important aspects of botanical painting: how to achieve the right colours. It provides an authoritative practical guide to this essential subject and features 17 step-by-step demonstrations by members of the Society. Each chapter in the book focuses on a specific colour, providing practical advice on how to achieve the right colour by overlaying washes rather than by simply mixing colours on the palette or paper. This results in subtle, translucent colours that accurately reflect the delicacy of the flowers' appearance. Detailed step-by-step demonstrations by members of the Society reveal exactly how each flower painting is built up, from the first stage to the finished illustration. A special feature of this book is the projects that are included in several of the demonstrations. Each project includes a simplified drawing of the finished work that students can trace and use as the basis for their own painting.

ISBN: 9780007247851

This is a comprehensive and fully illustrated guide to taking stunning close-up photographs in the natural world.In this authoritative book, Robert Thompson shares his considerable expertise in both photography and naturalism to impart everything you need to know about taking impeccable macro photographs.From a thorough survey of the equipment required for both film and digital users, to detailed explanation of the techniques required for photographing all the most popular close-up subjects, including: flowers, fungi, insects, patterns and abstracts in nature. This sumptuously illustrated and highly practical book is the definitive guide to macro photography.

ISBN: 9780715319055

Full of vibrant stunning images that burst off the page, this fabulous book showcases the very best entries from the first International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.Gardening is a hugely popular hobby all over the world and this brand new competition brilliantly captures international gardens, both large and small in their glory. With a total prize fund of GBP 25,000, including a top prize of GBP 5,000 for Best Single Image, AA Publishing are supporting this prestigious award and launching a glorious, inspirational book to go with it.The top 100 winning and commended photographs will be showcased in a purpose-built outdoor exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew from May to September, and the competition is set to become a desirable annual event for photographers of all ages to come. The full-colour book of best entries will display the most breathtaking pictures from young and old, amateur and professional photographers alike. Its beautiful, cutting edge design will excite gardeners, who will be inspired by the ideas, and photographers, who will appreciate the photographic techniques.

ISBN: 9780749557119