Creativity

Stylish Scandinavian dressmaking projects for contemporary makers

A practical guide to learn painting individual people and crowds, with simple exercises and step-by-step demonstrations.

Crochet Cafe is a captivating book authored by the talented Lauren Espy. Published by Random House USA Inc in 2020, this book takes you on an intriguing journey into the world of crochet. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the art of crochet, regardless of skill level. The book is a testament to Espy's mastery of the genre, as she effortlessly combines her love for crochet with her storytelling prowess. The publication year of 2020 is a testament to its relevance in contemporary times. Wrapped up in the prestigious banner of Random House USA Inc, Crochet Cafe is a gem that deserves a spot on your bookshelf.

Draw 28 amazingly cute kawaii-style characters in just 8 easy stages.

Colouring queen Millie Marotta presents her Curious Creatures. Now in a handy pocket size, this book is perfect for anyone looking for a creative outlet or a mindful and relaxing activity on the go.

A one-of-a-kind journey into the mind of beloved floral designer Amy Merrick, celebrating the beauty and possibilities of nature and how to use it to create elegant, ephemeral arrangements.

In Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary, designer Dora Ohrenstein does what no crochet author has done before: She offers detailed instructions for how to create 125 stitch patterns, plus she explains how to increase and decrease each stitch pattern in three different ways—without shaping, with shaping at the edges, and with internal shaping. This hefty collection, ranging from lace and filigree to shells and textured stitches, is loaded with beautifully photographed swatches of each pattern, plus charted and text instructions. A focus on the ins and outs of shaping makes working stitch patterns far more accessible and allows the creative crocheter to make many items without a pattern. Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary will become an invaluable go-to resource that's sure to inspire legions of crocheters to use stitch patterns in new and exciting ways.

Impressive Sashiko stitching (meaning 'little stabs') is put at a crafter's disposal after these demonstrative projects from silk artist Jill Clay.

DIY Watercolor Flowers is a captivating book by Marie Boudon, published in 2019 by David & Charles. This book falls under the genre of Art and Craft, specifically focusing on watercolor painting. The book guides the reader through the beautiful world of watercolor flowers, teaching them how to create their own masterpieces. The author, Marie Boudon, beautifully explains the techniques and nuances of watercolor painting, making it simple and accessible for everyone, regardless of their painting experience. The publication year, 2019, marks the year when this treasure trove of artistic knowledge was shared with the world. The publisher, David & Charles, is known for their high-quality art books, and this one is no exception. DIY Watercolor Flowers is a must-have for every art enthusiast's library.

Todd Mikkelsen's "Paracord!" offers a diverse collection of projects that utilize parachute cords--known around the world as paracord. Used by paratroopers and other military personnel during World War II, this lightweight nylon rope is now one of the most sought-after materials by crafters.

Drawing the Head for Artists is the definitive modern guide to drawing the human head and portrait, featuring the classic mediums and methods of the Old Masters. Written by celebrated portrait artist and veteran studio instructor Oliver Sin, this richly informative and beautifully illustrated volume leads readers step-by-step through his method, from establishing a point of view to applying the timeless principles for creating an accurate and expressive likeness. Among the topics covered: Essential Materials & Techniques:Learn about necessary supplies and basic drawing techniques, including hatching, various stroke styles, and blending.Applying the Essentials:Explore how the concepts of sight-sizing, value, negative space/shapes, and plane changes factor into a portrait's underlying structure.Techniques for Creating Depth & Dimension:Investigate how contrasting shapes, overlapping forms, and linear and atmospheric perspective are used to enhance depth.Creating the Illusion of Three Dimensions:Examine how edgescontours as well as changes in valueare used to convey three-dimensional form. Brimming with striking images that document all the phases and details of the author's process, Drawing the Head for Artistsinspires and informs all artists, from aspiring to accomplished, on how to successfully portray the physical subtleties and emotional eloquence of the human face. The For Artists series expertly guides and instructs artists at all skill levels who want to develop their classical drawing and painting skills and create realistic and representational art.

Bring History to LifeWhether you wish you could time travel to the court of Versailles or the Highlands of Scotland, this comprehensive guide will walk you through how to make and wear your 18th century dream gown. Lauren Stowell and Abby Cox of American Duchess have endeavored to make the impossible possible by bringing historically accurate dressmaking techniques into your sewing room. Learn how to make four of the most iconic 18th century silhouettes-the English Gown, Sacque Gown, Italian Gown and Round Gown-using the same hand sewing techniques done by historic dressmakers. From large hoops to full bums, wool petticoats to grand silk gowns, ruffled aprons to big feathered hats, this manual has project patterns and instructions for every level of 18th century sewing enthusiast. With Lauren and Abby's guidance, you'll feel as if you just stepped out of an 18th century portrait. The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking demystifies 18th century fashion and sewing techniques so that you can wear these beautiful gowns with confidence and style.

With over 60 landscapes in the collection, readers can choose from garden scenes and alpine meadows to the Grand Canyon, Stonehenge, Mount Everest and other magnificent sites.

Art of Stone Painting is a captivating book penned by the talented F. Bac. Published in 2017 by Dover Publications Inc., this book explores the unique genre of art and craft. The Art of Stone Painting transports readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and stones transform into vibrant pieces of art. F. Bac, with his adept writing style, guides you through the process of turning simple stones into masterpieces. Whether you are an art enthusiast or just starting your journey, this book serves as a perfect guide to understand the nuances of stone painting. Don’t miss this artistic journey published by the esteemed Dover Publications Inc.

A practical guidebook for beginner potters, teaching all the skills you need to start creating beautiful ceramics.

Millie's new book whisks you away to the swaying grasslands of the savannahs, not only in Africa, but also Asia and Australia. A feast of beautiful illustration, invitingly laid out for the reader to colour in or add their own drawing.

'Exquisitely presented and beautifully painted, if you ever wanted something to encourage you to start botanical painting, this would be it.' Artbookreview.netIn this beautiful book, Billy Showell provides a fascinating and invaluable insight into the materials, methods and techniques she uses to produce stunning botanical paintings in watercolour.

Includes crochet's most popular stitch styles: nubbly textured stitches, delicate lacy ones, technically challenging Tunisian, colourful, graphic and endlessly adaptable chevrons and ripples, and finishing techniques.

This book packs in the combined wisdom of two writer-educators who are consummate problem solvers when it comes to jewellery making.

The expert in knitting design and instruction presents her original motifs as well as traditional patterns from around the world, plus practical instructions on incorporating them into original designs. Suitable for beginning and advanced knitters. 160 pp.

Twenty-three models offer a menagerie of easy-to-fold animals. Figures range from birds to fish to mammals. Diagrams illustrate every step of the folding process, and full-color pictures depict completed models.

J.M.W. Turner is one of the most influential and important British artists of all time. His watercolours, with their extraordinary effects of shifting light and dramatic cloudscapes, are especially highly regarded. This book reveals the secrets of his technique for the first time, allowing watercolourists to try them out for themselves.

Jane Rainbow shows how to create a selection of beautiful designs, using ten basic stitches. Clear step-by-step photographs illustrate how to develop embroidery skills, and how to create wonderful floral pictures which are worked in wool and soft colours.

This book is your ultimate resource for pattern making. Use it as your tool for understanding all aspects of pattern-design, and developing designs with any fastening. Become the ultimate designer and pattern-cutter!

Welcome to the new era of crochet. Making garments from the top down is a favourite knitting technique that allows knitters to test and adjust the fit as they go. Now, thanks to designer Dora Ohrenstein, crocheters will benefit for the first time from a pattern book featuring the same beloved approach.

POKEMON: How to Draw is a captivating and inspiring book by the renowned author, Pokémon. Published by HarperCollins Publishers on June 8, 2023, this book has quickly become a must-have for all Pokémon enthusiasts and aspiring artists. The book falls under the genre of 'How-to' and 'Art', making it a unique blend of creativity and practical guidance. It guides the readers through the process of drawing their favorite Pokémon characters, with step-by-step instructions and illustrations. The author, Pokémon, has done a fantastic job of making the process fun and easy to follow. This book is not just a guide; it's a journey into the world of Pokémon, where you get to create your favorite characters with your own hands. HarperCollins Publishers have once again lived up to their reputation of publishing high-quality, informative, and engaging content. Don't miss out on this amazing book. Embrace your artistic side and dive into the world of Pokémon drawing.

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants is a must-have visual reference for student artists, botanical illustrators, urban sketchers, and anyone seeking to improve their realistic drawing skills. This comprehensive book features 600-plus step-by-step sketches depicting a vast array of beautiful botanicals, florals, plant structures, and more. Each begins with simple shapes and lines and builds on those forms, adding details like flower centers, leaf veins, and petal shading, and ending with a finished drawing. Helpful drawing tips are also included. Designed as a contemporary guidebook for artists who want to draw botanical forms, Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants shows flower blossoms, leaves, and plants from a variety of perspectives. By following the guides, artists will become more skilled and confident in their ability to draw any flower or greenery. Among the botanicals featured are: Tropical florals such as plumeria, protea, and African violetHanging and vine blooms, including wisteria and morning gloryBirch, white oak, gingko, and maple leavesPlants with interesting shapes, such as cactus, zebra grass, and bamboo Author Melissa Washburn is a skilled illustrator whose clear and elegant drawing style will make this a go-to sourcebook for years to come. The books in the Draw Like an Artist series are richly visual references for learning how to draw classic subjects realistically through hundreds of step-by-step images created by expert artists and illustrators.

Explore the human form in depth, from concept sketches and armatures to detailed instructions for constructing legs, torso, arms, hands, and head from clay. In Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay, renowned sculptor and instructorCristina Cordova teaches everything you need to know to replicate the full human figure using clay. Start by developing meaningful sketches and reference points.Then learn how to make and use an armature to create hollow forms that are safe to fire in a kiln.Using patterns and slabs, you can move on to develop a full human form, head to toe.Work along with the author to create a form about two-feet tall, or choose your own size: the patterns and instructions can work in a variety of scales.Photographic demonstrations and diagrams cover the construction and articulation of feet and legs, the hip area and upper torso, arms, hands, neck, and head. Cristina includes supplementary tips and insights throughout to support the sculpting process and enhance naturalism. You'll also find a brief section on general anatomical concepts and modeling strategies to facilitate accuracy and expression as all the components come together.Whether you are a clay artist with limited experience in figurative sculpture or a figurative sculptor outside the world of ceramics looking for a straightforward fabrication strategy to create permanent compositions from clay, Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay will expertly guide your way.

Learn the key techniques, tips, and tricks for pit, barrel, raku, and wood firing. Fall in love with flames, wood, and the effect that unique firing methods have on pottery. Move beyond the electric kiln and explore the dramatic surfaces of raku, the flashes of salt firing, and the rustic look of ash rivulets. In this book, Lindsay Oesterritter provides a crash course in the most accessible methods of alternative firing.Raku firing requires minimal equipment and can easily be fueled with a standard propane tank. Likewise, pit and barrel firing do not require much in the way of initial investment. Yet all these techniques provide an immediate glimpse into the magic of firing. Bright reds and blues, dramatic black and white crackle, even metallic luster are instantly possible. For more experienced potters and studios looking to offer more, Oesterritter also explores wood-fired kilns. Drawing on years of experience and extensive interviews with fellow wood-fire potters, there is no comparable resource on the market.Features on top potters working today get to the heart of specialty techniques and asides show firing variations and traditional kilns in different cultures around the world. A gallery of showstopping work from a diverse group of artists round out the package and inspire you to get started. The Mastering Ceramics series is for artists who never stop learning. With compelling projects, expert insight, step-by-step photos, and galleries of work from today's top artists, these books are the perfect studio companions. Also available from the series: Mastering Hand Building and Mastering the Potters Wheel.

One hundred murder mystery puzzles to solve for armchair detectives and game lovers