Books published by Batsford

The events of your life, from local walks to exotic trips, can provide endless inspiration for textile art. This inspiring book shows you how to record your experiences, using sketchbooks, journals and photography, to create personal narratives that can form a starting point for more finished stitched-textile pieces. Acclaimed textile artist and teacher Cas Holmes, whose work is often inspired by her life and the journeys she makes, helps you find inspiration through your own life and explains how to record what you see in sketchbooks and journals, which can often become beautiful objects in themselves. She explains how you can use photography, both as documentation and as inspiration, and sometimes incorporate it into the work itself, along with found objects and ephemera. Throughout the book are useful techniques that can be harnessed to add extra interest to your work, such as methods for making layered collages, how to 'sketch' with stitch, and advice on design and colour. If you want to create beautiful, unique work inspired by your life and travels, this is the perfect book for you.

As the ancient art of paper marbling experiences a contemporary renaissance, artist and author Lucy McGrath presents a beautiful introduction to the craft for beginners and more advanced crafters alike.

Progressing from simple movements and shapes to words and phrases, this creative, step-by-step guide helps you to learn how to focus your mind, beat stress, and tune out unwelcome thinking.

This practical step-by-step guide to haute couture embroidery covers everything from machine and hand stitching, to tambour beading, goldwork and monogramming. Perfect for beginners looking to personalise their own clothes, as well as more experienced embroiderers who want to apply new techniques to different fabrics.

The latest colouring book by publishing sensation Millie Marotta, author of No.1 bestseller Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom.

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

A colouring book to keep and treasure forever. The wonderful illustrations are ideal for framing.It is, quite simply, a beautiful book.

Well-known watercolour painter Ann Blockley presents flowers through a variety of interpretations, from traditional to unconventional in both technique and concept. In this exciting new book she really pushes the boundaries of watercolour, showing how to paint a stunning range of flowers throughout the seasons. Everyone loves to paint flowers in spring and summer but Ann inspires you to paint dramatic seedheads, foliage, fruit and berries in winter, as well as the more traditional flowers and blossoms. She also demonstrates how to create exciting textures by using collage materials like glitter, sequins, salt and gold paint. Divided by seasons into four sections, Experimental Flowers in Watercolour is a practical and inspirational book aimed at the more experienced flower painter who wishes to take their painting to the next level.

The standard reference work on chess openings for more than half a century, earning the epithet 'the chess player's bible'. 'Batsford's Modern Chess Openings' is the most comprehensive single-volume work on the openings. Covering every standard line of play, it provides the distilled essence of contemporary opening theory. This edition is an indispensable reference work for club and tournament players.International Grandmaster Nick de Firmian is a three-times US Champion and an expert on opening theory. He helped develop computer Deeper Blue's opening repertoire in its match victory over arch-theoretician Gary Kasparov.

An invaluable insight into the mind of chess prodigy turned Grandmaster, Fabiano Caruana, tracing his stratospheric rise to chess fame. Andrew Soltis takes the reader through 60 of his games, describing the tactical intricacies behind his and his opponent's strategies.

Grab your coloured pencils - it's time for colouring wizardry! Demonstrate your house pride with artwork of characters, objects, and magical places from the Harry Potter films, all themed to house Ravenclaw.

A compelling collection of anonymous postcards sent during lockdown, revealing hilarious, salacious, relatable and sometimes heartbreaking secret confessions.

Packed with exciting techniques for contemporary and impressionist style of flower painting, using watercolours, acrylics, pastels, collage and texture ideas.

A chess book for beginners, taking you from the very basics to an advanced level of play, with a design-led approach.

Full of examples that emphasise the power of logical and resourceful thinking and quick wit, Imagination in Chess will guide you to become a better chess player by harnessing your imagination.

The fascinating lives of the Bronte sisters, told in their own words through letters and diaries, illuminated by period illustrations and rarely seen examples of the sisters' paintings, of real and imaginary worlds.

An overview of twentieth century giant of graphic design Tom Eckersley, packed with hundreds of his instantly recognisable, bright and colourful posters.

A wonderful portable edition of the hugely popular Millie Marotta's Beautiful Birds and Treetop Treasures.

Following on from 100 Buildings 100 Years, 100 Houses 100 Years, and 100 Churches 100 Years, this book features 100 remarkable gardens and landscapes designed since 1914.

Andrew Soltis covers the unparalleled career of acclaimed American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer with fresh insights into what made Fischer play - and act - the way he did.

The definitive guide to Art Deco buildings in Britain, written by leading architectural historian Elain Harwood.

Mark-Making Through the Seasons is a creative and practical guide on how to get in touch with your local natural world to create thoughtful works of textile art.

A fresh way of approaching drawing, which banishes inhibitions and helps you visualize your thoughts, express your emotions, develop your ideas.