The Essential Painting Guide

This well-structured, informative book is an excellent introduction to painting with watercolors, oils, acrylics, and pastels, each of which is given its own section. Taggart begins each section by detailing the basic necessities of the medium before launching into a series of lessons to introduce the reader to a variety of techniques. The approach is balanced and honest, never narrow-minded or preachy. The many "do's and don'ts" (my words, not the author's) are practical in nature, meant to help the beginner (or experienced artist) avoid or correct specific problems. Everything -- materials, techniques, and all -- is well-documented with words and illustrations...