Billy Showell's exquisitely executed watercolour portraits of fruit and vegetables give an unconventional, often amusing, twist to traditional botanical studies, taking them on to a new and exciting contemporary level.
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Learn how to paint realistic fruit, vegetables and blossom with this beautifully illustrated watercolour course.
Billy Showell's amazing paintings and vibrant palette are showcased here as she clearly explains how to create a huge selection of shapes and textures using detailed step-by-step instructions. Starting with basic techniques and use of colour, she shows how to capture the individuality of spiralling artichokes, the smooth contours of aubergines, the sumptuous reds of glossy peppers, the cool yellows of bananas, the subtle hues of blossom and more. Using traditional methods, overlaying washes, dry brush techniques, glazing, masking - she develops pictures that are exciting and different, sometimes with an unconventional and amusing twist that takes the images on to new, contemporary levels. Explanations on drawing, composition, lighting, painting white subjects are included, along with many different ideas and dozens of useful and helpful tips.
Packed with information, expert advice and guidance on materials, drawing, colour mixing, composition, painting techniques, and more
Four stunning step-by-step projects, plus many smaller studies demonstrating different techniques throughout the book
Numerous examples of Billy's beautiful paintings to guide and inspire you
Table of Contents
Introduction 6
What you need 8
Drawing 10
Composition 16
Colour 26
Techniques 38
Light and shade 48
White vegetables 52
Flowers and blossom 56
Painting details 60
PROJECTS 72
Kohlrabi 74
Pumpkin Still Life 90
Lemon 106
Heart of Berries 118
Index 128
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About Billy Showell
Billy Showell graduated from St Martins School of Art with a B.A. in fashion design, but was irresistibly drawn to painting and illustration. She is now a renowned botanical fine artist and tutor. Billy works from her studio in Kent and teaches via her online school of botanical art. She also travels to teach throughout the UK, the USA and Australia.
Billy has been awarded many awards for botanical excellence from the Society of Botanical Artists; a gold medal from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; and a Royal Horticultural Society silver-gilt medal. She has written and illustrated four best-selling practical art books which have been translated into many languages. Billy's paintings are collected by her followers the world over and held in many prestigious botanical collections. Visit her website www.billyshowell.com.
