Painting Shapes & Edges: Give Depth, Clarity and Form to Your Artwork by Hazel Harrison; 1996. Hardcover. (LF)

Learn how to achieve realistic effects and accurate shapes in watercolor, oil, acrylic or pastel.

The key to success is accurate observation, and the specially designed series of exercises and projects in the first section of this book will help you to acquire this most vital of all artistic skills.

Technical skills are important also, and the second part of the book focuses on painting techniques. Here you will find practical advice paired with easy-to-follow visual demonstrations.

The third and final section looks at the wider concerns of painting - creating three-dimensional space, designing the picture to make the best use of shapes and edges, placing the center of interest, and using brushstrokes or pastel marks so that they contribute to the overall effect.

Throughout the book there are inspirational finished paintings in a variety of mediums, and step-by-step demonstrations which help you to learn by example.