Anyone Can Paint Coastal Landscapes

Charles Evans is one of the UK's leading painters, well-known from his long-running TV series and for his art classes, which are held all over the UK. Charles has made over 200 television programmes on art for the Tyne Tees television company and later for the Discovery Channel.Charles has written several books for Search Press, selling almost 100,000 copies, and represents Daler-Rowney as their main demonstrator. He travels the UK and abroad, taking his no-nonsense approach to painting to hundreds of amateur artists. His exuberant personality is reflected in his own paintings, which have a lightness and simplicity to them.Charles lives in Morpeth, Northumberland, UK. Visit his website, www.charlesevansart.com

The comforting reassurance of this series title depends entirely on the choice of authors and their willingness to resist the temptation to show off with the occasional flourish of virtuosity. And, if that sounds like damning with faint praise, it is not meant to be. Charles Evans is a popular and patient teacher whose ability to explain the absolute basics to the absolute beginner has deservedly won him many fans.Although there is nothing here that will challenge the more experienced artist, that is absolutely the point and I think anyone glancing inside the covers would feel that the title’s claim is true. Charles covers six basic scenes in six detailed demonstrations that gently introduce clouds, buildings, rougher weather and even a snowy landscape. Every stage is described and illustrated and it is highly unlikely that you’re going to find yourself with your hand up hoping your teacher will spot you from across the room. It’s as near to one-on-one tuition as you’ll get without having Charles actually at your side.Full size outlines are included so that you don’t have to worry about getting the basic outline, proportions and perspective right before you’ve even started. An added bonus is that Search Press have opted for sewn binding so that the book lies flat all by itself, leaving your hands free for the actual job of painting.

• Introduction How to use this book What you need General techniques Setting up your easel Working with watercolour Colours and mixes Integrating gouache Laying a wash THE PROJECTSBy the LakeSucking out cloudsScraping out rocks with a plastic cardsPutting in grasses To the LighthouseShaping hills Painting over reflections Painting buildings in the landscape Warm Climes Painting calm water Painting a tree using a rigger brush InletTaking out light Stippling foliage Snow on the MoorsSuggesting distant treesStorm in the CovePainting a stormy sky Painting a stormy sea Index Outlines