Matthew Palmer – författare

10th Anniversary edition‘If you want to learn to paint, but don’t know where to start, start here.’ Artbookreview.netThe ultimate guide to watercolour painting for the complete beginner, from expert teacher, Matthew Palmer. This is a revised and updated edition of his beloved bestseller, which has now sold more than 100,000 copies.Best-selling artist and tutor Matthew Palmer is renowned for his beautiful, detailed paintings and his ability to teach effective painting using simple, friendly, step-by-step techniques. This revised and updated anniversary edition celebrates ten years since this best-selling book was first published.In addition to the time-proven instruction of the original it includes three brand-new projects, over a dozen new or updated exercises and techniques, over 30 brand-new finished paintings plus fresh tips that Matthew has learned over the past decade. The book contains:Key advice for every beginner, including a guide to paint and paper and a handy brushstroke comparison guide.Essential techniques including drawing (from life and from photographs), composition, easy perspective, using light and shade and mixing colour.Watercolour techniques including washes, layering, wet-into-wet, lifting out and using masking fluid, plus in-depth step-by-step projects for painting a variety of skies, trees, reflections and figures.Six simple step-by-step painting exercises, and six further step-by-step projects, including a seascape, snow scene and a mountain landscape.Pull-out outline drawings for all the step-by-step exercises and paintings (Matthew shows step by step how to transfer these onto watercolour paper)The original edition of this book has already taught 100,000 complete beginners all the skills necessary to enjoy watercolour painting, and this revised edition includes plenty of new techniques, tips, and exercises to inspire many more.

Short on time but bursting with creativity? Learn to paint dynamic watercolour seascapes with these 33 quick-and-easy, skill-building projects.Best-selling author Matthew Palmer has included all his tried-and-tested tips and techniques, along with step-by-step instructions and full-size tracings for all 33 stunning projects.This beginner’s course in watercolour contains a series of 33 ocean-themed painting projects, each designed to take 30 minutes or fewer, and structured to build up your skills gradually. Start simple with still water and rippling tides, then move on to creating crashing waves, coastal buildings, boats and sun-bleached sand.Designed for busy hobby artists who want to snatch moments to paint here or there, each of these compact projects is explained in 10 steps or fewer and is accompanied by a full-size outline on tracing paper.Covers watercolour basics, building up from core watercolour techniques including preparing paper and paint and blending.Each of the 33 quick and easy exercises takes no more than 30 minutes and will teach you how to create a new and inspiring subject – including wild waves, lightning on the ocean, yachts, palm trees and rocky shores.The exercises are all worked at postcard size – ideal for a 6 x 4in (A6) watercolour pad.At the end of the book discover 3 larger scale finished paintings that demonstrate how to integrate the techniques you’ve learned into vibrant and inspiring seascapes; these complete paintings also have an accompanying actual-size tracing.

A best-selling artist shares his favourite tricks-of-the-trade so beginner to intermediate artists can take their watercolour paintings to the next level.Includes viewfinders and colour mixes for mastering composition, proportion, perspective, and effects!This indispensable watercolour painting book is like having a professional artist on your shoulder! Packaged in a small, journal-like format, it is designed for on-the-go reference – whether you’re painting indoors or outside.Inside you’ll find:Sketching tips and mini demosEssential colour mixes for different subjects, shadows, etc.Troubleshooting tips for correcting mistakesEssential items list for when you’re painting outdoorsViewfinders to help with proportions, perspective, and compositionRuler printed down the side of the cover.Colour swatches ('recipes') are also printed down the sides of the colour mixing pages, with the component colours and percentages alongside. Hold the swatches up to your subject, so you can match the colour and create the right mix.Combining top tips, handy hints, and useful tricks-of-the-trade, this watercolour painting book is the perfect resource for beginner to intermediate watercolour artists!

The quick way to watercolour success is here! If you have ever wanted to learn to paint animals, then this is for you.Part of the bestselling Absolute Beginner Art series from Search Press.Packed easy-to-follow techniques, quick exercises and 9 outlines – so there’s no need to draw anything - let best-selling author, artist and teacher Matthew Palmer show you how to use watercolours with confidence to paint a range of animals in simple steps. Matthew expertly demonstrates how to paint realistic eyes, mouths, noses, fur markings and feathers in watercolour, and clearly explains all the techniques needed for the projects, including wet into wet, lifting out, adding shadows and the all-important dry-brush blending.Full-size, fold-out outline sketches are provided for all projects, allowing you to simply trace the sketches onto watercolour paper and start painting with ease. A clear and comprehensive colour-mixing section is included to allow you to confidently choose and mix the colours you need.3 starter projects to start you off with a simple: Bird, Dolphin, Penguin - are the perfect introduction to the basic techniques before moving on to 6 larger projects, each set in a simple scene: Parrot, Cheetah, Panda, Giraffes, Sea turtle, Polar bear.Matthew includes many handy hints and tip for beginners and improving artists alike to fill you with confidence to create your own stunning watercolour animals.

A riveting novel of international suspense from acclaimed author and veteran diplomat Matthew Palmer. Twenty years after the Srebrenica massacre that claimed the life of his friend and colleague, Eric Petrosian is back in Sarajevo at the American embassy, and the specter of war once again hangs over the Balkans. The Bosnian Serb leader, who had for a time been seeking a stable peace, has turned back to his nationalist roots and is threatening to pull Bosnia apart in a bloody struggle for control . . . and behind him is a shadowy mafia figure pulling the strings. As Eric is dragged deeper into the political maelstrom and uncovers a plot of blackmail and ruthless ambitions, Eric is faced with an impossible choice: use the information he’s uncovered to achieve atonement for the past or use it to shape the future.

A tense, complex, and twisting diplomatic thriller in which one woman must choose between morality and compromise—and in either case, the consequences may be deadly. Katarina “Kate” Hollister is a second-generation Foreign Service officer, recently assigned to Kyrgyzstan. She’s not there by chance. Kate is a Foreign Service brat who attended high school in the region; her uncle is the U.S. ambassador to the country, and he pulled a few strings to get her assigned to his mission. U.S.–Kyrgyz relations are at a critical juncture. U.S. authorities have been negotiating with the Kyrgyz president on the lease of a massive airbase that would significantly expand the American footprint in Central Asia and could tip the scale in “the Great Game,” the competition among Russia, China, and the United States for influence in the region. The negotiations are controversial in the United States because of the Kyrgyz regime’s abysmal human-rights record. The fate of the airbase is balanced on a razor’s edge. Amid these events, Kate’s uncle assigns her to infiltrate an underground democracy movement that has been sabotaging Kyrgyz security services and regime supporters. Washington has taken an interest in the movement, her uncle conveys, and may find it worth supporting if they understand more about the aims and leadership. And Kate has an in—many followers of the movement were high school classmates of hers. But it soon becomes clear that nothing about Kate’s mission is as it seems . . . and that she might need to lay her life on the line for what she knows is right.

Global headlines come to life as intrigue and international politics collide in this electrifying debut thriller from Matthew Palmer.'Detailed and atmospheric, The American Mission is an exciting, grown-up spy thriller packed with insider knowledge. Highly recommended.' Charles CummingAfter a devastating experience in Darfur strips Alex Baines, former rising star of the State Department, of his security clearances, he is faced with two choices: spend the rest of his career in visa-stamping limbo or move to the private sector. On the verge of resigning, he receives a call from his old mentor with an incredible opportunity to start over with a role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet the job isn’t quite what Alex imagined it to be, for he finds a shady U.S.-based mining company involved everywhere he turns.As violence in the political climate escalates, Alex struggles to balance the best interests of the United States with the fate of the Congo and its people. His loyalties are put to the test as he races to determine the right course of action.'A thrilling read with razor-sharp prose and a haunted, memorable hero... Left me breathless and thinking long after the last page.' Dreda Say Mitchell, CWA Dagger-winning author'A thriller of great integrity and intelligence…I highly recommend it.' Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author‘There's the mission the public knows, and the mission we'll never see. Matthew Palmer knows both, which is what makes The American Mission crackle with complexity and authenticity. What a debut.’ Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Global headlines come to life as intrigue and international politics collide in this electrifying debut thriller from Matthew Palmer.''Detailed and atmospheric, The American Mission is an exciting, grown-up spy thriller packed with insider knowledge. Highly recommended.'' Charles CummingAfter a devastating experience in Darfur strips Alex Baines, former rising star of the State Department, of his security clearances, he is faced with two choices: spend the rest of his career in visa-stamping limbo or move to the private sector. On the verge of resigning, he receives a call from his old mentor with an incredible opportunity to start over with a role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet the job isn''t quite what Alex imagined it to be, for he finds a shady U.S.-based mining company involved everywhere he turns.As violence in the political climate escalates, Alex struggles to balance the best interests of the United States with the fate of the Congo and its people. His loyalties are put to the test as he races to determine the right course of action.''A thrilling read with razor-sharp prose and a haunted, memorable hero... Left me breathless and thinking long after the last page.'' Dreda Say Mitchell, CWA Dagger-winning author''A thriller of great integrity and intelligence…I highly recommend it.'' Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author''There''s the mission the public knows, and the mission we''ll never see. Matthew Palmer knows both, which is what makes The American Mission crackle with complexity and authenticity. What a debut.'' Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Global headlines come to life as intrigue and international politics collide in this electrifying debut thriller from Matthew Palmer.'Detailed and atmospheric, The American Mission is an exciting, grown-up spy thriller packed with insider knowledge. Highly recommended.' Charles CummingAfter a devastating experience in Darfur strips Alex Baines, former rising star of the State Department, of his security clearances, he is faced with two choices: spend the rest of his career in visa-stamping limbo or move to the private sector. On the verge of resigning, he receives a call from his old mentor with an incredible opportunity to start over with a role in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet the job isn’t quite what Alex imagined it to be, for he finds a shady U.S.-based mining company involved everywhere he turns.As violence in the political climate escalates, Alex struggles to balance the best interests of the United States with the fate of the Congo and its people. His loyalties are put to the test as he races to determine the right course of action.'A thrilling read with razor-sharp prose and a haunted, memorable hero... Left me breathless and thinking long after the last page.' Dreda Say Mitchell, CWA Dagger-winning author'A thriller of great integrity and intelligence…I highly recommend it.' Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times bestselling author‘There's the mission the public knows, and the mission we'll never see. Matthew Palmer knows both, which is what makes The American Mission crackle with complexity and authenticity. What a debut.’ Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A twisting thriller in which one woman must choose between morality and compromise with potentially deadly consequences. Perfect for fans of Frederick Forsyth and Charles Cumming.Kate Hollister is a US Foreign Service officer recently assigned to Kyrgyzstan. This is no chance assignment: she grew up there and her uncle, the US ambassador, has secured her the position.The US wants to build a huge airbase in Kyrgyzstan to expand the American presence in Central Asia and outpace Russia and China in the competition for regional influence. With the move controversial due to the Kyrgyz regime’s human rights record, negotiations are balanced on a razor’s edge.Amid these events, an underground movement has been sabotaging the Kyrgyz regime's supporters. Kate’s uncle assigns her to infiltrate the movement and discover its aims. Yet nothing in the mission is as it seems. When forced to choose between morality and compromise, will Kate lay her life on the line for what she knows is right?'A fine read' Kirkus'A satisfying thriller' Booklist'Palmer is a rare talent' Gayle Lynds'A first-class storyteller' Bill Clinton

A twisting thriller in which one woman must choose between morality and compromise with potentially deadly consequences. Perfect for fans of Frederick Forsyth and Charles Cumming.Kate Hollister is a US Foreign Service officer recently assigned to Kyrgyzstan. This is no chance assignment: she grew up there and her uncle, the US ambassador, has secured her the position.The US wants to build a huge airbase in Kyrgyzstan to expand the American presence in Central Asia and outpace Russia and China in the competition for regional influence. With the move controversial due to the Kyrgyz regime''s human rights record, negotiations are balanced on a razor''s edge.Amid these events, an underground movement has been sabotaging the Kyrgyz regime''s supporters. Kate''s uncle assigns her to infiltrate the movement and discover its aims. Yet nothing in the mission is as it seems. When forced to choose between morality and compromise, will Kate lay her life on the line for what she knows is right?''A fine read'' Kirkus''A satisfying thriller'' Booklist''Palmer is a rare talent'' Gayle Lynds''A first-class storyteller'' Bill Clinton

Two countries are brought to the brink of nuclear war in this breathtaking thriller from the author of The American Mission.Sam Trainor’s outspokenness left him marginalised in Washington. Formerly a top South Asia expert in the State Department, Sam's knowledge is now being used in the private sector, but he finds profits-driven consulting work difficult to adjust to. When Sam stumbles across the transcript of a phone conversation discussing ways to provoke conflict between India and Pakistan, he knows that conversation can’t have taken place — because he is having an affair with one of the alleged participants.Someone is deliberately stoking the simmering conflict between nuclear-armed rivals. To prevent all-out war, Sam must work out the answers in a deadly game where no one, not even his closest colleagues, can be trusted.'A gut-churning international thriller' Huffington Post'[A] fantastic read' Suspense Magazine'An excellent political thriller' Library Journal

Two countries are brought to the brink of nuclear war in this breathtaking thriller from the author of The American Mission.Sam Trainor''s outspokenness left him marginalised in Washington. Formerly a top South Asia expert in the State Department, Sam''s knowledge is now being used in the private sector, but he finds profits-driven consulting work difficult to adjust to. When Sam stumbles across the transcript of a phone conversation discussing ways to provoke conflict between India and Pakistan, he knows that conversation can''t have taken place - because he is having an affair with one of the alleged participants.Someone is deliberately stoking the simmering conflict between nuclear-armed rivals. To prevent all-out war, Sam must work out the answers in a deadly game where no one, not even his closest colleagues, can be trusted.''A gut-churning international thriller'' Huffington Post''[A] fantastic read'' Suspense Magazine''An excellent political thriller'' Library Journal

'Compelling tour of Bosnia by a seasoned diplomat and first-class storyteller' Bill ClintonA diplomat deals with the legacy of the devastating Yugoslav wars in this dynamic thriller from the acclaimed author of The American Mission. Diplomat Eric Petrosian has returned to Sarajevo, twenty years after the horrors of the Srebrenica massacre which took the life of his friend.The spectre of war again hangs over the Balkans. The Bosnian Serb leader is now threatening to pull Bosnia apart in a bloody struggle for control. Pulling the strings from the shadows is a ruthless organised crime figure. As Eric is dragged deeper into the political maelstrom, he uncovers an ambitious plot of blackmail and treachery and faces an impossible choice: use that information to atone for the past – or use it to shape the future.Perfect for fans of John le Carré, Daniel Silva and Ken Follett.'Thrilling' New York Times'Well-written and exciting' Kirkus'Meticulously crafted' Publishers Weekly

''Compelling tour of Bosnia by a seasoned diplomat and first-class storyteller'' Bill ClintonA diplomat deals with the legacy of the devastating Yugoslav wars in this dynamic thriller from the acclaimed author of The American Mission. Diplomat Eric Petrosian has returned to Sarajevo, twenty years after the horrors of the Srebrenica massacre which took the life of his friend.The spectre of war again hangs over the Balkans. The Bosnian Serb leader is now threatening to pull Bosnia apart in a bloody struggle for control. Pulling the strings from the shadows is a ruthless organised crime figure. As Eric is dragged deeper into the political maelstrom, he uncovers an ambitious plot of blackmail and treachery and faces an impossible choice: use that information to atone for the past – or use it to shape the future.Perfect for fans of John le Carré, Daniel Silva and Ken Follett.''Thrilling'' New York Times''Well-written and exciting'' Kirkus''Meticulously crafted'' Publishers Weekly

“There''s the mission the public knows, and the mission we''ll never see.  Matthew Palmer knows both, which is what makes The American Mission crackle with complexity and authenticity.  What a debut.”

—Brad Meltzer, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Fifth Assassin

Global headlines come to life as intrigue and international politics collide in the Congo in this electrifying debut thriller from Matthew Palmer.After a devastating experience in Darfur strips Alex Baines, former rising star of the State Department, of his security clearances, he is faced with two choices: spend the rest of his career in visa-stamping limbo or move to the private sector. On the verge of resigning, he receives a call from his old mentor with an incredible opportunity to start over, restoring both his security clearances and his reputation.The job isn’t quite what Alex imagined it to be when he finds a shady U.S.-based mining company everywhere he turns.As violence in the political climate escalates, Alex struggles to balance the best interests of the United States with the fate of the Congo and its people. His loyalties are put to the test as he races to determine the right course of action.

An NPR Best Book of the YearFrom a veteran insider with over twenty years’ experience in the U.S. Foreign Service comes a taut, insightful thriller of global intrigue and behind-the-scenes international politics.Sam Trainor’s career of overseas work coupled with a penchant for being outspoken has left him on the outside of the competitive Washington establishment.  Formerly the top South Asia expert in the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Trainor has moved to the private sector, working as an analyst for the consulting firm Argus Systems.But Sam soon discovers that for all their similarities, the government and their hired contractors have vastly different motives. As he struggles to adjust to a more corporate, profit-driven version of the work that had been his life, he stumbles across an intelligence anomaly—the transcript of a phone conversation about the fastest ways to upend the delicate political balance keeping India and Pakistan from all-out war. Yet Sam knows that conversation can’t have occurred—because he is having an affair with one of the alleged participants.As he digs into the source of this misinformation, he realizes that more is at stake than just bad intel. Someone is deliberately twisting the intelligence to stoke the simmering conflict between India and Pakistan, nuclear-armed rivals that have already fought multiple wars. And Sam’s new employer could be up to its neck in it.From the Hardcover edition.

Learn to paint a variety of mountain scenes with Matthew Palmer using just three colours, three brushes and nine easy projects.Even if you've never picked up a paintbrush, Matthew Palmer will show you how to paint convincing watercolour mountain scenes using just 3 colours, 3 brushes, a plastic palette and a watercolour pad.From only 3 affordable watercolour paints in red, blue and yellow you can mix a huge range of colours and paint beautiful landscapes you'll be proud to hang on your wall. Starting from the simplest of mountain scenes, Matthew builds your skills as you progress through the 9 easy projects in the book, and by the end you'll be amazed at what you have achieved.Clear instructions and step-by-step photographs show you how to add detail, shadow and distance to a scene, and there are numerous handy tips and helpful 'jargon busters' to help you learn the basic watercolour techniques. Before you know it, you'll have acquired all the skills you need to paint your own wonderful mountain scenes in watercolour.

Learn to paint watercolour animals and birds – in just 30 minutes! – using over 30 step-by-step exercises complete with helpful tracings. Includes small-scale projects for 6 x 4 watercolour pads, plus 3 full-size paintings!Are you short on time but want to learn how to paint animals in watercolour? This beginner’s watercolour painting book offers exercises ideal for a 6 x 4 watercolour pad, plus 3 full-size projects – all of which can be completed in just 30 minutes. Inside, you’ll find step-by-step guidance on:  Basic watercolour techniquesPainting key features to capture animal personalityPainting textures and markings like life-like feathers and furPainting animal portraits from photographs and lifePainting animals in landscapes, including fields, woodlands, and more3 full-size painting projects: King Charles Spaniel; Snow Leopard; HummingbirdTracings for each watercolour painting – no drawing necessary! Among the bird and animal species Matthew Palmer includes in this title are: parrot, cat, dog and puppy, sheep and lamb, zebra, stag, cow, swan, flamingo, elephant, penguin, robin, giraffe, snow leopard, ram, rabbit, meerkat, monkey, rooster and tiger.Each project is designed to cover a certain watercolour technique, making this the perfect crash course for beginners or artists looking to develop their skills.

WATERCOLOUR FOR BEGINNERS: 6 full-size, pre-drawn tracings help you paint lush watercolour landscapes with world renowned artist Matthew Palmer!Bestselling author, artist, and teacher Matthew Palmer guides beginners through their first steps in watercolour and reveals the power of this exciting medium.Build your watercolour painting skills with:Step-by-step exercises, mini projects, and 6 longer projectsDemonstrations of essential drawing skillsDemonstrations of watercolour techniques like colour mixing, scratch-out and more.Learn to apply natural-looking foliage to trees and woodlands... Use dry-brush techniques to depict intricate detail, and refer to Palmer’s finished paintings for even more inspiration!Featuring tons of easy-to-follow advice, this watercolour painting guide will help beginners produce landscape paintings they’re proud of.Includes material previously published in Matthew Palmer's Step-by-Step Guide to Watercolour Painting (2018), but with the addition of three brilliant new projects, many new illustrations and extensive textual revisions.

Learn to paint colourful watercolours using only three colours in this collection of projects, tips and techniques from the innovative Take Three Colours series.Each of the 25 projects explores a variety of watercolour techniques and walks the reader through a sequence of clear steps using a selection of three pure colours and their many mixes, and only three brushes to complete the work.Project themes include landscapes, seascapes, flowers, mountains, lakes and rivers and snow scenes. There is also a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book, exploring some of the most commonly used terms and techniques featured in the book.

Learn watercolour the easy way, in this fresh, visual and brand-new series from trusted teacher and best-selling author, Matthew Palmer.Focusing on trees, leaves and foliage, work your way through 12 skill-building paintings and one inspiring final project to create your own remarkable results.The perfect watercolour guide for beginners, this book is packed with short, easy-to-follow exercises, complete with step-by-step photos, helpful annotations, and all of Matthew's tried-and-tested tips:Start at the very beginning with a short section covering key equipment, advice on mixing colours and some recipes for the basic colour mixes you will need throughout.Dive straight into 12 inspiring practical exercises that each build on a new skill. Start with a simple tree silhouette and build up gradually to a verdant forest.There are short, easy-to-follow steps for every lesson, with clear step-by-step photos and simple annotations.Within each "lesson" or exercise, Matthew reveals his tried-and-tested tips and tricks for achieving a painting you'll be proud of, which artists of all abilities will find invaluable.To put everything you’ve learned into practice, the book finishes with an inspiring final project for you to paint, to pull together everything you've learned and to flex your new abilities.This exciting new series demystifies landscape painting in small, digestible chunks, making this the ideal handbook for any budding painter.