This new series builds on the theme of the hugely successful Ready to Paint books and provides outlines pre-printed on watercolour paper. You still have to provide your own paint and brushes, of course, but there’s a handy list of What You Need in the concise but informative introductory section to each book. Given the level of skill this is aimed at, getting the right balance between thoroughness and not being so detailed as to be off-putting is a difficult thing to judge. The decision here has been to start on practical work as soon as possible and develop skills there.
The core of each book is a series of six projects with detailed step-by-step-illustrations. There’s plenty of hand-holding and a very real sense of having a guide and tutor at your shoulder throughout. A nice touch is the suggestion of making copies of the outlines so that you can practice and repeat the exercises without the pressure of having to get it right first time or waste the material provided. This is advice any newcomer would be advised to follow as (spoiler alert), art isn’t something you can pick up in a few minutes.
There’s much to like here, quite apart from the approach and presentation. The books are spiral bound inside a substantial hard cover and the attention to detail includes an elasticated band that holds the whole thing together in the manner of a portfolio. It’s very professionally done and makes the student feel both taken, and that they’re taking it all, seriously.

About this book:
Charles Evans is an experienced and popular demonstrator who is ideally suited to this introduction to painting coastal scenes. Each of the six demonstrations introduces a new topic or technique, such as drawing out colour to create clouds, capturing reflections, using a rigger to create trees and working with stormy skies and seas.
There’s plenty of variety, but nothing is too taxing and the beginner will feel at home quickly, producing worthwhile results that can only encourage further work.
About the Author
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. After a conventional school education Charles entered and spent many years in the catering trade, eventually taking a break to study at Lincoln College of Art. He then joined the Royal Air Force. Following several years in the military, Charles resumed his civilian life in catering, owning bistros and contract catering companies, before turning back to art around thirty years ago. Charles made over two hundred television programmes on art for the Tyne Tees television company, then for the Discovery Channel.

Charles has written several books for Search Press, and now also represents Daler-Rowney as their main demonstrator. His exuberant and informal personality is reflected in his paintings, which have a lightness and simplicity that many artists aspire to.

Charles lives in Morpeth, Northumberland, UK.

Quote product reference: B62938