Plaster Studio by Stephanie Lee & Judy Wise, softback published by North Light. ISBN 978-1-4403-0815-4, price 16.99 available from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This book truly shows the versatility of plaster. If you have not really considered this as an art medium, this book is full of ideas and creativity. Transfer images to plaster, cast and carve and so much more. This is a book with a difference – it is a feast for the imagination. Use the techniques to come up with your own uses and ideas.

Artist’s Journal Workshop by Cathy Johnson, softback published by North Light Books. ISBN 978-1-4403-0868-0, price 16.99 available from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Ever wanted to keep an art journal about your day, your week, your life? Here’s your chance. Explore, experiment and release your inner artist by getting your thoughts and ideas onto paper. There are hands-on exercises and professional tips from over 25 international artists. This book will help you to get what you want from your journal and open the door to creativity. This book is filled with visual imagery that will help you get started and guide you through the difficult ‘blocks’ all artists encounter. Try it.

Mixed Media Paintbox ed Tony Davenport, softback published by North Light Books in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-4403-0907-6, price 16.99 available from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Find ways to incorporate paint into your mixed media by following tips from 45 artists. Try different projects and techniques to add depth to your art – there’s a technique and project for every week of the year. Lots of ideas and inspiration here for budding artists. I have to admit I would not use most of it but I found it interesting.

Flavor For Mixed Media by Mary Beth Shaw, softback published by North Light Books. ISBN 978-1-4403-0317-3, price 16.99 available from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

I think this book really does fulfil its promises. Subtitled ‘A Feast of Techniques For Texture, Color and Layers’ this book encompasses all those things that many of us, as artists, attempt to incorporate in our work. I like the fact that the book also has a sub-plot – food. Feed your inner soul and create. There are recipes sprinkled through the book. Several artists share their method of working and secrets. There are some great ideas here and demonstrations for improving your work. I love the Judy Wise, Katie Kendrick, Elizabeth MacCrellish and Misty Mawn sections. I would recommend this to artists looking to expand their work.

Sketchbook Confidential ed by Pamela Wissman and Stefanie Laufersweiler, softback published by North Light Books in the USA. ISBN 978-1-4403-0869-8, price 24.99 US dollars. Available in the UK price 16.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

All artists and even many non-artists love looking at artists’ sketchbooks. This book allows you to step inside the sketchbooks of over 40 artists. There is a small bio of each artist at the back. The work show is very varied and inspirational from portraits to landscapes to animal drawing to architecture. Some of the work is very contemporary, some traditional. This book offers a good mix.

Drawing Lifelike Portraits with Lee Hammond DVD, published by North Light in the USA. Available in the UK, price 16.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This is a very useful DVD. Having done an art course at my local college, I knew little more, if anything, than when I started. I had so wanted to get to grips with tone. This DVD is like magic, after years of struggling, it cleared everything up in a matter of minutes. Lee is a very strict teacher, but don’t be put off, she means well and is a good instructor. She gives you the opportunity to practice until you are perfect. I didn’t actually follow her advice with regard to materials, but found good results using an ordinary 2B pencil and a roll of stiffish paper to achieve the same effect. Then we launch into the portrait itself. I was surprised to find that she works from a photograph, but then most home artists will find this the easiest way. Enjoy it – this DVD actually made a difference to my work and I can see a huge improvement. I preferred this to the book.

Radiant Oils by Arleta Pech, hardback published by North Light in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-178-6, price 19.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Arleta has the credentials to paint and paint she does. In this book she looks at glazing, and this is the best book I have seen on this subject. It is filled with images of Arleta’s fabulous work. The book also includes invaluable information on transparency, transferring your drawing and stretching your canvas. I love the flowers in oils, the glass is amazing and there are a variety of subjects to paint. Detailed instructions are given for the cover painting. Technically sound and instructive.

Color Harmonies by Rose Edin and Dee Jepsen, softback published by North Light Books in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-192-6, price 18.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

If ever there was a book that exemplified the reasons for painting watercolour – this is it. Here is watercolour in all its glory. Rich colour, entrancing light, exploiting the paint to deliver a wonderful and unique painting. See the techniques used by the artists and be inspired. Dynamic in all respects, I can highly recommend this book. It contains step by step instructions and who would not wish to emulate such masters of their art? Absolutely brilliant and by far the best book I have seen on watercolour painting.

Brushwork Essentials by Mark Christopher Weber, softback published by North Light books in the USA. ISBN 978-1-4403-0674-7, price 16.99 in the UK from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Learn how to mix and apply paint to achieve the effects you want This book includes many techniques and nine demonstrations to teach you how to use oil paints. At last I feel I can actually begin to paint in oils – this is the book I have been looking for for many years. Weber’s work is truly amazing although the gallery paintings are far more interesting and inspiring than the demonstrations – that’s always the way with these books.

Knitting Brioche by Nancy Marchant, softback published by North Light books in the USA. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-60061-301-2, price 19.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

This unique book covers the topic of brioche stitch. It comes complete with techniques, patterns and stitches to devise your own patterns. Good instructions and clear patterns. On the downside this book needs a little more colour sense (but you can fix that yourself) and the book would have been far better as a spiral bound so that it did not keep closing when you were trying to knit. Also the patterns are on circular needles, so if you hate that type of knitting (as I do), this book is not for you. UK knitters please bear in mind that this book uses US yarns. On the whole I enjoyed the book immensely, it’s a lovely technique.