Creative Paint Workshop for Mixed Media Artists by Ann Baldwin, hardback, spiral bound published by Quarry Books. ISBN 978-1-59253-456-2, price 17.00 GBP from www.quarrybooks.com

This book is firmly on my shelf on favourite art books. Ann Baldwin is a self-taught artist, though you would not guess. She is an inspiration to all artists and crafters to reach for the skies. This book is about experimental techniques for composition, layering, texture, imagery and encaustic. It is full of Ann’s exciting work. It starts off with a guide to media, then looks at composition and gets you thinking out of the box. I really like the workshop style of this book. Thee are questions to make you think about what you are doing. Step by step instructions, encouragement to experiment, how to combine words and paint and using digital photographs. Ann’s creativity and originality shine through and should be catching. Once you have the techniques, you can use them for your own ideas. From start to finish, I love this book and I know it will take my painting to the next level. It’s also incredibly good value.

Quick and Easy Topiary and Green Sculpture by Jenny Hendy, softback published by Quarto. Available in the UK, ISBN 0-316-72735-0, price 14.99 from www.littlebrown.co.uk

This fantastic guide to topiary gives you all the ideas and know-how you need. From creating life-size animals to the simple box cones, topiary is loved or hated with nothing in between. Thos that dislike should think on… it is a form of expression that adds another dimension to the garden. In its simplest form of geometric shapes, it is an essential element of the formal garden. Good topiary can enliven any space. Even Christopher Lloyd’s Great Dixter has its topiary.

This book shows you how to make and plant wire frames, how to adapt traditional topiary, as well as how to make a standard. It shows how to care for your creations. There is a very good directory of shapes including geometric, animals and topiary that can be used for special occasions. In addition, there is a directory of suitable plants.

This is a well-illustrated 128 page book that is well-written and easy to use. The next time you stare longingly at that 80 pound topiary conifer, get yourself a copy of this book.