Anne-Marie Esson—painter, instructor, and host of the Public Television series Painting with Anne-Marie—takes the intimidation out of a blank canvas! She has developed an amazingly effective step-by-step painting method that can teach any interested student how to create stylish works of art. The process begins with sketches of the subject, followed by a color wash. Then, layer shadows to add depth; bring the image to life with highlights; and finish up with painted accents. Each skill is extensively explained, and seven complete paintings (two floral still lifes and a seaside landscape, beach scene, boat, harbor, and lighthouse) are shown with the key stages stepped out to clarify the techniques. In addition, there’s advice on setting up a proper workstation and creative exercises for inspiration. Read Less