In life, I often look for short cuts. Yet, it’s so seldom I find real ones that really save time and money. This book is the real deal. It spells out the specifics of what acrylics you really need (or ought to get) and how best to use them, to save time yet accomplish what you’re trying to do. There are little tidbits everywhere in the book that are just golden and exactly what I needed to know for my art. For instance, a spray bottle. For water. Why? Because a mist or two helps keep paints on the palette from drying before I’m done.

I had no idea before this, and I’ve just been wasting paint. And having to scrape off my palette over and over. The author also recommends needle nose pliers. Why? To unplug and squeeze tube of paint, completely, from the bottom up. I’d have never thought of that one, either. And I appreciate how the tips note whether they are truly needed or are maybe optional, so you don’t have to splurge all at once. The book is beautiful, with lots of full-page photos.

It’s written with clear, engaging text — in plain English — arranged in a compelling layout, with tips, asides, and sidebars throughout. The book is arranged in two sections. The first goes over basic tools and tips, how to choose colors, and painting techniques. Super practical and helpful. Then, there are 11 step-by step projects, each covering new ground. Fantastic book, super helpful, and I think, a must-have for any aspiring painter using acrylics.

This book is the bible of paint pouring. Holy cow! It’s a larger book than I’d realized and is chock full of genius tips and how-to’s that I’d never figure out on my own. For instance, to make those “bubbles” in the poured paints for different colors to appear, you really need to use specific ingredients. Which is a huge time savings. But, further, the book points out how they can be found inexpensively in beauty products and lubricants(!). The money I just saved with that tip alone is ten times what the book costs.

And the book is packed with them, alongside full-color, full-page and step-by-step photos. The text is easy to understand, like what to do when you get lumps in your mixed paints (and not to do). So practical and helpful! The first part is all the introductions and how to get into it, along with how to do different techniques. The tips are specific, like what to do to save your left over paints. Then, in the second part of the book, which offers 18 different projects, it occasionally suggests using leftovers and how to do that.

My daughter has become a pretty accomplished knitter. She was looking for something stylish, that she can actually wear and enjoy, and that wasn’t too big of a project. And wow, is this the perfect book for her! There are between 6-8 patterns each for the shawls, the wraps and the scarves inside. They’re lovely, each one.

Each project includes high-quality, fashion-type photos (set in Scotland or thereabouts??) with enough detail visible to see how the finished project will look, and to follow the instructions for each row. She just finished the Ginerva wrap (the one on the cover) and the lacy texture is next-level, and so very pretty. A wonderful guide, with some of the best designs I’ve ever seen.