Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings is, perhaps, the most practical art book that I’ve seen. It starts with some basic color and artistic principles and practices to help beginner painters learn not just how, but why they would paint what where. It then offers a series of paintings, each lovely in itself, which takes the artist, cumulatively, through the various techniques of painting.

Each painting has a series of photos showing how to re-create each painting, along with a listing of materials, general instruction, and in-depth captions for what’s going on in each photo. And it includes advice on displaying your many little paintings when they’re complete. The book is well-bound and laid out exceptionally well. I really think it’s a delightful book for any and every beginner to intermediate acrylic painter. I’ve already started on the first one and I’m looking forward to working my way through them all and (hopefully) improving along the way!