Artist Toolbox: Painting Tools & Materials

This is a very good book with plenty of detailed explanations for all types of tools and mediums that anyone learning about painting can use.   I also loved the step by step instructions on different paintings some of which I have already copied for practice.

I  recieved a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is a nice basic collection of tools, supplies and different mediums for the modern day artist. I loved how the book broke down the different types of the same kinds of paints. (Who knew there were so many different kinds of acrylic paints?) I also loved how they showed the different brush techniques.

"Painting Tools & Materials" is a very basic, beginner's art instruction book about painting. They covered the basics about using watercolors, acrylics, and oil and explained which media work well together for mixed media. They talked about the types of brushes and how they're used, supports, mediums, easels and other work surfaces, lighting, storage, and safety issues. They covered color theory, color mixing, and various painting techniques including those specific to a certain type of paint (like watercolor). They provided good pictures of the various materials and techniques.

At the end, they provided six step-by-step demonstrations (2 watercolor, 1 acrylic, 2 oil, 1 mixed media) that used the various techniques discussed in the book. While most art instruction books cover tools and materials, they usually do so quickly and often assume you understand more about the materials and techniques than complete beginners really do. This book goes in depth into these basics so that you can better understand art instruction books and know what tools and materials you actual need for the painting you want to do.

4 Stars! This was a very informative book! I’m a beginner in the art world & I found a lot of the info in this book to be very helpful. It did make me feel a bit overwhelmed after awhile. It’s just got so much information & I didn’t know where to begin!! I tried to keep to the acrylic painting info since that’s where I’d like to start & that made it less overwhelming. Plus this book gives the reader a few step by step demonstrations at the end of it & I tried out the acrylic painting demo- I need the practice!! I recommend this book for any beginner painter & suggest you just focus on one style of painting (acrylic, watercolor, oil, mixed media) at a time.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own!*