101 Textures in Oil & Acrylic

101 Textures in Oil & Acrylic features step-by-step instructions for mastering a variety of the most common surfaces, including sand, water, metals, foliage, wood, bark, fabrics, stone, grass, and many more. Each page features two similar textures for readers to paint in oil or acrylic using the easy-to-follow steps. Half the battle of achieving precise, realistic results in oil and acrylic painting comes down to one’s ability to accurately render surfaces and textures—a challenging feat for even experienced artists. Although many art instruction books focus on learning to paint specific subjects, many fall short when it comes to offering instruction on techniques that help one capture textures adequately. In 101 Textures in Oil & Acrylic, experienced and talented artist Mia Tavonatti provides artists with the essential skills required to render realistic surfaces in oil and acrylic. Artists will discover tips and tricks for working with both mediums, as well as a variety of techniques, including blending, layering, working with oil and acrylic mediums, creating an underpainting, and more. In addition to valuable step-by-step instructions, general color recommendations offer a helpful “get started quick” guide. This helpful guide includes an index for fast and easy reference, while a short gallery at the end of the book shows how various textures represent in finished works of art. With its breadth of coverage, easy-to-follow instruction, and helpful tips, 101 Textures in Oil & Acrylic is a must-have art instruction book for artists of all skill levels and is sure to be referenced time and again.

Mia Tavonatti is an artist with a variety of interests, including a strong passion for painting and drawing. She moved from Michigan to California to attend art school at California State University Long Beach, where she earned her BFA and MFA in illustration. She also has studied painting abroad, and she loves to spend her summers painting in Greece. Mia has exhibited her work extensively, both in Europe and throughout the United States. She is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, and her work can be seen on more than 45 book covers and in several magazines. Mia also enjoys the challenges of working in various forms and media. In addition to her illustrative work, she has created a number of murals and commissions for restaurants, private residences, and corporations. She teaches illustration and painting and the Art Institute of Southern California in Laguna Beach and currently resides in Costa Mesa, California. Mia is the co-author of Oil: Still Lifes (HT281) in Walter Foster’s How to Draw and Paint Series, as well as Walter Foster’s Drawing Animals (K15) and Oil Painting (K06) kits. She also is the author of Drawing: Pets (HT286) in Walter Foster’s How to Draw and Paint Series.