Melanie Cambridge sets out to dispel the myths surrounding the traditional medium of oils by offering simplified, step-by-step guidance on creating successful oil paintings in just one session. Many amateur painters seem wary of oil painting, believing it to be a difficult and messy medium to use that is best left to the professionals . In this book she reveals that this need not be the case. Showing that oils can in fact be a forgiving medium once you've learned a few basic principles, Melanie starts by looking at how to mix colours, how to master simple techniques, and how to use tone effectively. She then shows you how to paint a variety of colourful, vibrant landscapes in oils from sketches, photographs and on location. Each chapter focuses on a specific subject, such as skies, trees, water, flowers, buildings, figures and boats, and a number of step-by-step demonstrations show exactly how each picture is built up.

'A work of art in itself.' The Artist Magazine

Melanie Cambridge teaches oil painting and is a regular contributor to Artists & Illustrators magazine and Painting World. This is her first book.