Still Life is an accessible instruction course for complete beginners to learn how to draw and paint contemporary still-life subjects.

Following a concise guide to the tools, materials, and basic techniques that every beginner needs to know (including line, tone, colour, composition, and perspective), there are ten tutorials showing how to draw and paint a variety of still life subjects.

 Beginner-friendly materials, include:

• Pencil
• Charcoal
• Coloured pencils
• Pen and ink
• Watercolour paints
• Watercolour pencils.

Each tutorial has a list of the materials and tools required, step-by-step photographs of the work, informative text and tips and strategies for getting the best results.

By working through the tutorials, you will gradually develop your skills and build confidence until you feel equipped to attempt any still life. In addition to the tutorials, you’ll find three ‘focus on’ feature spreads. These pages offer more in-depth/advanced techniques appropriate to the projects.

This is a pleasing guide to painting simple compositions using everyday objects you’ll find about you... a good way of developing skills without having to look far for subjects…. it’s an excellent grounding in drawing techniques...

If you’re new to drawing, then we have the best book for you. ... Still Life will help you go from novice to fully-fledged artist. Susie Johns begins this accessible artistic journey by going  through the basics. What’s the difference between line and tone? Should I use pencil, graphite or  watercolour? Whatever your question, Susie has the answer... What are you waiting for? Get reading, and get drawing.

Susie Johns is an artist and designer who has written dozens of craft books, including 100 Essential Embroidery Stitches, Flower Embroidery, Circus Embroidery, Knitted Pets, Knitted Woodland Creatures, 100 Essential Knitting Stitches, How to Embroider, Fat Quarter: Bags & Purses and Fat Quarter: Vintage. Her patterns and designs appear regularly in consumer craft magazines in the UK, such as Let’s Knit, Sew and Let’s Get Crafting, and she has written numerous patterns for suppliers such as DMC. She has also demonstrated various crafts on television. Susie studied Fine Art at The Slade School and went on to pursue a career in publishing as an editor before becoming freelance. Alongside her writing career, she teaches drawing and painting at a local adult education college. She also runs classes and workshops on knitting and crochet and has been involved in a number of textile-based community projects in and around London, where she lives.