Learn to paint 50 vibrant watercolour animals in seven simple stages, with award-winning artist Marina Bakasova.

Paint 50 Watercolour Animals is the first title in a new beginner-friendly 'how-to-paint' series. This book will focus on a range of animals, from popular pets to wild creatures; from fun flamingos and doting dogs to mischievous monkeys. 

Over the course of 50 simple watercolour projects, this title will teach you how to paint! Each project can be completed in just seven simple steps from initial line drawing to finished creation, using a small selection of colours and a handful of easy-to-follow watercolour techniques.

Whether you want to create a hand-painted card, decorate your wall or maybe you simply want to learn the relaxing art of painting with watercolours, with 50 cute motifs to choose from, you’ll easily find something to inspire you.

No prior knowledge of watercolour techniques needed – This book contains a short list of tools and materials needed to get started and a clear and informative guide to the basic techniques needed to paint this varied collection of animals.

No drawing skills required – The line drawings are provided at full size, ready to copy or trace – and all the information on how to do so is included. The line drawings are also available to download for free from Bookmarked (www.bookmarkedhub.com).

Suitable for artists of all levels – Marina’s clear instructions guide the reader from start to finish in a way that makes it easy for anyone to pick up a brush and learn how to paint in her loose, characterful style.

Paint 50 Watercolour Animals is the first title in a new beginners' series that teaches you how to paint popular subjects by simplifying them into shapes, lines and colours. The book focuses on a range of animals - from household pets to wild creatures, including meerkats and monkeys. There are 50 watercolour projects included and each of them can be completed in just seven steps. No prior knowledge is needed, so these books are ideal for complete beginners and each of the projects come complete with a line drawing provided at full size so it's ready to copy or trace.

This is another lovely book by the talented Niina Latinen. I already own her previous sock book so couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. Another 20 beautiful sock patterns inspired by all four corners of the globe.

There are different skill levels required but all have very clear instructions and charts which could be photocopied, enlarged and marked when using if necessary.

I think my favourites so far are Hanami cherry blossom socks, the Taj Mahal ones knitted in double knitting yarn, Skyfall and The Eiffel Tower socks named “Under Parisian Skies”. Too many to choose from really.

Marina Bakasova is an award-winning artist. Fond of drawing and painting from early childhood, she recently graduated from university and now works as a freelance illustrator.

Marina's first book, Four-Step Watercolour, was published through Search Press in 2020 and won the Most Inspiring Crafty Read category in the Best of Craft Awards 2020. 

Marina has over 14,000 followers on Instagram, where her handle is @marinabksv