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art books

I thought I would do a few posts with my top books for those beginning to jump into the art world. I’m sharing the top ten books I picked for beginners from my collection. 



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1.




You can read all the books you want, take all the classes and workshops you want, and buy all the best gear, but your art will only improve if you practice regularly. This book gets you started on that path.




2.




Caroline Linscott covers a range of popular subjects as she introduces several basic art concepts and painting techniques, all clearly explained and illustrated.



3.




The exercises are ideal for beginners, and the main projects will also build skills that will help artists improve. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every exercise and main project, and Matthew Palmer shows step-by-step instructions on how to transfer these onto watercolor paper.



4.




A series of fun, hands-on exercises help you practice and perfect your strokes—24 mini-demos lead to 9 full step-by-step demos. The lessons you learn by drawing simple subjects such as coffee mugs, clouds and trees will help you take on progressively more challenging matter like animals, still lifes, landscapes and portraits,



5.




The entertaining, hands-on lessons begin with contour drawing techniques and feature numerous exercises that show budding artists how to make basic shapes and forms.




6.




Beautifully presented instructions and illustrations show you the fundamentals of watercolor for beginners. In five different lessons, mix colors and try various brushstrokes and washes. Learn how to choose and assemble your supplies and paint using color theory and composition techniques.




7.




The eight lessons are carefully constructed to build the necessary techniques, one step at a time, by first starting with simple tasks such as creating and painting flowers with just a few petals and gradually leading up to more complex works with multiple flowers and colors.





8.




Botanical artist Harriet de Winton shows you how to paint modern watercolor artworks to treasure and share. This book aims to expand readers' repertoires into fauna and flora, with easy-to-follow instructions for a variety of difficulty levels.




9.




This book can teach anyone to draw (yes, even you!) Carrie and Rick Parks can help. As award-winning teachers, they have a proven game plan for helping artists of all levels overcome common problems and see immediate improvement in their work.




10.





For those who want a bigger challenge and enjoy figure drawing, Christopher Harts shares his "foolproof" method; even beginners can quick-check the proportions of their head and figure drawings, identify errors, and swiftly fix mistakes.




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It’s essential to adapt your luggage to the specific trip you take. I’ve found, however, that regardless of where you go, there are always a few staple essentials that go with you on your travels. I’ve created a list of my top ten things to bring in your luggage, regardless of the nature of the vacation. Click the title or the photo to link to the products.


Phones are more a part of our lives than ever. Bringing your cell phone can help you in a pinch, provide a camera, and, in most cases, a form of navigation if you lose your way.






Some people say money makes the world go round. You’ll need something to fund your trip regardless of your opinion on cash. A credit card holder is easy to carry. When buying a new wallet, use RFID shielding technology for cards and IDs. RFID blocking technology provides an extra security layer, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized scanning.




Travel Credit card holder from Travelambo
Travel Credit Card Holder


In this modern age, we rely on our phones a lot, so giving them the fuel to perform the functions we need is essential. This Power Pro 5000 Ultra-Compact is a minimal, tubular design that slides easily next to your phone in any pocket or bag. It is just 10cm tall and 3cm wide.






One of the best packing tips I received is that preparation is essential. If you lose one photo ID, whether stolen or misplaced, having an extra form of idea allows you to continue to travel back home safely. Avery Durable ID Cards, Laser Printable on Both Sides.





Hygiene matters. Bringing a toiletry bag with hygiene essentials keeps you organized and feeling fresh. This bag was given to me as a holiday gift. It holds hairbrushes, combs, toothpaste, a curling iron, a small tissue box, and even a little mirror that could be handy in the wild. Made with extra-tough fabric and technical details, then extensively tested in our lab to prove it can hold up for the long haul. These come in various sizes to meet your travel needs. You gotta love L. L. Bean for the perfect bags for all your needs.









Few things are more irritating than having chapped lips and being unable to do anything about it. Bring some chapstick and stay moisturized.







You may not be able to pack a filled water bottle on a plane, but bringing an empty one on your trip is a great way to stay hydrated.








The eddy+ Camelbak© water bottle has a leak and spill-proof cap. It is BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and compatible with other CamelBak© products.


The loop handle makes it easy to carry, and the sip mouthpiece and straw make drinking a pleasure.
















You never know what party people might be in the hotel room next to yours. Having your plugs might be the answer to a good night's sleep.

























When traveling, you come into contact with many unwanted germs. Even if a sink and soap aren’t nearby, it’s nice to be able to sanitize. This one is available at Target.









COVID-19 taught us a thing or two about hand

sanitizer. Considering when you will be around many people is a good idea. A small hand sanitizer in your luggage and/or purse is excellent. Wipe those handshakes right away. (Discreetly, of course).
















It doesn’t matter where you are; the sun is never kind to the skin. Bringing sunscreen will ensure that your skin is protected in any weather condition.










Pin it, please. Comments below this post.









  • 6:30 a.m. (almost every day)

  • Eyes open.

  • Head for the bathroom. Take morning pills.

  • Feed the cats

  • Close the bedroom door, so my husband can keep sleeping.

  • Check the litterbox while the kitties are eating.

  • Go to the art studio, where I get my laptop and put in my hearing aids.

  • Check my email.

  • Check Facebook.

  • Make my tea.

  • Let it cool a bit while I watch Morning Joe.

  • Get a plate for my Giant bakery muffin. Eat half, trying to get a cat off my shoulder.

  • The cat thinks a bite of muffin would be nice. Not.

  • Head for the Art Studio to paint.


This is my morning routine. Every morning except Sunday, I make coffee (because my gastroenterologist says I should have coffee occasionally). 🫤


I would love to hear from you. Do you have a morning routine?


Do you have days that you feel it's not gonna be a good day?


If something throws you off, does it affect the rest of the day?


Tell me about your routine. I promise that I won't share or chastise you. We all have "those" days.



Drop a quick note in the comments. (scroll down under this post)

















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