Dave Foster - Stories, Art and Quizzes

Art history is filled with paintings that shocked, intrigued, enraged and mystified their audiences - paintings that exemplified the period in which they were created and forever changed the way we think. Here, one hundred examples of these icons of art are presented in beautiful, high-quality reproductions. Each double-page spread features lavish illustrations and details as well as engaging texts that explain why the painting belongs in the pantheon of world-changing art. Published in association with the Stadel Museum, Frankfurt.

Great Paintings takes you on your own personal gallery tour of over 60 of the world's best-loved paintings. Unlock the hidden meanings and symbols behind each painting, with over 700 photographs to bring the pictures to life and help you understand the key features, composition and techniques that have made these paintings stand out. Plus, biographies of the artists provide the background to each art work, inspiring you to paint your own picture of the historical and social context behind each masterpiece.

Updated for 2018, Great Paintings is a beautiful guide to the paintings, both familiar and new, that have changed the world- it really is like having a gallery of all the great paintings at your fingertips.

A gorgeous exploration of the defining people of the art world including pioneers such as Giotto and Jan van Eyck, the greats like Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, and the visionaries like Frida Kahlo and Hokusai.
The large format art book is overflowing with information and pictures of your favourite classics. The full-page prints are especially spectacular, allowing you to get the full effect of the work that inspired, defined, and encapsulated art movements.
Over 500 years of the craft is discussed, with the chapters organised by century starting with "Before 1500" and ending with "1945 - Present". Each chapter features the relevant painters of those years with its own directory. Read about the historical context of art movements in sections which include timelines and fact panels giving incredible insight into the art world, the past lives of artists and their visions and techniques.
Discover the unconventional stories of the artists' lives, including their influences, developments, friendships, loves, and rivalries. Read about the portraits that Holbein did for Henry VIII to play matchmaker, Caravaggio's astonishing reaction to a badly cooked artichoke, and the many romantic affairs of Picasso. Sometimes scandalous and often tumultuous, the lives of artists such as Raphael, Hogarth, van Gogh, O'Keeffe, Magritte, Warhol, and Kiefer are as interesting and captivating as their work.

The Artists Behind the Paint Brushes

A beautiful coffee table book that would make a lovely gift for those interested in art history, artist biographies or to browse the attractive reproductions of the famous artworks. Includes a foreword by Ross King who is the author of the bestselling Brunelleschi's Dome and Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, as well as the novels Ex-Libris and Domino.

- Over 80 biographies of the standout artists over the centuries since the early Renaissance.
- Beautiful reproductions of artworks that allow you to get up close to their brush strokes.
- Insight into historical art themes and movements that influenced the periods.

Swiss artist HR Giger (1940–2014) is most famous for his creation of the space monster in Ridley Scott’s 1979 horror sci-fi film Alien, which earned him an Oscar. Yet this was just one of the most popular expressions of Giger’s biomechanical arsenal of creatures, which consistently merged hybrids of human and machine into images of haunting power and dark psychedelia. The visions drew on demons of the past, as well as evoking mythologies for the future. Above all, they gave expression to the collective fears and fantasies of his age: fear of the atom, of pollution and wasted resources, and of a future in which our bodies depend on machines for survival.

Following the SUMO-sized monograph which was begun shortly before the artist's unexpected death, this affordable anniversay edition pays homage to Giger’s unique vision. The book shows the complete story of Giger’s life and art, his sculptures, film design, and iconic album covers as well as the heritage he left us in his own artist’s museum and self-designed bar in the Swiss Alps. In an in-depth essay, Giger scholar Andreas J. Hirsch plunges into the themes of the artist’s oeuvre while an extensive biography draws on contemporary quotes and Giger’s own statements.

When Vermeer painted The Milkmaid , the amount of ultramarine he could use was written in the contract. How did that affect how he used it? When Turner experimented with Indian Yellow , he captured roaring flames that brought his paintings to life. If he had used a more ordinary yellow, would he have created something so extraordinary? And how did Warhol throw away the rulebook to change what colour could achieve?

Structured chronologically, Colours of Art provides a fun, intelligent and visually engaging look at the greatest artistic palettes in art history - from Rafael's use of perspective and Vermeer's ultramarine, to Andy Warhol's hot pinks and Lisa Brice's blue women.

Colours of Art offers a refreshing take on the subject and acts as a primer for artists, designers and art lovers who want to look at art history from a different perspective.

For landscapes she discusses cool blue and warm yellow, for gardens transparent reds and complimentary green, and for seascapes warm blue, cool yellow and granulation. The author explores the almost inexhaustible three-colour combinations but also discusses when four- or five-colour combinations would enhance or work more efficiently. This ensures your work is more cohesive, light and brings out the beauty of the watercolour medium.

This extensive guide is packed with demonstrations, work in progress and finished paintings – and every single painting will have the colours itemized, making this not only a great technique book but great resource for colour combinations. Ideal for all painters, new or experienced.

Johanna Basford has sold over 21 million books worldwide. Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Colouring Book was her first book. It has been translated into over 44 languages.

'Colouring in isn't just for kids. These intricate, magical drawings from Secret Garden by Johanna Basford are just waiting to be brought to life.' The Guardian

'Joanna Basford's Secret Garden is an 'inky treasure hunt and colouring book' filled with intricate drawings waiting to be brought to life. It's the colouring–in book you wish you had the hand–eye coordination to do, aged two.' The Independent

'Prepare yourself to get lost in a magical world with this interactive activity book that takes you through a secret garden of incredible drawings by Johanna Basford.' Buzzfeed

'Coloring books for adults have been around for decades, but Basford's success…has helped to create a massive new industry category.' The New Yorker.