Capturing light in acrylics

Acrylic is one of the most versatile painting media, suiting an immense range of painting techniques and approaches, from sensitive washes of colour and sketchbook studies to the wide variety of textural and other paint handling effects.

Interest in acrylics has increased hugely in recent years and this is a timely book to help beginners as well as devotees of the medium.

John Hammond is one of the most able and successful painters in acrylics today, his work a painterly celebration of luminosity and colour. "Everything I paint is to do with light", he says, and in this book he shows how the adaptable and expressive medium of acrylics can be used to interpret light and capture the mood of a scene, whether it be a winter townscape or a dappled orchard in Provence.

As well as a basic overview of the materials and techniques specific to Acrylics, the author also addresses issues of composition, colour and texture, looks at working on location and discusses themes that include 'Water, boats and beaches', 'City views', 'Mediterranean light' and 'Figures in light and shade'.