Secondhand Art Books

A non-specialist introduction and work of reference to the fine arts, covering artistic endeavour through all time and throughout the world.

The nude has inspired artists for centuries and continues to inspire us today. Alongside a historical study of the nude in painting, this book introduces oil paint and gives advice...

Anyone can draw. Let Mark Linley inspire you to pick up your pencil and create a magical masterpiece. His positive approach secures quick, accurate results and ever-growing confidence.

Nature and Its Symbols is the fifth volume in the series A Guide to Imagery, reference guides whose goal is to explain the symbols used in art. This volume includes...

Designed for the serious beginner, this volume offers step-by-step advice on painting in oil pastels. Lessons progress simply from easy subjects and techniques to the more difficult and complex. First,...

This guide offers an outstanding overview of the finer points of pencil work, both for sketching and detailed finished drawings. Author Frank M. Rines discusses approaches to graphite work and...

learn how to use pastels with step-by-step techniques and projects to follow, in 180 colour photographs

Like millions of others, Andrew Marr draws. He hasn't had lessons, yet since childhood, the journalist and TV presenter has been at his happiest with a pen or brush in...

The urban sketcher's ultimate guide to drawing buildings! Whether it's a suburban street scene or a vast city skyline, learn all the skills you need to improve your sketches and...

These original patterns combine aspects of abstract design with natural elements for beautiful and strikingly unusual effects. They can be executed with either of the customary techniques, copper foil or...

Aimed at those who wish to paint urban scenes, this book covers the basics of materials, equipment, perspective and composition, and goes on to discuss the variety of light, colour...

Taking a refreshingly objective look at Duchamp's real contribution to modern art, this gorgeous hardbound volume explores his myriad personal relations, his creation of major works, his passion for chess...

The perfect gift for Hockney fans and dog lovers everywhere, David Hockney's Dog Days, now in a gift edition, is an album devoted to two of the artist's closest friends,...

Rembrandt is probably the most famous Dutch painter of the seventeenth century. His works are greatly loved today, but he was not always so well regarded. His life was one...

M is the name of an enigma. In his short and violent life, Michaelangelo Merisi, from Caravaggio, changed art for ever. In the process, he laid bare his own sexual...

Of all the ornamental applications of Celtic art, the decorated letter is perhaps the richest. This wonderful collection of 16 complete alphabets, created by Aidan Meehan from his deep knowledge...

Learn to Paint Pen and Wash is a new title in the bestselling Learn to Paint series. Wendy Jelbert explains all the basic techniques for using inks and watercolour together...