This book is both a how-to guide on creating art as well as a beautifully printed book on its own. Author Jeanne Oliver breaks down the process of creating a narrative-based, visual journal into easy approachable steps, emphasizing using the skills and materials you already have, rather than any shiny new material being the solution to your problems. She focuses on not overthinking your work, and embracing your skills, with quotes from authors like Neil Gaiman saying MAKE BAD ART interleaved between her own beautiful, simple watercolor paintings of family members.
I would recommend this book for anyone nervous about making art, particularly if there are certain media you haven't used before (or recently) as the sections do go into how to use a variety of tools. I think my only complaint is this book is a little wordy for a guide to creating art. A lot of the print is about Oliver's own life and childhood--this book is just as much her 'painted art journal' as it is a guide to creating your own--which is not necessarily relevant when I'm trying to figure out how to get started myself.
I would recommend this book for anyone nervous about making art, particularly if there are certain media you haven't used before (or recently) as the sections do go into how to use a variety of tools. I think my only complaint is this book is a little wordy for a guide to creating art. A lot of the print is about Oliver's own life and childhood--this book is just as much her 'painted art journal' as it is a guide to creating your own--which is not necessarily relevant when I'm trying to figure out how to get started myself.