The more you know about the basic materials and techniques of art, the more you are likely to enjoy it. This all-inclusive resource for beginning artists wanting to experiment and play with a variety of art mediums and techniques introduces the essentials of drawing, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, oil, calligraphy, mixed media, color, composition, and more. Each section includes a basic overview of the technique, instructions for selecting and working with the right tools and materials, sample artwork, and helpful sidebars with advice from professional artists.