Adding a wash of color to a simple scribble is the first step for budding artists--and this comprehensive series of exercises and studies shows how to utilize this technique with media at any artist's disposal. The author's unique Artstrips--a series of artwork providing detailed instruction--set out the methods in detail, while the demonstration studies, sketches, and finished compositions provide inspiring starting points to help would-be painters move forward on their path to discovering the delights of painting. This professional artist's tips on a wide array of materials and their use, along with the basics of color mixing, show how successful results can be easily achieved across a range of subjects to suit every taste, whether landscapes or figures, flowers or buildings. Even those who already paint will discover new ideas to help them further develop their painting abilities, whether investigating other media such as watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, inks, and gouache, or in manipulating familiar painting tools in a completely different way.