Masterclass in Colour: A colouring workbook of techniques and inspiration

Discover the professional way to colour in with this masterclass from leading artists and art teachers.

The colouring-in craze has left many people looking for more interesting creative work that simple colouring in does not satisfy. Masterclass in Colour offers readers ways to take their colouring to a new level and even start on the road to watercolour work. Award-winning artists and tutors, Meriel Thurstan and Rosie Martin, explain simple colour theory in an easy-to-understand language. They will talk you through which colours look good together; demonstrate how colours can vibrate together or make each other more muted. They explain the materials of coloured pencils, water-soluble coloured pencils and fibre pens (felt tips) and how to mix colours together in all three media.

The book is arranged by colour, with sections on red, yellow, blue, green, orange, purple, pink and finally greys and browns, including a brief description of each and examples of what you can add to it to make secondary colours. There are demonstrations to show how to master shadows, texture and pattern, highlights and even water droplets. Each page of techniques and demonstration is followed by a companion page for you to practice the technique and do your own experimenting. There are also full-page drawings throughout the book to colour in, as well as advice on what to do if you want to turn one of the drawings into a beautiful watercolour painting.

Meriel Thurstan discovered botanical illustration while working at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall. She later became a pivotal member of the Friends team at the Eden Project, organising and running talks, visits and courses. She holds a Silver Lindley medal from the RHS for her watercolours of fungi and a Bronze medal for an exhibit of different coloured potatoes. Meriel founded the South West Society of Botanical Artists in 2006, which aims to promote and encourage botanical art to the highest standard. Her own botanical paintings hang in England, France and Australia. She lives in Somerset.

Meriel Thurstan discovered botanical illustration while working at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall. She later became a pivotal member of the Friends team at the Eden Project, organising and running talks, visits and courses. She holds a Silver Lindley medal from the RHS for her watercolours of fungi and a Bronze medal for an exhibit of different coloured potatoes. Meriel founded the South West Society of Botanical Artists in 2006, which aims to promote and encourage botanical art to the highest standard. Her own botanical paintings hang in England, France and Australia. She lives in Somerset.

Rosie Martin holds a Gold Medal from the RHS for her botanical watercolour painting. She is an elected member of the Society of Botanical Artists and teaches a variety of art-based subjects, including botanical illustration in both. She has worked in fashion, ballet and theatre; her clients have included David Bowie, Anthony Caro, Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Muir, for whom she produced textiles and interior design prints.

Rosie Martin holds a Gold Medal from the RHS for her botanical watercolour painting. She is an elected member of the Society of Botanical Artists and teaches a variety of art-based subjects, including botanical illustration in both. She has worked in fashion, ballet and theatre; her clients have included David Bowie, Anthony Caro, Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Muir, for whom she produced textiles and interior design prints.