JeannieZelos.com: A lovely book simply bursting with information on painting angels in watercolour and gouache, from how to lay washes to how to paint the expressions on faces and what length limbs should be. All things that add to the effect of realism and will lift your angels from artificial looking dolls into real living angels. Elaine explains how to use various techniques such as masking fluid, lifting out, flat washes and variegated washes and explains where these techniques are useful in painting your angel. There's an excellent section on how to make angels appear male, female or cherubs by altering simple details such as hair and proportions. Elaine's book contains sections on details such as hands and feet, robes and wings and she then gives two very detailed demonstrations using the techniques she has explained, starting from the initial detailed drawing and how to trace it onto your paper to filling in sections with colour and adding the final important finishing touches. Using Elaine's book you will be able to realistically paint these beautiful ethereal beings. For anyone interested in fantasy art it would make an excellent partner to Rebecca Balchin's Painting Unicorns in Watercolour, and is now released in affordable paperback format.

Elaine Hamer is a professional illustrator and she has worked on a variety of publications, including cookery and children's titles. She uses pencil, gouache nad watercolour to create beautiful stylized, decorative and highly detailed illustrations. Elaine also works as a jewellery designer/maker and until moving into Kent lectured in jewellery making, art and design in the Midlands. She has two children, a son and daughter, and now lives in Kent with her husband.