New Releases by Susie Hodge

Unpack the powerful visual symbols artists have used throughout history. From a single flower to a carefully placed skull, works of art across history are filled with symbols that carry powerful meanings. The Symbols of Art reveals how artists use these symbols to communicate ideas without relying on words. Why is there a lily in that religious painting? Why does a still life include an hourglass, a mirror, or a piece of fruit? In some cases, these symbols would have been immediately understood by contemporary viewers but now need decoding for a modern audience. In other instances, symbolism is more deliberately elusive, inviting viewers to look closer and think deeper. This richly illustrated visual reference includes: Over 100 key symbols drawn from art history Symbols from the natural world, the manmade world, the supernatural, and colors and shapes Famous artworks used as case studies to show symbolism in context How meanings change across cultures, movements, and centuries An easy-to-navigate, fully indexed structure designed for quick consultation as well as browsing Bringing together examples from across periods, cultures, and artistic movements, art historian Susie Hodge explains how symbolic meanings can shift depending on time, place, and intention, revealing layers of interpretation that radically deepen our understanding of artworks. Clearly organized and expertly written, The Symbols of Art is both an authoritative reference and an inviting guide for curious readers. Whether you’re visiting a gallery, studying art history, or simply want to see artworks with fresh eyes, this book gives you the tools to decode visual meaning and experience art more deeply.

An intriguing investigation into over 50 elusive artworks that were stolen and never recovered. Mona Lisa, Starry Night, Birth of Venus. People travel for hundreds of miles to observe these breathtaking paintings with their own eyes. Now discover the artworks that nobody can ever see… and the fascinating stories behind their disappearance. In this collection of daring heist stories, read about: Michelangelo’s Mask of a Faun Caravaggio’s Nativity Rembrandt’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Cézanne’s View of Auvers-sur-Oise Van Gogh’sThe Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, this book uncovers the mysteries surrounding the thefts of these valuable artworks and many more. Each fated work will be discussed to reveal why it, and the artist who made it, was significant. Gain a deeper appreciation for these artists, and the lasting impact they've had on the art world. This book also answers key questions about each missing piece, including: Why and how was it stolen? What attempts have been made to recover it? Leads, red herrings, and suspects. Whether you're passionate about art or drawn to the thrill of solving mysteries, this book offers a compelling narrative that will keep you engaged from cover to cover. It's a must-read for anyone curious about the intersection of art, crime, and history.

Draw over 30 expressive, characterful and diverse faces, with best-selling author Susie Hodge. Build up gradually from initial geometric shapes right through to finished faces, using a simple, confidence-boosting two-color method. This easy-to-follow book shows you how to draw 30 characterful faces - from babies through to seniors - in simple step-by-step stages. Choose from a wonderful selection of 30 faces, from babies and toddlers through to adult couples and seniors, that are suitable even if you're an absolute beginner. In no more than 6 easy stages, you'll learn to build up the images gradually from initial geometric shapes right through to the finished face, using a clear, two-color method that shows exactly how the lines are constructed and then refined. Featuring a wide selection of head- and shoulder portraits, this book includes a range of diverse and dynamic faces and hairstyles that will inspire and encourage you to apply your new skills to portraits of your friends and family. With its easy-to-follow landscape format you can watch the stages build across the page and then recreate them with ease... Just grab your pencil and get drawing! The book contains material previously published in Susie's How to Draw Faces, 2011 (9781844486731).

Step inside the astonishing world of art forgery, where masterpieces are faked, fortunes are made, and almost no one is who they seem. Art Fraud reveals the true stories behind some of the greatest scams in art history, where con artists forged their way to fame, fortune or infamy. Discover the motivations and methods of master forgers, from Eric Hebborn's faked Old masters to Han van Meegeren's deception of the Nazis. Meet eccentric copyists, bitter experts, and insiders who turned against the institutions they once admired. Each chapter tells the story of a different forger, weaving in the investigations that finally unmasked them and the secrets they left behind. Written by bestselling author and art historian Susie Hodge, this is a fascinating, brilliantly researched collection that blurs the line between genius and fraud. Whether you are an art lover, a true crime reader or simply curious about how the art world really works, this book is full of twists, scandals and unforgettable characters.

Discover the destinations that have inspired the world’s greatest art, cinema, food, novels and music. Pure armchair travel, this book is for anyone with a sense of wanderlust and curiosity: immerse yourself in 100 places that have inspired a remarkable cultural environment. In Paris, visit the labyrinth streets of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and the charming streets of Montmartre, the backdrop of Amélie; in New York visit Brooklyn, home of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s stomping ground round the East Village. Split by continent, and with fascinating text and charming hand-drawn illustrations for each entry, this is the ultimate atlas of 100 cultural places every armchair traveller needs to know about.

He did not paint his pictures; it was like he exhaled them in a gasping, boiling breath - Julius Meier-Graef Van Gogh's distinctive style of expressive brushstrokes and bold colors is now world famous, but during his lifetime the artist was met with cold disinterest from his contemporaries. This book explores the fascinating life story of this tortured soul, who came late to art and suffered throughout his life from anxiety and depression. It unravels the influences behind his artworks, from the luminous landscapes of the south of France to the Japanese woodblock prints he so admired, and explores how he developed his own unique style. This detailed monograph features Van Gogh's major works and examines the light they shed on this enigmatic character, serving as a wonderful introduction to one of the best artists of all time.

This lavishly illustrated hardback presents the life and work of Michelangelo - a giant in the history of art. Michelangelo (1475-1564) was the ultimate Renaissance man: not just a painter, but a sculptor, architect and poet besides. He began his career as a sculptor, creating his famous works Pieta and David in his twenties. A master of the human figure, his understanding of its expressive possibilities remains striking, perhaps unparalleled, to this day. This wonderfully presented full-color book charts his remarkable life, from his training with the painter Ghirlandaio and at the Medici family's Humanist academy, to the high-stakes, high profile commissions of Pope Julius II, including the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the Last Judgement on the altar wall, and Julius II's own tomb. Featuring timelines, textboxes and accessible analysis of his major works, this beautifully illustrated hardback makes a wonderful introduction to this Renaissance master.

The Short Story of Contemporary Art is a must-read introduction to this exciting and important period from bestselling author and art historian Susie Hodge. This fascinating pocket guide to art explains the how, why and when of contemporary art - who introduced certain techniques or genres, and why these matter. Simply constructed, the book explores 40 key works - from the iconic sculpture of Barbara Hepworth to the street art of Keith Haring and the performance pieces of Marina Abramovic - and links them to the most important movements, themes and techniques. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of contemporary art.

Learn how to sketch a pack of 30 dashing, adorable dogs in 6 easy stages! Draw 30 perfect pooches in 6 easy stages! Create your own kennel of canine companions - from an endearing chocolate labrador puppy to a rascal of a Jack Russell terrier; a pocket-size chihuahua to a mammoth Great Dane! Ideal for budding artists of all ages and pedigrees, each dashing dog is developed in no more than 6 easy stages, from a rough sketch of the basic shapes through to the finished, colored paw-trait. Who will you draw first?

The Elements of Art deconstructs great works of art into manageable components so that you can better understand and appreciate them. Knowing how to interpret art is one of the biggest issues facing casual gallery-goers. They may ask themselves questions like: Why is the Mona Lisa so small? Why are some frames gilded in gold while others are non-existent? What can the use of material say about a work, whether it’s an oil painting, collage or made of found objects? And does the life of the artist matter? This book answers all of these questions and more and introduces the key elements with which you can analyze and better understand artwork. From color, medium and size to where the piece is situated, and the artist who made it, you’ll learn what’s important and what’s not so important. The book includes two parts: Part One introduces the elements using examples from throughout art history, introducing key terms and techniques while giving you the tools to apply lessons learned outside of the book. Part Two puts the elements into practice by breaking down 30 great artworks element by element—from Michelangelo to Frida Kahlo. With the Elements of Art, you’ll learn important information about technique, style, material, location and color that will shape you to read and interpret art. Whether you're a student, teacher, culture vulture or art enthusiast, this book will help you de-mystify great works of art, making for a more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable visit to any gallery.

Take a look inside the homes of some of your favourite artists and explore how each one reflected their spirit and creativity. From William Morris and Pablo Picasso to Georgia O’Keeffe and Frida Kahlo, Artists at Home showcases the quiet retreats, creative hubs, lifelong homes, and holiday escapes of key artistic figures. Author Susie Hodge introduces readers to each artist's life and work, placing the significance of the home at the heart of their practice before exploring how each residency both reflected and inspired the artist’s creative output. By delving into their homes – the architecture, interiors, the lives lived there, and the work created there – we can see these artists’ private spaces as reflections of their artistic output. For these inspiring people, homes are places where the boundaries between work, creativity and daily life are indistinct – they are as much as reflection of their artistic intention as the great artworks that made their name.

Imagine having 5,000 of human history's most amazing artefacts at your fingertips! Go on a trip through the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art without ever leaving your home! Prepare to explore the treasures of the world's civilizations-from ancient Egyptian amulets, Mayan jewelry, and prehistoric tools-to Medieval tapestries, Renaissance suits of armor, and modern-day baseball cards. Each page brings you closer to the past as you learn about the people of different ages through the objects they left behind. Discover hand-picked highlights of the museum's huge collection as you travel through history, one incredible object at a time. This book combines exclusive Met photography with colorful and quirky illustrations in a resource that parents can trust, with a design that kids will love. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Have fun making these amazing paper creations.You’ll find origami models plus puppets and pop-up greetings cards, boxes, a windmill and a picture frame. Get folding! * Includes everything you need. * Perfect projects for a rainy day. * Develop your creative skills.

From Romanesque to Realism; Pop Art to Pluralism, in this series, Susie Hodge introduces the most important art ideas and concepts that form the foundations of Western art.

Offering helpful guidance, this illustrated handbook introduces new ways of viewing art and shows how anyone can use art to work through difficult emotions and improve their mental state. Enlightening, challenging, and informative, visual art can also be therapeutic, reducing anxiety and stress levels, and offering perspective on the challenges that we all face in our lives. How Art Can Change Your Life introduces readers to new ways of looking at a wide range of art. Through careful examination and explanation, author Susie Hodge investigates how engaging with art and drawing can help everyone feel more connected and inspired. From Frida Kahlo confronting her anxieties to Henri Matisse embracing happiness, and from Louise Bourgeois conquering fear to Auguste Rodin finding hope, this book will show how you too can use art to work through difficult emotions and improve your mental state. All art can broaden knowledge, give enjoyment, and challenge our assumptions; but it can also help soothe, calm, enlighten, and uplift the mind and spirit. Even art that leaves us uncomfortable can still help us to think differently and give us new perspective. In twelve chapters, readers will learn how art can dissipate anger, help to overcome sorrow, inspire self-reflection, as well as tackle other mental challenges. Artists have been conveying aspirations, feelings, ideas, and stories for thousands of years, and this book will help everyone “read” those messages with the goal of enriching their own emotional life through art.

Discover 100 wonderful and majestic creatures to draw! Whether you have your favourites already, or are looking for inspiration from a range of diverse habitats including rainforests, mountains, polar regions or the African savannah, you're bound to discover an animal in this book that you will find irresistible 'Äì and you will just want to pick up your pencil and start drawing! Each animal is broken down into three or four simple stages that lead you effortlessly through to the finished drawing. There are no written instructions to follow 'Äì just basic shapes and pencil strokes. Even if you'Äôve never drawn anything before, you will be amazed at how quickly you will achieve incredibly impressive drawings. Every project also shows two finished examples of the animal 'Äì one shaded with pencil and the other with colour. This is the perfect book for budding artists yearning to draw their favourite animals. The material in this book is taken from the following books in Search Press's successful How to Draw series: Mountain Animals, Polar Animals, Rainforest Animals, African Animals.

I Know an Artist is a collection of 84 beautifully illustrated portraits that reveal the fascinating connections between famous artists throughout history.

How do you sum up the amazing world of art in just 100 words? This striking book takes on the challenge From pottery to Pointillism, each of the carefully chosen 100 words has its own 100-word long description and quirky illustration, providing a fascinating introduction to art. Basically, everything you need to know in a nutshell. Along with some classic methods, such as painting and sketching, you'll also discover less predictable aspects of art that will give you a fresh perspective. Featuring materials, elements, methods, art movements, styles, and places this book covers a wide range of topics and themes, as well as some key artists of the past and present. With a clean, contemporary design, each word occupies a page of its own. A large striking illustration neatly encapsulates the accompanying 100 words of text. Other titles in the 100 Things to Know About series include: Ancient World, World Politics, Inventions.

Acclaimed mixed-media artist Mike Bernard has been at the forefront of collage painting for decades and his work has a sought-after vitality. He brings his latest guidance, ideas and techniques on a subject about which he is passionate: coastal painting. From his home near the Devon coast, he and co author (art writer) Susie Hodge, cover all aspects of mixed media painting. From considering composition and looking for contrasts to reducing elements for greater impact (and even moving towards abstraction). From working with limited palettes to including imaginary colours to a painting. From collaging with torn magazines, tin foil, plastic, newsprint to combining inks, oil pastels, PVA, acrylic and watercolours. From playing with proportion to create mood to using thick and thin oils for effect. And, of course, how to capture the mood and atmosphere of coastal life, from quiet stretches to busy harbours around the world. The authors include several step-by-step projects to demonstrate techniques plus a series of experimental exercises helps the reader try something new. A masterclass from a popular artist with stunning artwork of coasts from around the globe.

Biographies of the main artists and a thematic gallery of the greatest paintings of the period, in one sumptuously illustrated volume.

The Short Story of Women Artists tells the full history - from the breakthroughs that women have made in pushing for parity with male artists, to the important contributions made to otherwise male-dominated artistic movements, and the forgotten and obscured artists who are now being rediscovered and reassessed. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of the full achievements that female artists have made.

THINK YOU KNOW BOSCH FROM BOTTICELLI? MONDRIAN FROM MIRO? THINK AGAIN... Turn art history on its head by testing your brainpower and perception on some the world's most iconic paintings. Journey from ancient Egypt to 1980s New York solving riddles, discovering hidden secrets and challenging your general knowledge. Esteemed art historian Susie Hodge and leading brain trainer Dr Gareth Moore introduce you to 36 iconic pieces of art – including Botticelli's Primavera, Van Gogh's The Starry Night and Picasso's Guernica. For each painting, they reveal fascinating facts about the work and artist (and give clues on what to look for), before challenging you to decipher the art for yourself through carefully crafted questions. Look at art in new ways as you: Decode the hieroglyphs from the Book of the Dead Find new symbols in The Arnolfini Portrait Solve riddles based on The Garden of Earthly Delights Navigate M.C. Escher's gravity-defying staircases Reassemble the Mondrian With over 300 questions, The Art Puzzle Book is designed to entertain and perplex, whether you're an art novice or an art connoisseur. Featuring artworks by Botticelli, Hieronymus Bosch, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, Diego Velazquez, Johannes Vermeer, Francisco de Goya, Hiroshige, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Sonia Delaunay, Joan Miro, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, M.C. Escher, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and more.

Like having 100 of the world’s greatest painters at your side, giving you their own personal tips and advice – Painting Masterclass examines 100 paintings from art history: the way they were made, what they do well, and how and what we can learn from them. Throughout the history of painting, one of the best ways in which many great painters have developed their own personal approaches has been by copying other artists’ work. Learning from great artists helps to encourage a discerning eye, as well as an understanding of colour, materials and perspective, and can inspire further innovation. With the detailed analyses and instructive creative tips sections in this book, you can learn how to convey movement like Degas, apply acrylic like Twombly, and command colour like Matisse. With paintings comprising a broad variety of styles, approaches and materials, the book studies the techniques of many of the greatest painters who have worked across the globe from the 15th to the 21st centuries, using watercolour, gouache, tempera, fresco, oils, encaustic and mixed media, including: Titian, Francisco Goya, Gustave Courbet, Georges Seurat, Edvard Munch, Paul Gauguin, Gustav Klimt, Amedeo Modigliani, Jenny Saville, Caravaggio, Egon Schiele, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Paul Klee, Claude Monet, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Leonardo da Vinci, Marlene Dumas, Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo, Marc Chagall, Sandro Botticelli and Jackson Pollock. Perfect for students as well as professional painters, and with a broad historical and global reach, this book is an indispensable introduction to the rich history and practice of painting. Organized by genre: nudes, figures, landscapes, still lifes, heads, fantasy, and abstraction. Includes practical tips and advice, allowing you to weave some of the great artists’ magic into your own work. Selected masterpieces serve as perfect examples of a particular quality in painting: light and shade, rhythm, form, space, contour, and composition are all covered in detail. Explores each artist’s creative vision, describing how they made the artwork. Use it as a guide, a confidence-booster, a workbook, a companion – or simply admire the paintings!

The Short Story of Modern Art explains the how, why and when of modern art – who introduced certain things, what they were, where they were produced, and why they matter. Simply constructed, the book explores 50 key works – from the realist painting of Courbet to a contemporary installation by Yayoi Kusama – and then links them to the most important movements, themes and techniques. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of modern art.

Drawing is easy - but you need to know the basics. Artist and writer Susie Hodge gets you drawing right away. With simple exercises to build your confidence, she quickly shows you how to grasp the fundamentals. Every exercise is made up of step-by-step instructions with clear, easy-to-follow illustrations. Line by line, you can see how it's all done and soon you will be creating your own fantastic artworks. Step-by-step projects include: • A glass full of water • A forest on a Spring day • Faces and their proportions • Drawing draped and crumpled fabrics For anyone who's ever wanted to try their hand at drawing, but hasn't had the confidence, this thorough guide will provide you with the groundwork to get you sketching what you see.

The author of Elements of Art demystifies the drawing of animals and birds to show that everything we see can be drawn using simple lines and shapes. Learn how to draw all kinds of woodland animals using this fun and easy step-by-step method. Starting with simple shapes, Susie Hodge shows you how easy it is to develop circles, rectangles, squares and ovals into an exciting selection of animals and birds including rabbits, badgers, woodpeckers, wolves, squirrels and chipmunks. If you have never drawn before this is definitely the book for you, and there is a lot here to inspire more experienced artists too.

Learn how to draw all kinds of farm animals using this fun and easy step-by-step method. Starting with simple shapes, Susie Hodge shows you how easy it is to develop circles, rectangles, squares and ovals into an exciting selection of animals and birds including sheep, ponies, pigs and piglets, turkeys, hens, cows and ducks. If you have never drawn before this is definitely the book for you, and there is a lot here to inspire more experienced artists too.

Did you know that the great Pablo Picasso had many pets, including a white mouse and a goat? And that Andy Warhol loved his dachshunds, Salvador Dalí liked ocelots and anteaters, and Georgia O’Keeffe had a passion for chows and Siamese cats? Artists and Their Pets tells these stories and many more with full-color illustrations and a chirpy narrative that will delight both art buffs and pet enthusiasts. Lexile: 1140L

This book has been compiled from the following titles: How to draw babies and children, How to draw faces, How to draw hands and feet, Hot to draw people, How to draw people in action.