Susie Hodge

This lavishly illustrated hardback presents the life and work of Paul Klee - a gifted artist whose experimentation with colour and abstraction made him a key figure in the development of modernism. Influenced by Cubism, Expressionism and Surrealism, Klee's own work was varied and experimental. After joining the German group Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), Klee fought in the First World War before emerging as one of the leading artists in Germany. He taught at the world-famous Bauhaus school of art for 10 years alongside Wassily Kandinsky, before Nazi rule forced its closure. This full-colour book charts Klee's development as an artist, the themes that preoccupied him, artists he worked with as well as recounting a remarkable life lived in the shadow of war and oppression. This biographic detail is accompanied by useful timelines, feature spreads and a selection of his most iconic paintings - including Senecio, Twittering Machine and Fish Magic. A wonderful introduction to one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Great Artists series by Arcturus Publishing introduces some of the most significant artists across history, looking at their lives, techniques and inspirations, as well as presenting a selection of their best work.

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.

The What’s the Difference? series offers a brand-new approach to popular reference by examining concepts in pairs to help clarify common (and not-so-common) confusions. Exploring two definitions at the same time cuts to the heart of a topic quickly and clearly so you can avoid those all-too-frequent conceptual slip-ups.

A celebration of some of the world’s greatest flower paintings as well as an enlightening look at how our environment has changed, this book features 50 remarkable flower paintings from throughout history. The paintings themselves act as fingerprints of the past, revealing what particular flowers were popular, and details of their shape, colour and size. Alongside the plant analysis, art historian Susie Hodge also reveals much about the artists and the works, such as the artist’s individual relationships to flowers and how and why they painted them. Featured artworks include Ophelia by John Everett Millais, Grasshopper and Iris by Katsushika Hokusai, Lilac in a Window by Mary Cassatt, Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh, Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge by Claude Monet and Two-Foot Flowers by Andy Warhol. Combining insightful essays and wonderful illustrations Flowers & Art is a highly accessible art book and gift for all nature lovers. Gemini Masterpieces A treasured series celebrating 50 of the world’s greatest paintings throughout history, each on the theme of your favourite animal or plant to bring the story of the breeds and artworks to life.

Why is there a lily in that religious picture? Why is there a skull in that still-life? Great works of arts from all periods often have details or objects that carry symbolic meanings. Sometimes those symbols would have been obvious to contemporary viewers but now need explaining to a modern audience who are less familiar with, say, Christian iconography or Classical myths. In other cases, the symbolism is deliberately obscure – designed to add a hidden layer of meaning to the work, to make the viewer work at its true meaning. This book includes over 100 symbols from across different periods and styles of art history. Each one is illustrated with at least one example, demonstrating when an artist has hidden a deeper message, or that these messages can change depending on the time, place and reasons the artwork was created. Organized by type of symbol and with extensive indexing, the book is an invaluable, easy-to-use guide to help readers get the most out of works of art.

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.

Packed with charming, animated illustrations, this series of pop-up biographies captures the most significant works of key figures, starting with four seminal artists. Readers can learn about the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh, including The Starry Night, Self-Portrait and Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers. With beautiful, intricate pop-ups on every spread, young readers will be introduced to these famous artists in an interactive and fun way.

Packed with charming, animated illustrations, this series of pop-up biographies captures the most significant works of key figures, starting with four seminal artists. Readers can learn about the life and works of Henri Matisse, including his prints, sculptures, and paintings. With beautiful, intricate pop-ups on every spread, young readers will be introduced to these famous artists in an interactive and fun way.

This expert book covers the fascinating and romantic history that reveals the order of the Knights Templar. It charts the rise and influence of the order, its changing fortunes, losing the base in Jerusalem in the Third Crusade, the fall of Acre, and the destruction of the order by Pope Clement V and Philip IV of France. The speculative myths and questions about these legendary knights are fully discussed, as are controversial claims and conspiracies that have surrounded them for centuries. Among these are whether the Templars discovered America and if they were the guardians of the Holy Grail. With well-researched text and evocative illustrations this volume shows the historical legacy of the Templars and how they have influenced contemporary organizations, art, literature and legend. An in-depth illustrated chronicle of one of history’s most secretive brotherhoods, from its origins as a champion of Christ in the middle ages to its mysterious legacy in the present day. Charts the rise and fall of the order, from humble men of the Cross to powerful warrior-monks. Investigates the templars’ mysteries, handed down through the centuries, and their links to the Holy Grail, the Turin shroud, the ark of the covenant, the skull of Sidon, and involvement in the history of freemasonry. Examines the debate on whether the knights were brave crusaders, servants of Christ, treacherous heretics or mercenary outlaws. A comprehensive and fascinating guide, with 200 illustrations.

Years before artists like Kandinsky and Mondrian claimed to have invented abstract art, a Swedish artist had already created more than 1000 strikingly beautiful abstract paintings! This is the amazing story of Hilma af Klint. Largely ignored during her lifetime, her work exploded onto the world stage with an exhibition at the Guggenheim in NYC in 2019. She is now recognised as the mother of abstract art. Books in the series: 9781916781153 Frida Kahlo: A Pop-Up Book 9781916781177 Jane Goodall: A Pop-Up Book 9781916781160 Albert Einstein: A Pop-Up Book 9781916781214 Henri Matisse: A Pop-Up Book 9781916781146 Leonardo Da Vinci: A Pop-Up Book 9781916781245 Hilma af Klint: A Pop-Up Book AGES: 5 plus AUTHOR: Susie Hodge is an art historian, author, artist and journalist with more than 100 books to her name. She has an MA in the History of Art from Birkbeck, University of London, and is a Fellow of the RSA. Teresa Bellon was born in Spain in 1987. After studying illustration in Madrid she became an illustrator of children's books. Influenced by Portuguese and Nordic illustrators, her art is characterised by a touch of naivety and expressive use of colour.

Draw over 30 expressive, characterful and diverse faces, with best-selling author Susie Hodge. Learn to build up easily from initial geometric shapes right through to finished faces, using a simple, two-colour method that clearly shows every line and curve. This easy-to-follow book shows you how to draw 30 characterful faces - from babies through to seniors - in simple step-by-step stages. Susie includes a wonderful selection of faces, from babies and toddlers through to adult couples and seniors, that are suitable even for absolute beginners.In no more than 6 easy stages, learn to build up the images easily from initial geometric shapes right through to finished faces, using a clear, two-colour method that clearly shows every line and curve of the human face.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 portrait artists of all abilities. 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 How to Draw Faces, 2011 (9781844486731).

In this spectacular hardback guide, award-winning art historian Susie Hodge takes a wide-ranging look at the history of art across the world, richly illustrated with full-color examples throughout.An Illustrated History of Art takes readers around the world on a region-by-region journey to see how art in its manifold ways developed - from the earliest rock paintings and primitive statuary to the glories of the medieval and Renaissance periods, the elegance of Chinese and Japanese dynastic styles, the flourishing of the Baroque and Rococco schools and the sea changes of Impressionism, Cubism and Expressionism. Along the way, we learn how artists have been influenced by their forebears or their contemporaries in other countries. Whether it be the impact of the Edo School on Monet and Van Gogh, or the impact of African art on Picasso, An Illustrated History of Art shows how art styles have co-existed and challenged one another from East to West and back again.

Matisse was one of the most original artists of the 20th century. He became famous for his use of colour and early “Wild Beast’ paintings. In later life, when he was too ill to stand at an easel, he began “drawing with scissors,” creating iconic cut-out compositions with coloured paper. See his works come to life in five dazzling pop-ups and read about his love of cats and life on the French Riviera.

A celebration of some of the world's greatest cat paintings as well as an enlightening look at the history of cats by art historian Susie Hodge, this book features 50 great paintings from throughout history, featuring our feline friends. With an essay about each work of art and the artist as well as a separate piece about the individual cat and its breed, the book gives new perspective and depth to many of the world's best-loved pieces. Featuring notable works such as The Angora Cat, by Jean Honoré Fragonard and Marguerite Gérard and Girl with a Kitten by Lucian Freud, this informative and attractive new book will appeal to both art and cat lovers alike and forms part of a new series. Gemini MasterpiecesA treasured series celebrating 50 of the world’s greatest paintings throughout history, each on the theme of your favourite animal or plant to bring the story of the breeds and artworks to life.