Best Selling Books by Susie Hodge

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.

This concise yet comprehensive guide to the history of art is the perfect handbook for all would-be art buffs. Art historian Susie Hodge takes you on a whistle-stop international tour of all the major philosophies, movements, phases, developments, artists, and themes, from prehistoric art to Hyperrealism. Other concepts covered include Greek classicism, Gothic art, the Renaissance, Baroque, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Cubism, surrealism, Pop art, and Minimalism.

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

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

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.

Explore the landscapes and places that inspired great art: find peace in Monet’s lily-filled garden oasis, climb Mount Fuji on a printmaker’s pilgrimage, sail with Gauguin to the South Pacific to stretch your imagination, or contemplate light and the changing seasons on Chelsea Embankment. Artistic Places is a stunningly illustrated, visionary guide for seekers of beauty, rare tales and cultural riches. Find yourself instantly transported to the places where great artists have sought refuge, found their inspiration and changed the course of art history forever. Susie Hodge, bestselling author and art historian, presents 25 famous and forgotten artistic destinations around the world, and connects these to the masterpieces that celebrate them. None of these unique locations are merely backdrops to the insightful stories told, but are characters in their own right. So take a leaf out of your favourite artist’s sketchbook and delve into this book to discover the places they loved best. Artists and locations include: J.A.M Whistler in London, England John Constable in Suffolk, England Barbara Hepworth in St Ives, England Paula Rego in Cascais and Estoril, Portugal Pablo Picasso and Guernica, Spain Salvador Dalí in Catalonia, Spain Claude Monet in Giverny, France Vincent van Gogh in Arles, France Rene Magritte in Brussels, Belgium Paul Klee in Bern, Switzerland Michelangelo in Florence, Italy Canaletto in Venice, Italy Johannes Vermeer in Delft, Netherlands Anni Albers in Dessau, Germany Caspar David Friedrich in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Germany Gustav Klimt and Lake Attersee, Austria Edvard Munch in Oslo, Norway Hilma af Klint and Lake Mälaren, Sweden Henri Matisse in Tangier, Morocco Hokusai on Mount Fuji, Japan Paul Gauguin in Papeete and Papeari, Tahiti Jean-Michel Basquiat in New York, USA Grant Wood in Iowa, USA Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico, USA Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán, Mexico Each book in the Inspired Traveller''s Guides series offers readers a fascinating, informative and charmingly illustrated guide to must-visit destinations round the globe. Also from this series, explore intriguing: Spiritual Places, Literary Places, Hidden Places and Mystical Places.

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.

A fantastic compilation of Susie Hodge''s popular ''How to Draw'' titles, instructing the reader on how to draw all aspects and variations of the human form. From features like hands and faces, through to different ages and people on the go, this invaluable guide breaks down the drawing process into easy steps. Well-known artist Susie Hodge shows how easy it is to use simple shapes to create professional-looking drawings of people.This is a perfect book for budding artists wanting to learn how to draw the human form, and for the more experienced looking for a variety of subjects to inspire.Over 130 step-by-step drawingsFantastic selection of projects, from facial features to movementEasy method with great results

An alternative introduction to modern art, focusing on the stories of 50 key works that consciously questioned the boundaries, challenged the status quo and made shockwaves we are still feeling today.

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 analyse and better understand artwork. From colour, 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 colour 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.

What''s stopping you from drawing? Just Draw! A Step-by-Step Guide for Artists offers a simple and effective way to get going and learn to draw in a wide variety of genres. Divided into two sections and offering plenty of space for practice, you can develop your skills in the first section, learning how to plan a drawing with just lines, consider perspective and volume, and how to create different effects. The second section contains 11 step-by-step projects to complete, including landscapes, still-lifes, and animals. Starting from the simplest outline, you''ll learn how to create shape and form and add finer features to quickly create an impressively detailed drawing.

Featuring quirky illustrations and easily digestible information, this book is a compilation of 100 things you need to know about art.

Over 100 paintings by artists based in Scotland in the early 19th Century, many influenced by the ground-breaking masterworks of James McNeil Whistler. A group of primarily Scottish artists (mainly William York Macgregor, Joseph Crawhall, George Henry, Edward Atkinson Hornel, Sir John Lavery and Arthur Melville), the Glasgow Boys were active around the turn of the 20th Century. Though they painted in a number of different styles, they are connected by their rejection of classic Victorian painting. Inspired by the luminous techniques of James McNeil Whistler, they harnessed Impressionistic brushwork and livid realism in their work, trying new methods and everyday settings to create stunning works of art. With over 100 images, and broad introduction, this is a fine addition to Flame Tree''s ever-increasing series on painting and illustration, Masterpieces of Art.

Great paintings cannot be fully understood in a single encounter; there is always more to be derived from them. Art lovers may revisit and reconsider the masterpieces throughout their lives, but a deeper understanding can only be gained by analysing the painting in detail, be it the placement of the subject, the lighting, the style of brushstrokes or the themes. Art in Detail examines 100 iconic paintings from the Western canon and spotlights the finer points a quick glance will almost certainly fail to reveal. These include subtle internal details, such as hidden symbols and artistic tricks employed by the painter to achieve particular effects. In addition, Susie Hodge writes intelligently about external influences on the artist - everything from the socioeconomic context in which he or she flourished, to smaller local difficulties, such as the level of air pollution at the time the painting was created. And she treats each of her subjects not only, to quote Matthew Arnold, ''as in itself it really is'', but also as part of a tradition that links the oldest painting to the most recent, as artists pass a metaphorical baton down through the ages. With 700 illustrations

In this concise and comprehensive guide to the world of architecture, art historian Susie Hodge outlines the history and theory of architecture, from the earliest structures and monuments to the cutting-edge concepts of the present day, and profiles dozens of key buildings and celebrated architects. Topics and concepts include the Greek orders, Roman engineering, Gothic architecture, the Renaissance, the Baroque era, Revivalism, Art Nouveau, Modernism, Futurism, and Dynamic architecture. Every concept is accompanied by an illustration.

Pablo Picasso is the most famous artist of the twentieth century. During his long career, he produced thousands of works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, and ceramics. By inventing new ways of depicting reality, he inspired many artistic styles and changed the way we think about Western art. Even during Picasso''s lifetime, entire museums were dedicated to his work. Picasso is considered the father of modern artistic thought, and his works are regarded as landmarks of modern art. Book jacket.

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.

A guide to modern art that describes different styles of modern art, profiling major works and artists, and offers tips for how to look at modern art, where to see it, and how to understand it.

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!

This comprehensive handbook provides art teachers with practical advice on -planning effective lessons -developing imaginative ideas for teaching art across the age ranges -developing students'' creative, technical and critical skills -preparing students for coursework and exams This book is a must for all secondary art and design teachers, whether still in training, newly qualified or experienced.

The author examines 100 works of modern art that have attracted public hostility from Cy Twomblys scribbled "Olympia", Jean-Michel Basquiats "LNAPRK", to the careless mess of Tracey Emins "My Bed". In this title, the author gives you an understanding of the ways in which modern art differs from the realistic works of earlier centuries.

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. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Great Artists series by Arcturus Publishing introduces some of the most significant artists of the past 150 years, looking at their lives, inspirations and techniques, as well as presenting a selection of their best work.

This book brings an era to life with vivid stories and information from those who were there. During World War Two, 90% of the British population remained civilians. The War affected daily life more than any other war had done before. The majority of British people faced this will fortitude, courage and determination and this is their story, the telling of events and situations that forced their ingenuity and survival instincts to rise. Make do and mend came to mean so much more than reworking old clothes and this book describes the enterprise that went on and has long been forgotten. From the coasts and the countryside, this is how those at home faced and fought the war passively, particularly women whose job it was to keep the home fires burning. These ordinary people were crucial to the war effort; without their courage and inventiveness, the outcome could have been very different. Packed with interviews, photographs and other firsthand information, this book will appeal to all those who were there, but even more for those with little or no experience of World War Two, who will gain insights into the humor, strength and creativity that emerged in the face of hardship and tragedy. The book explores how people lived in Britain during times of fear, hardship and uncertainty; how they functioned and supported those away fighting and how they dealt with the enormous challenges and adversities

Why did Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel, or Rembrandt obsess over painting his own image? What''s the secret behind the Terracotta Army, or Andy Warhol''s soup cans? Art: Explained offers straightforward and satisfying answers to 100 of these fascinating questions. If you''ve ever looked at an art masterpiece in awe, but wondered just what it means, here is your guide.

Examines the art of ancient Rome, including painting, mosaic, sculpture, and architecture.

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.

Because teachers have so many things to do, creating new, inspiring lessons can often take a back seat. This book is designed to assist you in providing lesson ideas on everything from women''s role in WW1 to the Russian Civil War. With more than 70 curriculum-linked lessons suitable for teaching 14-16-year-olds, this fabulously user-friendly resource features activities and teaching strategies based on the latest research and best practice. The practical, task-based activities are aimed at supporting and reinforcing your teaching, and promoting pupils'' enjoyment of the subject; encouraging their curiosity and imagination and helping them to develop enquiring minds and engage with the past. There are activities for individual, pair and group work, and the worksheets are all photocopiable and downloadable. This is an essential resource for all secondary school history teachers: newly qualified, experienced and in training.

See the world through Hokusai''s eyes and be inspired to produce your own masterpieces. Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this charming illustrated series of books to keep and collect, created in full collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw, and be inspired to create your own artworks, too. In What the Artist Saw: Hokusai, meet groundbreaking Japanese artist Hokusai. Step into his life and learn what led him to create more than 30,000 works of art, including his famous woodcut views of The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Mount Fuji. Discover how he planned to live to 110 and even produced the first ever pieces of manga! Have a go at making your own printed artworks. In this series, follow the artists’ stories and find intriguing facts about their environments and key masterpieces. Then see what you can see and make your own art. Take a closer look at landscapes with Georgia O’Keeffe, or even yourself, with Vincent van Gogh. Every book in this series is one to treasure and keep – perfect for inspiring budding young artists to continue their own artistic journeys. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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.

Latin and Ballroom provides a detailed look at the development of Latin and ballroom dancing, from the earliest social dances to the competitions and flamboyant shows of today. The book looks at how the choreography and improvisation differ from other styles of dance and explores the part played by costumes and make-up. There is also advice on how to become a Latin or ballroom dancer. Feature boxes provide detailed information on famous ballets and performances, techniques, amazing facts and biographies of key people, Stunning design and beautiful photography offer a cultural perspective on dance. Book jacket.

Enter an exciting world of extremes. The Extreme Habitats series focuses on four of Earths most challenging environments. Readers can explore some of the most fascinating habitats on the planet. Did you know that oceans cover more of Earth than land does? How do creatures survive in this underwater world? Ocean Survival explains how to stay out of trouble in this extreme habitat.

Examines the art of ancient Egypt, including wall painting, reliefs, buildings, and sculpture.