Helen Van Wyk's reasons for writing this book are detailed in the introduction, but we can say here that it was inevitable that instruction of this sort would be conceived. In the 1970s, with more people than at any time, up to then, taking to the easel, the emphasis shifted from the painting of pictures to the painting of things. And so, what better way was there to teach than through "recipes" for all the things and places that budding artists were eager to capture. And what better person! Helen was able to reel off, at the mere mention of a subject, its color mixtures, the light side colors, the shadow side colors and special hints about helping to pull off this caper. She was totally conversant with the structure and color makeup of what seemed to be every thing ever created or made on this planet.Along with all these "recipes," you'll find a glittering array of "helpful hints" that in their own right would be worth the price of this book. Here are a few of them: All the greens can look muted and more dimensional with a touch of red added to them. It's very hard to brighten a violet. Fragile additions of white will lighten; too much white will turn it gray. Arrange your daisies in a way that you'll be able to see a few from the rear. Hold your brush as you would a baton and apply the paint with the side of the brush. Beginners make the mistake of thinking that the initial coat of paint has to be thin. Read Less