Book Reviews for Art & Nature Lovers

This book review features a wonderful selection of titles published by Search Press Australia, all readily available online.

These books are a celebration of creativity across a diverse range of mediums and techniques, making them delightful presents both for yourself and for loved ones who appreciate artistic inspiration.

The collection showcases an impressive variety of artistic pursuits, offering something for every creative maker.

Caroline Ross’s Drawn from the Wild is an extraordinary and thoughtful guide that invites readers to deepen their connection with nature through the creation of natural art materials. 

Perfect for makers, foragers, nature lovers, and artists, this book blends creativity with sustainability, encouraging readers to engage with the landscape in a mindful and respectful way.

Ross gently guides readers through the ancient skills of making their own inks, paints, brushes, and tools from gathered natural resources such as oak galls, earth pigments, charcoals, and plant dyes. 

Her clear and detailed instructions make traditional processes accessible to the modern maker, with practical advice on safe foraging, ethical gathering, and environmentally conscious making.

One of the book’s most inspiring qualities is its celebration of self-sufficiency and creative experimentation. 

Ross encourages the reader not only to follow her methods but to explore their own local environments, discovering the colours, textures, and materials unique to their landscape. 

This deeply personal approach fosters a stronger sense of place and a greater appreciation of the natural world. It is also a beautiful way to explore your own art practice further.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs, sketches, and examples of artwork made using the materials described, Drawn from the Wild is both a practical manual and an invitation to slow down and reconnect with nature through making. 

The projects are as suitable for fine artists as they are for makers and crafters, and the book’s emphasis on low-impact, sustainable practice will resonate with anyone who values thoughtful creativity and healing through art.

In summary, Drawn from the Wild is an inspiring and empowering resource that offers a fresh perspective on art-making—one rooted in the beauty, richness, and generosity of the natural world.

Book Review: Painting Skies in Pastel

By Sandra Orme

Sandra Orme’s Painting Skies in Pastel is a beautifully crafted guide that celebrates the mesmerising drama and subtlety of the sky, offering pastel artists – beginners and seasoned painters alike – a chance to master this challenging yet rewarding subject.

The book is thoughtfully structured, starting with an introduction to essential materials and techniques, including blending, layering, and mark-making unique to pastel work. 

Orme’s clear explanations and expert tips give confidence to readers looking to explore the medium more deeply. 

Her emphasis on sky painting is a refreshing niche focus, perfect for landscape and seascape artists who often find the sky the most daunting part of a composition.

One of the great strengths of this book is its progression through various sky moods – from luminous sunrise and glowing sunset to brooding storm clouds and delicate dusk light. 

Each project is broken down into manageable, well-photographed steps, allowing readers to build skills and techniques methodically. 

Orme’s own pastel paintings, which feature throughout, are inspiring and convey her passion for capturing nature’s atmosphere.

The book doesn’t just teach technique; it encourages creativity and personal interpretation. This makes it as valuable for practising artists as for hobbyists and painters who enjoy experimenting with new methods. 

And it is simply a joy to even just look through, lingering on the light and colours captured in Sandra Orme’s works.

In summary, Painting Skies in Pastel is an inviting, beautifully presented guide that belongs on the bookshelf of every pastel enthusiast and creative soul who appreciates the beauty and drama of the ever-changing sky.

Book Review: Innovative Artist: Capturing Light

By Catherine Beale

Catherine Beale’s Innovative Artist: Capturing Light is a stunning and insightful guide for watercolourists eager to explore new ways of interpreting light and atmosphere in their work. 

This book is a must-have for painters and art lovers who wish to bring depth, drama, and luminosity to their watercolour paintings.

Beale’s approach is fresh, expressive, and thoughtfully presented. Rather than focusing solely on traditional watercolour methods, she encourages readers to embrace experimental techniques such as “gravity painting”, using water to carry pigment across the paper’s surface, creating soft, organic effects that beautifully suggest light and movement. 

This method of allowing the medium to behave unpredictably adds a sense of life and energy to the work.

Throughout the book, Beale explains her techniques with clarity, offering step-by-step demonstrations and insightful tips on composition, tonal contrast, and colour harmony. 

Her emphasis on capturing fleeting moments of light—whether in landscape, figure, or still life—makes this book as inspiring as it is practical.

One of the book’s great strengths is its encouragement of personal expression. Rather than simply copying set projects, readers are invited to explore their own interpretations, making this guide as useful for developing artists as it is for more experienced painters seeking to loosen their style.

I am finding that it is a wonderful guided step to expand my own intentional practice routines with the techniques being shared by Catherine.

Lavishly illustrated with Beale’s own luminous and atmospheric paintings, Capturing Light is both a visual delight and a technical masterclass. It offers watercolourists an inspiring pathway to create works that truly glow with life and light.

In summary, this book is a valuable and uplifting addition to any painter’s collection, perfect for those wishing to push the expressive boundaries of their watercolour practice.

Book Review: Zero Waste Quilting

By Patty Murphy

Patty Murphy’s Zero Waste Quilting is an inspiring and timely addition to any quilter’s bookshelf, offering creative and practical solutions for making the most of every scrap of fabric. 

As sustainability continues to become increasingly important to makers and crafters, this book shows how small offcuts, leftover blocks, and even the tiniest trimmings can be transformed into beautiful, useful pieces.

Murphy’s writing is warm, accessible, and encouraging, making the book suitable for both beginners and experienced quilters alike. 

She begins by explaining the principles of zero-waste quilting and offers valuable guidance on sorting, storing, and selecting scraps – ensuring that the chaos of fabric leftovers becomes an exciting source of possibility rather than frustration.

And I have to admit, having this guidance on how to sort and store my fabric leftovers has me settling into re-sorting my quilt stash so it is easier to dive in.

The book features a range of fresh, contemporary projects, from striking quilts and cushions to smaller items such as pouches and coasters. 

Each project is carefully explained, with clear diagrams and helpful step-by-step instructions that even less confident stitchers will find approachable. 

The emphasis on improvisation and creativity is especially refreshing, as Murphy encourages readers to break free from rigid patterns and embrace the joy of intuitive, spontaneous design.

What sets this book apart is its mindful approach to making – reminding quilters that sustainability and beauty can go hand in hand. It empowers stitchers to reduce waste without sacrificing style or originality while also creating something uniquely beautiful.

In short, Zero Waste Quilting is an uplifting, practical guide that will inspire quilters to see their fabric stash in a whole new light. A must-read for anyone who loves stitching, patchwork, and thoughtful, eco-friendly crafting.

Book Review: Passport to Painting

By Susie West

Susie West’s Passport to Painting is a fresh and uplifting guide that invites painters and art lovers to embark on a creative journey around the world, all from the comfort of their own studio or kitchen table. 

Perfect for beginner and more advanced painters, or anyone looking to inject a sense of adventure into their art practice, this book offers an enjoyable and accessible way to explore global landmarks and cultural treasures through acrylics.

The concept behind Passport to Painting is simple yet charming: to “travel” by painting iconic scenes and buildings from a range of destinations, from Sydney to Lisbon, London to Amsterdam, San Francisco to a USA National Park. 

Each project is presented with step-by-step instructions, clear photographs, and traceable outlines, making the process unintimidating even for those with limited drawing experience.

West’s style is light, colourful, and full of character. Her emphasis on simplicity, bold shape, and bright palette makes the projects ideal for relaxed painting sessions – perfect for busy makers wanting to unwind creatively without pressure. 

The book gently encourages experimentation with colour and detail, helping painters to develop their own interpretation of each scene.

One of the book’s great strengths is its versatility: projects can be completed as small standalone paintings, greeting cards, or even combined into a travel-themed art journal. 

The materials list is refreshingly modest, appealing to painters who prefer a minimalist toolkit.

In short, Passport to Painting is a delightful and inspiring guide that captures the joy of both travel and painting. A must for those who love to explore the world with a brush in hand, whether they are seasoned artists or creative beginners.

Book Review: Folk Embroidered Felt Birds

By Corinne Lapierre

Corinne Lapierre’s Folk Embroidered Felt Birds is a delightful and inspiring guide for stitchers and crafters who enjoy working with felt, embroidery, birds, and charming folk art motifs. 

Combining whimsical design with traditional hand-stitching techniques, this book offers a treasure trove of projects that are perfect for gifts, decorations, or simply joyful making.

Beautifully presented, the book features 20 different bird designs, each with its own personality and character, inspired by folk art traditions from around the world. 

From parrots to exotic peacocks, robins and blue tits, there’s a broad variety to suit all tastes and abilities. 

Lapierre provides full-size templates, clear step-by-step instructions, and helpful guidance on embroidery stitches and construction techniques, making the book ideal for both beginners and more experienced crafters.

One of the most appealing aspects of this book is its encouragement of creativity. While the designs are lovely as presented, Lapierre gently urges readers to play with colours, patterns, and embellishments to make each bird uniquely their own. 

This flexibility makes the projects as rewarding for seasoned stitchers as for those just starting their journey with felt and embroidery.

The materials required are simple and accessible – mainly felt, threads, and stuffing – making these projects perfect for using up scraps and small pieces from your fabric stash. 

This thoughtful, mindful approach will particularly appeal to makers who enjoy sustainable crafting.

In summary, Folk Embroidered Felt Birds is a charming, useful, and beautifully designed book that will bring joy to any stitcher’s collection. A true delight for lovers of hand sewing, felt craft, and folk-inspired creativity.