content: Like others in the step-by-step art book series, this book boils down the basics, and presents with a range of painting styles. Admittedly, there's a lot of useful information that's not in this book. Some artists may not agree with some of the suggestions, and the demo paintings are also rather simplistic or abstract, but there's a reason why there are books for beginners, intermediate, advanced, and for various specialties. This one's for beginners, and is a good one at that. There's probably more than enough here to for a new painter. It's a fairly quick read, but it clearly explains and demonstrates several helpful techniques that other beginner books gloss over or skip completely (glazing, drybrush, scrafitto, etc.). If you want more suggestions on other art books, check my other reviews.