Modern acrylics, which are plastic-based pigments, offer artists many of the same possibilities and effects as the more traditional gouache paints, which are opaque water-based pigments. This manual offers detailed instruction on creating paintings in both media. Titles in the new Artist_s Handbook Series are designed for dedicated amateurs but will also by used and valued by professional artists. Each title in the series has a sturdy hardcover binding, allowing it to be taken out to the field as handily as it is used in the studio. The books_ hidden spiral bindings keep pages lying flat, so students can work freely with their art materials without having to fight with their instruction manual. Each title supplements textual instruction with more than 400 color illustrations showing paintings in various stages of completion. There is detailed information on artists_ tools, techniques, mixing colors, creating special effects, and trouble-shooting to correct errors. All Artist_s Handbooks show examples of works by famous artists in the respective media to help students see how each medium has been used by world-renowned masters.