This is a book that’s about much more than either the technical or creative aspects of painting. Haidee-Jo takes us through the whole experience from being there to understanding what’s before us and capturing its essence on canvas.

Chapters include the basics, such as selection of equipment, but move on to working with changing light, working over several sessions, allowing for weather and even working around people and putting them (literally) in the picture. On top of this, there’s plenty of advice on practice, from colour and brushwork to composition, planning, both on the ground and on the canvas, and finishing off in the studio.

At every stage, there are exercises and demonstrations that will allow you to put into practice what you have learnt. Subjects include landscapes, street scenes, animals, trees, flowers, still lifes and people.

This is a fascinating and thorough guide to working outdoors that feels much more like an adventure with an old friend than a course of instruction.

Search Press • Paperback • 176 pages • Colour throughout