Mixed media offers a wealth of opportunities for capturing shape and texture and Chris Forsey explores a wide variety of technical and creative approaches.

This fantastic book and DVD set begins with an examination of material and methods, including painting surfaces, mark-making and the use of texture materials such as rollers and tissue paper. Chris will also explain the way in which different media complement the main one of watercolour - wax crayon, oil pastels or acrylic inks.

In the book, technical matters are covered in a series of demonstrations that include shorelines, river scenes and inland areas. Particularly useful are Chris's explanations of how different media suit different subjects - the brightness of a flower-decked chalkland path captured with watersoluble and oil pastels, for instance.

Further demonstrations include suggestions of how to capture a fleeting moment such as a breaking wave, how to render texture and the use of collage.

On the DVD, Chris creates three beautiful paintings of coastal scenes including the world famous Cley Windmill, using watercolour, acrylic paint, acrylic ink and a touch of oil pastels.

He takes each painting from dynamic tonal sketch right through to completed painting. This is a master class in how to produce a mixed media landscape painting that sparkles with energy from a great painter who is also a wonderful teacher.

Batsford . Hardback . 128 pages . Colour throughout . 134 mins