This is a really solid book, that explains a LOT of natural phenomena of light and color, both in an artistic and scientific sense. It explains things like lightening and darkening of the sky in relation to the sun's position, cast shadows by clouds, reflections in water, and shows different types of lighting and explains them.

It is not a step by step instruction book, but more of a reference book for someone who wants to do paintings where familliar rules of light, color, distance, and level of detail apply.

The lessons in the book are worded in a way that someone new to painting like me can still digest, and I haven't felt in over my head reading it. It also explains painting in a very general sense, not focusing specificly on any one media, instead often giving examples from many. The book is even applicable to digital artists like my brother, who also finds it useful.

The majority of the example pictures are the author's own work, so in addition to the basic lesson, sometimes he provides background on themes, moods, time of day, etc.

I have no complaints about the book, especially at Blick's current pricing, and plan to purchase another by the author.