Book Nook: Anywhere, Anytime Art - Illustration

I was really intrigued with the chance to review Anywhere, Anytime Art: Illustration, from Bay Area artist Betsy Beier. This book encourages readers to use creativity in documenting experiences and capturing memories, as well as dreaming of new adventures and places to explore.

This book is a great blend of project ideas and technique instruction. It touches on using graphites, watercolors, markers, collage-making, and several other techniques. There are a dozen projects to help get creative juices flowing. It's also designed perfectly for travel, with tips for ways to pack and carry supplies, and also information on ways to sketch comfortably. That can be a big deal when traveling, especially if you're normally used to sketching in a specific spot.

Although the book uses the frame of reference of capturing memories, the techniques shown and the project ideas can be used for a wide variety of creative pursuits. There's an emphasis on cultural experience, which, as a seasoned traveler, I loved. I also liked how easy it would be to adapt the different project ideas to an artist's preferred medium. Overall, it's a great book to learn new ways to illustrate experiences and capture memories.

Bay Area-based artist Betsy Beier creates illustrations, patterns, and lettering that celebrate places, people, experiences, foods, and cultures from around the world. She has worked with clients that include HarperCollins Publishers, Budweiser, Apple, Shutterfly, and ABC Studios. Learn more about Betsy at wanderlustdesigner.com.