Explore the extraordinary life of J.R.R. Tolkien, the legendary creator of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, in this captivating literary biography that celebrates the father of modern fantasy and his profound influence on fantasy literature and mythological storytelling.This captivating volume goes beyond the epic tales of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to explore J.R.R. Tolkien’s incredible life and the experiences th...

More exciting than second breakfast! Don Marshall, the Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy—loved by so many online—is back with a compendium of fascinating facts, little-known connections, and incredible insights about the enduring trilogy that launched the modern high fantasy genre!Packed with obscure details and Tolkien tidbits, this book offers a collection of 99 vignettes that invite readers to join the adventure and dive deeper into the world of Middle-earth—b...

The Pacific Northwest will be in full bloom with Northwest Home Landscaping, 4th Edition! Find inspiring ideas to make your home landscape more attractive and functional in this must-have resource that is an updated edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning best seller on landscaping northwest-style. The 48 featured landscape designs are created by professionals from the region and use more than 200 plants that thrive in the northwest. Detailed instructions for projects, such as paths,...

Northwest Home Landscaping, including Western British Columbia is an updated, expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning best seller on landscaping northwest-style. Readers will find inspiring ideas for making the home landscape more attractive and functional. The 48 featured designs are created by landscape professionals from the region and use more than 200 plants that thrive in the southeast. Detailed instructions for projects such as paths, patios,...

Explore the extraordinary life of J.R.R. Tolkien, the legendary creator of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, in this captivating literary biography that celebrates the father of modern fantasy and his profound influence on fantasy literature and mythological storytelling.This captivating volume goes beyond the epic tales of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to explore J.R.R. Tolkien’s incredible life and the experiences th...

Learn to create amazing paintings with this complete acrylic painting course featuring expert tips, step-by-step exercises, and clear demonstrationsThis guide is packed with the best of Lee Hammond's lessons and tips on working with acrylics, including more than 80 step-by-step exercises and demonstrations that will have you creating amazing paintings in no time flat.With just seven to nine pigments, you can paint anything. You'll learn how to add layers an...

Learn how to paint in four different media! Taking the first steps to learn how to paint can be a challenge, especially when beginning artists are unsure which medium best suits them. With this book, aspiring artists will discover the qualities and benefits of four painting media-acrylic, oil, pastel, and watercolor-making it easier for them to begin their artistic journey. After an in-depth introduction to the tools and materials needed for each medium, five accomplished artists guide rea...

Painting pretty, prized flowers is easier than you think!Using an uncomplicated palette and simple techniques, Mary Backer shares the secrets behind her prize-winning watercolor flowers. From first strokes to final touches, you'll learn everything you need to know to paint brilliant orange poppies, plump peonies, graceful lotus blossoms, classic roses and other garden favorites.Features:• an exciting variety of flowers and compositions, from individual flow...

The international bee crisis is threatening our global food supply, but this user-friendly field guide shows what you can do to help protect our pollinators. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation offers browsable profiles of 100 common flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees that support bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. The recommendations are simple: pick the right plants for pollinators, protect them from pesticides, and provide abundant blooms throughout the growing seas...

If you would like to discover the therapeutic pleasure of growing beautiful, robust and healthy bonsai trees, then this is the last guide you'll ever purchase.Have you ever come across a beautifully maintained bonsai tree and wondered if you could do that? Do you want to learn a wholesome hobby to help you remain grounded and get rid of unnecessary stress and anxiety?If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then keep reading...In this guid...

A must-have resource for graphite and charcoal artists, this guide offers step-by-step instruction on drawing key textures found in any illustration.Accurately rendering surfaces and textures is one of the most challenging aspects of working with graphite pencil and charcoal. 101 Textures in Graphite & Charcoal gives artists essential techniques for capturing a wide variety of surfaces, including sand, water, metals, foliage, wood, fabrics, stone, grass, ha...

With literally hundreds of choices, it can be overwhelming to decide which perennials to plant in your garden. Nancy J. Ondra takes the stressful guesswork out of perennial garden planning by offering 52 vibrant designs, each made up of only five plants. Ondra tailors each simple design to a specific set of growing conditions, with plenty of tips to help your planting mature. Enjoy gardens full of sun-drenched blooming flowers and shade-loving greenery for years to come.