Ever felt inspired to paint a portrait but didn't know where to begin? This book captures the step-by-step processes that underpin what it takes to create and paint a good portrait.

Covering a wide range of media from oil, watercolour, acrylic and even spraypaint, the book guides the reader, with sequential photography, from the initial markings made on a canvas to the finished painting. Written by acclaimed painter Tai Shan Schierenberg, it not only serves as an instructional manual for those wanting to get to grips with the basic principles and techniques but it's also for those who are interested in a painter's perspective on portraiture's history and the role it plays in the art world today.

Each artist featured in the book is a contestant on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year. Their painting styles range from gesturalism and abstraction, to classicism and even pointillism, resulting in a myriad of portraits that any reader can achieve, regardless of skill level.