Book excerpt: In this practical guide, Barrington Barber reveals the skills required to meet the demands of drawing in colour using a range of media, from coloured pencil and pastel to ink and watercolour. With the author's customary blend of expertise and encouragement, providing examples and exercises at every stage, The Fundamentals of Drawing in Colour takes aspiring artists step-by-step, teaching them to observe, compose and record a variety of subjects. After a straightforward introduction to colour theory, still-life studies are presented as the bedrock of drawing practice and, from this basis, the book goes on to deal in detail with landscape, animals and finally, the human figure and portraiture. The pace of modern life and the countless images we see every day discourage us from looking with true perception. The Fundamentals of Drawing in Colour shows how we can adjust our focus to take an absorbing, creative approach to the world around us.