Book excerpt: Do you want to sketch a self-portrait, paint the view from your window, or draw the bunch of flowers that was purchased at the florists this morning? Most non-professionals wishing to depict a subject are uncertain where to begin and are intimidated by the huge and expansive range of materials now available. Many popular practical art books are technique dominated, overwhelming the potential reader with a variety of skills that seem complex and inaccessible. 'The Instant Artist' shows you how to achieve immediate results and capture a whole range of popular subjects in a variety of different media, from simple pencil sketches to acrylic painting. All the projects are achievable in a limited time-frame, keeping the work quick and spontaneous. Each project is an easy-to-follow sequence of clear and informative step-by-step photographs leading to an image of the final result. Feature boxes are included that highlight subsidiary techniques and skills. The different media used in the projects are chosen for their simplicity of use and speed of execution. Great care is taken to encourage the reader to recognise the validity of the marks they make whilst not being afraid to make mistakes.