With the expert instruction of two award-winning artists who specialize in capturing the primal essence of the natural world, anyone can create lifelike and unerringly accurate portraits of plants, flowers, and wildlife. This book offers ideas on finding an inspirational subject, from natural outdoor settings to local zoos and museums; advice on composition; and techniques for using a range of materials. From learning to recreate the subtle shimmer of a fish's scales to capturing the graceful curve a flower, every step in the creative process is explained through color photographs and illuminating text.