A fresh introduction to the fundamentals, conversations in paint (previously titled The Principles of Painting) is part painter's sketchbook, part philosopher's journal, part instructor's primer. If you paint, it will give new insight into your work. If you don't paint, it will inspire you.It is also a unique object in its own right, a book as work of art. Developed as a sketchbook, the pages are crammed with watercolor sketches that look as if they've been painted right on the page, plus diagrams, charts, and reproductions of old masters and contemporary artists. Quotations from Cezanne to such unexpected authors as Harvey Penick are printed in a specially designed typeface based on the author's handwriting, giving each spread the intimate, layered quality of Sara Midda's books. Indeed, the spread-designed with text, quotes, illustrations and captions, to be read and absorbed on its own-is the book's basic building block. Open the book anywhere and learn something new about painting. About seven ways an artist sees. About the language of line. About mood and the four ways to stimulate emotion. About perspective, light and shade, style, composition, drawing, technique, mass, scale. And, from a life-long teacher, a little section at the end of the book about "Learning-applicable to any area of life.