Passport to Painting

If you like the idea of working with bold colours and geometric shapes to capture the essence of a place in an interpretation, rather than a slavish imitation of the classic travel poster, this delightful book will give you all you need. It is almost certainly unique – I've never seen one before and I doubt I will again, so it needs to be a good and its pleasing to be able to report that it is both.

Susie provides plenty of advice, both basic and advanced - how to take photographs as well as use them, for instance, and how to hold brushes as well as distil detail and colour to create striking images.

Just leafing through the pages gives a sense of a job not only well, but completely done. This might be a niche book, but the results are intriguing and it's hard not to be encouraged to experiment.

-- Henry Malt * The Artist *

This book is probably most useful for beginners in acrylic painting and contains much useful information and tips on what essential equipment to buy and good alternatives to expensive kit too. More experienced painters could usefully use the book to try out, what for most, would be a different style of painting. There are six step-by-step exercises to enable you to put into practice the suggestions given earlier in the book. I intend using some of the techniques (which are transferable) to working on a textile art quilt at some point in the future. The book is colourfully set out.

-- Heather Brialey * Amazon Customer Review *

Posters have long been a way for artists to communicate with others, but the travel posters as we know them emerged in the early 20th century born out of the desire to travel and improvements in printing processes. Artist Sue West, has been working her way around the UK since 2015 recreating the retro charm of travel posters in the modern world. So far she has painted over 150 different places, from village greens to city architecture.

In her new book, Passport to Painting, she shows us how to create our own travel posters, looking at elements such as equipment and materials, how to paint skies and water, foliage, architecture, lettering and the impact colour can have on your work. Susie has also designed six of her own travel posters that she presents as step-by-step projects so that we can have a go ourselves. As she writes in her introduction: 'Once, like me, you start seeing the whole world as a travel poster, there'll be no stopping you!'

* Leisure Painter *

If you are new to painting or have not painted for a while, the exercises are easy to follow. If you enjoy doing poster art and love trying a new medium, great to do with your acrylic paint pens or posca pens.

-- Helen Shepherd * Amazon Customer Review *

Susie West’s Passport to Painting is a fresh and uplifting guide that invites painters and art lovers to embark on a creative journey around the world, all from the comfort of their own studio or kitchen table. 

Perfect for beginner and more advanced painters, or anyone looking to inject a sense of adventure into their art practice, this book offers an enjoyable and accessible way to explore global landmarks and cultural treasures through acrylics.

The concept behind Passport to Painting is simple yet charming: to “travel” by painting iconic scenes and buildings from a range of destinations, from Sydney to Lisbon, London to Amsterdam, San Francisco to a USA National Park. 

Each project is presented with step-by-step instructions, clear photographs, and traceable outlines, making the process unintimidating even for those with limited drawing experience. West’s style is light, colourful, and full of character. Her emphasis on simplicity, bold shape, and bright palette makes the projects ideal for relaxed painting sessions – perfect for busy makers wanting to unwind creatively without pressure. 

The book gently encourages experimentation with colour and detail, helping painters to develop their own interpretation of each scene. One of the book’s great strengths is its versatility: projects can be completed as small standalone paintings, greeting cards, or even combined into a travel-themed art journal.  The materials list is refreshingly modest, appealing to painters who prefer a minimalist toolkit.

In short, Passport to Painting is a delightful and inspiring guide that captures the joy of both travel and painting. A must for those who love to explore the world with a brush in hand, whether they are seasoned artists or creative beginners.

* Art Trails Tasman