I love this book!! Annette Carroll Compton teaches drawing and painting with a balance of traditional exercises"mind" (light theory, perspective etc.) and non-traditional "heart" exercises (painting to music, non-objective painting with a partner etc.). There are 12 chapters and they cover different aspects of art alternating back and forth between the "heart " and "mind". She encourages you to study the masters and takes you on a path of self-discovery of your talent. To get the most out of this book you must do the exercises. They are fun and exciting. I am a new artist who is primarily self taught but who has taken some classes. It is as if she was right there guiding you on every inch of the way.