I am literally obsessed with Terry Runyan’s art style & how free it all feels. I’m still working on watercolor technique, but this book is so inspiring because the goal is to just have fun & not obsess over perfection. I definitely recommend this one — you learn how to paint cats & the process is so meditative!

Painting Cats is a fun artistic and freeing book on self expression and just giving into your inner child and creating. It was much funnier then I expected and I definitely recommend it.

"Painting Cats" by Terry Runyan is a pleasant and uplifting watercolour adventure for cat and art lovers. As a cat owner and creator, I loved the book's personal touch and artistic direction.

Terry's introduction to her cats Tucker and Rylee captivated me with her kind writing style. She expertly blends cat ownership's unpredictability with watercolour painting's liberation throughout the book.

The simple, beginner-friendly step-by-step tutorials emphasise the delight of accepting errors in painting. Beyond directions, the book provides a complete list of equipment, styles, and colours for painters of all abilities.

Terry's watercolour paintings depict cats relaxing and lovely. The visual trip is delightful, and the book's focus on watercolour play and experimentation adds awareness and creative freedom.

"Painting Cats" touched me since I relax via art and love cats. Art is fun and good for your mental health, and the book offers tips and skills. To properly appreciate the wonderful photographs that reflect feline camaraderie and creative expression, I'm excited to purchase the book.

This is a fun book if you love animals and want to paint them. It does not teach painting cats in detail but more in the cartoon form, I don't know how to explain this better. It is definitely less stressful way of painting.

This book is AMAZING and I'd highly recommend it for anyone interested in painting and cats! I love how even the colour theory information is discussed with a cat theme. It is all so clever, so creative and so informative.

This is such an adorable book!
I am a dog-person, and so I had no idea that cats were adorable, living life really the way it should be lived, and so pretty!
The author has done a fabulous job of sharing life lessons from living with cats - which we can all learn from, without getting serious or melodramatic. and the artwork, done with watercolors (my favorite medium) are just really paintings of cutie-patootie cats and so much fun.
Many, many times I paused while reading to show the painting or read out loud to the nearest family member, even if that was my dog to tell him how to live it up like a cat!!!
This was a feel-good, fun read. On my list of books to be read again, and gifted to my cat-loving friends.

Painting Cats is an appealingly quirky and accessible technique and tutorial guide by Terry Runyan. Released 12th Sept 2023 by Quarto on their Leaping Hare Press imprint, it's 144 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

The author writes in such a fun way that will inspire readers to grab supplies and paint along. There are numerous lessons highlighting spontaneity and fun as well as usable techniques to increase expertise. She spends a fair amount of content explaining why she enjoys painting cats, introducing some of her own cats, and showing readers how to use watercolors (her preferred medium) to give similar results or to adapt them to other media.

The chapters are arranged thematically: why cats, why watercolor, supplies, let's paint cats, color, techniques, storytelling (LOTS of good tutorial info here), and further exploration. The author/publisher have also included an abbreviated resources/links list for readers in the back of the book. The style is naive and folksy. It's very colorful and very appealing.

Five stars. Lots of good info and just a really fun book. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, more formal class/workshop use, makers' groups, or for the home artist's studio.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Runyan presents a fine follow-up to last year's Painting Happiness: Creativity with Watercolors. This time the focus is on her feline pals. Under her excellent tutelage, you'll learn how to turn blobs into cats by adding details, and giving each little critter its own personality.

Even if you don't plan on picking up a paintbrush, this is fun to browse, and a MUST for cat lovers.

This is a lovely book for newbie artists and cat lovers alike. Even though I haven't attempted to paint any of the cats in the book, I enjoyed dipping into it and looking at all the lovely artwork. Maybe one day I'll get my act together and do some of my own!

Such a delightful book! The suggestions are easy to follow for beginners and expert painters will have fun with this guide too!

This is an awesome book for anyone that loves both craft and cats! I think it would make a perfect gift for most age groups. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was a really fun book to read and paint through. While I don't share the author's passion for cats, I did find them to be an easy subject matter to practice with. I enjoyed trying out some different techniques and appreciated the details that would work with any watercolour painting. This would be a really fun book to pair with a set of watercolour paints and brushes as a gift for a crafty cat lover.

I chose this book for 2 reasons, 1. I love cats and 2. I’m learning to paint with watercolors. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this book I choose is the same artist who had a workshop class that I participated in! I didn’t pay attention to the author’s name on the book until I started reading it. When I got to the chapter that touched on what I learned, in the workshop, I realized I had her book! What a wonderful surprise. She gives some nice insights on painting and sketching cats and how to capture their personalities. And most of all JUST HAVE FUN creating your art.

I receive this book copy for free and I am giving my review voluntarily

While instructing on how to start painting watercolors with a focus on cat shapes, this book also instructs on how to live a more carefree life by emulating your painting subjects. From why cats make such good subjects, to how to prep your canvas and create your feline shapes, to organizing your supply list, this book guides you through your creative journey. The style is informative but also very fun. My only complaint is that it focuses on abstract instead of actual, and I would have liked to have a little more instruction or hints on images with more realism. Very easy to read and follow!

Many thanks to the author publisher and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
This is a lovely art book, comprehensive but fun instruction on using watercolour to create cute cats.
Highly recommended.

This is a very adorable book. I did learn some techniques while reading it. I loved that it included cat themed illustrations throughout the book. 4 🌟 s

Painting Cat's 
5 Fantastic Feline Stars

Painting Cat's was a blast for me, it's been awhile since I've had so much fun playing with watercolors.

In early summer, our family adopted two Himalayan kittens: Apollo and Nyx. The breed isn't known for its athleticism (but mine are acrobats). I affectionately call them chaos demons. So, I enjoyed relaxing, while I captured their antics.

in my sketchbook. I was having so much fun that both kids joined me. All of us attempted to capture Nyx climbing my 7 foot Monstera plant. Her brother flees. Lol! 

I would definitely recommend this book for cat lovers; it's great for calming anxiety. I found myself smiling throughout the book. The illustrations are adorable, with easy to follow directions. I enjoyed the artist's less intimidating approach. By teaching techniques and lessons, which are great for beginners, and fun for an experienced watercolor artist. So, less intimidating imo. This is a great book; I didn't want to stop water coloring cats! That's why this review is a few days later than I originally planned. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.

Quirky and cute and highly informative, Painting Cats is a joy for anyone who loves cats and painting. Written with wit, style and knowledge of their subject , the author makes painting relaxing. No judgement just fun. I really enjoyed reading this book and got a great deal of information on the subject.
There is no doubting Terry Runyan loves cats and in reading the book I found myself laughing at her descriptions of her cats behaviour and as I am an avid cat lover I could relate to her slight obsession. The illustrations are brilliant, full of humour and colour. In short I fully endorse Painting Cats as a great introduction to watercolour art. My grateful thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read and learn from this book.

One simple painting takes me up to a week to complete. I research, sketch multiple times, paint, paint some more, then I add final details. I have never known how to put paintbrush to paper and just go for it. I think maybe my mind just doesn't work that way, requiring structure. When I saw this book, which teaches you to be "mindful & free-spirited", I knew it was a test I was ready for, one I perhaps needed.

Terry has packed this book full of so many different techniques, examples and ideas. I found the instructions easy to follow and perfect for beginners as well as people like me looking to create more freely. The actual painting process didn't feel so daunting with Terry's instructions by my side. As well as the basics, you are shown how you can add this 'freer' style of painting to other animals and to create backgrounds for your cats. I was mostly drawn to the page of all different cats and thought it would be brilliant as a beginner exercise. While it's so far from my usual painting process, I really enjoyed myself.

I will be using this book as a guide to help me to learn to love creating art again. As much as I love painting, how structured I am sometimes makes it feel like a chore.

Thank you to NetGalley, Terry Runyan and Leaping Hare Press for this DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun guide on different painting techniques that can be used to paint cats, along with different ideas to create unique, colorful cats. While providing a guide, it demonstrates how you can let your creativity run free.