If you're looking for books that'll help you grow as an artist, you've more than likely already heard of this book. Either just from its reputation or perhaps you've seen/heard/read other artists swear by this book. Surely it can't be that good, right?
It can and is.
James Gurney is an incredibly talented illustrator & a very great teacher so the contents of this book can be easily followed & applied to your own work.
Each page basically has its own technique that it teaches you (reflective light, bounce light etc) and each page is accompanied with one of Gurney's many illustrations that perfectly show of whatever he is teaching you. So this book is filled with great informative explanations AND with illustrations to help you visualize what Gurney is teaching you on that page.
I cannot recommend this book enough, for new artists and seasoned artists...you're guaranteed to come away with something you didn't know beforehand.