Customer Reviews:
Painting Nature in Watercolor.......2007-08-23
This book provided step by step progessions and explanations that were easy to follow. Great for beginner or intermediate painter.
Watercolor painting.......2007-06-28
Great book for learing to paint. Good examples and explanations for techniques. I recommend it.
Watercolor Painting for the Beginning Artist.......2005-04-25
By profession I am a scientist, but I have always had an interest in the visual arts. Only in the last few years have I had much time to devote to such endeavors and even then it has been rather catch as catch can. My main interest in art is in the capture of natural images (I took scientific illustration in college), but I appreciate the fact that art and stark realism may express somewhat different truths about the subject. As a rank amateur in watercolor art I also appreciate deeply such roadmap-like guide books as Ferdinand Petrie's "The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor." At first the title turned me off, but in perusing a copy (and later acquiring it) I found it to be an excellent guide to capturing the essence of a natural scene in one of the most difficult of all media- watercolor (only pen and ink may be more demanding from my experience!)
The coupling of Petrie's step by step paintings and the exquisite photographs of John Shaw has produced a book that is both visually beautiful and informative. Using the techniques described and with one's own reference photos in hand (or under an open sky direct from nature) a novice painter can slowly gain the knowledge and skill necessary to succeed in producing credible paintings.
A while back a scientist colleague of mine asked me why make a painting or drawing when you can photograph any subject with clarity. As a person who takes my own reference photos and enjoys doing so I can say he has a point, but reality does not necessarily come only from an exact replication of a scene. In the process of painting from nature (or from a reference photograph) you often notice more complex details, even in apparently simple subjects, then you would ordinarily notice in a photograph by itself. Petrie has emphasized the observation of these complex details and their interpretation in watercolor. If nothing else the instructions that point the artist toward this close observation of complexity in nature are worth the price of the book.
Good variety and information for various angles.......2005-01-23
This book is one to read through to learn -- not just do the practice paintings. Being a newbie to watercolor, this book has really helped me to view nature through a different set of eyes. He helps you see the "what do I want this picture to focus on" instead of microdetailing every possible detail in view. I am now finding myself looking at nature figuring out the details and what would I want to paint as the focus. I think this book goes very well with Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Watercolor by Marian Appellof -- good pair with minimal redundancy.
Numerous step-by-step watercolor techniques.......2004-03-04
As a beginning artist, I tend to accumulate technique books. "The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor" has been one of my most useful watercolor books. It is, in fact, the book that my watercolor instructor uses for reference material for her students.
The book covers a wide variety of techniques, each in the context of a short, complete, step-by-step project which results in a good-looking painting (I occasionally frame one). Techniques covered include seeing colors, mixing, washes, underpaintings, tilting paper, dry brush, use of wet vs. damp vs. dry paper, various uses and methods for lifting, reflections, lighting, contrast, and many, many more techniques, settings, and approaches to challenging scenes. I learn something different from each project.
One implicitly learns the art of simplification and watercolor expression by comparing each projects' nature scene photograph with its respective final painting. That mindset, plus the book's setting-specific techniques, carries over to painting similar scenes outside of the book. It is important to supplement the cookbook nature of the book by applying the same techniques to one's own photo references, and to painting live in nature.
Book Description
This inspiring guide provides artists with the knowledge they need to paint watercolor landscapes. It features easy-to-follow exercises illustrated in an accessible format that invites readers to jump in and begin painting right away. Artists of all skill levels will learn from:
-30 step-by-step demonstrations
-Chapters that focus on basic landscape elements, such as land, water and sky
-Special mini demos for capturing important details, including trees, mountains, waves, clouds, sunsets and more.
Most importantly, this guide's instruction teaches artists the foundations of strong composition and encourages them to pursue their own individual style to create landscapes that are compelling and unique.
Customer Reviews:
Nice book to buy but .......2007-08-23
Its a nice book but if you already have the other book from Gordon Mackenzie, I wouldn't recommend it. Basically half the book almost has the same things.
If you don't have any book from him.... its a nice buy. you will enjoy reading it.
Fine book to learn from, if you will practice........2007-08-09
I bought the "Watercolorist's Essential Notebook"(WEN) and this "WEN - Landscapes," fearing they would be the same with a few different illustrations. (I was specifically looking for ideas on mountains). I was surprised that the first 20 pages contained the same material, but presented with landscapes theme. The rest of the book had many ideas and suggestions, not just rehashed WEN. There was enough new material to warrant this purchase. I should keep trying the presented techniques, but there was enough to satisfy my desire. For less than the cost of a lesson (I consider shipping/handling the same as using my vehicle to drive to the lesson) I have hours of experimenting ahead of me. The illustrations of the effects of each technique are very good, and the "step by step" illustrations aren't cookie cutter recipes, but suggestions for your own experiments. As a "new watercolorist" (meaning I haven't sold anything yet, but I am at the point of feeling I now could), I was surprised at how well I took to, and how much I learned from, both WEN books. I would say suitable from the start for beginners, and advanced students to working.
Beginner or advanced, if you paint you NEED this book!.......2007-07-13
I was so pleased with this book that I bought the author's previous one, "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook" and was just as happy with it! I learned so much from this book, and still continue to learn from it. I consider myself a beginner as I have only been studying watercolor for less than a year, but I took it to class and showed it to my instructor. She was so impressed by it that she bought it to use in her classes. Even with an MFA, she found information that was new to her. The author has a wonderful, playful style that makes learning exciting and fun. Whatever your skill level, you owe it to yourself to own this book!
Excellent for beginners and all.......2007-07-12
Mr. MacKenzie shows techniques which all can utilize. I have been doing watercolor paintings for about two and half years with some success. I find his suggestions a great help. He is precise and forthright in his endeavor to share his artistic techniques with each reader. It's a great book.
The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook: Landscapes.......2007-05-09
Excellent review of ways to do landscapes. Good techniques and interresting form.
Book Description
This giant treasury of watercolor florals brings together a popular medium with a popular subject matter. With North Light's Big Book of Painting Watercolor Flowers, readers can:
* Paint all their favorite flowers in watercolor--everything from wild daffodils and gladiola to hollyhock and mums
* Brush up on the basics, including composition, wet-into-wet washes, mixing color and stretching watercolor paper
* Create finished pieces in no time with easy step-by-step demonstrations
Page after page of gorgeous artwork and clear instruction make this the perfect choice for artists of all levels. Painting flowers has never been easier!
Customer Reviews:
North Light's Big Book of Painting watercolor flowers.......2005-08-23
Very nice book,looked like a new book
nice book.......2005-04-15
Very instructive. Many different styles of painting demonstrated in a way easy to follow. Very well worth the money.
Book Description
Using inspiring visual examples, this handbook simplifies the complexities of watercolor painting, so artists of all levels can build their skills and achieve better results.
Presented in an easy-to-reference format that covers everything from materials to marketing, this guide provides artists with simple, direct instruction for: using tonal values to create a better painting; creating attractive pen and watercolor drawings; using glazes to create atmosphere and mood; directing the viewer's eye by controlling focus and edges; painting subjects every artist must master.
Wade includes trouble-shooting tips, self-critique questionnaires and helpful hints artists can quickly absorb and apply. With its unique, interactive approach to teaching, this guide is the next best thing to attending a one-on-one workshop.
Customer Reviews:
Good advice, well organized.......2007-05-03
I was very impressed with this book. The side tabs make it easy to go directly to the section you want. Advice was excellent and well presented.
Extraordinary watercolor, great teacher.......2007-01-03
A beautifully printed hard cover book by an extraordinary watercolor artist. The book is filled with outstanding examples of landscapes, cityscapes from all over the world. In addition to being an inspired World class watercolor artist, Robert Wade is also a great teacher, the book is filled with practical advise and hands on lessons on color mixing, painting people,skies,glazing,location painting and many other subjects.Just to be able to look at his outstanding paintings would easily justify buying this book.
Understanding Watercolor.......2006-11-04
Excellent handbook for the serious watercolorist. Robert Wade has a great approach to some of the more difficult aspects of painting with watercolor. He is brief, to the point, yet his explanations make sense! Enjoyable reading and a great reference tool.
I wish I discovered this earlier!.......2006-08-13
What a wonderful book with terrific instructions and insights. Replaces 20 books in my collection which don't come close to the wisdom this book provides.
My favorite watercolor book.......2006-06-25
I have a library of over 60 watercolor books, and this is by far my favorite. I also own all of Wades's tapes, and his new CD. I find them to be an extension of the book. I took a workshop from a famous watercolor teacher who had us doing wash on top of wash. She must have gotten the idea from Wade as he has a section on just that topic. He covers washes on top of finished paintings that changes the character of the painting completely. A fasinating book that I return to over and over again.
Book Description
Anyone can learn these simple and fun methods for producing outstanding watercolor landscapes and flowers. One of the reasons that Roland's first book has been so popular (Fill Your Watercolors with Light & Color--over 65,000 copies sold) is that his techniques make watercolor fun and successful for a great number of otherwise frustrated artists.
Roland has a gift for simplifying the process of painting into a few readily understood steps. In this book, he expands the teaching of his pouring technique and goes into the underlying structure of a painting. He presents a unique way of teaching composition that will delight the reader. He then presents his three-step process of painting a landscape--masking to preserve the lights, pouring on the atmosphere and spattering the textures. Next, he shows two great techniques for painting flowers, a subject that does not appear in his first book. Also included is a chapter of fun experimental techniques that readers are sure to enjoy and another chapter that answers some frequently asked questions.
* Enables any artist to produce landscapes and flowers, two of the most popular painting subjects
* This author has a proven sales track record
Customer Reviews:
Fill Your Watercolor With Natures Light.......2007-05-25
Helpful well put together book, which encouraged trying new techniques
Great Service.......2006-08-10
It was a surprise when the book was delivered in a couple days, I had expected a week. It is in superb condition. Impressive seller and delivery.
Nice loose painting.......2003-08-19
This is a nice book for soft landscapes. However, I don't use it nearly as much as I thought I would. Check out the authors style first, and if you really like it...then the book is for you. I use some techniques, but the subject matter is a little soft for me. I didn't stay interested enought to use the lessons, but I did read it through and apply concepts to some of my own work.
These techniques are nothing short of fantastic!.......2001-12-24
I love these books by Roycraft. If you love painting landscape or natural subjects, you cannot go wrong reading this book. Roycraft's techniques look simple (a lot of splashing going on) but they are controlled and well thought out. If you love floral painting you should not miss his examples here of a peony and an iris. JUST Breathtaking. I picked up so many ideas from this book.
Not only are Roycraft's paintings beautiful to see, he knows how to communicate his techniques incredibly well. I'm glad I found this watercolor artist's books.
A power tool for watercolorists.......2001-08-09
Having read "enough" art technique books, I have learned that until one gets "down and dirty" trying out what is discussed in the book, then one does not actually spend the money wisely (on the book).
The same for this book. Beautiful artwork by the author. Did I say beautiful? No, BREATHTAKING, rather. However, to be able to generate beautiful artworks, the readers will need the following:
- An ability to SEE (light, dark, positive and negative space)
- Follow instructions from the book (which is PROBABLY the easy part, since it is rather well-written)
- A decent craftsmanship to finesse the final painting after the "mask and pour paints" phase of the process.
Briefly, I would think this is a power tool for watercolorists. How great the final products turn out to be will depend on the aforementioned factors.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Book Description
With this book's no-clutter approach, artists will be tackling two of their favorite subjects--watercolor and landscapes--in minutes.
Reid's quick-start guide gives beginners a basic overview of materials, terms and exercises to get them off on the right foot. Then it's on to tackling more than 25 step-by-step demonstrations that cover all the basic landscape techniques. Readers will learn to paint essential elements, such as water, mountains, buildings and skies, one at a time. These easy-to-follow exercises arm artists with a set of tools, techniques and principles to enrich all their future landscapes.
This highly visual guide also includes detailed advice on how to overcome the challenges of painting outdoors and when traveling. It's never been easier--or quicker--to have fun painting outdoor scenes.
Book Description
Learn how to paint exquisite flower portraits in watercolour, following Billy Showell's highly detailed, step-by-step instructions. Packed with stunning pictures and technical advice, this book is truly inspirational. Billy Showell's exquisite and technically brilliant watercolour flower portraits are beautifully presented in this highly informative, lavishly illustrated book. Packed with information on drawing and painting techniques, colour mixing and composition, it is an invaluable source of ideas and inspiration for anyone who wants to develop their flower painting skills, whether or not they have any previous experience.
Customer Reviews:
Surprise for Painter wife.......2007-04-11
My wife was thrilled with this book that was added to her resources. She has used it already.
It's all in the details.......2006-10-05
This book improves on many previous painting books by giving very specific step-by-step instructions. Each step is beautifully photographed and carefully explained. This makes it a must have for both the beginner and painter.
Billy's paintings bring a contemporary feel to botanical art. Her work is meticulous and detailed. The Artist's talks about all aspects of creating a painting including choosing paints, brushes and paper for the execution of your work. Her comments about composition and her approach to painting help guide you to develop your own approach.
I highly recommend this lovely book.
Customer Reviews:
Best for watercolor adventure.......2007-03-14
This is not a step by step, how to book. But, it is the best watercolor book I have, (and I have many). Watercolor from the Heart will show you the true nature of the media. You gain understanding in what can bloom from this media, and how truely beautiful it can be. If I had only one watercolor book, this would be it.
New Book Delivery - Watercolor from The Heart.......2005-10-25
Delivery was in perfect condition and fast
creative watercolor.......2005-09-16
I'm new to watercolor. Although this book is not intended for beginners, being about more advanced techniques, I found it inspirational to read. The author shares her ideas about how to approach the creative process, as well as her methods and images of her beautiful paintings. I enjoyed it and found it helpful in thinking about my own painting.
More than "heart".......2002-03-23
I thoroughly enjoy this book and would recommend this to anyone who likes to paint in watermedia. Barbara Nechis provides an approach to creativity in painting that is both thought provoking and pragmatic--a very difficult combination. I particularly like the humor in her tips about the "don't" myths of watercolor painting. There is also frankness in how she takes advantage of "mistakes" that actually illustrates her approach to creativity. She is generous with the techniques that she shares--I have tried them and they really work!
So far what she has proposed as approaches to painting background are the most helpful to me--and other budding artists who are struggling with the balance of painting the subject and the background. Other books talk about planning the whole painting and working on the background first, Barbara gives you enough approaches and techniques for you to try with some confidence for success. I paid full price from a bookstore--still think it is worth every penny. Buy it.
A Truly inspirational book on how to become creative.......2000-10-20
I have read and re-reread this book many times, and each time I learn something new.
I marvel at how Barbara Nechis lets the watercolor itself do the painting, and how we, the artist can aid in its completion, from our hearts and subconscious. I enjoy reading books like this which encourage departing from the 'rules' and letting the imagination take over.
Book Description
A unique guide that will teach complete beginners how to paint a beautiful floral watercolour in just one weekend.
Beginners recognise that they need to acquire basic painting skills - but at the same time they are eager to produce their first finished painting. This popular 'weekend' formula allows them to do both in a limited amount of time - to build skills gradually and to produce an attractive, frameable painting that they can hang on their walls by the end of the weekend.
The author starts by introducing the materials required, and then leads readers through a series of watercolour technique exercises designed to provide a basic grounding in the skills needed for this subject area.
This instruction is followed by six weekend projects for painting a range of popular floral subjects: a single flower; a group of white flowers; an indoors still life; an outdoors close-up; autumn flowers; and wild flowers in the landscape. Each course starts with practice exercises to be completed on the Saturday; readers are then ready to complete the full watercolour painting on the Sunday.
Clear instructions accompany step-by-step photographs throughout, and technical information is given in special feature boxes.
Customer Reviews:
Thanks, Jill!.......2004-04-11
After months of sitting with my preschooler at the easel and painting nothing but crude daisies, I bought this book. It's been three days and I am already painting flowers that look like flowers. The techniques are simple and are explained well with text and photographs. I find that many how-to-paint books are filled with the artist's own finished works but never show the intimidated beginner how to get there. This book is different in that it takes the reader through a step-by-step process that begins with the first stroke and ends with the final product. I highly recommend this book to the beginning watercolorist.
Book Description
A unique guide that will show complete beginners how to paint a watercolor landscape in just one weekend.
Beginners recognize that they need to acquire basic painting skills - but at the same time they are eager to produce a finished painting that they can hang on their walls. This popular weekend formula allows them to do just that - to build skills gradually and produce an attractive, frameable painting in a limited amount of time.
The author starts by introducing the materials required for painting watercolour landscapes, then leads readers through a series of initial techniques designed to provide a basic grounding in the skills required for this subject area. This instruction is followed by eight short courses for painting a range of popular landscape subjects: skies and clouds; water; mountains and lakes; trees and foliage; buildings and textures; reflections in the landscape; winter landscapes; summer landscapes. Each course starts with practice exercises to be completed on the Saturday - readers are then ready to complete the full watercolour painting on the Sunday.
Clear instructions accompany step-by-step photographs throughout, and technical information is given in special feature boxes.
Frank Halliday runs landscape painting courses from his home in Norfolk and demonstrates to art societies throughout England. He works for Winsor & Newston as a demonstrator and also teaches workshops for The Artist and Leisure Painter magazines. He has written one previous watercolour book and has made four watercolour painting videos. He lives in Felthorpe, Norfolk.
Customer Reviews:
An Oustanding Beginner Book for learning Landscape Painting in Watercolor.......2007-09-29
This is a wonderful book for learning watercolor painting of landscapes. It is well-organized, has beautiful illustrations, simplifies instructions so that the beginner will not feel overwhelmed, and makes the lessons interesting and fun.
It begins with basic techniques such as washes and brush techniques using a 3-step illustrated method. Mediums, masking, composition, linear perspective, aerial perspective, color are also briefly covered--just enough to get you started, but not to overwhelm the beginner. The author suggests a few basic color mixes for the most popular landscape subjects, and explains cool vs warm colors.
Most of the book is devoted to allowing the reader hands-on painting experience with different landscape projects such as Project I--Skies and Clouds--clear sky, cumulus clouds, cirrus clouds, in a step-by-step method with clear and concise illustrations. Next, rainclouds and dramatic skies (beams of sunlight through clouds).
This book simplifies watercolor painting so that it does not become overwhelming, but also, the beginner can attain beautiful results by the teacher's simplified methods of teaching, and the wonderful illustrated steps.
BRIEFLY, here are some other exciting things you will learn in this great book. Country scene with a village visible in distance, water--sunlight on the water, reflections, moving water, waterfall, rough sea, moody sea, mountains and lakes (an exercise is given for learning tonal recession), mountain structure, snow, misty mountain exercise (a 5-step, 2 page lesson), early morning by the lake ( an 8-step, 4-page exercise), trees and foliage (a 5-step 2 page exercise on painting a winter tree ) another exercise on foliage, tree shapes, trees in a setting..
As the book progresses, each lesson/exercise builds on previous lessons and becomes more complex and detailed.
Next, Buildings and textures (exercise in light and shade) (exercise in simple brickwork) windows. Then, a 6-page steped lesson on a provencial farm in 9 steps. Project 6 is Reflections with a lesson on "puddles on a farm track (5 steped lesson), next, buildings reflected in a flooded field --a 2-page exercise, reflected boats, reflections in a village pond, winter fields, etc. etc.
This is a fantastic book for learning watercolor landscapes. I highly recommend it--the exercises are simplified but exciting. It's a great book!
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Books Index
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General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Watercolor
Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter (Serious Beginner)
The Watercolor Flower Painter's A to Z: An Illustrated Directory of Techniques for Painting 50 Popular Flowers
Painting Water (Watercolour Tips and Techniques)
Creating Textures in Watercolor: A Guide to Painting 83 Textures from Grass to Glass to Tree Bark to Fur
