Reviews (12)

WAtercolor Painting Outside the Lines
This book is informative, but really does not give any more information on negative painting than the average Watercolor book with a section on negative painting....might be good for a rank beginner...and should be advertised as such.
Before you swallow the hype read all of the reviews!
I totally agree with the couple of reviews where the book was sent back to Amazon. Some of the reviews are positively glowing and just why is beyond my comprehension, The book offers (as do most watercolor instruction books)considerablesound advice about supplies and composition etc etc etc but the pictures SUCK! It is difficult for me to believe this is a professional artist (presumingmaking a living on this humdrum output.) She has a vey limited palette mostly autumnal browns and golds and mostly very small (8x8 and 12x12) pictures that are a hash and rehash of weeds leaves and branches,,sometimes a watercolor book is so astoundingly beautiful it is worth having just to admire the pics,,,well,,,not this one! Totally ripped off is the feeling given,,

Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines
I've been wanting to acquire this book for some time. This negative painting approach will pump new creative energies into my work. I recommend this addition to your watercolor library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Form perception    4. Technique    5. Techniques - General    6. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    7. Watercolor painting    8. Art techniques & principles    9. Watercolours   

Reviews (35)

How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself: . . .
I loved this book.I learned many new aspects of watercoloring.Her style, and the freedom she gives permission for, was very freeing.I highly recommend it.She is world famous, and her originals are quite expensive--plus, most are in private collections.Prints are available, and they are not cheap.Buy this book, unless you are one who wishes to paint very realistically.

Extremely helpful book.
This is one of the best watercolor books I've seen. It is well written, has lots of detail, and Nita Engle is generous with her information, e.g.her color choice and palette arrangement, two of the most difficult items to manage in my painting. I immediately attempted to take a seminar with her which, as to be expected, was full and has a waiting list. Next year I'll be first on the list. Seeing her tenichques is most interesting, even for those who may adapt them.

WONDERFUL book for textures!
This isn't a beginner's "how to" book. It doesn't teach paint application techniques like washes, color theory, etc. It's the book you wish you had to get beyond the basics. It teaches you a variety of techniques from spattering paint and mask to creating effects like fog, etc.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Technique    4. Techniques - General    5. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    6. Watercolor Painting    7. Art techniques & materials    8. Watercolours   

Reviews (4)

Inspiring light
The author-painter teaches step-by-step the way to make watercolor paintings sparkle. Her own examples are breathtaking. If one really wants to acheive the skill to fill one's paitings with heavenly light, this is the book to start with.

Incredible Beauty
This book captures the essence of "Painting with Light". The author provides pratical step-by-step instructions and new techniques that even the professional painter horizon's will be broadened.I have purchased four copies of this book for fellow painters and received rave reviews!!! I am adapting some of the ideas to oil paints as well.I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in new techingiques for capturing light in a work of art.Truly amazing!

Excellent choice
Well written and illustrated book.Bought a second copy for a friend who is learning to paint, as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Technique    4. Techniques - General    5. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    6. Watercolor painting   

Reviews (8)

A beautiful presentation, but
It wasn't much help beyond some technicalities of brush work and some reproductions of the artist's work.Okay for a pretty intro. and some history.If your goal is to reproduce someone else's paintings, this book does that; but I want to create my own so Chinese Brush Painting: A Beginner's Guideby Pauline Cherrett, actually gives directions: on how to care for your tools, how to compose your own paintings, how to make your paintings vibrant with energy and spirit, with enough "what not to do's" to be truly a useful beginners guide.I don't understand the 5 star ratings on this book.As to technical brush work; Chinese Calligraphy Made Easy: A Structured Course In Creating Beautiful Brush Lettering by Rebecca Yue; gives wonderful step by step directions for brush work that transfers to painting everything else.

Exquisite watercolors?A Simply Excuisite Book!
Fabulous Book!
I am a beginner watercolorist and I found this book to be a great help! It is so easy to understand and follow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Techniques - General    4. Techniques - Watercolor Painting   

Reviews (2)

Almost ...but not quite
With this ninth book in the remarkable Splash series I was rather disappointed.To me the strength of the previous eight books has been the remarkable diversity of painting styles.Even though each had a rather loose theme you could turn the pages and not really know what to expect apart from the fact that every picture was a watercolor.So many of the paintings just make you stop and look and look and frequently wonder how an artist achieved that painting.Luckily part of the editorial format in each book allowed artists to reveal their creative thoughts or techniques in words next to the picture.
Splash 9
I have loved collecting the Splash series.I enjoy looking at them over and over.The books are a great place to see what others are doing, use for inspiration, and sometimes to help solve a problem with something you are working on. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Technique    4. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    5. Watercolor Painting    6. Watercolours   

Reviews (3)

Even Better!
I was surprised to see another book by Gordon MacKenzie. What more could he say that he had not said in his first book? Plenty! In fact, I consider this book to be much more valuable than the first. This book focuses on landscape painting and is divided into three parts: tools and techniques, composing landscapes, and landscape elements. It begins with an expanded paint quality chart comparing more paints by more manufacturers. Sweet! I can pick and choose the best paints with confidence now. But the best part of the book for me was the information on painting the essentials--water, skies, rocks, and trees. I expected this book to be good, but it was great!

Landscapes
This was a gift for my very talented spouse. She really enjoyed the book. Said it always enhances her skills to see other artists and their technics.

The Watercolorists Essential Notebook: Landscapes
Gordon MacKenzie's new book is a worthy addition to his "The Watercolorists Essential Notebook."If you are looking for a lot of pretty pictures to copy, this is not it.If you want to become more proficient and creative as a watercolorist, this is your treasure!Regardless of where you are on the pathway in using watercolors, this book holds valuable instrucion for your self improvement.It can be a life-long guide as you strive to produce better and better work.DON'T MISS IT! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Landscape    4. Landscape Painting    5. Subjects & Themes - Landscapes    6. Technique    7. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    8. Watercolor Painting    9. Art techniques & principles    10. Nature in art, still life, landscapes & seascapes    11. Watercolours   

Reviews (17)

The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook
This has to be one of the best books ever for the serious beginner in watercolor. It is divided into three parts: tools, techniques, and composition. I primarily bought the book because it has a chart comparing the paint quality of different manufacturers and lists the numbers of fugitive pigments. Many books warn about avoiding colors that are not lightfast, but this book actually identifies them. This is just one small example of the helpful information provided for beginners who want to become serious painters.

A Great Resource for Beginner or Professional
This book is a gem!It is one of those rare books whose title "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook" actually fits its content.This is a fantastic collection of great techniques, tips, methods, and demonstrations on everything from paint characteristics and how paints interact with water, to composition and mixing different techniques.The illustrations are wonderful and show how to do your own watercolors in straight-forward prose as well as the absolute mastery of the medium by the author.
This is the best watercolor book I have read
This book is full of wonderful information for the watercolorist. I am an adult beginner and don't expect to ever have the talent to paint for anyone except myself, but the information in this book makes me feel that at least I know a little more about what I am doing. There are many easy to read charts about paint qualites, lists of reliable pigments to look for and pigments to avoid. (I didn't know paints were made of different names and numbers, and some of these are not stable colors!) Scan the Table of Contents and you will see all the great topics that are covered (and they are covered well). This is a beautiful book to read just to look at the lovely examples of his paintings. I am really glad that I purchased this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Technique    4. Techniques - Painting    5. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    6. Watercolor Painting    7. Art techniques & materials    8. Watercolours   

Reviews (11)

Watercolor basics/Let's get started
By far the best beginner book I have ever picked up. I have used some of the ideas in this book to teach workshops and have had tremendous success with people that have never picked up a brush. You can"t go wrong

Good, but video instruction is perhaps better
I've purchased quite a few instructional books on both watercolors and oils.While I found this one easy to follow for the absolute beginner, in practice, I found the exercises to be a bit stilted.What I mean by that is in attempting to reproduce his paintings, step by step, I found that it took away the wonder and spontenaity one might experience while sketching and painting a simple still life set up.I understand the theory behind the book, and the value studies are interesting, but I think that simply practicing washes, and also practicing with simple still lifes might be more rewarding.I've watched a few videos on watercolor painting which have been more helpful than any book.
Excellent first watercolor book
After purchasing probably around a dozen books on watercolor, and always seeming to work my way into frustration, I came across this book. It looked very interesting in that it starts with monochromatic flatwashes, and actually leads you step by step through the painting. If your looking for 'basic' this is the one for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Study & Teaching    4. Technique    5. Techniques - General    6. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    7. Watercolor Painting    8. Art techniques & materials    9. Watercolours   

Reviews (9)

Wonderful
This book is one of a kind.the pictures are beautiful.the info is very easy to use and useful.and these kinds of hands on books are few and far between.it does all it promises to do..and more..its just relaxing to look at as well..its just not another art book with insturctions..it goes far beyond that...B.W.

Dreamy ...
I have been collecting DEVA metal minitures (Designed by Janice Cook-England) for two years now ... I'm very much interested in Fairy Culture. This is an excellent book for anyone who is as passionate about these whimsical characters as I am.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
This is a GREAT book.Is beautifully illustrated.Great how to illustrations that even a beginner will be able to follow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Fairies in art    4. Technique    5. Techniques - Painting - Specific Subjects    6. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    7. Watercolor painting   

Reviews (2)

Les meilleurs livres sur les aquarelles (review from France)
La s�rie des livres SPLASH (actuellement le 8e volume est paru) est une pure merveille. J'ai la chance de disposer de l'int�gralit� de ces ouvrages achet�s sur le site Amazon.com
Makes a splash...yet again
The story continues with this latest edition of 140 works.Since the first book in 1991 the Splash series has featured some glorious watercolor paintings.The reason I love these books is the enormous variation in style, in this book it can vary from the almost photographic painting of trees and a house by Steven Kozar (page eighty-nine) to the very loose but still very controlled work of Dan Burt and his flamboyant painting of a street scene in Guanajuato, Mexico (page eighteen).
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. History - General    5. Study & Teaching    6. Techniques - General    7. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    8. United States    9. Watercolor painting    10. Watercolor painting, American    11. Art techniques & principles    12. Watercolours   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. General    3. Landscape painting    4. Technique    5. Water color painting    6. Watercolor    7. Watercolor painting    8. Painting & paintings   

Reviews (12)

Helpful problem-solver
This book is not so much a "how-to" or beginner's guide as it is a useful problem-solver for various texture challenges a watercolor artist may face. From painting fruit to fur, metal to dirt, fields of grass to whitewater rapids, the author presents many full-color, illustrated examples and notes on how to proceed. After a few pages of basic paper and application notes, the book goes right into texturing, sometimes with step-by-step illustrations, other times with notes provided on a finished painting.
Great Details
This book offers wonderful step by step instruction with plenty of visual references.A perfect hands on tool for learning to work with watercolor.

One of my most prized technique books
When Ms. Johnson called this a book of textures, she wasn't kidding.She doesn't fool around with page after page of the oft-repeated list of materials, etc., but gets right down to textures.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Techniques - General    4. Techniques - Painting    5. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    6. Art techniques & principles    7. Watercolours   

Reviews (4)

The Watercolor Flower Painter's A to Z
I expect to enjoy this wonderful book for many years.It is the best instructional book on flowers I've purchased to date.It has easy to follow steps and photos to guide you along.

Informative &Beautiful
This is one of the most beautifulbooks I have ever purchased. Even if I did not paint, I would want to share this beauty in my living room on a beautiful piece of furniture, so that all who came could enjoy it.In fact after I purchased the first one, I then ordered 2 more for birthday gifts for artist friends of mine.Don't hesitate, it is well worth the money.In addition, I also purchased Adelene Fletcher's book entitled "The Watercolorist's A-Z of Trees & Foliage!!It is just as wonderful!!

Gorgeous book of floral how-to; very useful and beautiful
I bought this book based on the cover alone; I was planning a new series of sunflower floral paintings and the cover just spoke to me. The book has, as the title says, fifty types of flowers, organized alphabetically by Latin name, and a method to paint each. This method is more or less realistic, but not super-realism; the technique is loose enough. The back section contains recommendations for composition using crystal, vases, bouquets and other floral motifs.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Techniques - Painting - Specific Subjects    4. Techniques - Watercolor Painting   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Botanical illustration    4. Commercial - Illustration    5. Flowers in art    6. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    7. Technique    8. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    9. Watercolor painting    10. Art / Watercolor    11. Art techniques & materials    12. Drawing & drawings    13. Nature in art, still life, landscapes & seascapes    14. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (8)

Watercolor School
Over the years, I have bought many watercolor books to help me get started painting with watercolor.I wish I had found this one first.It has the basics and more.The techniques and demonstrations are illustrated extremely well. The text is easy to follow, too. In some cases, it even gives two approaches to painting the same subject matter. Good color theory, too. I know I will use this now and into the future.

Watercolor School
This book is for the beginner and does a great job of starting off with the basics and then some exercises to do as you go getting one familiar with the materials and processes.I love the way it's "learn as you go" style,not with a "jump in and do your own thing" type of exercise,but a practical step by step guide with why we do what we do.It's simple to understand, not a lot of artists' fluff, and easy to do.Worth the price. lchristoffer

Watercolor School
I have taken painting lessons for other media and wanted to learn
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Study & Teaching    4. Technique    5. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    6. Watercolor Painting    7. Art / Study & Teaching   

Reviews (3)

This Book is an Art of Work
If you had to purchase only 1 book on watercolor this would be the one you would choose! It covers most of the technical aspects of paint, paper, brushes, etc., as do many other books, however, Frank Webb's work is different in important ways-most instructive to laymen and experienced alike. First, he paints with a broad strokewhich involves larger brushes and confidence. This book is unusual in the sense that Webb inspires the reader/artist to go beyond appearances and open-up to emotions and unusual color solutions. Well illustrated sections on preliminary drawings and washes, he leads the reader to begin work without too much fussing around. Not a formula painter, Webb has been around and explains the value of practice and experience. I have a dozen or two books on watercolor, but this is the most colorful and clearly explained of them all. Highly recommended!

Years of watercolor experience condensed in one book.
Webb is a natural teacher who is easy to follow from basic concepts to complex compositions. He has an innate ability to take painting beyond capturing likeness to how the subject is structured or feels. His bookwouldbe helpedby more step-by-step sequences for technique or processanalysis. Thanks Frank for a great reference book. Two thumbs up fromTotino and Busby.

Quite simply the best all-round "how-to" watercolor book.
If you're looking for a general purpose, intelligent and informedbook on watercolor, this is it. Webb -- formerly an illustrator/graphic artist --has designed chapters on motivation, materials, setup, color and values,techniques, composition, design, all illustrated by examples painted byother top painters as well as himself.This is accompanied by pithy,appropriate one-liners quotedfrom philosophers, artists -- whoever hisincredible memory finds the most apt. He encourages painters to experiment,take risks -- after learning the necessary first.As a watercolorinstructor, and author of a book on outdoor landscape painting inwatercolor, I recommend Frank Webb's two books, Nita Leland's book oncolor, and David Lewis' "Watercolour Painting Techniques." That's all you need for starters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. General    4. Technique    5. Watercolor    6. Watercolor Painting   

Reviews (16)

Easy-to-read beginners guide with lots of examples
Personally I am also interested in using colour in my sumi-e works, this guide only has black and white. But the images are just beautiful. Hope I reach that level soon!

Sumi-E--A good place to start
After exactly two lessons in watercolor and an appetite to learn more precise brush strokes I purchased Sumi-E. I immediately was able to make headway using the carefully written examples shown in this lovely book even without purchasing the precise Japanese brushes. I highly recommend it.

The Sumi-E Book
The Sumi-E Book is an excellent source for beginners who are interested in learning this beatiful Japanese Art form. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Painting    4. Sumi-e    5. Technique    6. Techniques - General    7. Techniques - Painting    8. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    9. Art techniques & materials    10. Painting & paintings   

Reviews (11)

AWESOME RESOURCE
I've read dozens of books on watercolor pigments. This is by FAR the best out there. Complete and unbiased information on all the leading manufactures pigments. This is the only book I keep on my studio desk with me at all times.

A Necessary Resource for the Watercolorist
"Hilary Page's Guide to Water Color Paints" is a necessary book for anyone doing watercolor.Her coverage is very through and she also has a web page for updating the information. She compares every well-known brand of artists' watercolors from Holbein to Winsor and Newton and her observations will save the artist, whether professional or rank amateur, both frustration and money. What's more, she tested every one herself! I liked the index, which first lists the company and under each company the colors sold.It makes it very easy to check up on the paints that interest you.Her short introduction on pigments and paints is also quite informative. If you work with watercolor you simply cannot afford to be without this book!
A must-have book for every serious painter
This was the first, and is still the definitive book on the chemistry of watercolor paints. Hilary Page is a fine watercolorist, but her main contribution to the industry has been her copious analysis of the characteristics of various manufacturers, brands, and qualities of watercolor paints. I became interested in the stability of paint in the early 80's while trying to find the most fade-proof pigments available for my own watercolor paintings. I did many of the same tests Hilary did, but no where near as complete. When her book came out much later, I purchased a copy and still use it today. My copy is marked up with notes that I refer to constantly. I feel this book should be on the shelf of any serious student of watermedia. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Artists' materials    4. Reference    5. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    6. Watercolor Painting    7. Art techniques & materials    8. Watercolours   

Reviews (2)

Not very satisfying
Not a lot of information in this book (i.e. 'tiny lines must be drawn with an inky or soupy like substance'. However the book does not tells you how to get this substance. Water, a medium or what and how much?).
A "Must-Have"
If you can only purchase one book on acrylic painting, this is the one to have.The author covers every aspect of painting from landscape (trees, leaves, bushes, rocks, etc.) to portrait painting. She covers the types of brushes and how they are used.This book has everything I was looking for and more.There are some nice illustrations to follow.I'm so glad I purchased it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acrylic painting    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Painting    5. Painting In Specific Media    6. Technique    7. Techniques - Acrylic Painting    8. Techniques - Painting    9. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    10. Acrylics    11. Art techniques & materials   

Editorial Review

Award-winning artist Charles Reid wants his students to concentrate on three basic themes in his book Read more

Reviews (7)

Patricia O
Looks great, haven't had time to read, but is similar to one he wrote (currently out of print) loaned to me by my art teacher.

Watercolour at its Best
I first met Charles Reid and his wife Judy in 1988 and it was the beginning of an endless learning process ever since. I have learnt so much about watercolour from his books over the years since then. Charles' books are amazing in that he holds nothing back and just discloses all his knowledge in a wonderful style that is easy to learn from. Invariably there are step by step demonstrations to illustrate his methods. Even if the reader doesn't particularly like his style but would rather paint in a more classic sense with lots of glazes and so forth you will still learn so much about how the colours interact with water and on the paper. Charles' workshops are a great delight and if you are fortunate to attend one you will find that he is a friendly man of great warmth and charm which is reflected in his books.

Fun and Skill-Improvement Are Possible!
I discovered Charles Reid at my local library and was smitten with his loose, colorful, gorgeous pictures.This book is a clear, helpful guide to making juicy watercolors of still lifes that sing with color.He has practical tips on brushwork, contour drawing and composition that are easy to follow and clearly explained.He also has step-by-step instructions for several of his pictures that show you how he goes about making his own pictures (often from everyday objects and flowers on his kitchen counter).I'm fairly new to watercolors and I found this book invaluable to improving my pictures and getting me to loosen up and feel creative and find beauty in simple objects. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Flowers in art    4. Technique    5. Techniques - General    6. Techniques - Painting - Specific Subjects    7. Techniques - Watercolor Painting    8. Watercolor painting    9. Art techniques & principles    10. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    11. Watercolours