Product Description

Readers are shown how to master all the practical aspects of watercolour painting - including laying different types of washes and using brushes and other painting equipment to best effect. They are given a full understanding of how colours work with a practical guide to mixing paints and using colours successfully. Amateur painters are instructed in the basic drawing skills that are the key to good watercolours and, when it comes to planning pictures, this book includes all the compositional tricks of the trade. Finally there is a useful reference section on equipment and materials - what you need and when to use them. Throughout the book there are clear demonstrations of the techniques to ensure watercolour success, plus useful tips from the Watercolour Challenge experts and straightforward exercises showing how to capture the most popular subjects in paint. The book also includes 12 specially devised step-by-step projects, which show the reader how to put the techniques they have learned into practice.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #192462 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

Excellent reference source
As I continue to enjoy and explore the mysteries of the medium of watercolour, I've become a collector of books on the subject, trying to extract as much information as I can from a variety of sources in an effort to understand and improve what I do. Few books have come as close to a complete and comprehensive 'course' as this one does - insightful, explanatory, graphic. It's an good companion to Hazel Harrison's "Encyclopedia of Watercolour Techniques". Also unlike most books, it offers the beginner and advanced artist a rich diet of techniques, troubleshooting tips and talent. If you buy no other watercolour 'encyclopedia' this year buy this one. And as someone who was turned on to painting by Channel Four's "Watercolour Challenge" in 1998, it's a refreshing companion to the other two books in the series which celebrate experts and contestants. I won't be buying any for a while to come - to busy soaking up this one!

If you're a fan of the programme, then this book is a must
If you've been enjoying Watercolour Challenge on TV and are going to miss it when this new series ends then this book is for you. Not only does it cover every aspect of painting in an accessible way, moving from drawing to painting itself to experimenting (such as using bleach and salt on watercolour washes) in comprehensive succinct chapters, but it also contains pictures by well-known artists including those who've appeared on the programme as experts - Mike Chaplin, Hasel Soan, Jenny Wheatley. There are close-ups of areas of pictures which are then analysed discussing examples of wet-in-wet washes, or watercolour back-runs or 'cauliflowers'. All in all the book is not only informative, but is also an attractive object in itself.

An excellent book for beginners
I was given this book as a gift to encourage me to explore my long held wish to try watercolour painting. The book is well written and easy to understand and gives practical guidance rather that just theory. It has the "now try this" approach, and deals with some of the things that could have gone wrong. I began watercolour painting as a result of receiving this book, and then decided to enroll on a course with my local college. The course was much less instructive and helpful than this book!

Highly recommended.