Reviews (7)

Gauguin meets Okeefe....
Different artists depict flowers differently and not all of them appeal to my eye. I am very much attracted to Sharon Hinckley's painting style. I am a fan of the bright colors of Gauguin and the vivid up-close and personal semi-abstract flowers of Georgia O'Keefe, and although they both mostly worked in oils, I think Hinckley has merged elements of both of their styles with her own and produced some wonderful watercolor painting.

Watercolor painting is more difficult than oil painting because you can't really paint over your mistakes without making a mess. Hinckly not only explains how to create flowers step by step (beginning with a discussion of the appropriate supplies and an explanation of color), she shows the reader how to make what she describes as "leaf soup" which forms the basis of the foliage in her watercolors. Hinckly says while many would-be artists can create flowers, most have difficulty with the stuff that grows with flowers, i.e. leaves, stems, and bark. One photo shows Hickley's palette, "leaf soup" mixture.

There are many books on the market offering instruction on "how to" draw-paint flowers, but if you are fond of the "colorist" approach to painting, you may find it hard to beat the techniques described in WATERCOLOR BASICS, PAINTING FLOWERS.

This Book Allows Your Talent to Blossom
Ms. Hinckley's book Watercolor Basics: Painting Flowers is a delight to read. At first glance her paintings seem to have been created so effortlessly they can be intimidating (how can I ever paint this well! ). But only for a moment. Her writing is so warm and friendly, and the techniques presented so clearly and sometimes whimsically (check out the painting at the bottom of page 29--one of my favorites) that you've absorbed a host of tricks and tips before you know it. From valuable advice on materials, organization, palette arrangement and mixing strategies to step-by-step demonstrations that culminate in truly breathtaking results (Calla Lilies, pages 118-121, is my absolute favorite for its depth and richness) I have never had an instruction book offer so much helpful information while being such an enjoyable read.

I would like to paint like Sharon
Sharon's watercolor illustrations are beautiful, as are her paintings. I love the vibrant colors. Why not learn from the best?

Book Helps Painters to Relax, See and Enjoy Painting
Wanting to make watercolor postcards for holiday messages, I picked up Sharon Hinckley's book for pointers. Her teaching approach not only helped me create personal postcards, it nudged me over the hump of over-thinking words too; as a writer, my inner critic often edits my thoughts, sometimes before they are shaped into words. This book is great for students learning to release fear and let the paint flow. Hinckley's approach, plus beautifully clear instructions and illustrations, make Painting Flowers an excellent source for learning and unlearning bad habits that thwart the creative process. Dive IN!

Color and light explained
In her book called Watercolor Basics: Painting Flowers, Sharon Hinckley goes far beyond watercolor technique. The author is a phenomenal watercolorist ( the illustrations are worth the price alone ). However, she is also a great teacher, explaining the painter's way of using a specified palette and "sculpting " light and color on paper. The result is a practical and humorous guide (it's like your best friend telling you to relax and enjoy it ! ) that allows me, the painter, to let go and paint. This is what a book like this should do: give "tips", inspire, console, laugh with you, and really mentor beginning and...resuming artists like me. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Overcoming the fear of the "blank canvas"
This book is a brilliant instruction book for both beginners and more experienced watercolourists. Highly recommended for beginners to watercolour who don't know where or how to start.

Tony Smibert takes you step-by-step through a series of painting exercises designed to free your creative juices while teaching the art of watercolour from basic washes through to more advanced techniques. He begins with simple wash and brushstoke instruction and takes the artist through to completed landscapes. I particularly liked his ideas on framing the earlier exercises as complete works of art in their own right.

He has apparently spent a great deal of time in Japan, and it shows in the powerful, yet simple techniques he employs and paintings he produces. His landscapes have a wonderfully atmospheric quality that he manages to teach to the reader. His instruction is detailed in a clear and easy to follow manner while leaving ample scope for the more adventurous students to apply their own interpretations to the paintings.

This book has given me the confidence to try anything - no longer do I stare at a blank sheet of paper fearful of the first stroke, or wondering where to begin. I find myself going back to his basic exercises to "limber-up" before starting on a larger project, or simply to have a bit of fun when I'm too busy to complete a "proper" work. He also has two videos available to accompiany the book which I have found invaluable, but not essential. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another waterCOLOR book with few COLOR paintings!
If you like Black & White photos of watercolor paintings this is the book for you. I personal like to view full color photos of watercolor paintings! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bird Egg Feather Nest
Mrs. Maryjo Koch

Subject: Bird Egg Feather Nest

Dear Mrs. Koch:

Congratulations on creating an absolutely beautiful book! Words fail in trying to express my respect for your unique and scholarly approach to this universally appealing subject. Your presentation is at the same time unbelievably detailed, yet still is not pedantic or boring. I especially love your artwork and the imaginative way you have used hand-lettered "swatches" to describe the associated drawings.

I have carefully observed the dozens of kinds of different wild birds in our backyard. I even "talk" to some of them. But without your drawings and explanations, I could never understand or appreciate the amazing details of birds' eyes, eggs, feathers, beaks, talons, etc.

In particular, your revelations on nest-building is a very clear compilation of your outstanding research. But I guess my greatest admiration focuses on your chapters about EGGS, FEATHERS, and SINGING. How did you ever discover all these incredible facts? I will always be thankful that I happened to stumble over your book in our local bookstore. It has given us much joy.

My only regret is that you explain all these amazing facts by using the word 'evolution'. In spite of your very scholarly approach to scientific analysis it is incomprehensible that you explain all these marvels by quoting the babbling of an unscientific dreamer like Darwin. He concocted a totally unproven theory to try to explain what he couldn't accept: that God had mandated that all these amazing ideas become a reality.

Nice work on the book, but please don't try to pretend that all these wonderful things that you have discovered happened by accident!

Thanks again for creating your Masterpiece!

Sincerely,

________ Ken Waltz

Breathtaking Nature Illustration
From the moment I picked up this book I was in awe. Ms. Koch's illustrations are absolutely incredible and should be appreciated by anyone who has ever been in the great out doors.

Snipets of bird information beautifully illustrated in detai
This book draws the reader and non-reader (18 months to old avid birders) into its pages with beautiful, detailed illustrations of birds, their nests, thier young, the vast diffeences of eggs, etc. The snipets of information range from dietary:

"Birds and humans have similar nutritional requirments ... yet differ vastly in what each finds appetizing"

to nest planning and building.

Readers can pick up the book hundreds of times, start anywhere, middle or end; and immerse themselves in bird lore, migration insight, famous quotations and familiar and exotic detailed illustrations of birds, their nests, their environment, their eggs, EVERYTHING! I recommend this book for children and even experienced birders. ... Read more

Book Description

The emphasis of this exciting new watercolor title is on "show me"instruction rather than "tell me." Accordingly, everything possible has been illustrated ingraphic terms. Author Malcolm Beattie begins with a simple overview of classicwatercolor techniques, perfect for beginning and advanced painters alike.

He demonstrates washes, direct painting, glazing, movement, pigment application,directional brushstrokes and modeling for expression. Every element is detailed simplyand colorfully.

Beattie also provides twenty-two exercises that follow a logical progression from simpleto more complex. A variety of scenes are included, from beaches and boats to figures inthe street. Each exercise comes with a list of materials, techniques, and special "Beware!"sidebars that inform readers of the challenges in each scene.

Other topics covered include choosing a subject, composition and design, drawing forsimplification, counterchange, limited palette painting and placing figures in thelandscape.

Malcolm Beattie is one of Australia's best watercolorist. He has been teaching watercolorto students of all skill levels for many years. He lives in Melbourne, Australia. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Too much detail, not enough drama? Try these lessons
This is a wonderful watercolor book, and I must have dozens in my library. Malcolm Beattie gets right to the point and shows you how to emphasize the main points in watercolor painting, and how to add punch and drama to each work.

I especially liked his instruction on how to do figures, whether simple and undetailed, or with action in their movement, to add life to the painting. If you like doing landscapes or cityscapes, this book is for you. I really got some useful tips, and of course Beattie's paintings are worth looking at just for enjoyment alone. Great resource.

This one's a keeper.
As a beginner-to-intermediate painter, I have bought several watercolor books and this seems to be one of the best ones for me. It is not a beginner book, as it is targeted more for the intermediate painter; short on fundamentals and long on technique. In reading it, I had more than one "light-bulb moment". The book sets some realistic goals, and accomplishes them. I really enjoy the painting style represented here, fast and loose with implied rather than explicit detail. The book has lots of example excercises and many full blown projects with varying levels of guidance. It will likely stay on the top of my stack for a while. ... Read more

Book Description

Serious amateur watercolor artists will value books in this series, both for their quick and easy-to-follow practical advice, and for their handy size: they’re small enough to carry along when painting at outdoor locations. Each book presents dozens of demonstrations in easy-to-follow steps. There are also tips on choosing a particular subject for its visual interest, mixing and applying colors, and mastering basic watercolor techniques, including washes, dry brush, scumbling, masking, and directional brushwork. This practical book gives advice on painting foliage, flowers, and meadows, gates and fences, skies and trees, ponds, cornfields, country houses, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Color Concepts Made Easy
I love Jan Kunz's style of watercolor painting, therefore, I bought the book just out of curiosity. I was totally wrapped in the book especially the demonstrations that are included in the book. Jan makes the color based concepts of hue, value and intensity so CLEAR that my paintings have shown new life since I completed her demonstrations. My shadows and light effects show so much more power and realism. I will definitely buy all of her books. Using this book for developing my skills seemed like Jan was right over my shoulder cheering me on to better and more impressive paintings. ... Read more

Book Description

Watercolorists of all skill levels will find page-after-page of valuableinstruction in this intriguing new book. Linda Stevens Moyer shows them how to createtransparent watercolors with simple techniques and step-by-step mini-demos. She alsoprovides must-have advice on color theory and the basics of painting light and texture-theindividual parts that make up the "language of light."

Moyer then show readers how to put this "language" to use to create beautiful, luminouspaintings by layering with watercolor. Demos, color wheels, and call-outs to specificareas of paintings illustrate how every technique can be applied to create a radiantfinished painting.

Finally, five mini-demos allow you to practice the layering process on simple subjects.Three larger demonstrations help you practice your skills on a complete painting.

Linda Stevens Moyer has been the recipient of many awards including a number of firstplace awards such as the Gold Medal of Honor from AWS and Allied Artists of Americaand Watercolor West. She has taught and exhibited her work throughout the country. Herpaintings have been published in Splash 1 and 2, The Artist's Magazine and AmericanArtist. She lives in Stansbury Park, Utah. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Needed details in instruction
It is very important to me as a serious artist to be able to understand thru detail of how am image is painted. Why buy and spend the money for a book unless it is completely useful. I can look at pictures all day and try to figure out how to paint it but if I buy a book to show me, I expect to learn a lot.

Gorgeous work but you won't be able to learn it from this
I LOVE Moyer's work, unfortunately the mini lessons provided in the book, while useful, will not lead to a rendering of images anywhere close to those you'll drool over in this book.
I enjoy just looking at her work and aspiring to paint in this style, but this book is not in-depth enough or step-by-step enough to get you to this level of work.

Very Intensive Layering Techniques
I used this book as a resource. Her techniques are very different from the relaxed teachings of my earlier days. I am more able to see the effects layering will have on my final results. I am able to better see the end effect of layering several colors over one another in my mind since completing these lessons. Much of it is admiring the beautiful and observing "mini lessons" which really do need to be full lessons. I would recommend at least some painting experience for this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

watercolor fanatic
This artists is a master in color and composition, shadow and light.Highly recommendable for transparant watercoloring. Realistic but at the same time expressionist.

Make your best watercolors even better.
While there are many wonderful books available about other aspects of watercolor, this book is unique in its emphasis on the way that shape, line, value and color can be combined to create the desired visual flow toa well-positioned center of interest. The many color illustrationsdemonstrate how attention to composition makes the difference between apleasant-enough painting (perhaps with beautifully done elements), versus apainting that really comes together as a cohesive and compellingwhole.

The book is well-organized into lessons which build on each other. Becker writes clear instructions and provides beautiful illustrations todemonstrate every point.For example, on just one page he takes us fromthe original reference photo of a street work crew, through black and whiteversions, to his finished painting, showing (as well as describing) how hechanged the value contrast and colors to improve the overall composition.

Watercolor Composition Made Easy does an excellent job of presenting"rules" for placement of the elements of a painting, and it alsodoes much more.It addresses the familiar watercolor considerations suchas blurred versus hard edges, light and dark values, the color wheel, andperspective, but always in terms of how they contribute to the overallcomposition.This book also provides many miscellaneous tips which Beckerhas developed in his extensive career.For example, I found thedescription of (and sample sketches from) his portable sketching setup tobe particularly intriguing and helpful. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A practical guideline overall in plein-air painting.
This book could have earned a 4.5 stars in my rating system. Overall, it is a practical guideline for beginning/intermediate painters who may have just started to paint out-of-doors. My review targets these groups of readers and their presumed interests in purchasing/reading this book.

Pros:

1) The book has VERY PRACTICAL sections on material, tools, gears, etc... to get you "out of the house" to go painting. The information is available for both watercolorists and "oilists" ("oil-ists", OK, so I made up this word!) I myself find these sections particularly clear and helpful, especially for those who have already invested quite a bit in the facility to paint in-doors, as spending more money in extra tools for painting out-of-doors might become a burden. The accurate information provided in the book is certainly a big help to readers.

2) The book is well-organized and easy to read. The author covers discussion on colors, composition, then moves on to demonstrating painting plein-air in watercolors and oils. Each demo is shown step-by-step with somewhat in-depth discussion on color choices and art maneuver in each step.

3) The book also covers other issues, such as the use of multiple photos to create a painting, conversion of oil to water colors and vice versa, the recreation of paintings in the studio based on small paintings done on location, painting from memory, etc.

4) As I mentioned above, the STRONGEST point of the book, in my opinion, is that it covers the very practical aspects of this genre, in order to prepare the readers to "get out and paint" and perhaps achieve certain progresses as starters. I also appreciate the efforts of the author in sharing with the readers some of his valuable tips in painting out-of-doors. For instance, to avoid distraction when painting during the winter, one thing to do is to keep your feet warm. The author provides some very simple and useful solution (no, it is not just wearing warm boots), which must have come from his years of painting out-of-doors. "What solution", you ask? Well, it is for me to know (since I read it), and for you to find out! (It is all in there.)

Cons:

These are not really "cons", but rather my opinions of things that may have made this book a "better" one (perhaps).

1) I myself find the demos are a bit wordy in explaining color choices in each step. I did find myself skipping pages when reading the book due to boredom. However, considering the fact that this is NOT the first art book I read, nor am I brand-new to oil painting, it could be a very personal thing. On the other hand, other intermediate/advanced oil painters may feel the same way I did.

2) I do not agree with other comments putting down other authors of plein-air painting in praising this book. Although I agree the author of this book has succeeded in making this book simple and easy to read, I do find some other titles did a rather good job in explaining concepts, principles, theories, and techniques in painting out-of-doors. As a matter of fact, I find in them (other books) certain depths which may be very valuable to advanced plein-air painters. To back my opinion, the author of this book himself recommends "you" (the readers) to resort to those books as well (in the cited references).

Splendid Guide
Frank LaLumia has succeeded where many authors fail - providing excellent instruction in a concise manner. His own works are inspiring and his command of the various media is impressive, but his greatest strength is that he explains in a page or two concepts that other books mumble on about for entire chapters. I was delighted and inspired by this artist's stunning first book. Keep on writing, Mr. LaLumia! ... Read more

Book Description

By explaining how water reacts on canvas, and then using examples of classic art and hands-on exercises, this fully-illustrated text can help anyone-from beginner to advanced artist-become a more skilled and creative watercolorist. Unlike oils or acrylic paints, watercolors are never fully controllable, and the artist must allow for unexpected movement and blending. In the hands of a truly gifted watercolorist, this untamed power can create moving and memorable works of art. You'll master those skills, beginning with terminology and equipment, and then going into the basics of color classification, the use of shadows, the color triangle, and forming a palette. Next, create preliminary sketches, experiment with both Wet-on-Wet and Dry Surface techniques, and learn the secrets of achieving fluidity and controlling the halo effect. Soon, you'll understand how and why Renoir and Monet chose and used their palettes, and be on your way to becoming a more accomplished watercolorist.
... Read more

Book Description

To encounter John Agnew's work is to gaze at the mysterious and enchanting world of a forest floor, mountainous cliffs and crags, the heights of a rain forest or the surface of a hidden pond.

In this book, Agnew shares his secrets about how to create those special atmospheres by controlling the light, color, textures, point of view and design of his paintings. The book is filled with mini-demonstrations showing readers exactly how to capture this beauty in their own work, regardless of the medium they work in.They'll find guidelines for rendering leaves, mud, snow, fur, feathers and more, plus one full demonstration that puts these animal and environment textures together in a single painting.

* Very accessible instruction in step-by-step form
* Teaches a unique subject matter and taps into the public's interest in the environment ... Read more

Reviews (4)

You won't learn to airbrush from this book, but--nice pix!
Gorgeous nature artwork. The frog is exceptional. Agnew's rendering of translucent animal skin, dewdrops and leaves is miraculous, but you won't learn how exactly to airbrush those types of things. How the works get from roughed-in ideas to detailed airbrushed plant foliage is NOT well-documented here. If you want to learn how to do detailed airbrushing, this is not the book for you. But if you want to be inspired by some great technique and learn some of it (for example, how to do translucent effects) this book is excellent.

Tangible art
There are many good books on nature; there are many good books on art; there are many good instruction manuals. John Agnew's "Painting the secret world of nature" is a rare book that excels in all three of these.

Beginners as well as experienced artists will find this book both technically helpful and aesthetically pleasing. Its clear-cut instructions and step-by-step illustrations, showing the process of creating and elaborating a visually striking image, will help a practicing artist to improve the technique of realistic painting.

All professional artists have their own trade secrets; few are willing to share them; even fewer are able to do it in a way that makes sense to others. John Agnew's book is the one that does it superbly.

Painting the Secret World of Nature
For the realist artist this book is great! Altho' Mr. Agnew's main interest is in painting exotic animals and places, many of his technics can be used for other realistic painting. I highly recommend this book.

Lucid Art, Lucid Instruction
In my experience, the vast majority of instructional books on realist painting of nature are by people who are have surprisingly little ability to paint the natural world realistically. Most books of any lasting worth deal primarily with drawing, and the majority of those were written before 1920. Finally, a book by a true master (if you doubt this look closely at the cover art) using contemporary materials and methods, and with a modern sensibility.

I guess it is not surprising that someone who can paint with such precision and clarity can also provide clear instruction. Perhaps I've run across a fair amount of what is covered in this book in various other books, magazine articles, etc. Still, the quality of the associated art in those other sources often did not inspire great confidence, the usable portion often had to be sifted out from a lot of plain rubbish, and worst of all the very fact of it being so scattered made it almost impossible to get a clear overview of the entire painting process. In this book the artwork inspires confidence (even awe), and the painting process is explained precisely and illustrated with excellent photographs.

John Agnew's book covers the two subjects most relevant to a work like this: the painting process as a whole and specific painting techniques for various subjects. Obviously it cannot cover every relevant subject in depth, and some major topics (like perspective) are discussed with interesting insight but also with extreme brevity. That's not really a criticism, since taking the space to more thoroughly examine even a few more subjects would have made the book prohibively expensive. Even though it does not and cannot cover everything in depth, if I had to have only one book on painting the natural world this would be it. This is also one to buy hardbound.

I hope this work gets the kind of readership it deserves. Perhaps then we could get another book by Mr. Agnew just on light and perspective. His command of these is stunning, and most references on perpsective apply more to architecture and engineering than to the natural world, where it is much harder to master. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Simply the Best Watercolor Painting Book Out There!
Big Kudos to Catherine Anderson! I have painted for over 20 years and specialize in watercolors. And I have never seen an art instruction book like this one - it's pure inspiration and encouragement from start to finish (and it's the kind of book one never really stops reading...each time I pick it up, I come away with new insight and lessons learned.) I simply devoured this book cover to cover! I originally bought it to fill in gaps in basic knowledge I was missing but wound up gaining so much more! I learned things like you don't have to "get it right" the first time...like it's ok to put on glaze after glaze and scrub out what you've done...and that there are no rules but one - to do what works for you! Catherine Anderson's work is truly a gift to the spirit - she fills your head to overflowing with positive, inspiring messages from the heart such as to never ever quit, here's how to get jump-started painting (great for days you just don't have the energy!), how not to listen to the negative voices within, to just believe in yourself, and above all, to have fun and just paint! Her greatest legacy will be her ability and enthusiasm. Our world needs more positive teaching books like this one. The format is question and answer and very friendly to the eye. Her inspirational words remind me that we were put on this earth to help others and to make a difference! And her book is for all levels of watercolorists - beginning, intermediate and advanced! The best painters are truly those who keep practicing the fundamentals - so true of anything in life! I was surprised in reading it how much I'd somehow forgotten or never got quite right over the years! And she does a wonderful job of taking the fundamentals and carrying them to more advanced levels. Her book nudges you along to find your own style, your own you, rather than to copy her style. But the best part of this book, is that you will find you use it - over and over and over again! I actually carry mine in my briefcase and never tire of re-reading it! and this is because her message is one for the mind, the head, and the spirit in all of us! Working with her book is a celebration of life - Catherine Anderson brings out the best part of each of us in her book! I have a mountain of art books, and there is no other like her's out there! And everyone I know that has bought her book says the same - your painting skills get better and better the more you work with her book, and the fun just doesn't stop! Makes me want to go and paint right now! in fact, I think I will! haha Anderson's book is a triple-crown winner!

CLEAR, BASIC, BUT NOT ELEMENTARY
As someone who understands how difficult it can be to try to paint with watercolors, I must say that this book was one of the most helpful that I have found in terms of providing clear technique suggestions, a well organized approach, and interesting text. Often basic watercolor books are too simplistic. The illustrations in this book give you something to aspire to. The color reproductions of Catherine's own work are exquisite. The chapter entitled IS THIS A MISTAKE OR A CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY? spoke directly to me and my consistent insecurities in my work. Catherine's dictum that "mistakes are gifts" is a message I am trying to integrate into my art. The whale story in the introduction and the sidebars are very inspirational and you might even say spiritual. And . . . I am now painting watercolors with no more fear. Thank you Catherine Anderson.

Tip for purchasing this book
As this book is out of print, I tried to buy a used copy. Amazon booksellers are selling used/new copies today for between $45 and $99!

However, I just ordered a copy directly from the authors website - autographed too! - for $24.99 + $6 shipping.
see: www.catherineanderson.net

Maybe this will help others who have been searching too.

the most inspirational book on watercolors i have...
A must for all watercolor artists...you will be returning to this book for inspiration and encouragement, over and over again... trust me!!!

Set free of worry
I wanted you to know that I find your book the most encouraging and helpful of all the books I have seen. Your philosophy on just going for it and not worrying about any rules is the best. ... Read more

Book Description

The art of painting watercolors with spontaneity, so hard for beginners to achieve, is just a few brushstrokes away under the guidance of this great best-selling primer that shows how to achieve freely flowing images.

In step-by-step exercises, readers learn how to use watercolor's unique characteristics to interpret flowers, fruits, and vegetables with two brushes-one to lay in color, the other to manipulate form, resulting in loose, soft contours and beautifully blended colors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I find this book fresh and inspiring.
This book has good demonstrations for the painting of flowers and vegetables.In it Mrs. Walsh tells a little about her own personal preferences for painting, her studio, etc., making it fun to read.I foundthis information very useful.There are many examples on how to paint thevarious types of fruits and vegetables, and a variety of flowers as well. The instruction makes one not afraid to try it!I am a visual learner, andthis book met that need. ... Read more

Book Description

Revised and updated with 280 sketches and paintings, this new edition will appeal to the large market of nature lovers, aspiring artists, botanists, birdwatchers, teachers, hikers and naturalists. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Don't let the title fool you
This book provides a tremendous amount of information on sketching in nature but don't let the title fool you- this is a terrific general sketching and drawing book. Johnson covers topics that are rarely covered in other books. The use of pens, watercolors, pencils and colored pencils (both water soluble and not) are covered. This is an invaluable book and is an asset to both the beginner and more advanced student. I'm on Amazon right now trying to find other books by Cathy Johnson- I'm that impressed.

Cathy keeps it simple...and affordable.
This is a very refreshing book. Cathy Johnson not only makes it look easy to draw and paint loose, yet accurate, watercolor sketches outdoors, but she tells you everything you need to know. This book will actually teach you how to draw and paint what you see, without making things overly complicated. Best of all, her supply list is well within the means of most people. I really enjoyed this book, and learned a great deal from it. This summer, I caught Lyme disease. It's nasty. For months, I could hardly walk, let alone hike and garden and do stuff I used to love. But Cathy's book has helped draw me back outside, and I'm learning to love nature all over again, one leaf, flower, and bug at a time. This book would make a great gift.

Fine for the Arteest on the Go
This is a pretty complete little volume. When you get it, you really do have to assume some knowledge and practice of making art and the media, however, she goes over materials and techniques, which can serve as a good refresher or initial exposure.

The best part is a discussion early on about how to pack all the materials so you don't keel over from exhaustion, hauling too much art gear, along with the usual standard hiking goodies. (I especially needed help with that, given my childlike adoration of way too many pretty colors.)

The emphasis is on SKETCHING, not doing the Mona Lisa. This is important in outdoor work as light changes and speed can be of the essence. I sometimes pick up this book so that I can just relax my techniques a bit.

The examples in the book, in many media and in monochrome or color are a delight to view. Sometimes, it's just fun to sit down with a cuppa and flip through the nice drawings of objects and scenes in nature. ... Read more

Book Description

This book brings together material from the popular Watercolor: Basics series in one handy compilation at a great value.

The editors of North Light have taken the best lessons from each book to create a new title that features tips and easy-to-follow demonstrations for beginners. Written in a clear, simple style that demystifies the process of creating beautiful watercolors, this book covers a broad range of topics drawn from each title in the series, including: -Let's Get Started -Painting Flowers -Color-Perspective Secrets -Painting From Photographs -Drawing and Painting Birds -Painting Snow and Water -Trees, Mountains, and Rocks -Capturing Light -Shape and Tonal Value -People

With 304 pages and an abundance of color illustrations, this book is truly the best single resource for beginning watercolor painters available today. Readers will love having such a comprehensive guide at their fingertips. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Five stars for the little Trianon
The little Trianon and gardens have been almost as legendary as it's designer-creator, Queen Marie Antoinette of France. It's here, in this paradoxical, magical realm, where the initial notion, the vicarious allure, for this oh! so tragic a woman has been forged. In this book the reader gets a unique and unexpected first hand gift from the so often missunderstood and enigmatic queen. For 'Views and Plans of the Petit Trianon at Versailles' is the work of Marie Antoinette herself. This one album she thought of, as she strolled about with Fersen or her beloved duchess of Polignac. Here is where she lived and entertained so memorably. The first Trianon was built by Luis XIV for Madame de Maintenon (for a great article on Maintenon look up Luis Auchincloss' 'False Dawn') the petit Trianon was built for Madame de Pompadour(who never saw it finished) by Luis XV. Though the chateau and gardens where re-interpreted by Marie Antoinette when Luis XVI offered it to her later. 'Views and Plans of the Petit Trianon at Versailles' with an introduction and content by Pierre Arizzoli-Clement, dedicated to the memory of Pierre de Nolhac (original Marie Antoinette biographer) is a curious book. As I waited for the postman I imagined the book was perhaps a good collection of modern photographs, and maps. It turned out to be so much more! It's a faithful copy of souvenier albums Marie Antoinette used to offer her most august guests. It contains copies of original XVIIIc graphic maps of the interior and exteriors and little theater, etc of the petit Trianon.Also water color expressions of the gardens, the belvedere, the hameau, etc. Beauty and talent rules here. There is a depth and an originality here that's at odds with the overall notion of the wretched queen. So often dissed as the 'feather head' spendtrift. What were Marie Antoinette's intellectual powers, one is bound to ask oneself, specially after admiring her taste and savvy in decoration and design? It's true her riches were wrought by the sweat of many. Was she consciously aware of it? Was she just following a pattern? Is there something she could have done to prevent her bloody end? How much did she understand of the government of France a dinnosaur about to dissapear in quicksand? Was she smart enough to foretell that an end to the feudal system would cause opprobium and death to her, her husband and children? What did she say to Mirabeau that fateful morning at Saint-Cloud, that had such an effect on him, were hers the words of a silly and fatuous woman? Her smooth machinations at the Tuilleries. As her spending, she spent no more or less than Pompadour, and she, not a noble, got to die serenely amid porcelain and lace. If Marie Antoinette would have died thus, I bet we wouldn't entertain the interest that so many of us have for her today. The preface is first class and offers many new pepper grains for us, watchers of Marie Antoinette. You'd get to know who got the album, what it looked like originally, who were her favorite brother and sisters, and what sister she didn't like. Buy the book. The tome is absolutely delicious and is the real work by the real girl. It could be treasured among your Olivier Bernier, Ian Dunlop, Stefan Sweig, Andre Castelot, etc, etc. Or could be given away as a smart wedding present, At first it seems somewhat somber though it soon emerges in triumph for it's originality and place in history. The direct, personal concept from one of the most

scrutinized and absorbing queens of all. For another good, if earthier, peek into her world, look up 'The Private Realm of Marie Antoinette' by Marie-France Boyer, a pictorial with photos by Francois Halard. ... Read more