Paint with the Watercolor Masters: A Step-By-Step Guide to Materials and Techniques for Today's Artists

Many aspiring artists, who consider themselves creative individuals, may balk at the idea of copying paintings in a step-by-step fashion. But give this book a chance and you will learn many useful techniques. You will also learn what the masters in this book knew: copying great paintings is a great way to learn. That is how to build a knowledge base that can free you to eventually create fine work on your own. You may ultimately end up painting in a style all your own that will have no resemblance to that of any of the artists in this book. That's the point! But even if you are not a painter, this book is worth reading if you have any interest at all in the art of watercolor. The first part of the book gives a very valuable overview of the materials used in watercolor, with very clear and accurate information which you may not find elsewhere. There is also a good section on how watercolor has evolved over the centuries. I thought this part was well-researched and well written. Where the author has factual information about how one of the artists worked, he explains it clearly. When he has to conjecture, he explains what his conclusions are based on. Best of all, the many high quality color illustrations cover a variety of styles from different periods-good background for anyone interested in learning about this wonderful art form. Highly recommended by a raving watercolor fanatic!

I will enjoy this gem for years. It's a keeper. Again I bought it used and am very pleased with its physical condition.

Ok, so chances are, you aren't going to be able to paint like John Singer Sargent just by reading this book. However, it is really interesting to read about Sargent's techniques and see the author do a painting in the style of Sergent. Turner, Cotman, and other masters of the watercolor medium are demonstrated as well. This is a beautifully printed book with lots in it for anyone who loves watercolors. You can develop your own technique by studying the masters; this is a time-honored tradition (you can still see people today in the Louvre, copying the works of the masters as an art exercise.) This is one of my favorite watercolor books. It's enjoyable just to read and look at the way the author tries to replicate an artist's method of painting, and the examples give you ideas of subjects you can try yourself (for example, a cherry tree by a barn, your kids at the beach, your garden.)

I have purchased or flipped through dozens of books on watercolor painting, but this one is unique in many respects. First, the instruction level is clear, and easy to understand with beautiful step-by-step illustrations. Next, it is unique in that each demonstration is based upon the work of a famous watercolor painter or painting. For example, there is instruction on painting poppies, inspired by the work of Piet Mondrian. Another demonstrates how to paint a cherry tree using the methods of John Singer Sargent. Each demonstration is preceded by a color photograph of a scene resembling the painting that you are going to make. I would recommend this book for beginners as well as for more advanced artists. No matter how many other painting books you have, make room for this one!