The Watercolour Artist's Bible

As someone who has enjoyed painting and drawing as a hobby in the past, I had been unable to keep up with it for quite a while and had, therefore, lost confidence. This book is ideal for helping me get back into my stride, especially as I had struggled a bit with water colour work in the past. The book contains many useful tips for anyone starting for the first time and for someone like myself who needs to go back to the basics. I would also think that the wealth of techniques described in the book would be further inspiration for any artist who, although already competent with watercolours, could enjoy experimenting with different styles and effects in their work. Initially I thought I would read through the book before starting to paint - but I couldn't wait! However, first efforts made me keep going back to the book for advice! I intend to work through it trying out the tutorials as I go along. The introduction about the different papers and paints available and the results you can expect from them was particularly useful for me. To show how long it was since I had last painted, I had to go out and buy a new bottle of masking fluid as my previous one had turned solid, despite the cap being tightly fitted. I am looking forward to many hours of fun ahead!

* Sue Squibb *

What an excellent book. It is a manageable size and weight with waterproof cover enabling it to be transported easily 'out in the field' to support and inform 'plein air' work. Despite not being spiral bound, the book stays relatively flat when open allowing work to be done with reference to the appropriate section. The layout is excellent with good quality photographs balanced with step by step explanatory text which is kept clear and succinct with the addition of Artist's Tips where applicable. It covers practical advice from choosing the necessary tools and equipment, choosing and mixing colours to the wealth of techniques possible with the water colour medium. The diversity of style and subject matter that is possible is illustrated by a wide variety of established artists' work and a section of 'Tutorials' which enable you to follow the artist's progress from initial planning to completion. Beginners and experienced watercolorists alike would find this book invaluable

* Cas Evans *

Watercolour is the trickiest painting medium to get right. The teachings in this book will really help to properly equip and to practice all the effects that can be achieved including blending, stippling and adding lustre. As someone with some experience with watercolour painting I think the book will still prove to be a useful guide to have at my side; so it is not necessarily for beginners only. And if, like me, you find it challenging to be neat with the edgings, especially when allowing the paint to bleed on the surface of the wet paper and that this may often result in colour patches with no definition; then the subjects section in this book will be particularly helpful. The tutorial 'Exploiting Edge Qualities' is definitely worth a try. Fully recommend this book, it is well constructed and the publishing quality is excellent

* Debra Hall -TSS Revie