30 Minute Artist: Painting Water in Watercolour

Mar 13

This is a new series that Terry Harrison (whose idea it was) is justifiably proud of. There’s nothing new in the limited-time idea and I have in the past criticised some of its implementations for pandering to the “time-restricted artist”. I’m sorry, but art is something you devote time to. The whole point of it, of any recreation, is that it gives you a chance to relax and recharge. If you’re that busy-busy-busy, you probably have a time-management issue that bish-bosh painting won’t solve. But enough of that, because that’s not the matter in hand. The proper use of the half-hour painting is to discourage fiddling and promote the skill of getting things down quickly, as you see them. It’s about spontaneity and freshness, and therefore to be applauded. The structure here is really rather neat. The first half of the book is taken up with a series of exercises, Quick Techniques as they’re described here. These are all about ways of seeing and thinking, but also about methods of working – rocks and waves or foliage and petals in a few quick brushstrokes. The idea is to suggest your subject rather than capture it in every minor detail. Following that is a series of projects that bring everything together. There’s always a slight contradiction when you have printed demonstrations in a book that’s supposed to be about spontaneity, but you have to describe the process somehow and these short (4 page) sections are very effective at showing you how to work within the time allowed. I suspect the best way of making this work is to read the chapter through and then work with it as just notes. If you don’t head straight for home, but keep looking at the map, the oven-timer is going to ring while you’re still getting the tops off the tubes! There’s a nice busy feel to both these books that somehow encourages the whole idea they’re trying to promote and, price-wise, they’re a steal.

* Artbookreview.net *

April 13

Painting Flowers in Watercolour (Fiona Peart) and Painting Water in Watercolour (Terry Harrison)

Half an hour is not a lot of time to paint a masterpiece, says Terry Harrison in his introduction. His advice on planning and preparing that follows is something that every artist should have tattooed on their forehead. The idea of a quick painting that captures the essence of your subject without fussing and fiddling is not a new one, but this series approaches it with simplified demonstrations that reflect the basis of the idea and offer some excellent hints and tips along the way. If I have an objection, Fiona Peart sums it up: 'Many of us do not have as much time as we would like to paint,' but if filling the odd half-hour gets you past the time block, then buying these imaginative guides is money well spent.

* Artist, The *

June 13

Developed especially for the busy artist who wants to achieve great paintings in just half an hour, this new 30 Minute Artist series claims to do just that. In his book on painting water, Terry demonstrates 23 basic exercises to build your confidence with the subject – from rippled reflections to crashing waves, fast-flowing streams to sun setting on the sea. These exercises are followed by ten step-by-step projects, which put into practice the techniques you've learnt. These books aim to build confidence in your chosen medium and subject so that you have the ability to paint effective paintings quickly. In time, this will help you to develop a loose style and keep your paintings lively.

* Leisure Painter, The *

May 13

Part of a new 30 Minute Artist series by the publisher, Terry Harrison teaches you how to paint water effectively in just 30 minutes. From beach scenes to ponds, rivers to seas, puddles and streams, Terry shows how to paint water in all its beautiful painterly effects. Still water, flowing water, gushing and sea spray. Boats, bridges, foliage, cliffs and houses are also included in the scenes. This book will build your confidence and skills and help you to create spontaneous paintings in just 30 minutes. There are 23 exercises, tips and techniques. In addition, you'll find 10 effective projects with step by step instructions.

* Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/craf