This book approaches painting in a traditional manner with an extreme sensitivity to light and texture. 15 demonstrations (4 complete painting demos, 11 short technique demos) show how to master essential techniques and paint a variety of textures (crystal, flowers, fruit, lace, silver, rusted metal, wood, fabric, hair) in various lighting situations. 10 full-page sidebars interview 10 popular artists who paint light offering the reader various perspectives and approaches to the topic. The book includes advice for setting up still lifes, shooting reference photos, composing light and shadow for stronger impact, altering and exaggerating color, reproducing dramatic lighting effects, and working without the hassle of masking fluid. Plus, the book devotes an entire chapter to an often neglected topic: backgrounds and how they can support your subject and enhance your painting.

7All the techniques readers need to know, to paint the perennial favorite subject: flowers7Riveting color is achieved by starting with watercolor and using Mary's unique acrylic finishing technique to liven the painting7Wide variety of garden flowers provides something for everyone in a painting style that North Light Books hasn't published beforeReaders learn to how to paint the most popular flowers (tulip, daisy, sunflower, poppy, iris, rose, peony, hibiscus, water lily, holly hock and more) through 12 full-length demonstrations -- from original drawing to final painting. Techniques for capturing that perfect flower will be explained using multiple mini-demonstrations. Readers will also capture riveting color with Mary's unique acrylic finishing technique.

This book approaches painting in a traditional manner with an extreme sensitivity to light and texture. 15 demonstrations (4 complete painting demos, 11 short technique demos) show how to master essential techniques and paint a variety of textures (crystal, flowers, fruit, lace, silver, rusted metal, wood, fabric, hair) in various lighting situations. 10 full-page sidebars interview 10 popular artists who paint light offering the reader various perspectives and approaches to the topic. The book includes advice for setting up still lifes, shooting reference photos, composing light and shadow for stronger impact, altering and exaggerating color, reproducing dramatic lighting effects, and working without the hassle of masking fluid. Plus, the book devotes an entire chapter to an often neglected topic: backgrounds and how they can support your subject and enhance your painting.

[back cover]brThe essential guide to creating beautiful watercolor paintingsbrIncludes practical hints and tips, covering all aspects of this medium, including style, subject, color composition, and materialsbrFeatures step-by-step demonstrations of both traditional and experimental techniques showing how to achieve a wide variety of effectsbrA perfect introduction for beginners, and a source of inspiration for seasoned lovers of the mediumbrARTIST'S HANDBOOK SERIES:brThe Acrylics & Gouache Artist's HandbookbrThe Oil Artist's HandbookbrThe Pastel Artist's HandbookbrThe Watercolor Artist's HandbookIn a field crowded with art instruction series, Barron's has released the first three volumes in its new Artist's Handbook series. It is, perhaps, the best of the lot, and these first three volumes can be unequivocally recommended. The books are surprisingly comprehensive, with clear and lively texts complemented by more than 400 illustrations in each. There are delightful chapters on the history of each medium The publisher has wisely chosen to house each book in sturdy hardcovers with hidden spiral bindings that keep pages lying flat. Published at a very attractive price, this series can be purchased without hesitation.p--Library Journal, October 2003In a field crowded with art instruction series, Barrons has released the first three volumes in its new Artists Handbook series. It is, perhaps, the best of the lot, and these first three volumes can be unequivocally recommended. The books are surprisingly comprehensive, with clear and lively texts complemented by more than 400 illustrations in each. There are delightful chapters on the history of each medium The publisher has wisely chosen to house each book in sturdy hardcovers with hidden spiral bindings that keep pages lying flat. Published at a very attractive price, this series can be purchased without hesitation.p--Library Journal, October 2003aIn a field crowded with art instruction serie@3¸Që...¸ ¾Úx

East meets West Combine Chinese and Western painting techniques to create beautiful flower paintings. In this beautifully illustrated book, two proud traditions mix and mingle to create fresh watercolor expressions. Learn how to infuse your flowers with new life using a combination of traditional Chinese brush painting and Western watercolor techniques. 80 pages of exciting step-by-step watercolor demonstrations16 popular flowers, 8 of them in both Western and Eastern stylestraditional Chinese painting materials and techniques4 creative variations for further experimentationLian Quan Zhen makes Eastern art ideas and techniques accessible and approachable. Written with both beginning and advanced artists in mind, the lessons in this book will sharpen your sense of composition, enrich your use of color and help you capture the essence of your flower subjects.

Watercolor in Motion not only provides dynamic step-by-step photos of watercolor painting, it also points readers to specific tracks on the accompanying DVD that will show them the techniques they need to successfully paint wet-into-wet. The book covers color and design, value, shapes and shadows. Readers will find step-by-step demonstrations of many different flowers and still life subjects as well as 18 mini-demos teaching the techniques needed to be a successful painter. Throughout the mini-demos readers will find cross-references to the DVD showing how to correctly hold the brush and apply paint using the popular wet-into-wet technique.

Readers will get A to Z support from a full-time watercolorist in a self-standing, studio-ready format that brings the instruction closer to the painting process like never before. Watercolor A to Z is packed with techniques from basic washes to building your own paper-stretcher. Contains 156 demonstrations in an alphabetical reference format packaged in a self-standing, wire-o easel binding that stands up on any flat surface. Covering a variety of subject matter including landscapes, people, wildlife, nature, and more, this is the absolute must-have watercolor book for artists at any level!

Ambitious art students, teachers, and hobbyists seeking more comprehensive instruction manuals than Barron's Art Guides, will find what they're looking for in this substantial book. After covering much of the same material contained in the easier Art Guides, the All About Techniques book illustrates and explains the fundamentals of art theory, then proceeds to step-by-step advice on how to create complete, highly finished artworks. All volumes are filled with full-color photos and art illustrations, the latter in some cases showing reproductions of well-known paintings. Emphasizing paints, materials, brushwork technique, color theory, and the various kinds of paper available to watercolor artists, this volume offers a comprehensive art course, starting with basics, including tricks of the trade, and ending with instruction on creating highly professional watercolors of a wide variety of different subjects.

For painters of every level, this comprehensive volume presents each creative process in clear, full-color photographic sequences. From mixing colors and applying washes to tonal studies and pattern in landscapes, The Complete Guide to Watercolor contains everything one needs to know about working in this very expressive medium. This all-in-one volume presents each process in clear, full-color photographic sequences, reveals secrets of the trade, and contains easy-to-follow projects to help master new techniques. Paperback book measures 10 3/4 in. x 8 1/2 in., 240 pages. DK, 2002. ISBN 0789487985

The first in a series, "The Path of Painting", this book covers the five essentials of the Tao as applied to watercolor - Centering, Playfulness, Balance, Flow, and Deliberateness. Paperback, 112 pages.ISBN:823050572. WATSON-GUPTILL

Watercolorists of all skill levels will find page after page of valuable instruction in this intriguing new book. Linda Stevens Moyer shows them how to create transparent watercolors with simple techniques and step-by-step mini-demos. She also provides must-have advice on color theory and the basics of painting light and texture--the individual parts that make up the language of light. Moyer then shows readers how to put this language to use to create beautiful, luminous paintings by layering with watercolor. Demos, color wheels, and call-outs to specific areas of paintings illustrate how every technique can be applied to create a radiant finished painting. Finally, five mini-demos allow readers to practice the layering process on simple subjects. Three larger demonstrations further help artists practice their skills on a complete painting.

Paint Watercolors that Shine!Make the most of watercolor''s fresh, vibrant nature through light, color and contrast. In the first few chapters, artist Soon Y. Warren helps you lay the groundwork--everything from choosing and lighting subjects to color theory and perspective. Then, follow along with a thrilling series of step-by-step demonstrations to put your ideas into action for paintings that shine!Learn how color, value, contrast and composition affect the impact of your paintingsDiscover the plans and techniques you''ll need for successful, realistic watercolors Follow 16 demonstrations to create brilliant paintingsPaint a variety of subjects, including still life, landscapes, water scenes, flowers, architecture and animalsThis book is the perfect balance of classic theory and hands-on technique. Engaging and easy-to-follow instruction gives you a solid foundation so you can take your work to the next level as you create dynamic paintings.