Art Answers: Watercolour Painting

There’s a nice feel to this the moment you pick it up. It’s a relatively small format with over 200 pages, so it sits comfortably in the hand and has a heft to it that gives an immediate feeling of solidity. The cover is semi-soft and the page corners are rounded, which adds to the sense of usability and quality. All that does add to the production costs, though, so the content had better be good if the value-for-money quotient is to be kept up. All that may seem like concentrating on form over substance, but I’ve always maintained that initial impressions are important and a book that makes you feel welcome and confident before you even open it is always going to get off to a good start. So how does it stack up when you get inside? Well, if you’re eagle-eyed, you’ll spot that it’s a compilation of material from previous works by the packager Quarto. This is not a bad thing, and they’re very good at layout and presentation, in which area they don’t let us down here. The smaller page size isn’t a disadvantage and that soft cover means you can get the book open without breaking down the spine. As you’d expect from the series title, the help topics are arranged as a series of questions, “How can I - ?” Each one takes up no more than a spread, sometimes less than a page and there are lots of illustrations which have a generous rather than a cramped feel. There are lots of hints and tips books and there’s nothing specific to mark this out from the crowd. However, everything has a slightly different emphasis and this is nicely done. If you haven’t already got a shelf full of similar works, this is a very good place to start.-Artbookreview.net Covers a lot in its 224 pages, from equipment and workspace, colour and composition, to basic and special watercolour techniques. Separate chapters follow on still life, landscape, figures and style, concluding with a chapter on finishing and displaying your work. The book is well laid out, with a nice, clear font, and there are plenty of artist’s tip boxes, which give sensible advice to artists on all manner of subjects. The headings throughout ask the questions, such as ‘How is paper stretched’ or ‘How do I use a viewfinder’; ‘What does taking a viewpoint mean’; ‘What techniques are suggested for painting clouds?’, etc. The questions are then clearly answered with accompanying step-by-step examples where necessary. In total, the book answers 200 questions on a range of important topics and will doubtless be of enormous help to artists just starting out, or those wishing build their confidence.-Leisure Painter This is the first entry in a new series called Art Answers. Like the other popular craft books that feature questions and answers, this one does the same only with watercolor painting. It is a good idea, and I can imagine many beginners (as well as improvers) being pleased with this book. I particularly like the first chapter that answers those vital first few questions such as what do you need to buy, how do stretch paper, do I need an easel etc. Other chapters tackle subject areas such as color and composition, basic techniques, finishing and display etc and there are also chapters dealing with the various subjects for painting. These are still life, landscapes, human figures and also different art styles. There is nothing about animals or abstracts, but then this is just one book. Every question is illustrated with an example, including some staged techniques to try, and I found the answers were mostly succinct and easy to understand. I can imagine that many people who are just starting out (or who have done a bit but need some further knowledge) will find this book very helpful indeed. A great idea for a series about any practical subject.-Myshelf.com Painting is much more complex than you might think. It is not just a matter of putting paint onto a canvas and creating a picture. There are all kinds of effects and techniques which can be used. How do you use salt effects? How is plastic wrap used to create textures? How are sketches enlarged? What is meant by interlocking flat washes? How do you paint still water? These and many other questions are answered in this extremely useful book. It is not a book to sit down and read. It is a reference book, one you can pick up and find answers to questions, or to find inspiration. The explanations are clear and understandable. Pictures accompany each instruction for example showing the way in which plastic wrap can be used to create textured roadways. A useful book, which well deserves a place on any artist’s bookshelf.-Monstersandcritics.com

George James is Professor ‘Emeritus’ of Art for California State University Fullerton, where he has taught since 1968. He has had solo and group exhibitions, both regionally and internationally. George has had paintings and articles published in numerous periodicals and books and has won countless awards. He is a member of the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society. He conducts various workshops.