Lessons in Realistic Watercolor

TARGET CONSUMER- Beginner to advanced artists looking to either learn classical realist watercolor techniques or improve upon the skills they already have.In the tradition of American painters such as Andrew Wyeth, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent, Robinson shows readers how to create beautiful, timeless, classical watercolor paintings through the use of simple, yet sophisticated, techniques every watercolorist needs to know.Robinson's approach to the medium of watercolor is primarily traditional. Many artists find watercolor difficult to control and are often disappointed with the results. The water meanders across the surface of the paper and, given the proper nuance by the artist's brush, it will reluctantly settle. The end result is the bright white of bouncing light contrasted with the liveliness of mysterious shadows. Robinson's method teaches artists to layer colors from light to dark and to focus on the highlighted areas first. Further, his "live in the moment" approach embraces watercolor's unpredictability as part of the process, the end result being a painting with intensity, spontaneity, and beauty.For the beginner, mid-level, or professional artist, Robinson introduces his unique working method that shifts the focus from the end result to the enjoyment of each stage of the painting process. Readers will learn how to start by stretching the paper to achieve a pristine surface; choose the right materials (brushes, palettes, paints, etc.); do a preliminary drawing; establish the subject's light, middle, and dark values with a tonal underdrawing; create symmetrical features and mass big shapes using intuition to achieve a more natural appearance; work through a monotone wash; explore water manipulation and work wet into wet for color mixing; finish up with a special drybrush technique; avoid common mistakes; set up an artist's studio; and establish yourself as a pro.

“"Robinson's unconventional technique involves monochrome underpainting, thin layers of color, and unpainted portions of the paper used as highlights, delivering very realistic representations of people, texture, light, and space. A distinctively quiet, moody style is evidenced throughout, with numerous offerings of the author's completed paintings. Examples by American watercolor masters such as John James Audubon, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent are also provided. The individuals featured in Robinson's portraits are evocatively specific and diverse, showing a wide range of walks of life and shades of skin tone. Readers can try their hand at watercolor by following the eight painting demonstrations presented in each section. Artists of intermediate skill level are best poised to benefit from these lessons." - Library Journal "I love this book. Mario Robinson is a contemporary master. With humility and virtuosity he adeptly guides us through every step of how to make a painting. He is giving a great gift by sharing his working practices and secrets. Robinson follows a long line of American masters who have used the watercolor medium to capture the nuances of the fleeting moment and the soul of the American spirit. In the end, with any great work of art, the medium disappears, leaving us profoundly changed by the encounter. This book is like that - we almost forget that we are looking at watercolors. But how we see and experience the world around us will be altered and filled with new possibilities. In the tradition of the great American classical watercolorists, Lessons in Realistic Watercolor offers an uncompromising approach to pushing the limits of the medium for contemporary artists of all levels." - Bo Bartlett”

“Robinson's unconventional technique involves monochrome underpainting, thin layers of color, and unpainted portions of the paper used as highlights, delivering very realistic representations of people, texture, light, and space. A distinctively quiet, moody style is evidenced throughout, with numerous offerings of the author's completed paintings. Examples by American watercolor masters such as John James Audubon, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent are also provided. The individuals featured in Robinson's portraits are evocatively specific and diverse, showing a wide range of walks of life and shades of skin tone. Readers can try their hand at watercolor by following the eight painting demonstrations presented in each section. Artists of intermediate skill level are best poised to benefit from these lessons.” - Library Journal

“I love this book. Mario Robinson is a contemporary master. With humility and virtuosity he adeptly guides us through every step of how to make a painting. He is giving a great gift by sharing his working practices and secrets. Robinson follows a long line of American masters who have used the watercolor medium to capture the nuances of the fleeting moment and the soul of the American spirit. In the end, with any great work of art, the medium disappears, leaving us profoundly changed by the encounter. This book is like that - we almost forget that we are looking at watercolors. But how we see and experience the world around us will be altered and filled with new possibilities. In the tradition of the great American classical watercolorists, Lessons in Realistic Watercolor offers an uncompromising approach to pushing the limits of the medium for contemporary artists of all levels.” - Bo Bartlett

Mario Andres Robinson studied fine art at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and received his BFA in 1993. He is a regular contributor to The Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, and several others. Mario is a Brand Ambassador for Winsor & Newton art materials. He conducts workshops nationally and internationally throughout the year. His affiliations include The Salmagundi Club (New York), The Pastel Society of America (New York), and the National Arts Club and he’s been named a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center. Robinson’s work can be seen at Arcadia Contemporary and Ann Long Fine Art or on his website. His public collections include The Arkansas Arts Center (Little Rock, AR), Bank of America, and Museo Arte Contemporanea Sicilia (Sicily, Italy). Robinson's work is widely collected by private and public collectors. He lives in Point Pleasant, NJ.

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