| Author | Message | ||
  Robert |
Yes--I am going to attend one too, thanks to the post. They fill up fast. I've been to one and am still working through what he taught me. He is the absolute master of loose painting IMHO. | ||
jdaneman |
Robert, m'dear! Thanks so much for the Mel Stabin post. Chadd's Ford is near us, and I hope to attend in that location. Mel's style really excites me. Maybe I can pick up some tips on better loose technique. Right now, my technique is at war with me! Joanna | ||
Robert |
Oops--I accidently posted sun eden artist gear. Mel Stabin's workshops: http://www.melstabin.com/Workshop_Schedule/workshop_schedule.html | ||
Robert |
I highly recommend Mel Stabin's workshops. He changed my life! http://www.sun-eden.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SAG&Category_Code=Watercolor | ||
jerry groch |
new to group . I'm looking for web sites that list water color classes in various locations in the US and Mexico for 2005.thanks | ||
jdaneman |
Book I recommend MOST often to beginners or those wanting to get better at watercolor is You can Paint Watercolors by Alwyn Crawshaw because it jump starts your painterly brush strokes and limits palettes to sensible suggestions. I got REALLY far, though a lifelong painter, on animals in landscapes with his book and found it was the one that gave me the most general instruction, while at the same time, providing unique and new insights. It's not the most gorgeous book, but it's the most accessible one I have in my library. | ||
Anonymous |
The Mystery of Watercolor, book and video by David Taylor,an Australian watercolorist,are interesting even for non painters! I recently attended a David Taylor workshop and enjoyed his loose style and individualized teaching. Available through NL book club and ask CJ's too. | ||
Anonymous |
I finally found and bought a copy of Trevena's book, "Taking Risks with Watercolour" and thus far, I'd give it very high marks. | ||
Anon1A |
Patricia - the Trevena book I'm looking for (and found in the UK) is Taking Risks. Apparently a book was published by Collins in collaboration with Amazon.UK - and is not available here. But if you have the tape - you might not want the book. I don't watch television and really would like the book. A friend just offered to send it to me but I may be able to get it at Amazon.Canada. Thanks - again. You have been very very helpful. | ||
Patricia |
One more idea, Anon, 1A, I belong the the SAA, an artist's group based in the United Kingdom. I recently received their 2005-2005 catalog, and there was nothing new from Shirley Trevena. Since Shirley is British, I would expect any new book or video from her to be offered first in the UK. You can check out the SAA by going to www.saa.co.uk | ||
Patricia |
Hi Anon, 1A I don't have Shirley Trevena's book...in fact, you are the first person I've heard mention she even has a book out. I would love to get my hands on a copy, so if you do find a source, please post it here. I bought her video, Taking Risks With Watercolor, from NorthLight Books. You can order it from their site at Northlight.com. In the video, she shows how she just starts out with rich, strong color on dry paper..."no pussyfooting about," as she says. No drawing, either, which is part of the risk-taking that is the theme of this video. I look at this video at least 3 or 4 times a year just to get myself energized. I think Shirley is a fantastic painter. Glad you like her, too! | ||
Anon1A |
Thank you so much for this wonderful long and thoughtful list. I am trying to get Shirley Trevena's book here in the States, new, but it appears it is only available in GB. I haven't seen any adverts for a video. May I ask where you got it? And if you have a resource for her 2004 book? Again thanks | ||
Patricia |
Hi all, I agree that you will want to choose books that cover the way you want to paint, or the subjects you like, and inevitably, you will buy some books that disappoint. These I offer to my students free, or drastically reduced in price, because they may strike a chord with someone else. Here's a list of my all time favorite books: Painting the Things You Love, Adele Earnshaw (has many practical ideas on composition and painting...down to earth) The Tao of Watercolor, Jeanne Carbonetti(covers many wet-in-wet possibilities of watercolor painting) 70 Watercolor Techniques, Zoltan Szabo (I learned so much from this book on how to interpret the landscape in paint) Watercolor Basics: Light, Judy Morris (many ideas on painting that struck a positive chord with me) Painting Beautiful Watercolors from Photographs, Jan Kunz (the all-time best book on the subject, in my opinion...Jan covers it all here) The Figure in Watercolor, Mel Stabin (I am in awe of this painter...I'm still learning from his books) Watercolor, Simple, Fast and Focused, Mel Stabin (in awe and still learning from this artist) Making Color Sing, Jean Dobie I learned so much from this book about color) Of my video collection, I continue to learn from and enjoy these: Taking Risks With Watercolor, Shirley Trevena (my all time inspiration) Painting Outside the Lines, Linda Kemp (addresses negative painting) Bold and Beautiful Backyard Wildlife in Watercolor, Susan Bourdet (simple, straightforward, "let's just paint it" info) Tuscan Textures, Judy Morris (fun video, lots of information on how to approach, start, and complete a painting) Making Watercolor Glow, Don Andrews (opened my eyes to color possibilities...this man is a genius, in my humble opinion) | ||
Anonymous |
The video "Wades watercolour workshop" is the best I've used. | ||
Anon1A |
Robert Wade is among my favourites thus far. I do have his most recent book and find it very well grounded. He seems to be able to both paint and teach with both feet on the ground. :) | ||
Anonymous |
Sarita - thanks for that kind reminder that the library may order or inter-library loan some books for me. I shall get on that straight away. | ||
sarita |
To the original post by Anonymous - My local library is also limited on the number of watercolor instruction books. However, I discovered a way around that. You can request the library to order books for you. No charge to you all you need is the ISB#, author and title of the book. So far I have ordered 4 books this way. Another option, if your library participates in intra-library loans. They find another library who has the book you want, you can usually keep it for up to 2 weeks. All in all, I really appreciate using the library system in order to find as many books as I need. | ||
Anonymous |
Then for a good book that helps you develop a style I suggest Robert Wade's Watercolor workshop and the accompanying video. | ||
Anon1A |
Anonymous - thanks for your 2 recommendations. Again I think we need to know what a person is interested in so they can select a book that will directly help them. Dake said it first (see first response) - where's my focus? General books "generally" produce "general" results so it's certain your first recommendation is a good over-view. In fact I have this book, as well as many others recommended, but the query was aimed at helping me try to avoid the buying, buying and finding inadequacies among the purchases. Names don't always produce good instruction, nor do well known artists always know how to teach. For example I have a book by Hilary Page - while her colour book may be excellent, her instruction book is poorly edited leaving the novice holding a brush in mid-air not knowing where to land (LOL). Would give this book a poor rating although Ms. Page may have not been personally responsible for the book's inability to illustrate her words. Personal style is also apparently an important ingredient. While Kukana and others have touted Webb many times, the few paintings I've been able to find online do not lead me to believe he is my teacher. Grateful for all the opinions - and I will continue my search. | ||
Anonymous |
Ignore the info in the preceding two posts. Third time's the charm: I would start with an anthology like "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Watercolor" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/082305649X/qid=1097710127/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0830090-1075108?v=glance&s=books or the new "The watercolour Landscape Techniques of 23 International Artists." Great book. Great Art. Great Variety. Useful demos. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1929834268/qid=1097699490/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0830090-1075108?v=glance&s=books | ||
Anonymous |
Corrected: I would start with an anthology like "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Watercolor" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/082305649X/qid=1097710127/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0830090-1075108?v=glance&s=books or the new "The watercolour Landscape Techniques of 23 International Artists." Great book. Great Art. Great Variety. Useful demos. I would start with an antohonlgy like "Everything you want to know about watercolor" or the new "Ther watercolour Lanscape Techniques of 23 International Artists." Great book. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1929834268/qid=1097699490/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0830090-1075108?v=glance&s=books | ||
Anonymous |
Makng Colors Sing M By Jeanne Dobie may be some people's favorite but I have no use for it. This is not to say it is not good for some but certainly not categorically a great book. First, here palette is partly obsolete, using several fugitive colors like aureolin and rose madder. Secondly, you have to want to know how to uutilize grays to offset bright colors. There are many good books and it all depends on who you wannt to be inspired by. I would start with an antohonlgy like "Everything you want to know about watercolor" or the new "Ther watercolour Lanscape Techniques of 23 International Artists." Great book. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1929834268/qid=1097699490/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0830090-1075108?v=glance&s=books | ||
Anonymous |
Well, Kukana, perhaps I'll be able to "see" a copy of Webb's book before I pluck down the reserve on this book. Money although paper doesn't grow on my tree :) - but thanks for your endorsement. | ||
Kukana |
I think Frank Webbs books are every bit worth the $50-$100 range in a used condition. They are out of print, very sought after for a reason and the price reflect that. Its supply and demand. There is a reason there is a demand for them. They are great..especially the composititon one. Also, Edgar Whitneys book has been reprinted and it is wonderful. | ||
Anonymous |
Meant to thank you, Janngogh :) | ||
Anonymous |
I agree Jeanne Dobie's book is good, but the best on colour. I don't know that yet. So many books have so little to offer, several have some good pointers, most are rather repetitive. So far I'd say I really like Wade's most recent book, Dobie's and several others. But occasionally a book is touted; I get it on Amazon and it is a total disappointment. Again with a lousey library, it is money not well spent. I suppose Dake's is the more important question: what is my focus? I want to be exposed to as many styles as I can and make some progress on my own. Certain books immediately turn me off - Reid's do, can't say why. I appreciate all the suggestions - I'll check all of them out and hope to find my niche. Have a good Sunday, all. | ||
janngogh |
Jeanne Dobie's Making Color Sing is the best book on color - explaining the transparency of particular colors, how not to make mud by understanding the transparency of certain colors, and how to make exciting grays. There is a simple little book called Watercolor Composition Made Easy by ?? that gives some simple explanations on compostition. I use it in teaching my high school art classes. | ||
Dake |
Yeah the authors I mentioned are for those beyond the basics Louise. | ||
Anonymous |
Kukana - have you priced this book lately - abes or otherwise, we are talking in excess of $50-100 - surely it ain't worth that or at least not sight unseen. Thanks. | ||
Kukana |
Buy it used. Go to some of the used book sites on the web.My fvorite is www.abebooks.com type in keyword Painting and author Frank Webb | ||
Anonymous |
Kukana - thanks for your recommendations. I wish Webb's book was affordable so many have recommended it. | ||
Kukana |
Barabra Nechis has two I books that are fantasic. I also recommend Jeane Dobie "Making colors sing" and Frank Webbs "Strenthening Your Painting Through Dynamic Composition" | ||
Louise |
Are there any watercolor books for the ones who have passed the stages of glazing, making a wash, materials, stretching and other basics, but goes directly to the point? The only book I know of who has a "different" approach than the other books I read is the flower-painting book from Paul Riley. | ||
Anonymous |
Thank you, Dake and John, I have one of Wade's books and really like it. I'll check out some of the others. I wish Chamberlain's book was more affordable. It is on Amazon (but for a prince's fortune). | ||
John Preston |
I would agree with Dake's choices, Especially Trevor Chamberlain and Robert Wade. One other I might suggest is Joseph Zbukvic. Stylistically he falls between Wade and Alvaro Castegnet (I think they're all buddies). His book, "Mastering Mood and Atmosphere in Watercolor",takes a unique, organized approach to the subject of judging the effects paper wetness and paint density to get what you want. One of those things it takes some of us a long time to get by trial and error. | ||
Dake |
I think it depends on what style you wish to focus on. For painting portraits/people : Charles Reid, Alex Powers, Don Andrews are artists/authors I'd recommend. For methodical realism(a bit hard edged for my taste) Paul Jackson, excellent for special lighting effects,glass, shiny objects. For impressionistic genre painting Alvaro Castagnet, Trevor Chamberlain. For traditional purist, plein air watercolour, publications by John Yardley or Edward Wesson are unsurpassed you could place Trevor Chamberlain in this category too. In fact I'd heartily recommend Trevor Chamberlain's book which you will find by searching Amazon. His description of working methods are very clear although it is not a instruction manual. Robert Wade also has a very good reputation for instructional watercolour publications. I will not name the publications of the artists mentioned but a search on Amazon with reveal all. | ||
Anonymous |
Wondered which books folks would recommend as the "very" best for both instruction and inspiration. A little review would help. So many books out there and so little at my library to see. |
