Botanical Illustration in Watercolor (Practical Art Books) [Paperback]

Eleanor B. Wunderlich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1996 | Series: Practical Art Books

Capture the fascinating beauty of plants. How can an artist create a botanical portrait that is both accurate and aesthetically pleasing? This is the essence of an art form whose charm and universal appeal have made it popular for centuries. Botanical Illustration in Watercolor is the first authoritative, comprehensive book to focus specifically on the materials and techniques of painting plants in watercolor.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eleanor B. Wunderlich, a well-known botanical illustrator, is a graduate of Parsons School of Design. She has been teaching botanical illustration at the New York Botanical Garden since 1984. Her paintings are now exhibited at Images Gallery in Briarcliff Manor, New York, and published in articles and books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823005305
• ISBN-13: 978-0823005307
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #659,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the BEST BOOK on botanical illustration, April 30, 2001

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Botanical Illustration in Watercolor (Practical Art Books) (Paperback)

This is the best book on botanical illustration I have found. It is suitable for all levels including complete beginners like myself. Although some artistic talent is certainly an asset, closely following the instructions here will come as close as possible to teaching virtually anyone to paint. From drawing to painting, it offers everything you need to create your own beautiful botanical artwork.

The book starts out by helping you choose a subject with practical advice on fruits, vegetables, flowers, mushrooms, bulbs, roots, trees, ferns, vines and more. Then, creating a space to work in and selecting materials from brushes to paper is covered. I love the many excellent tips on mixing colors.

The next section focuses on the many aspects of drawing including setting up a still life, planning the picture and transferring your drawing to watercolor paper. There are detailed step-by-step instructions for drawing a huge variety of botanical subjects including orchids, tulips and foxgloves. I really liked how the author discusses the various shapes of flowers such as round, teacup and tubular and then shows you how to block them out.

The final section covers the painting process. Along with numerous step-by-step demonstrations on painting botanicals there are hints on correcting mistakes, protecting your paper and tips on painting white flowers. Creating the initial washes, adding shadows, shading, layering and highlighting are included as well. To finish your artwork the author gives advice on matting, framing, exhibiting and selling your artwork.

The finished illustrations throughout the book are so beautiful. Each one has information on the kind of paper they are painted on, size and title.

74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For everyone who loves to paint with watercolors, September 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Botanical Illustration in Watercolor (Practical Art Books) (Paperback)

If I had to sell all of my watercolor books except one, this is the one I would keep. Ms. Wunderlich takes the artist on a journey as if she understands that everyone needs to know both elementary and advanced techniques. Nothing is left out in her demonstrations as she easily SHOWS with wonderful pictures and TELLS with few words. I've been painting watercolors for two years, have borrowed or bought almost every book on the subject, have listened in classes, watched in seminars, and made every mistake possible until I got her book. Her simple demos gave me the greatest understanding of glazes/layering and texture application. I felt so confident with her guidance that my first painting was on a full sheet and became my favorite. The book's illustrations can be framed and referenced again and again. After I got this book, I sold and gave away half of my other watercolor books.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book to love and cherish, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Botanical Illustration in Watercolor (Practical Art Books) (Paperback)

Since I started learning botanical illustrating I have seen many books on the subject but few have held me spellbound like this one. The intelligence, helpfulness and sensitivity of the instructions would make it a book worth having on their own, but the glorious illustrations will keep you referrring to the book again and again. Their complexity and detail will hold you enthralled.