Customer Reviews

The Encyclopedia of Water Color Techniques

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was requested by my editors to write the introduction to the Brazilian edition of this book and immediately accepted, because, unlike o most books on art techniques, Hazel Harrison concentrates on demonstrating how to master all the resources and effects that watercolor offers, without implying that there is any preferable way in which to paint. The techniques are clearly explained and well illustrated and, in the second part of the book, she includes many examples of how different artists used the effects described in the first part to interpret various subjects. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to master the art of watercolor.

Harrison defines and employs standard language used in identifying watercolor effects. She also identifies watercolor usages and materials and is consistent in this regard. Her illustrative material is literally a survey of the watercolor world, with no histrionics, from abstraction to the tightest realism. It is a beautiful book and gratifyingly complete. She has no 'method' to push. With her insistence on planning as the key to realizing one's concept, she leaves the reader in peace to enjoy the experience the book offers of seeing how accomplished watercolorists plan their work.
The index is excellent. I will admit disappointment that Harrison touches only lightly on the qualities of now very expensive materials that would enable one to make useful choices. Her remarks on paper by type and maker I find useful and I wish this knowledgeable woman had given the reader more insights on other materials.

This book is an outstanding resource of techiques that can be used to produce an interesting and varied watercolor. I think it should be part of a watercolorist's library.

Although was not exactly what I expected, it is a good reference for explaining different methods, good price and good addition for my library

This book is truly excellent as a compendium of specific techniques for producing a wide variety of visual effects in watercolor painting. Any beginning or intermediate watercolorist should find this book invaluable, as it would be for any painter with an experimental or ever-searching turn of mind.

I like the layout of this book, the great photos and the excellent instruction for the full gamut of watercolor techniques.

This book is most useful to a beginner to gain a full understanding of what you can do with watercolor paints and a good brush.

The simple washes are covered and salt technique along with wax, miskit and all the other secrets of obtaining the look and feel you want.

The paintings Hazel Harrison has chosen for this book are inspiring and excellent quality.

I have used this book as a resource for over twenty years and still go back to it for inspiration.

I went through dozens of watercolor books at the library and decided to order The Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques. It was an excellent and easy to understand guide for me.(a beginner) I brought it to my painting class and I then ordered a total of eight copies for them. They all thought it wa so very helpful. We all would highly recommend this book.

Very good on different techniques for someone who has mastered the beginning basics of watercolor. Introduces you to a variety of techniques and has good examples and instruction for achieving same.

Many books announce they are the "Guide," "Beginner's Reference," "Encyclopedia" of this or that, but few deliver. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUES by Hazel Harrison delivers on that promise. She very thoroughly, but to the point, covers watercolor in general, brushes, paper, etc. and then covers technique and style in detail. This book is well laid out with examples of process and technique. The author not only describes the process, but then the reader is referenced to paintings by professionals where the reader can actually see the end result. The book is in large format with a comprehensive index. If you are in the beginning to intermediate stages of painting watercolor, I can highly recommend this book as a ready reference.

I think the material in this book is good, but widely available in other resources. I think it is a good book to have in my library, but I probably won't refer to it often.