Customer Reviews

Exploring Watercolor: Creative Exercises and Techniques for Watercolor and Mixed Media

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was drawn to this book because of the colorful pictures. I couldn't believe it was possible for watercolor paintings to be this vibrant. I was really motivated to dust off my paintbrushes and paint along with the many demonstrations. This book goes into the usual detail about how to design your painting, playing with color, and of course techniques of wet-in-wet, dry brush, glazing, etc., but unlike a lot of watercolor books the finished demonstrations look like something I would want to frame and hang on my walls. The best part of the book, for me, was the chapter on color. I have a pretty good grasp already of the color wheel and mixing colors, but it never occurred to me that there were so many ways to mix different greens, for example, or grays. I consider myself an advanced-beginner at watercolor and would definitely recommend this to other beginners, but surely someone with more experience would find techniques/hints here that would inspire them.

This is a great book , easy to read and follow...she does go into design,focal point,composition, etc., but does it in a very descriptive way that doesn't get bogged down and boring.

She also introduces quite a lot of different textures, which a lot of people like, bubble wrap, stamps, modeling clay, sponges, but it is not my thing....but at least her explainations and pictures make it easy to understand.

She has a few step by step demonstations, simple, easy to follow, but my favourite is her pages of colour combinations.

A book worth buying even if you are a beginner like me, and of course the more advanced artists should love this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed "exploring warercolor". I found that the book covered a lot of territory in the watercolor field and that the explanations given were very clear. I have been painting watercolors for many years now and still learnt quite a lot from this book. In conclusion I would reall recommend it to anybody who is interested in watercolors.

I really like this book. In my own watercolor painting I tend towards a tight and realistic painting style. I wanted some exercises to help me loosen up. This book has several very helpful exercises and so far I am having a blast with them! I am very excited about how my exploration is coming along. I love the spontaneous fun of 'finding' an image in my painting in the exercise that begins on page 18. I am also enjoying the exercise on page 64- and her explanation of negative and posative painting has helped me understand it better.

Give it a try- lots of fun and sure to loosen you up if you are looking to really explore- as the book title so perfectly states.

I read one negative review about this book and honestly, it smacks of sour grapes- the pictures are lovely and the color reproductions are fine - remember- it's a student book for learning...for goodness sake.

The book features detailed instruction in three unique approaches to painting transparent watercolors. The spiral page format is convenient when following the exercises. All in all, it stimulates new creativity. I wouldn't say it is for the beginnner - more for one with some painting experience. I felt it was worth acquiring.

This book, Exploring Watercolor has awakened a new avenue for me.

I wanted to "try" something different from what I had been doing with my watercolors and after reading this book, I did several paintings using the ideas presented in the book and I was not only amazed but everyone who views my latest works wants to buy them. It is amazing what a book can do for you...It is now my favorite of over a hundred books I have on artwork.

If I had bought this book when I started watercolor I would have saved myself a lot of money by passing by many of those occupying my bookcase. This, along with Karlyn Holman's books would make a complete watercolor home course.

It is so thorough and compliments Holman's books which may be just a little bit more advanced. I keep this one beside me when painting and am going through the lessons for exercises and Holman's books for stirring the juices.

I am a watercolor painting teacher and after reviewing several books have chosen this one for class study next year. I like the author's philosophy, presentation, and growing opportunities by the exploration of many techniques!

Ms Groves gives a lot of great examples and tips. This book is a great motivator to paint more!

I was drawn to this book because of its unique approach to watercolor and all the beautiful pictures, but I had trouble with the exercises getting to look like the examples. The steps just didn't work for me. I needed more details. That being said, I like descriptions of styles and methods. Really got my juices going. I also like that it is spiral bound so you can lay it down and paint while looking at it.