Customer Reviews

Incredible Light & Texture in Watercolor

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I checked this book out from my local library 3 times. When my husband saw it sitting on my table again he said, "Why don't you just buy it for yourself." I did. James Toogood has an incredible way of using watercolor to portray texture. His examples are clear and easy to follow. His paintings which are reprinted in the book are marvelously detailed and clear. I also recommend getting his demo DVD in which he shows several of the paintings in the book step-by-step. I learned so much from him.

There are watercolor books with great artwork, and then there are watercolor books with great instruction. This book combines both. Toogood's realistic style is gorgeous. His instructions are very clear and concise. I am a professional artist and own over a hundred books on painting, yet I was able to learn get quite a few tips from this author--expecially about painting water. An alltogether excellent book.

Initially I bought this book for its beautiful and inspiring watercolors. Is there nothing this man can't paint? Breathtaking clouds, the wettest water I've ever seen in paint. You wouldn't know it from the cover, but the book also contains a chapter on portrait painting, step by step. He is as proficient in portrait painting as he is in landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes. I teach a "portraits in watercolor" class and I recommend this book to every student of the medium who is searching for an artist they can admire, who is willing to part with his "secrets".

I own dozens of watercolor instruction books and this is one of the few I would not give up! It is geared toward an intermediate watercolorist, but has basic information on paints, brushes and paper. In particular, Toogood explains how the properties of watercolor pigment affect a painting and how you might use that color.
Toogood's style is tight and almost photographic. Some people do not like watercolors painted this way, but the book is helpful even so. He goes into detail on how to create textures of different surfaces which is a universal skill. I personally find Toogood's style impressive and inspiring. I enjoy the book to look at his paintings more than anything else.
P.S. You cannot tell from the cover, but the book includes a great section on portrait painting in watercolor.

This was not what I was looking for in watercolor books. I did not like the realism that he taught, but it may well be that for those looking for intense realism this may be a good book.

The author, James Toogood, has produced an excellent and concise course in capturing light when painting transparent watercolors. His instructive
chapters are worthy of study by the experienced watercolorist. This is a worthwhile reference.

This book is by far the best watercolor book for the intermediate artist.
definately not a beginner book. Toogood is both informative and inspiring.

This is a good book for those who want to paint watercolour copies of photographs. Unfortunately, Mr Toogood doesn't show that part of his working method involved in tracing the photographs he copies. If you're looking for more expressive styles, study the work of Winslow Homer or John Singer Sargent. If you want a good instructional book on watercolour, check out Mastering Atmosphere and Mood in Watercolor by Joseph Zbukvic.