Customer Reviews

The Natural Way to Paint: Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

this wonderful book demystifies the paintng of figures with watercolors. it is broken up into these sections: drawing, paints and materials, rendering the figure in three dimensions, features, integrating figure and background, and composition. throughout the book there are step by step lessons which are thorough and challenging. furthermore, the book is lovely to behold and the writer has a fabulous sense of humor! i spent my summer on the vineyard obsessed with this book and i've only just begun--it's packed! does anyone know where i can find this guy?

This book begins with a couple exercises intended to improve your ability at drawing people with pencil. All of these are ones I've utilized before in college art classes. These are followed by several exercises intended to improve your ability at drawing people with watercolor. All exercises focus on quick drawings. His paintings often use exagerated colors, to simplify the reader's task of figuring out what is happening. Together, these exercizes (and a lot of practice) are bound to greatly improve your artistic ability.

Even if you prefer to do slow detailed paintings, the quick paced exercises are an invaluable tool to improve your ability to draw people.

I was captivated by this book when I first flicked through it. The striking pictures of naked women probably helped but Charles' unique style really is what captivates. For example, one of my favorite pictures is of an old man fly fising. This book inspired me to first reproduce some of my favorite pictures from the book and then to do a series of paintings myself -- a good learning experience. The book is well illustrated (of course) and layed out, and would be a great tutorial in watercolor painting and/or painting people (clothed or otherwise). Charles also wrote a similar book on painting flowers (not of interest to me) and an older less colorful book on painting portraits -- which I was fortunate enough to pick up cheaply and new in a second-hand store. This book is the best of the three though.

In general there are very different styles of portraits or figure painting, from very photographically detailed and accurate to rough sketches. This book is about a kind of very rough watercolor figure sketches with strong and varied colors. The colors are exaggerated and more of expression than accurate "true" ones. Some like this style and some don't, for those who like it this book is a gem!

For me that like the more naturalistic figure it is still a source for inspiration even though I won't copy his style.
I can recommend the book, not as your first or only figure painting book, but as your second or third, it will spice up your collection.

As a side note, the book is printed with a paper/ink combination that smells so bad I have had to let it lie for a while before I can read it... That part of the impression of the book is not worth even one star :-)

This is one of my favorite books. I am a amateur portrait painter using water colours. This book has learned me a lot about how to find a free personal and artistic style. Furthermore this book describes practically how to use and mix a small number of colours to make both highlite colours and shadows. For me this book has not been easy to read, - i have read it perhaps 5 times and find new details and ideas all the time.

I fully recommend the book.

Professor Robert Nilssen, The Norwegian University of Sciene and technology.

I just recieved this book today. I read most of it as soon as I got it. And then I started painting right away. The directions are simple and easy to understand. And each lesson will give you satisfaction as you complete it. This book concentrates more on abstracts, shapes, and colors. If this is the style you are looking for this is a great place to start.

This is the best book on how to draw and paint the figure I've come across, and I've looked at many. Charles Reid's style is loose and graceful; moreover, he is an OUTSTANDING instructor. His books and videos go into some detail in the "how to" department, a crucial aspect which is missing in many such books. If you're interested in learning to draw and paint the figure, this is the book to own. I also would highly recommend Charles' book on painting flowers, if you enjoy still life painting. It covers how to paint all sorts of still life set-ups, including fruits, vases, and other such props. He also recommends brands of brushes, paints, paper, and I have found this invaluable. My paintings have improved a great deal since studying and applying his methods.

Mr. Reid has a unique style which I love but which may not be for everyone. His book will be most useful for those chosing to emulate his style but will also be very informative for those following a different style.

This book shows how to do watercolour figure sketches in a loose free style.

The eye-catching pictures help in showing how to draw people with exercises that are easy to follow and understand.

For learning to draw or paint people and figures this is an excellent book. He also talks about the materials needed; colour mixing, brushwork and practical tips to get the result you are after.

You may not enjoy this book if you like more detailed realistic paintings as his style is sketchy but to me this is the magic.

If you like Mr. Reid work, then you'll love this one. If you have one book

to buy for watercolor, then this is the only one you need. This book will teach you alot, if you are ready to invest yourself.

The spontaneity usually associated with watercolor is an illusion, and this

book with simple exercise will help you control this medium, and help you

cause accident that others call spontaneity.