Painting Water (Watercolour Tips and Techniques) [Paperback]

Joe Francis Dowden (Author)

Book Description

Series: Watercolour Tips and Techniques | Publication Date: March 1, 2003

Watercolour is an exciting and versatile medium. and beautiful waterscapes full of light and atmosphere can be created with loose, transparent washes, or by overlaying colours. In clear, simple-to-understand terms Joe Francis Dowden clearly illustrates all the techniques that are needed to create different types of water. Using a series of practical step-by-step demonstrations, he illustrates how to paint puddles, shallow water, rippling rivers, white water, a seascape and more. Each stage is clearly explained, with helpful tips and a wealth of information on composition, perspective, capturing tone, colour, texture and detail. Before you realise it you will be painting your own beautiful paintings - with this fresh, innovative book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Francis Dowden turned professional in 1982 and has since written many successful books and has been published by David & Charles, Sterling and now Search Press. He has sold out at numerous "one man" shows and has exhibited his work throughout Britain. He lives in Worthing, East Sussex.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Search Press; First Edition edition (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190397500X
• ISBN-13: 978-1903975008
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

134 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Painting Water"--Refreshing!, February 3, 2004

By 

Glenn J. Secrest "Trout566" (Jupiter, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painting Water (Watercolour Tips and Techniques) (Paperback)

As a watercolorist specializing in seascapes/waterscapes, I've read dozens of how-to books. "Painting Water" is the best of the genre and a joy to use. Joe Francis Dowden does an excellent job of presenting techniques and tips in an easy-to-understand, concise style. Where many other authors seem to omit key painting steps, Mr. Dowden is thorough and precise. His color demostrations rank among the best I've ever seen. In a mere 96 pages the author has given us an outstanding guide to the painting water all watercolorists should find invaluable.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is not how I want to paint moving water, November 3, 2007

By 

Renee Aubuchon "reneesarah" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Painting Water (Watercolour Tips and Techniques) (Paperback)

I bought this book based on the cover illustration and the one existing review at the time I purchased the book. While evaluation of art and technique is subjective, my sense is that the author is considerably more skilled in painting still water than moving water, such as a seascape. His seacape watercolors seems to have been accomplished in a way that conveys mood but not competency in terms of technique to portray a realistic seacape (the fluidity and rolling of water). My suggestion is that one would be MUCH better served by getting a copy of "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook- Landscapes" by Gordon MacKenzie (the best watercolor book I have) and looking at the section "Landscape Elements- Water,Sky and Land" beginning on page 59. Now THAT is how to paint water!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars nice to have for a start painting water, January 10, 2008

By 

Cihan Polat "pamuk" (GER) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Painting Water (Watercolour Tips and Techniques) (Paperback)

it is good beginning book to start painting water, I am still trying the demos, however the demo about water in motion (like waves etc.) is too weak, it is mostly informative for puddles and still water. The demo of the pic at the cover page is the most I liked.