Customer Reviews

Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Watercolors

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was obviously written with a lot of thought behind it. I could not believe the detail that I found in this book. I am not a professional watercolorist, but I have been painting for a number of years. This book is a great reference for the experienced painter, but also a concise easy-to follow book for the beginning watercolorist. Ms. Heim's variety of subject matter is also very exciting. Unlike some books that focus on one subject matter, she has given us a number of different techniques and textures to try. I was most impressed by the colors in this book. In the step by step directions, I could mix a color as directed and then take a strip of scrap paper and dab it with paint and then compare with the sample color swatch of the book. To my surprise, it matched perfectly. It is obvious that Ms. Heim also took great care with the publisher to make sure the book was published with "true color". I recommend this book to anyone interested in producing beautiful watercolors, especially you beginners! Just as many of you, I have bought a lot of art books, but I only have a few that I actually use for reference when I am painting. This book is one of them! I am looking forward to buying her next book!

It's a great book like the other reviewers attest to except that it is geared more towards the still life painter. Be forewarned that there is nothing in here for the landscape or portrait painter.

I've been an "artist" for many years, but just recently began watercolor classes. Though the teacher was nice, she didn't "teach". I checked out Dawn McLeod Heim's Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Watercolors from the library and knew immediately that I was going to learn much more from her book than I would at my art class.

I really appreciate Dawn's attention to detail. For each project she first tells you exactly how to mix colors and what the value should be. Then she breaks up each project into sensible sections; shows you what to paint only for that section, and what your painting should look like after each section. Then she has you critique your painting at the end - already knowing where you are likely to error.

This book is simply fabulous! That's why I'm buying it for my library!

Dawn McLeod Heim not only knows how to paint, but executes in laymen's terms, the step- by-step approach to painting. When her steps are followed, one can't help but get great results. Many self-instructed books are hard to follow, and some leave the student with disappointing results....not this one! Ms. McLeod Heim does not leave out small details; she covers everything, leaving the student with pleasing results! This book is one you won't try and throw in the corner! A must for anyone interested in exploring the world of watercolor painting! Her instructions are easy to follow, and the pictures she shows along the way encourage the new painter to continue! I'd recommend this book as one to buy, and keep. A very inexpensive way to get GREAT art lessons!! She doesn't have you buy a lot of unnecessary supplies. I rate this A plus!

This was one of the first watercolor books I ever bought when I first wanted to learn how to paint. First of all I'd like to list some of it's stronger points.

1. The projects are beautiful with the subjects being mostly still-life (although there is one animal project of baby ducklings
2. The author lists exactly the colors and brands she used in each project, the specific mixes of each colors and step-by-step directions for you to follow at each stage. Each project has stage-by-stage photos so you can see what your painting-in-progress should look like at the end of each stage.
3. The "Critique Your Work" tip section. She lists some questions to ask yourself as you examine the finished painting to see what you did well and what can be improved.
4. The "how moist is moist?" examination of loading a brush with color. This is one technique most other watercolor books either don't mention at all or if they do they don't explain it. The author gives photos and a detailed description of exactly what she means by a phrase such as "loaded brush", "moistened brush" etc.
5. The section on values and painting a controlled wash. There is a page devoted to common problems that beginners can run into when trying to paint washes - complete with examples of some of these problems (streaky wash, backruns, etc.) and how to correct them or avoid them.

It helps to buy the paints she recommends because it will eliminate one variarable that might make it harder to lead to a satisfying result. It is possible to use other brands (I did) but I recommend at least try to use the same pigment, if possible, as she lists in the book. For some people who are on a limited budget or don't want to invest in a lot of paint to be used only for this book's projects they might consider this a drawback. Also, this book doesn't cover painting portraits, wildlife, landscapes, seascapes, etc. It will be of most interest to fans of still-life subjects. Overall, I'm glad I own it as it is a big help to further development of techniques with watercolor.

As an experienced watercolorist, this book not only inspires me to paint, but reminds me of the little things I may forget and take for granted in my painting. I remember when I first started doing watercolor, my teacher could not explain to me how much water I should have in my brush. I didn't know how to use my "expensive" paint to it's fullest potential and a lot of it went down the drain. This book will help beginners to use their tools right from the beginning. It's a book for anyone who does watercolor. She shows projects of all kinds. She covers many different textures. This is not just a book about painting flowers or landscapes, she paints flowers, animals, silver, doilies, gold, baskets, etc. Watercolorists.........this is a "must have" book. I understand that the author is working on a book about color. I can't wait until it comes out!!! The colors she uses in this book are so crisp and clean and she gives exact formulas techniques for mistake proof mixing. Buy it, you'll be amazed. The author is obviously a stickler for detail!!!

As the owner of several books on watercolor techniques I will say that this is the first that has enough detail on the techniques that Ms. Heim uses to create these projects. As someone who has struggled with the medium over the years and just couldn't get it right, using this book and following the precise instructions, I was able to get some exceptional results. Each project provides new skills whether it be how to achieve a particular texture or interpreting variations in color. Having completed many of the projects, I now use it as a resource in determining how to interpret my own subject matter. These are not the impressionistic watercolors that so many watercolor books focus on. These painting look real and have vibrant colors. (If you are interested in painting in more of a freeform style this may not be the book for you. Even so, the use of color and layering is worth checking out.) Kudos to Ms. Heim for providing clear, detailed instruction that simplifies what I had previously found to be a difficult medium.

I have been circling around watercolour painting for some time now and had gone so far as to buy some paints, brushes and paper, but was at a complete loss as to how to actually start.
I bought this book sight unseen on the basis of reviews, and I think it is the best possible book I could have bought. (I have several other 'beginners' watercolour books which have left me more, rather than less, inhibited about starting.)
This book concentrates on teaching specific watercolour techniques in a step-by-step manner, with very precise and detailed instructions on how to load your brush, how to use it, how to mix each colour, and how to do specific techniques such as laying a wash (best description I've read, by a country mile, and it worked - a perfect wash second time), softening edges, lifting out colour, adjusting your work if it isn't right first time, and so on. She takes the guesswork out by providing a series of interesting drawings to copy and step by step instructions on how to paint each, and by specifying exact paints and (cheap but good) brushes, which I bought. The exercises are graded - before I started each one I was sure I would make a total mess, but each time the results were very good (would have been excellent if I'd had the patience to do a quick trial of each technique on a scrap piece of paper before going for it).
This is not a fast-and-free approach, but an interesting and fun book which teaches you the basic techniques you will need even if the fast approach suits your personality better. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

--------------
As a young chap, I visited my local Art Gallery here in Bolton (UK) and although I had virtually no interest in art, I found myself mesmerised by the watercolour paintings of Thomas and Paul Sandby (c1700's). Twenty five years later and I still haven't taken a brush to paper - well, not until recently.

Browsing through a bookshop a short while ago, I thumbed through scores of watercolour books and made mental note of how simple the paintings seemed to be. Can't be that difficult can it?

And then....I picked up Dawn's book and was simply amazed by the fine paintings contained therein. Wow! The "Strawberries & Lace" knocked me sideways! I figured that even if I couldn't follow the lessons, my money wouldn't be wasted, because I'd cut out these fine pictures and frame them! :-)

Seriously though, I'd agree with one of the other reviewers and say that this book is perhaps not the ideal beginner's choice. Having said that, this book does serve to inspire you and that's worth more than any amount of "basics".

Don't hesitate....buy it now!

...

I now own over 15 books on watercolor, but Dawn's book was my first as I became aquainted with watercolor through her. It is the only book I have read from cover to cover and completed 6 of the 10 projects. Most books are not clear on the step by step process, not to mention brush strokes and paint colors, including the brand name. Her book is easy to follow, with incrediably professional results. The luckiest student is the one who has her book and is able to study under her. I have been painting for only one year, and because of Dawn and the projects in her book, I have gained the confidence to create my own art and develop my own style, although I believe you are never through learning. I have found that only her book can clearly take you from the beginning to the end of a project, for the beginner or an advanced student wanting a refresher or fine-tuning course.