The Tao of Watercolor: A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting (Zen of Creativity) [Paperback]

Jeanne Carbonetti (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zen of Creativity | Publication Date: March 1, 1998

Combining the best of Eastern philosophy with the best of Western technique, this book is the first in a three-part series that offers inspiring and empowering advice for artists and creators of all levels. 100 color illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 1st edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823050572
• ISBN-13: 978-0823050574
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 0.3 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Watercolor

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the place to learn watercolor - or much else, April 9, 2003

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Cat from Belmont (Belmont, MA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Tao of Watercolor: A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting (Zen of Creativity) (Paperback)

I purchased this book hoping that it would help me loosen up my watercolor painting. I was disappointed enough to return it, something I rarely do. Clearly, this author has found an enthusiastic audience to which to sell these books and her paintings, but I suspect they are something of a fringe group. That's fine, but I recommend you look over this book thoroughly before committing to purchasing it. There is basically no instruction that will teach you to do a watercolor painting in anything but vague, fuzzy, garishly colored (she really, really likes bright pink) paintings that call to my mind the tie-died T-shirts of the 60's. I was also put off by the self-portrayal of the author as a kind of artistico-spiritual guru. In her experience, she says, all watercolor students fall into one of two categories: those who never finish a picture because they are too hung up on doing things just so, and those who would like to play but don't know how--left brain types and right brain types. She assures us she has had an epiphany and is now beyond such limitations. If you buy her books, she'll share her higher wisdom. Well, good for her, she's got her audience. There are Taoist quotes at the beginning of the chapters, but if you want to explore that philosophy, you'd be better off with a source that truly addresses it. If you want to learm how to do watercolors, this is not the place to do it.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of The Tao of Watercolor by Jeanne Carbonetti, January 19, 2000

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[e-mail] (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tao of Watercolor: A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting (Zen of Creativity) (Paperback)

If you started painting with watercolor because you love the color and flow of the paint, this is an excellent book. I found this book extremely helpful in learning watercolor techniques that focus on the flow of the watercolor itself and not drawing. Jeanne Carbonetti helps the painter understand how to let the watercolor itself dictate what the painting is to become by allowing colors to do what they will while still maintaining control of the medium. Reality is added only near the end. This book gave me a great start but actually working with the artist solidified my understanding of the techniques and my own style of painting with watercolor. Carbonetti's style really allows watercolors to sing and have depth.

48 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Long on Spirituality, Short on Technique, December 15, 2000

By 

Hubies Brother "Printmaker" (NY State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tao of Watercolor: A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting (Zen of Creativity) (Paperback)

Ms. Carbonetti is much given to cosmic pronouncements and spiritual ramblings that have little to do with putting paint on paper. She might be forgiven these epic conceits, though, if only she'd spill the beans about exactly how she concocted the appealing pictures in the book. This is not a step-by-step account that might provide practical help to groundlings like me, but a hymnal for an Oriental temple. Bottom line: I like what she does, but I still don't know exactly how she does it.