Customer Reviews

Transparent Watercolor Wheel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Watercolor is notoriously tricky. One moment, colors gleam from the paper like jewels. The next moment, a touch of the brush to a color yields nothing but muddy results. The mixing of the pigments is a true science mixed with art because the colors are actually chemicals that interact not only by reflecting light on their own, but also by interacting with other pigments, and reacting with the paper as well.

What to do when you want a particular color effect? Well, you can refer to this book. It has a color wheel organizing the pigments according to how they mix with each other to form secondary tints. Kosvanec gives examples of mixing greys, browns, intermediate tints that are guaranteed NOT to result in a blob of disaster on your painting. He gives quotes from famous artists who reaffirm the problem; one dab of just the wrong color and disaster results. He also includes some fabulous paintings, not only his portraits of native Americans, but those of other well-known artists.

I can't wait to try out Kosvanec's mixtures and suggestions on my next painting. I know I will be referring to this book over and over again.

Kosvanec's book title may not capture your attention, but his book certainly caught mine. He is thorough, clear in his presentation and has a firm grasp on watercolour. His watercolour wheel could become a standard and the one issue I have with the book is that this wheel is not a perforated pull-out. This would have made the book better than 5 stars because you could have a wheel hung up for reference and keep the book intact.

James Kosvanec is a wizard. His understanding of transparent color is wondrous. Before this book I struggled with inconsistent results. My first painting after reading this book was clean and every color sparkled. If you want consistent results get this book.

I am not yet all the way through this book because there is so much to absorb. It is really packed with great information on the reactions/interactions of common watercolor paints, both by brand and color groups and characteristics. I've been painting with watercolor for about 5 years and have read a lot of books on this same subject. This author has brought it all together for me. I'd highly recommend it. The pullout color wheel is on my easel for easy reference

This is a wonderful book! And an absolute must-read for all who are truly interested in turning out great watercolors. Before this book, some of watercolors would turn out so great, and others just dull, and I thought it was due to experience and practice. He revealed the secret. And now I have a lot more confidence in what colors to use on my paintings and control over its results.

Jim Kosvanec also has a great writing style that will keep you reading on. After each section, you will be aching to go out there and try it out.

This book is definitely staying in my library.

Ohhh, so that's why that color mix only went to a gray scale instead of black! Kosvanec gives great tips on the juicy wash; now my $300 worth of paints actually have color. Well worth the price. Be sure to read this book; don't just look at the pretty pictures. I'm still laughing about the quote, "If tube greens were people, I'd beat them up."

Helpful for anyone interested in transparent watercolor - worth the investment!

For the watercolor artist, this is an excellent starting place for basic color properties and their application.

This book cleared up a lot of issues that were keeping me from moving forward in watercolor painting. My sister has been doing diverse art for 30+ years and she also benifited greatly from this book.

This book has great imformation and examples on transparent watercolor painting. I wish all the pictures would have been in color to show the transitions of each example however. The author's style is loose and fun to see. The book was delivered in a timely manner and in great shape.