Vibrant Watercolours (Collins Artist's Studio) [Hardcover]

Shirley Trevena (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006 | Series: Collins Artist's Studio

Color is one of the most important aspects of painting, and most artists find it both a fascinating and challenging subject. Shirley Trevena, author of Taking Risks with Watercolour, is well-known for her vibrant watercolor style. Here she demonstrates color theory through a series of simple exercises that illustrate how the principles work in practice, with fascinating sections on using just single colors and neutrals, and how to mix colors in unusual ways to create interesting and sometimes unconventional effects. The role of color to evoke mood and atmosphere is also covered, and throughout the book Shirley's stunning watercolors provide valuable inspiration for artists looking to develop their own style. The key features of the book include Explore Further exercises, studio tips, practical projects, Food for Thought discussion points, and step-by-step demonstrations. In addition, to provide a broader view and show different ways of using color, the work of several guest artists is featured.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shirley Trevena is a successful watercolour artist, internationally renowned for her paintings of still life, flowers and landscape imagery. She is a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and has won several watercolour awards -- the Winsor & Newton Award and the Llewellyn Prize. Shirley regularly runs painting workshops and exhibits her work annually at the Mall Galleries, London, and The Orange Steet Gallery, Rutland.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007225237
• ISBN-13: 978-0007225231
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vibrant watercolors, January 15, 2007

By 

Lalu-1900 (Capital Federal Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vibrant Watercolours (Collins Artist's Studio) (Hardcover)

I've found in this book what I expected. Shirley Trevena's art has always bewitched me for she has a way of putting things together in still lifes that are amazing. In this work she has gone further than in "Taking risks in watercolor". This is exactly what it is, taking risks: thinking, designing and painting watercolors in a somewhat different way. Watching the arrangement with favorite colors which she explains why she chooses them and how she combines them on npage 76 on, how to mix them on page 56 and how to achieve maximun impact-as she puts it- on page 88.The paintings are mainly florals and still lifes but she also introduces works by other artists which differ from hers. Still, these other painters are nothing but outstanding. Mrs. Trevena is honest and generous in offering this work of hers. If you`re craving for an extra-ordinary experience, take this trip through colour. You won't regret it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Set Your Painting Free!, April 12, 2008

By 

Dana L. Veach "The Artful Mind" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vibrant Watercolours (Collins Artist's Studio) (Hardcover)

If my paintings had half the bold freedom of those of Shirley Trevena, I'd die happy! Her strokes are loose and confident, her color vital and transparent, her compositions original. The pictures alone are worth the price of the book. But it gets better. She is a generous and competent teacher as well, imparting inspiration and instruction through well conceived exercises designed to get you to put brush to paper. Read the book from cover to cover or sample tips at random. Either way, this is a lovely workshop in both color theory and watercolor technique to challenge the experienced painter and encourage the beginner.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars great paintings, but little instruction, not like earlier book, April 12, 2008

By 

Sandra Cointreau "sandra cointreau" (Roxbury, CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vibrant Watercolours (Collins Artist's Studio) (Hardcover)

Unfortunately, this book does not have the technique instruction of her earlier book, "Taking Risks with Watercolor". Her paintings are wonderful, and her complex compositions have a style that is unique and fascinating, all her own. But it is difficult to understand the techniques, colors, glazes, etc., that might have been used. Disappointing, as I was very keen to learn more.