Watercolor: A New Beginning: A Holistic Approach to Painting [Paperback]

Ann Lindsay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

The perfect choice for newcomers to the medium, this primer takes a refreshingly free approach to watercolor painting, letting readers explore at their own pace. The author guides beginners in learning the language of color and imagery in their own way while exploring the possibilities inherent to this lively, capricious medium. 200 color illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lindsay's approach to teaching watercolor emerges from somewhere between the traditional art world and the deep, mystic spaces of the self. In her words, "Watercolor likes to be danced with, not controlled." Relearn the playfulness of childhood, she argues; abandon the constant worry of whether the work is "good" or done the "right" way. If you concentrate on the processAthe experience of paintingAquality will emerge on its own. There are several fine books on watercolor from the rational school, like Jack Reid's Watercolor Basics: Let's Get Started (LJ 12/98). Lindsay's unique work will strike a chord with many beginning artists who respond to a more personal, even spiritual tone. So handsomely designed that it's hard to resist leafing through it, this holistic tome is highly recommended.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823056384
• ISBN-13: 978-0823056385
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #490,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guilt-free watercolor, November 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Watercolor: A New Beginning: A Holistic Approach to Painting (Paperback)

I've been wanting to paint with watercolor but all the books out there does not even describe how difficult the medium is. I'd follow the instruction only to find a dissapointing result that my painting looks nothing like the illustration. More over, many of the equipments (such as paper, brushes, paints) are all way too expensive to allow me for a 'mistake'.

Following the instruction in this book, there is no wrong way or result. In fact, it brings the fun back to the art, the main reason why I picked it up in the first place! There's plenty of time and exercises for experimentation and developing a feeling of how the watercolor works, rather than heavy logical technique of mixing colors, brushing strokes, etc. Best of all, this book only require minimum equipment with only 3 brushes and 4 tubes of paints!

I highly recommed this book for someone who is a beginner and sensitive about their art, like me. I'd recommend this also for children or adult who have been having a bad experience in painting/drawing in the past. It has surely encouraged me to paint some more, without guilt. A truly enjoyable book!

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Play, Fun, Delight, Joy--Lessons from a Gifted Teacher!, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Watercolor: A New Beginning: A Holistic Approach to Painting (Paperback)

Ann Lindsay's holistic approach to water color has givien me a fresh chance to learn intuitively...and with delight...to adventure into unmapped terrain as a child does...to bypass those voices of fear and doubt...to nurture, to validate, and even to liberate creative impulses never before encountered... Ann Lindsay is a gifted guide and teacher, whose approach has been quite literally life-changing. Her book takes you by the hand and lays out the basic steps with simplicity and ease...no rights or wrongs...just experiments and explorations...followed with gentle, attentive questions about the experience. How did it go? What was fun? What happened that you liked? Or didn't? How did it feel? What did you see? The lessons follow upon one another beautifully, providing just enough structure to get going comfortably...with plenty of room to find one's way...to make wonderful discoveries about the process. This is a guidebook, and its value shines in the doing and in the trying out. Only after the journey had started did I realize how skillfully and sensitively I was being led. As a psychologist, I recognize that her integration of left and right brain processes makes absolute sense...as a spiritual seeker I believe the deep importance of her emphasis on connecting with the inner resource and listening to the voice of the heart...and as a beginning student of watercolor I know that her encouragement and her accompaniment have been just what I needed to break through those mighty barriers of inadequacy and impossibility. Entrusting myself to the processes in which Ann Lindsay invites us to participate continues to be an experience of discovery and joy.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fun and transformative approach to exploring watercolor, February 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Watercolor: A New Beginning: A Holistic Approach to Painting (Paperback)

I found this book, and Ann Lindsay's approach to watercolor painting, nothing short of transformative. The book leads you through a fun series of explorations while addressing ways to let go of the kind of negative inner judgment that inhibits so many of us from feeling we can try something new and creative.

The "lessons" build on one another introducing techniques in a playful way. For a while you think, "well, this IS a lot of fun, but is it getting me somewhere?" and then suddenly - maybe around lesson 4 or 5 - it is all starts coming together in very exciting ways.

The book is beautiful with absolutely clear step by step color illustrations and a wonderful writing style. I was so excited about this book, I gave it to a number of people and they have all also actually used it and become excited about it. Following this technique, I was able to begin painting things in watercolor that I really like in a very short time. I know that Ann Lindsay's approach really allowed me to get beyond the anxiety I had about whether what I was doing was "good enough" so that I could feel free to explore. I can feel the benefits of letting go of that self-judgment spreading into other areas of my life as well.

I'd highly recommend this book to anybody. A few of the people I gave it to work with children in schools and have told me that they have been using it in their work with some exciting results. Others I know with varying levels of previous artistic experience have all said they really enjoyed it and found it helpful. So get this book!