Watercolor by Design: Classic Designs to Inspire New Creative Directions [Paperback]

Marianne K. Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

• Twelve classic design motifs make
composition simple


• Six variations on a design theme for each
motif, plus ten artist examples in styles
from realistic to abstract


• Great for beginners, illuminating for pros



Composition is one of the great puzzles of watercolor painting. Watercolor by Design solves that puzzle! Author Marianne Brown shows artists how to create innovative paintings using twelve classic design motifs, grouped by type: cruciform, horizontal bar, and vertical bar; checkerboard, asymmetric, and staggered grids; radial, cantilever, and pyramid; and frame in frame, allover pattern, and floating shapes. The properties and impact of each motif are explained, then reinforced with six variations on a design theme for each motif, followed by at least ten creative examples by different artists working in different styles from realism to abstract to illustrate the possibilities. Packed with ideas and information, Watercolor by Design lets both new and experienced artists make composition work for them.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marianne K. Brown has taught watercolor and design for thirty years. Her work has been shown in many art magazines, including Watercolor Magic and The International Artist Magazine, and several books on watercolor painting. She lives in Moraga, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; First Edition edition (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823059952
• ISBN-13: 978-0823059959
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.2 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New ideas in Watercolor, February 27, 2008

By 

Valeria A. Misle R. (Quito, Ecuador) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watercolor by Design: Classic Designs to Inspire New Creative Directions (Paperback)

Watercolor for me is one of the most difficult media in the art world. Once you put your color on it is hard, but not impossible, to fix your mistakes, but in this book I learned to have fun with watercolors by creating different designs at the same time. This means that I lost most of my fear with this watercolor technique. I never thought of using watercolor in such an abstract and fun way. I loved this book.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars looking at watercolour by design, January 15, 2007

By 

Brian A. Kehoe (Emu Park Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watercolor by Design: Classic Designs to Inspire New Creative Directions (Paperback)

Much of the material was valuable but the illustrating pictures were somewhat disappointing.The subject was very wide but the aspects selected were the ones most often met.

9 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Inspiring, August 30, 2006

By 

Cheryl E. Mazer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watercolor by Design: Classic Designs to Inspire New Creative Directions (Paperback)

This book is written with intelligence, artistic experience and talent. I learned a great deal from the author. It's a must have for every artist, from beginner to advanced.
Cheryl Mazer