The Watercolor Flower Painter's A to Z: An Illustrated Directory of Techniques for Painting 50 Popular Flowers [Hardcover]

Adelene Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2001

Flowers are an ideal subject for painters. They can be chosen to suit one's mood and arranged however desired. Even a garden of modest size can offer a profusion of subject matter. And watercolor is the ideal medium for painting flowers. This unique watercolor artist's guide offers easy to follow, plant specific information on how to paint over 50 of the most popular flower species. Along with step by step photographs, details and instructions for capturing the essence of each flower, the book includes information on the appropriate techniques and color mixes to use.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adelene Fletcher trained as a textile designer at the Manchester College of Art and she has exhibited at a number of venues, including the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours in England. She also teaches watercolor painting and has been running adult art courses for over 20 years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (October 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581802145
• ISBN-13: 978-1581802146
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #483,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book of floral how-to; very useful and beautiful, September 29, 2004

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Watercolor Flower Painter's A to Z: An Illustrated Directory of Techniques for Painting 50 Popular Flowers (Hardcover)

I bought this book based on the cover alone; I was planning a new series of sunflower floral paintings and the cover just spoke to me. The book has, as the title says, fifty types of flowers, organized alphabetically by Latin name, and a method to paint each. This method is more or less realistic, but not super-realism; the technique is loose enough. The back section contains recommendations for composition using crystal, vases, bouquets and other floral motifs.

What I got out of the book were very helpful palette suggestions PLUS a discussion of the flower structure and how to paint it. What I did with it was to paint in MY style, which is more loose and expressionistic, and use these ideas for springboards for my own technique. I knocked off the study for the series of sunflowers-paintings-to-be and was VERY pleased with the result. This book helped me achieve my goal in the painting.

Of course, I enjoy just reading the book for the pure pleasure of the author's beautiful technique. If you do floral watercolors, this is, in my opinion, a must-own volume. Highly recommended.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tried and True Techniques, April 8, 2002

By 

W. Downing (Hamilton, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Watercolor Flower Painter's A to Z: An Illustrated Directory of Techniques for Painting 50 Popular Flowers (Hardcover)

I found this book to offer a number of useful pointers on techniques to use when painting a number of common and not-so-common flowers. Brush techniques, suggested color pallets and so forth were set out clearly for each of the plant specimens shown in the book. Use of these techniques and examples will help to add life to your botanical paintings whether you prefer a "botanical illistration" or a more painterly approach to watercolor.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative & Beautiful, February 24, 2006

By 

James K. Gammill "Better Book Half" (MISSISSIPPI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Watercolor Flower Painter's A to Z: An Illustrated Directory of Techniques for Painting 50 Popular Flowers (Hardcover)

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever purchased. Even if I did not paint, I would want to share this beauty in my living room on a beautiful piece of furniture, so that all who came could enjoy it. In fact after I purchased the first one, I then ordered 2 more for birthday gifts for artist friends of mine. Don't hesitate, it is well worth the money. In addition, I also purchased Adelene Fletcher's book entitled "The Watercolorist's A-Z of Trees & Foliage!! It is just as wonderful!!