Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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.

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!!

This book is on the top of my list of books I would recommend to learn to paint and draw flowers in watercolor, and I have a huge number of watercolor painting books to compare it to. It is also great for learning basic watercolor techniques, as the beginning chapter cover everything a beginner would need to know, but it is a book for watercolorists of all levels.

After the basic techniques and materials chapters which are outstanding in themselves, the student is given 26 beautiful flowers to paint, each with detailed instructions, and sometimes close-up views of exactly where the detail such as masking fluid goes, or where the next glaze goes, etc.. Each exercise gives the exact pallet you will need. The instructions are excellent.

I consider myself still a beginner, but was amazed at how beautiful my first flower turned out, and credit most of it to the teaching methods in this book. This book is among the very BEST OF THE BEST to learn from and also to enjoy the beauty of the paintings. I can't think of anything I didn't like about this book. It's tops in every way.

Not all artists can teach, but Adelene Fletcher is definitely a teacher. One thing I like about this book is she tells you all the colours you will need to do each flower in the book, and then gives you some very good instructions in painting them. I have done the first two flowers in the book and thoroughly enjoyed her method of teaching. I am now looking to buy her Trees and Foliage A-Z book but Amazon cannot get it and the other suppliers I've looked at so far do not ship to Canada.

I expect to enjoy this wonderful book for many years. It is the best instructional book on flowers I've purchased to date. It has easy to follow steps and photos to guide you along.

I purchased this book after considering many watercolor painting books on Amazon.com and I'm so glad I did. It is beautiful in every respect. I also got one heck of a good price, too. This book has everything I wanted and more. Super concise and easy instructions and illustrations - just perfect for a beginner like myself. Every step of the painting is shown and explained. You just couldn't go wrong when using this book. I wish I had this book years ago because if I had, I would not have given up trying to paint with watercolors. Now I'm back and I'm going to love every step of learning with this helpful book. Gorgeous photos throughout. You will definitely be inspired!

An Excellent reference for beginning through advanced painters.

Everything needed to paint lovely floral watercolors: Selection of paper and paint colors; step-by-step sequence of demonstrations along with samples of completed "floral portraits".

If I were to own only one book of floral watercolors, this would be it!

I found this book to be very helpful in painting flowers with watercolors. Being new to the medium, this is a very valuable reference.

This is a wonderful book. I have used it to learn flower painting with very good result. Now I send it to a friend, who has borrowed my book for so long time that she now feels guilty and wants one for herself.