Watercolor from the Heart [Hardcover]

Barbara Nechis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1993

Nechis encourages experimentation with watercolors, stressing that artists who take risks develop faster than those who abide by the rules. After presenting traditional methods, Nechis shows how to play with them and how the natural environment inspires new ways of seeing and painting. 175 full-color illus.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 1St Edition edition (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823016242
• ISBN-13: 978-0823016242
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful creative approach to watercolor painting, November 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Watercolor from the Heart (Hardcover)

Barbara Nechis is not only a gifted painter (a real original artist) but an excellent teacher, if this book is a way to judge her. Her techniques and explanations are as good as her beautiful impressionistic and very original painting style. A book to treasure and to learn from.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than "heart", March 22, 2002

By 

wai-wai "wai-wai" (Emeryville, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watercolor from the Heart (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoy this book and would recommend this to anyone who likes to paint in watermedia. Barbara Nechis provides an approach to creativity in painting that is both thought provoking and pragmatic--a very difficult combination. I particularly like the humor in her tips about the "don't" myths of watercolor painting. There is also frankness in how she takes advantage of "mistakes" that actually illustrates her approach to creativity. She is generous with the techniques that she shares--I have tried them and they really work!
So far what she has proposed as approaches to painting background are the most helpful to me--and other budding artists who are struggling with the balance of painting the subject and the background. Other books talk about planning the whole painting and working on the background first, Barbara gives you enough approaches and techniques for you to try with some confidence for success. I paid full price from a bookstore--still think it is worth every penny. Buy it.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly inspirational book on how to become creative, October 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Watercolor from the Heart (Hardcover)

I have read and re-reread this book many times, and each time I learn something new.

I marvel at how Barbara Nechis lets the watercolor itself do the painting, and how we, the artist can aid in its completion, from our hearts and subconscious. I enjoy reading books like this which encourage departing from the 'rules' and letting the imagination take over.