Watercolor in Motion: How to Create Powerful Paintings, Step by Step (Book & DVD) [Spiral-bound]

Birgit Oconnor (Author)

Book Description

Series: Book & DVD | Publication Date: April 11, 2008

It's the interplay between water and paint that makes this medium so exciting. It's no wonder, then, that wet-into-wet is one of the most popular methods for painting in watercolor. This unique book/DVD workshop shows you how to "go with the flow," moving watercolor across the page to create gorgeous paintings.

• Covers everything from selecting the best papers, paints and brushes, to achieving intense color passages, the illusion of depth and lively shadows.
• 10 exercises and 15 step-by-step demonstrations illustrate important lessons on shapes, complementary colors, masking fluid, glazing and more.
• Techniques are illustrated with Birgit O'Connor's bold and beautiful flowers, but are applicable to any subject.
• DVD shows key techniques in action - blending colors, creating hard and soft edges, and painting water drops - as well as troubleshooting common problems with washes.

Watercolor has a reputation for being unpredictable. But the secret to success, as you'll learn here, is using the right amount of water, which lets you have more control ... and fun!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Birgit O'Connor teaches watercolor workshops and has written for several magazines, including Watercolor Magic, The Artist's Magazine and Artist's Sketchbook. She has produced 12 of her own watercolor instruction videos. Her award-winning work has been seen in four galleries, numerous private and corporate collections, and dozens of one-woman and group shows. Her website, www.birgitoconnor.com, features her videos and other materials for watercolorists.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (April 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581808836
• ISBN-13: 978-1581808834
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars moving colors, September 16, 2008

By 

Elizabeth Lewis (San Jose, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watercolor in Motion: How to Create Powerful Paintings, Step by Step (Book & DVD) (Spiral-bound)

I am a painter of watercolors, mostly self-taught with the use of books. The appearance of this book is very striking, with an unusual and very interesting layout. The illustrations are excellent, and the text clearly describes each step in the fascinating art of watercolor painting. Even though the emphasis is mostly on flower themes, the methods can be applied effectively to any other theme as well. Personally, I am finding it very helpful for improving my process of learning to paint portraits. Although the book itself is a very useful guide, I have learned even more by repeatedly watching the attached DVD with its live illustrations of how to work with watercolors. I realized that this kind of guide was the missing link in my own learning. Although I have watched many YouTube videos on the process of painting with watercolors, in general I have not found them particularly useful. The DVD is very well structured, the technical quality is good, and the educational technique is effective. I have found it very useful.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best watercolor book I've ever purchased!, April 7, 2008

By 

texasdeb (Arlington, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watercolor in Motion: How to Create Powerful Paintings, Step by Step (Book & DVD) (Spiral-bound)

Although this book mainly concentrates on florals, it addresses many common issues that newby watercolorists face. I've take a couple of classes but Ms. O'Conner makes her instruction clear and fun! I certainly have a better understanding of what effects water and wet vs. dry paper has. Thanks very a wonderful book and the DVD is a fab bonus!

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, May 11, 2008

By 

Carol Lagrow (Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Watercolor in Motion: How to Create Powerful Paintings, Step by Step (Book & DVD) (Spiral-bound)

Be sure to buy this book/dvd. It is great. The beginning is fairly typical of this kind of book and good for a beginner. Then Birgit gets into the instruction portion and she does a great job. Lots of good info, well written, good photos to go along with the text portions. Great colors. Really like her wet into wet techniques. Really enjoy the dvd also. Be sure to buy it! Hopefully she is working on her next book and dvd.