Watercolor Painting From Photographs [Paperback]

Ron Ranson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

In these beautifully illustrated pages, Ron Ranson shows how to interpret photographs creatively in order to paint watercolors that are fresh, exciting, and original. Several practical projects are included, as well as essential advice on:





• taking suitable reference photographs

• composing your watercolors

• making tonal sketches

• painting skies, trees, water, flowers, figures and buildings

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; First Edition edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823057097
• ISBN-13: 978-0823057092
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and positive approach, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Watercolor Painting From Photographs (Paperback)

This is the second of Ron Ranson's book I've bought--I have the Skies book--and I really like both of them. This book is very encouraging and user friendly. Ranson put a lot of effort into the "how-to" aspect of this book and includes many practical tips and examples, always helpful. Some art books are vague about how to achieve the desired look, but this book includes many concrete suggestions that were very instructive. My only problem is not finding a hake brush I can use--they either shed or rust or both. I hope Mr. Ranson's next book will deal with painting water scenes (seashores, rivers, etc.).

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well worth studying..., June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Watercolor Painting From Photographs (Paperback)

Ranson's concrete advice on how to use photos for subject material is very sensible. It may be true that the best way to paint landscape is "au plein air" but if you live in Canada there are eight months each year when painting outside would not only be a positive health hazard - but the water would freeze on the brush!! Hence I'm glad of a book which acknowledges real life. I produced a pretty nice watercolor in about ten minutes using one of his photos. Well worth reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource book, December 29, 2007

By 

Brenda Yarborough - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watercolor Painting From Photographs (Paperback)

This book is wonderful! Just what I needed to learn more about painting from photos. It is filled with tips, techniques and easy-to-follow demos. I highly recommend it!!