Watercolor Secrets: An Inside Look at the Techniques of Award-Winning Splash Artists (Splash S.) [Hardcover]

Rachel Rubin Wolf (Author)

Book Description

Series: Splash S. | Publication Date: August 6, 2009

The how behind the wow

Dive deeper into the creative waters that have made North Light Books' Splash: The Best of Watercolor series today's most celebrated showcase of contemporary watercolor paintings. Watercolor Secrets invites you into the studios of 15 Splash artists as they reveal the creative processes behind their stunning work.

From meticulous glazes to loose, luscious color, these artists joyfully embrace watercolor in gloriously individual and expressive ways, sharing their unique journeys inspirations and techniques.

• Step-by-step demonstrations, sketchbook pages and inspiring finished art from 15 modern-day watercolor masters
• Expert tips on creating stunning color, capturing the magic of light, turning on-location sketches into personal keepsakes, designing compositions with impact, and more
• A variety of subjects, including flowers, landscapes, waterscapes, city scenes, interiors and portraits

Whether you are a watercolor artist looking to make a big splash in your own paintings or simply an admirer of this most magical medium, Watercolor Secrets puts you on the inside track to outstanding art.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rachel Rubin Wolf is a freelance writer, editor and artist. She has edited and authored fine art books for North Light Books including all 10 books in the Splash series. Rachel has also written for the magazines Wildlife Art and Fine Art Connoisseur.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; Spi edition (August 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600611400
• ISBN-13: 978-1600611407
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rachel Rubin Wolf is a freelance writer, editor and artist. She has edited and authored fine art books for North Light Books including all 10 books in the Splash series. Rachel has also written for the magazines Wildlife Art and Fine Art Connoisseur.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, August 1, 2009

By 

Carolyn D. "Carolyn" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Watercolor Secrets: An Inside Look at the Techniques of Award-Winning Splash Artists (Splash S.) (Hardcover)

I recommend this book highly. I teach watercolors and got lots of new ideas such as masking out the whites but then using saturated color all over the rest of the painting, WoW! Not a boring page in here.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Step Up from "Splash", September 12, 2009

By 

G. Schultz "Kupuna" (Hawaii Island, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Watercolor Secrets: An Inside Look at the Techniques of Award-Winning Splash Artists (Splash S.) (Hardcover)

The "Splash" watercolor series is known for showcasing skilled watercolorists, but this new "Secrets" format takes the idea forward in a very useful direction. For each artist, "Secrets" adds a significant section about the artist's technique, with illustrations and commentary. Biographies an photos of the artists are also interesting. Not entirely a how-to-do-it book, but much more than just a gallery of images. I would recommend the book for intermediate artists who understand the basics of watercolor and want to expand their techniques.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and insightful, July 10, 2011

By 

Parka (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Watercolor Secrets: An Inside Look at the Techniques of Award-Winning Splash Artists (Splash S.) (Hardcover)

Length:: 0:57 Mins

Watercolor Secrets is an extension of the Splash series of art books. It's the making-of book that showcases the various techniques of various Splash artists.

The book's a hardcover spiral bound with 144 pages. The beautiful cover art is from Fealing Lin.

The techniques featured are accompanied by step-by-step photos of paintings in different stages of completion, from start to finish. I always find myself wondering how those beautiful paintings are created. Well, this book is the answer. Each step is accompanied by detailed artist commentary. They are really generous with sharing ideas.

Besides the demonstrations, there are a few other pieces of stunning work included in each artist's gallery. The short artist biographies are nice and there are interesting photos of their workspace.

This is an inspiring and insightful book.

Recommended to intermediate and advanced watercolour artists. Beginners can also get the book to see the wonderful versatility of watercolour as a medium.

The list of artists included are:

- Robin Berry
- Donna Jill Witty
- Fealing Lin
- Cindy Brabec-King
- Judy Morris
- James Toogood
- Guy Magallanes
- Catherine O'Neill
- Donald Patterson
- Mark De Mos
- Margaret M. Martin
- Judi Betts
- Pat San Soucie
- Paul McCormack

(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)