Customer Reviews

Watercolor Workbook

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

 

 

I use this a lot. I like the artist's original work, the clear format, and the description of the work of a few famous watercolorists. I refer to this book often, and enjoy just looking through it too. A very good book.

Although I'm not exactly a beginner (more of an intermediate watercolor enthusiast), I learned qute a bit from this book, which is relatively small in size but rich in instruction. I thought I knew quite a bit about mixing colors but found the lessons here to be worth reviewing. The author also lists basic palettes for those interested in drawing flowers and landscapes and guides readers through basic flower shapes with explanations of how to paint them. I spent many hours practicing the various flowers and was richly rewarded with some clear, non-muddy pictures. Although the title "A Complete Course" may be a bit misleading (I'm not sure there is ever a COMPLETE course in watercolor painting), this would certainly fill the bill for any beginning watercolor painter and I found the results even better than many beginning or intermediate watercolor courses I'd taken - and certainly less expensive.

I wanted to learn to paint watercolors...I knew nothing....It was great....You know its a good book when you complete all lessons cover to cover.

This is a nice book and it may allow a beginner to paint a pretty picture. It briefly discusses the basics -- paper, brushes, paints, some brush and masking methods. The problem lays in that the pictures will come out looking mechanically made (much like a child's watercolor) and the book provides no real basis for artistic growth after completing it.
I am an absolute beginner: new to watercolor, new to painting, new to drawing and new to art. I need all the help I can get. This was the first watercolor book I brought. I put it aside to read another, and upon returning I was dismayed by how limited and dead-ended this book was. In fact, I now consider it a bit of a trap. I recommend choosing a more advanced beginner book -- you will go further faster, and still have room to grow.

I have always wanted to be able to use watercolors. I have tried using other beginner books, but was never successful because they didn't begin with the very basics and lead gradually up from there. Instead, they covered the very basics and then jumped up to a higher level, skipping things. My attempts at the projects were very disappointing and I didn't feel like I was learning anything I could then take away and apply on my own. This book is different. Anne Elsworth says she has learned "how common this disappointmenting experience is ... and how to avoid it." "Steady progress, with the satisfaction of achievement at every stage" is what she promises. And what she delivers. I was delighted with my achievements. Even better, after each project I found that I could then do similar projects on my own, to practice the lesson or simply because I wanted to paint something. I wasn't just copying. Before I had finished the book I was able to make satisfactory landscapes and watercolor sketches of our travels in our sailing log. Now that I am well launched, I can learn from trips to the art museum and from other books, some of the more sophisticated ones. The whole world looks different to me, more colorful. I look forward to years of happy painting. If you are a very beginner, or have been disappointed by your early efforts, you need this book. It works!

The book is great for new painters. It gives great descriptions of the techniques needed as well as all the necessary supplies in order to fully complete assignments.