Webb on Watercolor [Hardcover]

Frank Webb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1990

Popular painter and workshop instructor Webb helps artists learn how to see, to develop good habits of craft, and to stoke the flame of enthusiasm.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Going beyond the usual array of technical exercises and exploring the philosophy of art, Webb offers an unusually sophisticated and idiosyncratic approach to watercolor. The book wisely seeks to inspire artistic self-discovery rather than merely to teach Webb's particular style. Since, in his words, "painting is more caught than taught," he stresses the importance of how one sees before the painting process begins. Discussions of the synthesis of abstraction and realism are supported by clear and dramatic technical examples. Unlike many watercolor books, Webb's covers a broad spectrum of subjects beyond traditional landscapes. An unusually literate manual, this is recommended for most collections.
- Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib. Inc., Amherst, Mass.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1st edition (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891343466
• ISBN-13: 978-0891343462
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite simply the best all-round "how-to" watercolor book., February 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Webb on Watercolor (Paperback)

If you're looking for a general purpose, intelligent and informed book on watercolor, this is it. Webb -- formerly an illustrator/graphic artist -- has designed chapters on motivation, materials, setup, color and values, techniques, composition, design, all illustrated by examples painted by other top painters as well as himself. This is accompanied by pithy, appropriate one-liners quoted from philosophers, artists -- whoever his incredible memory finds the most apt. He encourages painters to experiment, take risks -- after learning the necessary first. As a watercolor instructor, and author of a book on outdoor landscape painting in watercolor, I recommend Frank Webb's two books, Nita Leland's book on color, and David Lewis' "Watercolour Painting Techniques." That's all you need for starters.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Years of watercolor experience condensed in one book., September 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Webb on Watercolor (Paperback)

Webb is a natural teacher who is easy to follow from basic concepts to complex compositions. He has an innate ability to take painting beyond capturing likeness to how the subject is structured or feels. His book would be helped by more step-by-step sequences for technique or process analysis. Thanks Frank for a great reference book. Two thumbs up from Totino and Busby.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words (almost) fail me..., October 28, 2010

By 

silversurf (Planet of Paint) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Webb on Watercolor (Paperback)

I wanted to write a short review, but I'm find it hard to encapsulate what makes this book so special. Guess that's why I'm a painter, not a writer:). But seriously, this is a book that explains the thought process behind an apparently spontaneous work of art. Mr. Webb's painings look loose and carefree, as though they were painted in immediate response to a colorful scene. But, it takes tremendous discipline to creat that illusion of freedom. The book explains the author's method of developing an idea through a disciplined design process BEFORE the actual painting begins. He explains the purpose of preliminary drawings, how to design a pattern of values, how to sift out the bad ideas and develop the best one,and much more. This is not the only book to address this subject, but I think it is especially valuable because of the author's loose and free painting style. If you look at work by a painter who works in a more tighly rendered formal style, it is easy to accept that preliminary drawings and studies must have been done beforehand. But when you see the careful thought that stands behind these lively explosions of color and pattern, it makes the point even more dramatic. Even if you do not wish to paint in a similar style, you can benefit from a knowledge of the design principles in this book, as they are applicable to just about any painting style you may choose.