The One-Hour Watercolorist (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While the many nuances and individual details of fine art may not be something that one can learn solely from a book, some how-to books, like The One-Hour Watercolorist, can really help in getting started. This book provides a valuable source of technical information that can help the paint-shy art lover take a big first step in putting brush to paper. The title may be slightly exaggerated, as many of the paintings take more than an hour, but the point is to show that by breaking down a work into steps, something substantial can be accomplished in a relatively short period.

Author Patrick Seslar uses examples from professional watercolorists to point out practical tips like color combinations, uses for liquid masking tape, and examples of different brush sizes and their respective strokes. There is the assumption that the reader will be somewhat comfortable with his or her drawing skills. For those who are not, Seslar advocates the use of a little technology such as photographs, slides, and opaque projectors as a means to create an image. Throughout the book we are shown watercolors in their various stages, and one can begin to see the dramatic differences that each layer of paint makes. The paintings shown vary in theme from children and animals to close-ups of flowers and fruit to trees and the ocean. Included are brief biographies of the watercolorists whose works are shown as examples throughout the book. --J.P. Cohen

Product Description

No matter how little free time artists have available for painting, this book gives them the confidence and skill they need to make the most of every second. They'll learn a variety of timesaving techniques, including how to:

* build an idea file, use reference photos, and play "what if?" to stimulate creative juices
* turn rough ideas into great compositions quickly by using rapid sketching techniques, working from photographs and using their home computer
* master essential painting techniques that will help them get the most out of every painting session
* plan work in advance to make the most of their time

Readers will soon be able to create simple finished paintings within sixty minutes and attack larger and more complex images by breaking them down into a series of "bite-sized" one-hour sessions.

* 12 step-by-step demos make learning easy and fun
* This unique concept hits directly on a consumer need for timesaving techniques
* Contains clear, insightful instruction by a variety of North Light style artists

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1st edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581800355
• ISBN-13: 978-1581800357
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #454,168 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

125 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Success from the start with watercolors, February 23, 2001

By	Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

I have been painting watercolors my entire life, but I picked up this book because of the title. One of the great secrets of watercolor painting is NOT to overwork a painting; hence, one hour (more or less) is enough. If you begin to overwork the painting, you run the risk of ruining it.

This book has no drawing instructions; if you are weak in drawing skills, pick up a drawing course book (they can really help) or use the suggestion in the book to project slides on a wall or to use an opaque projector. If that sounds like "cheating" be comforted that many professional artists use these tools to help, especially when doing large super-realistic paintings. Don't worry that this is "tracing" because the work of putting paint to paper takes skill and practice. It is NOT coloring book work.

This book also gives important advice about paper and paints; this is helpful as using the wrong paper will just frustrate you. In addition it helps to copy some of the exercises in the book and follow the stages of putting the layers of paint on. This again isn't "coloring book" copying; copying work is a very good artistic exercise to learn technique.

In short, if you are starting watercolor, this is an excellent book to try.