The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor

This book is for anyone who wants to learn about painting with watercolours. It covers many, many subjects and how to create the look you are trying to achieve. I think of this as a text, like in school, which I am sure it is used. I have thumbed through it but definitely use it as a reference along with my other "reference" materials rather than one for unusual techniques or inspiration.I would suggest this for anyone who is starting out through intermediate, advanced painters would already know this stuff. Also, this is in the style that I really do not like, more traditional watercolour but you have to learn the basics before anything else.I started out in oils and was good at it but paintings took to long to finish. Just an impatient gal, then I took up acrylics and did not like them. Then went to water colour and loved it but needed to learn how to use them and my style is, kind of realism kind of abstract. This book helped out a lot as far as learning how to use the paint but not really for creating my own style of painting. Also, it is all about nature.I also took up coloured pencil, Derwents, Prismacolor and Faber Castell and LOOOOVED them. They also make water colour pencils that you can use with paint or just the pencil. They are fantastic. I like the Derwents the best, especially since they also have a Ink water based pencil that will not wash out of fabric, so you can draw on scarves and make one of a kind. This book helped with that also.I just wish I had bought this when I started painting.For any Artist:Color Mixing Bible, by Ian Sidaway_____________________________Also, if you want to know about Color theory to get even better....COLOR WORKS, the crafter Guide to Color by Deb MenzFOR ANYONE who wants to knwo about Color Theory this test breaks it down so that ANYONE can understand this subject. I learnt more about color theory in this book than all others put together because I now "Understand" the concept.While this book is for the textile artist, ALL artists should get it and is also has cut outs to use when choosing your colour palette whether it be for Fashion Design or Art.For Watercolour:Water Colour in motion, O'ConnorPainting Watercolour that dance with light, KincaidPainting flowers with Impact in Watercolour, CollinsJean Haine's Atmosphere WatercoloursWatercolour from the Heart, NechisVibrant Flowers in Watercolour by Soon Y. Warren is just off the hookColour Pencils and Graphite:Ultimate Guide to Colored Pencil, GreeneColored Pencil Secrets for Success, KullbergColoured Pencil Solution Book, Gildow and NewtonMasterful colour, SteinbergColored Pencil Painting Bible, NickelsenPaint Radiant Realism in Watercolour, Ink and colored Pencil, RossDrawing Realistic Textures in Pencil, HillberryThose are just my favorites so far, I have a ton as I believe that you need to keep learning to stay fresh.

I really like the book and its treatment of different problems or areas of concern while painting in nature. This book is definitely not a "hand-holder". It takes a problem, analyzes it, and shows how to overcome it or deal with it. My 1 star ding is because sometimes I'm left with the feeling that my concern wasn't really dealt with or not completely. Each problem area is covered in 2-4 pages with a couple of photos or illustrations which is good enough to minimally cover the topic. What it does show is very good and the 400 pages covers a lot of territory. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in watercolor. It might leave novices hanging and advanced painters underwhelmed at times but I believe that, for the price, everyone will get their money's worth.

As a beginning artist, I tend to accumulate technique books. "The Big Book of Painting Nature in Watercolor" has been one of my most useful watercolor books. It is, in fact, the book that my watercolor instructor uses for reference material for her students.The book covers a wide variety of techniques, each in the context of a short, complete, step-by-step project which results in a good-looking painting (I occasionally frame one). Techniques covered include seeing colors, mixing, washes, underpaintings, tilting paper, dry brush, use of wet vs. damp vs. dry paper, various uses and methods for lifting, reflections, lighting, contrast, and many, many more techniques, settings, and approaches to challenging scenes. I learn something different from each project.One implicitly learns the art of simplification and watercolor expression by comparing each projects' nature scene photograph with its respective final painting. That mindset, plus the book's setting-specific techniques, carries over to painting similar scenes outside of the book. It is important to supplement the cookbook nature of the book by applying the same techniques to one's own photo references, and to painting live in nature.

I wouldn't call this a book for beginners, but for intermediate watercolorists who are trying to get better and struggling to find a way to paint different objects, its great. The book's premise is that one person takes a photo and the author, John Shaw paints a picture based on the photo. Have you ever struggled to get skies just right, to figure out how to paint grasses, or breaking waves? This book will help. As I said, there is no step-by-step instructions, just the examples of the watercolor image beside the photo. It is, as the title says, a big book with lots of examples.

Truely an art instruction book without cutesy gimmicks and tricks but plenty of serious, usable content.This book is loaded with reference photos of natural subjects, landscapes, skies, trees and step by step of how to paint them. There is a basic review of materials for painting in watercolor and color theory, a suggested palette, and a review of basic watercolor techniques. It is a big heavy book and the table of contents is descriptive, making images and lessons easy to find. I can't find anything wrong with this volume. There are plenty of valuable lessons, tips and resources inside which I would consider essential for anyone wanting to add to their watercolor painting skills.

This book is one to read through to learn -- not just do the practice paintings. Being a newbie to watercolor, this book has really helped me to view nature through a different set of eyes. He helps you see the "what do I want this picture to focus on" instead of microdetailing every possible detail in view. I am now finding myself looking at nature figuring out the details and what would I want to paint as the focus. I think this book goes very well with Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Watercolor by Marian Appellof -- good pair with minimal redundancy.

If, like me, you are an artist, then you cannot go wrong with this lovely book. It is full of tips and pictures.I have been painting for 20 years or more, but I do love this book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes painting.

I haven't been able to go through the whole book yet but from what I can see it's very well written with lessons for the watercolour student where he/she can go step by step through each painting.

Huge book, so much wonderful info

Great book for learning to do watercolor painting

If you are looking for detailed steps, this book is sure to disappoint. It goes from a photograph to the finished work with pretty much nothing in between. So while helpful in showing how other painters have transformed reality into an artwork, you are left with the challenge of how to get from A to Z. While this book may help inspire you, it may not really "teach" much.