A Sweeping Look at Watercolor How-To, March 24, 2008

By 

Christopher M. Uehlein –

  

Jan Hart’s book, The Watercolor Artist’s Guide to Exceptional Color, is such an attractive and useful book. Beginners, as well as experienced painters, will be excited to have it in their hands. Ms. Hart gives much practical information for the beginning watercolorist as well as for those who have been painting for some time.

But like all instruction books, it has its good points and its not-so-good points. Its strong points far outweigh its weaker points. While I recommend it very enthusiastically,
I would not use the superlatives that other reviewers have used ~ calling it the “bible”of watercolor, or “fabulous”, or saying there’s no need to read anything else! Such extremes and generalities always make me a little suspicious. They do not help me at all. The kind of reviews that I do find helpful are those that tell me WHY the reviewer feels the way he or she does. A review is also helpful if it tells, even in a general way, what I can expect to find in a book. That’s what I propose to do here.

After a brief, general introduction, there’s a section explaining the composition of paints, what they are made of. The author gives a fine explanation of the technical data on watercolor labels. She groups colors in general categories of the primaries: reds, yellows, blues; the secondaries: oranges, greens, purples; and a stand-alone group, the magentas. The practical application of this material is shown in three close-up demonstration paintings. This is followed by a brief treatment of basic mixing, again with practical suggestions for exercises that will enable the reader to learn from his or her own experience. Then color theory is approached through examination of the color wheel.

After this introductory material, the book is organized in three large sections. The publisher has not made it possible to look inside this book on line. So I will list for you here the topics covered in each section. They are enticing.
Section 1, Pigment Properties
Pigment properties gallery, Transparent non staining paints, Permanent staining pigments, Sedimentary and opaque paints, Granulation, Wet-into-wet pigment actions, Underpainting, Glazing
Section 2, Pigment Aesthetics
Pigment aesthetics gallery, Comparing color schemes, Primary palette, Six-color palette, Analogous color palette, Complementary palette, Split-complement palette, Tetradic color scheme, Tertiary colors, The Velazquez palette, High and low color key, Color value, Color temperature, Neutrals
Section 3, Choosing Pigments for Painting
Choosing and using a color scheme in a painting, Light, shade and shadow, Backgrounds, Skies and clouds, Waterscapes, Buildings, Flowers and plants, Animals, Landscapes and trees, Portraits and figures.

The book closes with a brief but practical treatment of the different types of paints, brushes, papers and other equipment. Then the author gives an engaging account of new developments. Finally, there’s an excellent Index and a page of credits, 128 pages in all.

The following are among the book’s many strong points:
1) It has a very clear and logical layout with beautifully inviting color on every page.
2) Each topic within the three large sections of the book has a small list called, “Some things to consider.” I find such key observations and suggestions so helpful. They focus on the more important points that have been treated in the topic at hand. And they often clarify something that I did not readily grasp in the text.
3) One of the most valuable features of Ms. Hart’s book is that it reproduces not only her own works, but also those of many other artists. This provides the reader with a broad perspective of many possible styles and approaches to the watercolor medium. It’s a delight just to page through the book and study the richness of the varied possible ways of painting in watercolor.
4) There are many step-by-step demonstrations. Most of these are made up of a photograph followed by three stages of the painting ~ first, a broad wash or two with a few structural details only hinted at; second, greater definition worked into or over the original wash; and third, the finished painting with final details. This system of demonstration shows so well how photographs serve best as mere references, rather than as critically demanding models.
5) The book deals with just about any kind of subject matter you can imagine: landscapes in varied seasons and weather conditions, climates and terrain; animals; florals and plant life; urban and rural buildings; cityscapes; seascapes and other natural forms of water; skyscapes; still lifes; portraits and figures.
6) The author’s free use of color demonstrates so well that it is not necessary to paint a subject strictly in its natural hues.
For example, one demo shows the same cat in the same pose painted in…

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Great color reference watercolor book, March 26, 2008

By 

P. M. Frank “medical info person” (Sierra Madre) –

  

Numerous color palettes shown; many excellent and various art examples by professional watercolorists in a wide variety of color schemes. Everything printed in full color. Terrific book for a beginner and yet extremely helpful for advanced watercolor artists. The book is divided up into sections, for example, “Light, Shade and Shadow”,”Wet In Wet”,”Backgrounds”, “Clouds and Skies”, “Portraits” “Flowers”, “Paper” and “What’s New”. Also a lot of information on how to do certain techniques. I own at least 50 or so watercolor books and most of the ones about color have not measured up to this wonderful book.

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