From Library Journal
I worry when I see books claiming categorically that everyone can be taught to paint. These two books confidently insist that the "absolute" beginner can produce pastels and watercolors in no time. In Blake's attempt to prove this, she sensibly points out that pastels can be seen as crayons for adults no messy oils, tubes, and brushes to deal with. She takes the student from simple marks on a page through tone, perspective, and so forth to simple still lifes, landscapes, and figures. Despite initial doubts, Blake does deliver in this volume, and for those on a budget, it's less than half the price of Jackie Simmonds's more comprehensive Pastel Workbook: A Complete Course in Ten Lessons (LJ 11/15/99). With an identical format and purpose, Crawshaw takes on watercolor for the beginner. Starting with a basic flat wash, he advances to simple fruits and flowers, people and buildings. Unlike Blake, he skips certain drawing fundamentals. Nevertheless, this delightful little book will complement Mary Whyte's Watercolor for the Serious Beginner (LJ 3/15/98). Both step-by-step guides for the absolute beginner are recommended, especially for libraries on limited budgets. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Light on words, heavy on pictures, this totally user-friendly how-to book can turn an absolute beginner of any age, who has never held a paintbrush before, into a productive and proud watercolor painter. Basics open the book, as readers are shown the range of watercolors and how to mix them. Then simple wash techniques and the painting of light and shadows are presented. Next, step-by-step demonstrations show how to paint separate features of a still life or landscape-fruit, vegetables, flowers, trees, and skies-then how to combine these elements into lovely watercolor paintings.
About the Author
Alwyn Cranshaw, England's top television artist and popular author of art instructionals, is known for his particular expertise in teaching beginners.
You Can Paint Watercolors: A Step-by-Step Guide for Absolute Beginners SYNOPSIS
Light on words, heavy on pictures, this totally user-friendly how to book can turn an absolute beginner of any age who has never held a paintbrush before into a productive and proud watercolor painters.
Basics open the book, as readers are shown the range of watercolors and how to mix them. Then simple wash instructions and the painting of light and shadows are presented. Next, step-by-step demonstrations show how to paint separate features of a still life or landscape -- fruit, vegetables, flowers, trees, and skies--then ho to combine these elements into lovely watercolor paintings.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
I worry when I see books claiming categorically that everyone can be taught to paint. These two books confidently insist that the "absolute" beginner can produce pastels and watercolors in no time. In Blake's attempt to prove this, she sensibly points out that pastels can be seen as crayons for adults no messy oils, tubes, and brushes to deal with. She takes the student from simple marks on a page through tone, perspective, and so forth to simple still lifes, landscapes, and figures. Despite initial doubts, Blake does deliver in this volume, and for those on a budget, it's less than half the price of Jackie Simmonds's more comprehensive Pastel Workbook: A Complete Course in Ten Lessons (LJ 11/15/99). With an identical format and purpose, Crawshaw takes on watercolor for the beginner. Starting with a basic flat wash, he advances to simple fruits and flowers, people and buildings. Unlike Blake, he skips certain drawing fundamentals. Nevertheless, this delightful little book will complement Mary Whyte's Watercolor for the Serious Beginner (LJ 3/15/98). Both step-by-step guides for the absolute beginner are recommended, especially for libraries on limited budgets. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
