Watercolor Masters And Legends

Discover the secrets of watercolor mastery! Late 20th and 21st century watercolor artists have transformed the art of watermedia into a golden phenomenon and one of the most significant movements in the history of art. The lives and works of the 34 artists represented here display a multitude of different approaches, philosophies and techniques. Each has a unique perspective and an innovative approach; artists such as Ann Smith, Cheng-Kee Chee, John Salminen and many more share their secrets. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at legends like Robert E. Wood, Naomi Brotherton, Edgar A. Whitney and Ed Betts, whose teaching and work contributes invaluably to the aesthetics of the medium and their students. • More than 125 pieces of exquisite art • 18 innovative demonstrations • 34 artist interviews and commentaries Discover proud watercolor painting traditions, new perspectives on the medium, and works of art to influence new generations of artists. Get ready to be inspired with this one of a kind collection.

Unique among watercolor instruction books, this volume documents, in carefully sequenced photographs, the working methods of great artists as diverse as Durer, Turner, Cezanne, and Sargent. Readers are shown step by step how to make the best use of the masters' insights. 325 color illustrations.

The how behind the wow Dive deeper into the creative waters that have made North Light Books' Splash: The Best of Watercolor series today's most celebrated showcase of contemporary watercolor paintings. Watercolor Secrets invites you into the studios of 15 Splash artists as they reveal the creative processes behind their stunning work. From meticulous glazes to loose, luscious color, these artists joyfully embrace watercolor in gloriously individual and expressive ways, sharing their unique journeys inspirations and techniques. Step-by-step demonstrations, sketchbook pages and inspiring finished art from 15 modern-day watercolor masters Expert tips on creating stunning color, capturing the magic of light, turning on-location sketches into personal keepsakes, designing compositions with impact, and more A variety of subjects, including flowers, landscapes, waterscapes, city scenes, interiors and portraits Whether you are a watercolor artist looking to make a big splash in your own paintings or simply an admirer of this most magical medium, Watercolor Secrets puts you on the inside track to outstanding art.

Artists & Illustrators magazine's Book of the Month Taking inspiration from iconic paintings in the Tate collection, discover the techniques of the masters and improve your own painting skills with 30 guided projects. As you work through the exercises, you'll learn how to work 'wet into wet' with Maggi Hambling, master colour temperature with John Singer Sargent and create rhythm and unity in your paintings with John Nash. Whether you are looking to reinvigorate your watercolour practice with new techniques, try your hand at a wide variety of painting styles, or discover a new, inspiring master of the art, this book offers something new for every watercolourist.

In the wake of the successful Watercolor Expert, comes this new volume from Britain's distinguished Royal Watercolor Society, offering a fascinating look into the mind and work of the world's most illustrious watercolorists, past and present. Brimming with beautiful paintings by the RWS's masters-from Cotman and Burne-Jones to Singer-Sargent-each is exhibited alongside a current member's newly generated work that was inspired by the original. Accompanying both are revealing essays on how the new pictures reflect the old, and how both compare in terms of composition, color, tone, draftsmanship, and creating a narrative. This retrospective is sure to inspire beginners and practiced artists alike.

"In the 1870s and 1880s, artists' societies promoted watercolors as attractive, decorative, inexpensive alternatives to oils, successfully elevating them to the mainstream of American art. Based in New York City, this American watercolor movement paved the way for larger, more seriously received exhibition watercolors, and for a broad turn-of-the-century effort by public institutions - among them the Brooklyn Museum of Art - to acquire American works in the medium." "Highlighting 150 paintings that span nearly two centuries, this richly illustrated volume documents the origin and development of one of the nation's finest collections by investigating for the first time aspects of American watercolor's patronage and critical reception." "Less often displayed than oils because of their sensitivity to light, watercolors nevertheless have enjoyed a lively, complex history. Illuminating well-known works as well as many that have never before been reproduced, Masters of Color and Light showcases an array of paintings that range far beyond watercolor's early reputation as the "lighter and daintier" medium."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

"[This book is] unique and exciting...it works beautifully."--Library Journal Hone your skills on depicting water, dramatic landscapes, the nude, still lifes, and nature--all based on celebrated works by Cotman, Constable, Monet, Bonnard, Gainsborough, Fantin-Latour, and Homer. With the masters as inspiration, even budding painters can create evocative watercolors. Each of the seven exciting lessons here focuses on a single masterpiece by a great artist, providing background information, discussions of the work as a whole, and a detailed evaluation of stylistic intricacies. An in-depth examination of the most vital watercolor techniques-including backruns, blending, body color, brushwork, dry brush, glazing, and impressing-reveals all the possibilities of this luscious medium.

20 projects and exercises will help readers break out of any creative rut and unleash the exciting paintings from within!