The Watercolorists Essential Notebook

Rating:
Summary: If You Can Only Have ONE Watercolor Reference Book.....
Review: If I were to reduce my not-inconsiderable watercolor reference library to just one book, this would be that book. It blew me away! Gordon MacKenzie covers everything from which brushes to use for what and how to select your paints based on ingredients (a matter of growing importance) to compositional principles. I've had the book less than a week and, honestly, have referred to it practically every day for one thing or another related to painting. The book is laid out in an orderly and progressive format which made things easy to find when I went back. It is filled with photos of his work and delightful illustrations and sketches. The writing style is comfortable and enjoyable. I particularly liked that the captions on his paintings told how he achieved various effects, both in technique and composition. The only thing I found missing was a section on portraits, my particular area of interest. However, the principles and information Mr. MacKenzie shares applies equally well to all subject matter. The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook is well named and likely to become my standard gift to painter friends, if my enthusiasm hasn't persuaded them to buy it for themselves!

Rating:
Summary: Essential Techniques
Review: In many ways "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook" is similar to "Conversations in Paint", but with a focus on watercolor. It is billed as the "essential notebook" and the description is apt. The techniques are essential, though not necessarily basic and they are presented in the style of a notebook. Its a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Essential Techniques
Review: In many ways "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook" is similar to "Conversations in Paint", but with a focus on watercolor. It is billed as the "essential notebook" and the description is apt. The techniques are essential, though not necessarily basic and they are presented in the style of a notebook. Its a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Major dissappointment
Review: Simply a big dissappointment. Could perhaps be considered a good introduction to the media for an absolute beginner, but lacks depth for any serious practitioner. Too American for my taste as well. Avoid.

Rating:
Summary: A great basic book!!!
Review: This book is a essential collection of tricks and techniques, you will not find complicated and very advanced techniques. It will not teach you how to paint with watercolor, but it will help you on the way.
The book is beautifully illustrated with some of the author's works and besides the tricks and painting techniques there are also lots of explanations on composition, colors and color composition and tools (how to choose your brushes, paper, palettes, paints, etc.)
There are several exercises and some watercolor problems and solutions.
It's a basic book for any watercolorist, with some tricks that one could only learn with the experience of years painting. This is the notebook I wish I had when I was learning to paint.

Rating:
Summary: A Big Help
Review: This book was great. Clearly based on years of experience and teaching, it contained valuable fundamental information -particularly on painting landscapes. I only wish he had more information on handling the paint and mixing colors. This is a very good book for beginners.

Rating:
Summary: A Big Help
Review: This book was great. Clearly based on years of experience and teaching, it contained valuable fundamental information -particularly on painting landscapes. I only wish he had more information on handling the paint and mixing colors. This is a very good book for beginners.