Watercolor Painting from Photographs

Rating:
Summary: Close to being in Ranson's workshop
Review: If you want to relive Ron Ranson's workshop--which I just concluded in Bend, Oregon--read this book. I plan to reread. Artist Ranson writes justs as he talks to his students. And the demonstration paintings take him less than an hour. So good, I am now going to reread, and I just finished his workshop three days ago. Dick Elam

Rating:
Summary: Close to being in Ranson's workshop
Review: If you want to relive Ron Ranson's workshop--which I just concluded in Bend, Oregon--read this book. I plan to reread. Artist Ranson writes justs as he talks to his students. And the demonstration paintings take him less than an hour. So good, I am now going to reread, and I just finished his workshop three days ago. Dick Elam

Rating:
Summary: Well worth studying...
Review: Ranson's concrete advice on how to use photos for subject material is very sensible. It may be true that the best way to paint landscape is "au plein air" but if you live in Canada there are eight months each year when painting outside would not only be a positive health hazard - but the water would freeze on the brush!! Hence I'm glad of a book which acknowledges real life. I produced a pretty nice watercolor in about ten minutes using one of his photos. Well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and positive approach
Review: This is the second of Ron Ranson's book I've bought--I have the Skies book--and I really like both of them. This book is very encouraging and user friendly. Ranson put a lot of effort into the "how-to" aspect of this book and includes many practical tips and examples, always helpful. Some art books are vague about how to achieve the desired look, but this book includes many concrete suggestions that were very instructive. My only problem is not finding a hake brush I can use--they either shed or rust or both. I hope Mr. Ranson's next book will deal with painting water scenes (seashores, rivers, etc.).