Rating: 
Summary: Lovely book! Thanks very much, Dawn and please publish more!
Review: I received the book yesterday and was really excited! The book has 10 very clear and nice projects and I believe anyone who accomplishes them, will be able to move on to more challenging watercolor paintings. This really is the best book on realistic watercolor painting what I've seen so far! I've experienced the same situation as some of the other reviewers, taking watercolor lessons with teachers who are totally unable to teach, therefore it was great to find out that this book gives very detailed and good advices on how to paint a realistic looking painting. Five stars +!
Rating:
Summary: A natural-born teacher
Review: I've been an "artist" for many years, but just recently began watercolor classes. Though the teacher was nice, she didn't "teach". I checked out Dawn McLeod Heim's Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Watercolors from the library and knew immediately that I was going to learn much more from her book than I would at my art class.I really appreciate Dawn's attention to detail. For each project she first tells you exactly how to mix colors and what the value should be. Then she breaks up each project into sensible sections; shows you what to paint only for that section, and what your painting should look like after each section. Then she has you critique your painting at the end - already knowing where you are likely to error. This book is simply fabulous! That's why I'm buying it for my library!
Rating:
Summary: A natural-born teacher
Review: I've been an "artist" for many years, but just recently began watercolor classes. Though the teacher was nice, she didn't "teach". I checked out Dawn McLeod Heim's Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Realistic Watercolors from the library and knew immediately that I was going to learn much more from her book than I would at my art class. I really appreciate Dawn's attention to detail. For each project she first tells you exactly how to mix colors and what the value should be. Then she breaks up each project into sensible sections; shows you what to paint only for that section, and what your painting should look like after each section. Then she has you critique your painting at the end - already knowing where you are likely to error. This book is simply fabulous! That's why I'm buying it for my library!
Rating: 
Summary: Great book but ...
Review: It's a great book like the other reviewers attest to except that it is geared more towards the still life painter. Be forewarned that there is nothing in here for the landscape or portrait painter.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Not for the beginner. Choices of projects weak.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book but not for a beginner
Review: The first time I picked up this book, I am very much inspired by the projects. Very clearly written step by step, even with the drawing provided and color chart clearly explained. They are as easy as coloring book, or so I thought. There are few things that are big turn-offs. First of all, the equipment. The paint has to be of specific color (and/or maker) and for each project it requires more than 5 different color of paints. Other equipments are also specific such as brush sizes. They can be very costly, especially for a beginner like me who doesn't want to spend a lot of money for something that I will most probably failed on first try. Second, the techniques, such as mixing colors to achieve a shade or a value, controlled wash, although very clearly written, does not give any indication that it is very hard to achieve in real situation, especially for beginner. It takes me a long while to mix a paint and achieve the described value and by the time I finish mixing all of them, I have no appetite to paint anymore. I also practiced to do controlled wash as described many many times and still I cannot achieve the same quality as desired in the book, not even near. A smear here, a balooning effect there, if you can't master it, the finished project are not too forgiving either. In short, it is very easy for a beginner like me to be frustrated and discouraged, especially after that much money spend for buying the equipments. Maybe it's me. Maybe I will pick up this book again in the future. But for now, I'd like to see a book that teaches me how to paint intuitively, allowing me plenty of room for error, and use less equipments.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment in subject choice and paint selection(colors)
Review: The subject in the book are much simpler than I expected and the choice of colors are not basic enough.I have learned that I need to see a "How To " book before ordering it
Rating:
Summary: Great book for setting up steps for painting without lessons
Review: This book is well written. It tells of the basics of watercolor painting in an easy to follow book. It gives you examples and step-by-step procedures on how to paint each project. This book is excellent for people who have never taken any painting lessons. The author makes this book easy to understand, and shows pictures of the basic things you need to know to start painting. She covers everything from color values, to preparing your brushes, paints, paper, and other materials for preparing to paint any pictures you may want to paint on your own. This book gives you necessary tools to use in the watercolor world of painting. I have taken 6 years of private art lessons, and when it comes to painting, this book covers just about everything you need to know to start on your own. The realistic examples inspire you to paint. Get this book NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book but not for a beginner
Review: This book was obviously written with a lot of thought behind it. I could not believe the detail that I found in this book. I am not a professional watercolorist, but I have been painting for a number of years. This book is a great reference for the experienced painter, but also a concise easy-to follow book for the beginning watercolorist. Ms. Heim's variety of subject matter is also very exciting. Unlike some books that focus on one subject matter, she has given us a number of different techniques and textures to try. I was most impressed by the colors in this book. In the step by step directions, I could mix a color as directed and then take a strip of scrap paper and dab it with paint and then compare with the sample color swatch of the book. To my surprise, it matched perfectly. It is obvious that Ms. Heim also took great care with the publisher to make sure the book was published with "true color". I recommend this book to anyone interested in producing beautiful watercolors, especially you beginners! Just as many of you, I have bought a lot of art books, but I only have a few that I actually use for reference when I am painting. This book is one of them! I am looking forward to buying her next book!
Rating:
Summary: The best step by step book on watercolors on the market!
Review: This book was obviously written with a lot of thought behind it. I could not believe the detail that I found in this book. I am not a professional watercolorist, but I have been painting for a number of years. This book is a great reference for the experienced painter, but also a concise easy-to follow book for the beginning watercolorist. Ms. Heim's variety of subject matter is also very exciting. Unlike some books that focus on one subject matter, she has given us a number of different techniques and textures to try. I was most impressed by the colors in this book. In the step by step directions, I could mix a color as directed and then take a strip of scrap paper and dab it with paint and then compare with the sample color swatch of the book. To my surprise, it matched perfectly. It is obvious that Ms. Heim also took great care with the publisher to make sure the book was published with "true color". I recommend this book to anyone interested in producing beautiful watercolors, especially you beginners! Just as many of you, I have bought a lot of art books, but I only have a few that I actually use for reference when I am painting. This book is one of them! I am looking forward to buying her next book!
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