Skies & Clouds (Pocket Watercolor)

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Skies & Clouds by Richard Taylor is disappointing. Beginners should find the text instructive and techniques not intimidating, but the examples contain many errors (often according to his own advice) making them counter productive to the student aspiring to greater proficiency. The author demonstrates merely modest painting ability of the subject. Regretfully the lighting and shadows are not well rendered and contrast values are weak. His clouds are overly ephemeral with little structure. A watercolor of a "Sky and Sea" is the most convincing, because the waves of the sea are well rendered, but the sky is confused with fog and rays of light that look like rain. The book's purpose of being a "field guide" to aid in the artists perception of nature is good, but a more observant eye and commentary is desirable. The watercolors display visual paint textures but fall short of being inspiring Skies or Clouds.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Skies & Clouds by Richard Taylor is disappointing. Beginners should find the text instructive and techniques not intimidating, but the examples contain many errors (often according to his own advice) making them counter productive to the student aspiring to greater proficiency. The author demonstrates merely modest painting ability of the subject. Regretfully the lighting and shadows are not well rendered and contrast values are weak. His clouds are overly ephemeral with little structure. A watercolor of a "Sky and Sea" is the most convincing, because the waves of the sea are well rendered, but the sky is confused with fog and rays of light that look like rain. The book's purpose of being a "field guide" to aid in the artists perception of nature is good, but a more observant eye and commentary is desirable. The watercolors display visual paint textures but fall short of being inspiring Skies or Clouds.