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Rating: 
Summary: CLEAR, BASIC, BUT NOT ELEMENTARY
Review: As someone who understands how difficult it can be to try to paint with watercolors, I must say that this book was one of the most helpful that I have found in terms of providing clear technique suggestions, a well organized approach, and interesting text. Often basic watercolor books are too simplistic. The illustrations in this book give you something to aspire to. The color reproductions of Catherine's own work are exquisite. The chapter entitled IS THIS A MISTAKE OR A CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY? spoke directly to me and my consistent insecurities in my work. Catherine's dictum that "mistakes are gifts" is a message I am trying to integrate into my art. The whale story in the introduction and the sidebars are very inspirational and you might even say spiritual. And . . . I am now painting watercolors with no more fear. Thank you Catherine Anderson.
Rating:
Summary: Tip for purchasing this book
Review: As this book is out of print, I tried to buy a used copy. Amazon booksellers are selling used/new copies today for between $45 and $99!However, I just ordered a copy directly from the authors website - autographed too! - for $24.99 + $6 shipping.
see: www.catherineanderson.net Maybe this will help others who have been searching too.
Rating:
Summary: An inspirational book!
Review: Big Kudos to Catherine Anderson! I have painted for over 20 years and specialize in watercolors. And I have never seen an art instruction book like this one - it's pure inspiration and encouragement from start to finish (and it's the kind of book one never really stops reading...each time I pick it up, I come away with new insight and lessons learned.) I simply devoured this book cover to cover! I originally bought it to fill in gaps in basic knowledge I was missing but wound up gaining so much more! I learned things like you don't have to "get it right" the first time...like it's ok to put on glaze after glaze and scrub out what you've done...and that there are no rules but one - to do what works for you! Catherine Anderson's work is truly a gift to the spirit - she fills your head to overflowing with positive, inspiring messages from the heart such as to never ever quit, here's how to get jump-started painting (great for days you just don't have the energy!), how not to listen to the negative voices within, to just believe in yourself, and above all, to have fun and just paint! Her greatest legacy will be her ability and enthusiasm. Our world needs more positive teaching books like this one. The format is question and answer and very friendly to the eye. Her inspirational words remind me that we were put on this earth to help others and to make a difference! And her book is for all levels of watercolorists - beginning, intermediate and advanced! The best painters are truly those who keep practicing the fundamentals - so true of anything in life! I was surprised in reading it how much I'd somehow forgotten or never got quite right over the years! And she does a wonderful job of taking the fundamentals and carrying them to more advanced levels. Her book nudges you along to find your own style, your own you, rather than to copy her style. But the best part of this book, is that you will find you use it - over and over and over again! I actually carry mine in my briefcase and never tire of re-reading it! and this is because her message is one for the mind, the head, and the spirit in all of us! Working with her book is a celebration of life - Catherine Anderson brings out the best part of each of us in her book! I have a mountain of art books, and there is no other like her's out there! And everyone I know that has bought her book says the same - your painting skills get better and better the more you work with her book, and the fun just doesn't stop! Makes me want to go and paint right now! in fact, I think I will! haha Anderson's book is a triple-crown winner!
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best Watercolor Painting Book Out There!
Review: Big Kudos to Catherine Anderson! I have painted for over 20 years and specialize in watercolors. And I have never seen an art instruction book like this one - it's pure inspiration and encouragement from start to finish (and it's the kind of book one never really stops reading...each time I pick it up, I come away with new insight and lessons learned.) I simply devoured this book cover to cover! I originally bought it to fill in gaps in basic knowledge I was missing but wound up gaining so much more! I learned things like you don't have to "get it right" the first time...like it's ok to put on glaze after glaze and scrub out what you've done...and that there are no rules but one - to do what works for you! Catherine Anderson's work is truly a gift to the spirit - she fills your head to overflowing with positive, inspiring messages from the heart such as to never ever quit, here's how to get jump-started painting (great for days you just don't have the energy!), how not to listen to the negative voices within, to just believe in yourself, and above all, to have fun and just paint! Her greatest legacy will be her ability and enthusiasm. Our world needs more positive teaching books like this one. The format is question and answer and very friendly to the eye. Her inspirational words remind me that we were put on this earth to help others and to make a difference! And her book is for all levels of watercolorists - beginning, intermediate and advanced! The best painters are truly those who keep practicing the fundamentals - so true of anything in life! I was surprised in reading it how much I'd somehow forgotten or never got quite right over the years! And she does a wonderful job of taking the fundamentals and carrying them to more advanced levels. Her book nudges you along to find your own style, your own you, rather than to copy her style. But the best part of this book, is that you will find you use it - over and over and over again! I actually carry mine in my briefcase and never tire of re-reading it! and this is because her message is one for the mind, the head, and the spirit in all of us! Working with her book is a celebration of life - Catherine Anderson brings out the best part of each of us in her book! I have a mountain of art books, and there is no other like her's out there! And everyone I know that has bought her book says the same - your painting skills get better and better the more you work with her book, and the fun just doesn't stop! Makes me want to go and paint right now! in fact, I think I will! haha Anderson's book is a triple-crown winner!
Rating:
Summary: You will devour this book from cover to cover!
Review: Catherine, I just wanted to thank you for all the inspiration and encouragement - more than any other artist, you've done that for me! I'd been painting for awhile and wanted to fill in gaps in basic knowledge I was missing but wound up gaining so much more. I really was both amazed and comforted that you don't have to "get it right" the first time...like it's okay to put on glaze after glaze and scrub out what you've done - even microwave it if that helps! More than anything else, your words were a gift to the spirit - never, never quit, don't listen to the negative voices within, believe in yourself and just paint. I think, Catherine that will be your greatest legacy - your teaching and enthusiasm. Our world needs more people like you! I am reminded by the words "we were put on this earth to help others and make a difference..." Thanks ever so much again Catherine...God Bless!
Rating:
Summary: You will devour this book from cover to cover!
Review: Catherine, I just wanted to thank you for all the inspiration and encouragement - more than any other artist, you've done that for me! I'd been painting for awhile and wanted to fill in gaps in basic knowledge I was missing but wound up gaining so much more. I really was both amazed and comforted that you don't have to "get it right" the first time...like it's okay to put on glaze after glaze and scrub out what you've done - even microwave it if that helps! More than anything else, your words were a gift to the spirit - never, never quit, don't listen to the negative voices within, believe in yourself and just paint. I think, Catherine that will be your greatest legacy - your teaching and enthusiasm. Our world needs more people like you! I am reminded by the words "we were put on this earth to help others and make a difference..." Thanks ever so much again Catherine...God Bless!
Rating:
Summary: A must have book for beginning water color paintes.
Review: Having had almost no experience in using watercolor paints, this book gave me what I needed to begin the challenge of painting with watercolors, and it even gave me more. As a beginner I knew nothing about what papers to use, what a wash was, what brushes to use, what the difference was between paints, and most importantly how to put them all together. Each chapter of this book gave me what I needed. Most importantly it gave me this information in plently of detail so I could go the next step. As I stated it even gave me more. Catherine did not skimp on offering her encouragement to try different things, make mistakes which opens the eyes so that you see the light of a new challenge, and that good old slap on the back to say you've done a great job. In addition, the book is well designed, easy to read, has plenty of good clear examples, and art which emphasizes the points made in the book. A 5-star rating is not good enough for this book, it should be given a 10.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not that good
Review: I just checked the website listed below and the book is now $39.95 not including shipping. I have gotten this book several times from the library and I particularly like her use of a "funny brush." And the exercise in the book on mixing greens I did in an art class and that has been very useful. However, the information in the rest of the book can be found in other books. In my opinion, the book is not worth the $46 to $60 it would now cost to buy. Maybe Northlight Books will offer an updated version of this book in the near future ??? If the book was normally priced, I would probably buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Tip for purchasing this book
Review: I wanted you to know that I find your book the most encouraging and helpful of all the books I have seen. Your philosophy on just going for it and not worrying about any rules is the best.
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