The Watercolor Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist

Rating:
Summary: a watercolor classic
Review: a comprehensive, knowledgeable, concise survey of watercolor technique and the art theory necessary to watercolor painting. some essential techniques, such as wet-on-wet washes, receive a one-page treatment that encapsulates all text, illustrations, and photos for that topic; others are repeated as themes throughout the discussion. the demonstration paintings are simple and inviting for a beginner to imitate, yet all of them -- my favorites are niagra falls, the japanese arch and the still life on a rug -- are masterfully composed and build from value sketches and compositional studies to show how to think a painting through. the section on color theory is the most coherent and pointed i have ever seen. the sections on materials (paints, brushes, papers, by type and by brand) are excellent too. a marvellous book, a classic of its kind.

Rating:
Summary: comprehensive!
Review: An outstanding book for the watercolor enthusiast. Dewey's chapters cover materials, subject matter and technique that even the advanced watercolorist can learn from. The book is a handy item to help both the practicing artist and teacher. Not so much a step by step study, but rather information that can be applied to the artists individual style and subject matter.

Rating:
Summary: An Essential Tool for the beginning or serious Watercolorist
Review: David Dewey's straight forward and concise writing makes this among the best Watercolor references available today. I own over 100 watercolor books and this is one of the four I reference continually.