The Tao of Watercolor: A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting

Rating:
Summary: Long on Spirituality, Short on Technique
Review: Ms. Carbonetti is much given to cosmic pronouncements and spiritual ramblings that have little to do with putting paint on paper. She might be forgiven these epic conceits, though, if only she'd spill the beans about exactly how she concocted the appealing pictures in the book. If she knows how to explain her techniques adequately, she must be saving that intelligence for a forthcoming sequel to this tome. The current work is not a step-by-step account that might provide practical help to groundlings like me, but a hymnal for an Asian temple. Bottom line: I like what she does, but I still don't know exactly how she does it.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book which is a must for all artists
Review: This beautiful book will expand the horizons for artists of all mediums, abilities and experience. It uses the basic concepts of Eastern philosophies in conjunction with western techniques. Moreover, it is inspirational, and will be found so even by non-artists. This is an undiscovered treasure.

Rating:
Summary: Not for beginners
Review: This book is wonderful to look through and has a mystical feeling to it but the actual instructions for the paintings are very poor. I tried some of the demonstrations and even though I liked the end result, the instructions are vague. I would not recomend this book to beginners but rather to people who want to loosen up their paintings.

Rating:
Summary: Regarding the Tao of Watercolor
Review: This book promotes a certain way of painting watercolors which, while no doubt spiritual and heartfelt in its intent, leaves much to be desired in terms of actual painting. Much of the techniques shown here are short cuts and visual platitudes that create very cliched pictures. The author's spiritual approach to the act of painting is worthwhile but if you really want to learn how to paint watercolor, buy books instead on Winslow Homer, John Singer Seargent and Thomas Eakins and study how these real masters used the medium.

Rating:
Summary: Tao painting
Review: This is an excellent volume for beginning and advanced watercolorists. The technique is simple and yet commanding in the use of large color washes that appear to be ephemeral and mystic. The book gives good instructions in tapping into your own inner power and letting it flow forth, creating a loose and yet dynamic painting. This book is well worth the money and time to peruse it.

Rating:
Summary: Tao painting
Review: This is an excellent volume for beginning and advanced watercolorists. The technique is simple and yet commanding in the use of large color washes that appear to be ephemeral and mystic. The book gives good instructions in tapping into your own inner power and letting it flow forth, creating a loose and yet dynamic painting. This book is well worth the money and time to peruse it.