Saturday, March 14, 2015

Book Review: Just Add Watercolor

Just Add Watercolor
by Helen Birch


 I don't really know what I expected when I selected this book.  It's a fairly small volume, about 5"x7", hardcovered, with very nice coated pages.  Each page has a contemporary watercolor, with notes about the way the artist created the picture.  I'm not entirely sure what I expected from this book.  Perhaps a little more detail?  This is what the author says in her introduction, in part: "Accompanying each work is a short exploration of the artist's approach and the techniques used, so you can try some of the ideas out too."

Each pair of pages contains a picture to the right, and a paragraph or 2 on the left page briefly discussing what the painting is, and perhaps what the artist intended to create.  Other than the pages about making blooms and similar special effects, there isn't much on how the paintings were created - paper, paint, ink, whatever - in most cases.  It's a pretty little book, and a nice review, but isn't as helpful to the artistic process as I might have hoped.  3/5

Note: I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my review.  Opinions are my own.

6 comments:

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Marjie, looks like an interesting little book but still wouldn't help me paint hehe. Hope your weekend is good. Our baby turned 19 this weekend. Like your sons, he's 6ft 5in and I wonder how our baby became this tall and this old so quickly. Take care. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)

Anonymous said...

That's why we have the Little Libraries out this way. Your way too? They're book stands, some quite elaborate, people put up in front of their house, filled with free books. Good way to share the books you love or get rid of those you don't, or both.

pam said...

Doesn't look like what I would have expected either.

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Marjie,
I can't help it, and I'm sure I am waaaay off but, this book reminds me of those painting books I use to buy the kids where you dipped the paint brush in water and IT colored the pages.

Just saying...:)

Rhodesia said...

Not sure what I would think of this book! Hope you are all well Diane

Dexter said...

I've always loved watercolor paintings and have pondered taking a class in watercolor (if I ever have time). Pity there wasn't more technical information.

Mango Momma