Water Paper Paint: Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and Mixed Media Paperback – Illustrated, January 1, 2011

This book can be used by beginners or more advanced artists - the techniques covered are the same for everyone, no matter what style or subjects used in your art. There are 30 projects in the book, all open ended and open to interpretation, so the possibilities are endless. There's a really good Basics section in the beginning for those just starting out: materials, paper, palettes, brushes, paints, etc. Thankfully, she doesn't go on and on about color theory and the color wheel! Color is in there; no need to devote half a book to it. Just get in there and paint. There are many great tips scattered throughout the book.All art styles are covered from realistic to abstract. I like many of the art styles used in this book since my art is more imaginative and abstract. Most books offer realism as the 'gold standard' - to each their own. It's not necessary. If I want realism, I'll take a picture. I believe one can learn more about drawing and painting by drawing and painting. If you want purely technique, then buy a book with technique in the style you want for your art. Some may say this book is 'too cute,' or 'too elementary,' but I don't think so at all. I think it's subtle and sophisticated, in language can be easily understood by everyone. If you are looking to have fun and free yourself through play and exploration, this book may inspire you as much as it does me.This book is beautiful. I love that it is on watercolor type heavier paper. That said, the paper is fragile. It creases easily. I bought a used copy and it came a little damaged in some of the upper outer corners of the pages.My only criticism is that due to this paper and the printing process, some of the colors look dull and washed out and the details blurry in the smaller pictures. The printing may also be a little hard to read due to this. I love color and want to see it in all its juiciness - likely much richer than can be depicted by how this was printed and the choice of paper. Still, I can live with it; I love the book otherwise, and it's exactly what I've been looking for - the other books on mixed media and collage I have ventured to buy have been disappointing, or only focused on one or a few artists' styles or using ugly, muddy colors where everything just looks the same. This book is a lot more diverse and speaks to my sensibilities.

I have found myself wanting to use watercolors in my work but have little to no experience in how to use them. Anybody can put paint and water to paper but to make it interesting can be another whole thing. I wanted a basic book - I have no aims to become a professional watercolor artist - something that would tell me more than I already knew - but not so so much that I would be overwhelmed by theinformation. I chose this book to try and I glad that I did because it fits the bill perfectly for me!I love the feel and the smell of books - and have been known, on occasion, to not by a book it if the paper feels off. The paper binding this book s feels like watercolor paper. The author does cove the basics of watercolor paper - how to 'stretch' it (affix it to a surface so that it will not buckle when you paint) and what the surfaces of various papers are like. The books also has an excellent, short version, of how watercolor paints are created and how to branch out and make your own paints should you want to. There is an explanation of what all of those little numbers and letters on the paint tubes mean as well, what mediums to use and why.The projects include the fare you might expect in a beginner book :* how to work wet into wet and wet onto dry.* developing a palette and using one of a variety of different pallets for your work* using color* adding textures with things like salt, sprays (with a straw),lines, bubble wrap, paper towels etc* painting with watercolors around a drawing as well as using backgrounds before a drawing* working from a photograph* art cards* assembalges* creating negative shapes* collageYou get the idea. Yes, it's basic but it also contains a wealth of usable information for folks like me who want the basics presented in an intelligible manner and suitable for a wide variety of mixed media work and textile art. I am very pleased with my purchase of this book - and think it would make a great addition to your artist's library as a mixed media or textile artist. I am sure that conditioned watercolor artists might be bored - but for me this was the perfect book. Just what I had hoped for !

Seems to be a good book, but the Kindle version is absolutely terrible. The artwork and photos are too small on the screen. Wish i had purchased the hard copy instead.