The Modern Flower Painter: Creating vibrant botanical portraits in watercolour

A lovely book with lots of educational and interesting tips for Anna's techniques. In fact, she is very generous information-wise. I teach watercolour painting as a well known Art College, and I found the ideas innovative and enlarging to my repertoire of the types of projects I can set students. I do love Anna's big flower paintings, they are marvellous in theur own way. However, if you are a watercolourist rather than a botanical watercolourist, do be aware that the techniques of application are limited to a particular method, very controlled and neat. In particular, the method of applying paint, is more like 'drawing' with paint, rather than allowing the free flowing of colour to describe the form, colour is applied in short strokes which are gradually built up. The backgrounds are always white, in keeping with the style of botanical illustration and are rather like photographic iterations of flowers etc. However, I like the apparent simplicity of the technique and the method of applying a dark tone every now and then to allow the eye to see the mid tones.It is skillful. I really love this book, I like Anna and the fact she has presented and marketed her work so well. Just be aware that watercolour can also flow and run to describe form which is equally magical and maybe a bit more expressive. I teach both a tight method and a loose expressive style which is more my own. I find Anna's way is great for those times when you just want to lose yourself in a painting which you build up in layers... kind of mistake proof. However, I do skip on a bit and use stronger and bolder tints much earlier and mix some of the methods in with my own style. Also. I paint from life, rather than photos, I love painting from life and interacting with fruit or flowers, and I only use a photo if I really cannot finish in one sitting. I also paint shadows and backgrounds, I am not convinced that it is always better for a subject to float on white paper, although it does look very stylish and is totally in keeping with the botanical arts.

I have been drawing and painting for quite some time, but could never to grips with watercolour. I have a few books on this topic and this by far the best for me. I like to draw and paint in detail, but I do not have the ability to paint true botanical portraits. This book, however, provides the excellent method used by Anna, which has enabled me to get somewhere near. This book is designed as a stand alone product, or in my case, a visual extra to complete Anna's on-line video tutorials. I can recommend this book to any body interested in producing detailed watercolour paintings. Anna's method, as far as I am concerned, can be applied to many types of topics, ie., birds, butterflies, etc. This book is of an excellent quality production which is easy to follow. Keith

Excellent book! I love Anna's approach to photography and digital media being used as very versatile and useful tools, adding yet another level of creativity to the process of art. There is no end to the possibilities of composition, light/colour adjustment, macro shots of tiny details etc. using photo editor programs. Being a keen amateur photographer I would have liked a chapter (perhaps in a future book?) on taking high quality artist reference photos, which is not that easy.

A very good book with lovely illustrations. Anna provides very clear instructions with regard to achieving tone and very precise instructions for her six flower projects. A lovely book to look at as well as being a very clear instructional guide to botanical watercolour painting.

I recently attended a one-day course presented by Anna at Cranleigh in Surrey. As well as being an outstanding artist she is an excellent teacher. This book provides a lot of information about her techniques - many of which are her own - as she is, amazingly, self-taught. I have a library of art books for water-colourists and I am sure that this will one that will be read numerous times and will be a constant resource and inspiration. I highly recommend it for all watercolour artists from beginners to experts. My congratulations to Anna on producing such a quality product in a unique and original format. I look forward to attending another one of your courses - and in the meantime enjoying re-reading your superb first book. Mike S

A thoughtful laid out book, with very clear step by step instructions. Flower diagrams already drawn out for the reader to copy, to enable you to get down to the joy of painting.Especially useful are the photos of paint consistency. Altogether an easy to follow guide, from materials, to how to take photos, and on to the clear instructions with photos of each stage of building up the painting. A very well thought out guide to botanical painting.

This book is wonderfully created for those that want to paint with watercolors. Anna Mason is brilliant in how she provides step-by-step guidance in her approach to watercolor. I love her work and am so grateful that she is so willing to share what she has learned with others. She is a master painter and teacher.

Wonderful book, beautifully laid out with stunning illustrations and painting exercises that are easy to follow. A must for anyone interested in learning more about painting botanical watercolours. I have joined Anna's online school and am very much enjoying being a member. I love her painting style and am learning that I'm not all that bad at painting myself.

... und auch in der Druckversion ein Augenschmauß :-) Anna Masons Bilder sind unverwechselbar- Blumen, Früchte auf weißem Grund und ab und an auch ein Tier mit knalligen Farben und lebendigen Pinselstrichen. Das Spielerische daran entsteht bei ihr vor allem durch eine gute, ausgewogene Technik und nicht durch minutiös, perfekt ausgeführte Striche. Was dazu nötig ist, präsentiert sie detailliert in diesem Buch. Auch für Anfänger geeignet. Besonders gelungen: extrem große Bilder geben jedes Detail preis, viele erklärende Bilder, detaillierte Step-by-Step Demonstrationen, genaue Wiedergabe der Farben (!). Für die Demos gibt es passende Umriss-vorlagen zum nachmalen, aber keine Fotos. Im Idealfall sollten eigene Fotos/ Pflanzen verwendet werden. Das Kindle-Ebook ist in Form doppelseitiger Bilder, d.h. es ist keine Textauswahl möglich und es können auch keine Einzelseiten angezeigt werden. Dafür kann alles vergrößert werden, Notizen und Markierungen (Rahmen) sind möglich & es ist sehr schön gestaltet. Wer noch einfachere florale Übungen sucht: Adelene Fletcher - Blumenaquarelle Ähnliches Niveau, aber kontrollierterer Pinselstrich: Billy Showell (sämtliche Bücher sehr gelungen) Besonders malerisch: Susan Harrison-Tustain "Glorious Garden Flowers"

Bom livro de aquarela artística botânica com desenhos das flores em movimento.

This book is great if someone is looking to make realistic flowers. I saw Anna's free youtube videos online and went for her book. I wanted to paint realistically in watercolour (which is v.hard) and this book helped me to achieve it mostly flowers-pink rose, clemantis,viola,cosmos,tulips,oriental poppy and dahlia with her detailed instructions.My painting has improved by following her method. However, leaves, dew-drops, stems are not discussed in this book..Her style is not fluid, but is perfect for building textures.

Excellent read. Easy guidance and beautiful images. Two thumbs up!

Rien à dire : envoi dans les temps et réception parfaite . Livre impeccable .