The Complete Guide to Watercolor

by Ray Campbell Smith

For painters of every level, this comprehensive volume presents each creative process in clear, full-color photographic sequences. From mixing colors and applying washes to tonal studies and pattern in landscapes, The Complete Guide to Watercolor contains everything one needs to know about working in this very expressive medium. This all-in-one volume presents each process in clear, full-color photographic sequences, reveals secrets of the trade, and contains easy-to-follow projects to help master new techniques.

Genres: Art, Reference, Crafts

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Internationally noted artist Ray Smith has exhibited in solo and group shows around the world. A lecturer at the Chelsea School of Art and at Exeter Art College, he was recently Artist-in-Residence at the University of Southampton in the UK. Smith has received many distinguished awards for his work, including an Arts Council Award, a Lindbury Trust artist's award, and the Deutscher Jugendbuch Preis. He has written several titles in The DK Art School series, and is the author of The Artist's Handbook and How to Draw and Paint What You See.

Reviews

[Maria Langer]

This is a great, wonderfully illustrated book about watercolor painting. It covers the basics and more advanced techniques, with plenty of different styles and subject matter. The gallery section at the end of each chapter shows examples from artists and points out things to note. I think this is a great book for anyone interested in getting started with watercolor painting. It really shows what’s possible.

[Kristin]

Mostly helpful information for beginners, but features a lot of interesting techniques. A lot of more general information for artwork in general. I did not like the way some of the information was conveyed as the only right thing.

[Teri-K]

Beautiful, of course. DK books have great illustrations. I enjoyed the variety of watercolor paintings it shows. Plus there's some useful info and some ideas for beginners to try; just don't consider it a beginners course. It's more inspirational than instructional.

[Scott]

Great reference book on the intricacies of using watercolor.

[Wendy Blacke]

It was alright. I didn't feel like I learned anything after reading it. Most of it seemed like common sense, or was something I already knew. Certainly not a 'complete' guide, but there's some good information in there nonetheless.

[Dee Renee Chesnut]

There are so many projects with materials lists and instructions I'm keeping this book for reference.