Watercolor Tricks & Techniques

by Cathy Johnson

More than 150 full-color illustrations demonstrate how a watercolorist can turn an ordinary painting into an extraordinary one.

Genres: Art

158 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 1988

About the author

There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

sometimes known as Kate, has worked as a naturalist, writer, and freelance artist for the past 30 years, and was staff naturalist and contributing editor for Country Living magazine for 11 years. She is a contributing editor to the Artist’s Magazine and Watercolor Magic and has had a regular column in Personal Journaling magazine, where she wrote on a subject she feels passionately about -- realizing the importance of creativity in our lives. She has written and illustrated -- her own work and that of others -- for a number of national magazines, including Science Digest, Harrowsmith Country Life, Sports Afield, Country Journal, Muzzlelader, Women's History, Early American Life, Sketchbook, Woodworker, Woman’s Day, Threads, Mother Earth News, National Wildlife Magazine, Sierra and additional magazines listed on the writer page. Her writing and artwork has been included in a number of nature anthologies and art books.

(from http://cathyjohnson.info/biography.html)

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reasons watercolor is that one painting media with all these rules. Don't do this, don't do that. So I found it very refreshing that a book came out on the market who throws all these overboard and just invites you to play with it. It explains the use of colors, different types of brushes and papers and not just the ones made for watercolor. It introduces also tons of different tools. Why not use a knife to cut some lines or alufoil to create some background textures?. While some methods are well known others are not. Some are just so simple, that you think "why did I never thought about this". Each is explained very short but straight to the point (really liked the section about colors..). Also the book is full with little tips and tricks, so you might find something new even with the tools you already knew and you are using. It is a great book just to look around and get some new ideas. The only thing I was missing were more pictures where the ideas were used not just small samples what it does.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the 80s, there are a couple of "new" products on the market besides those Ms. Johnson mentions (tho she has tried to cover all bases), but she HAS done a yeoman's task. VERY complete. I'm nowhere near using a quarter of her techniques!

She does mention greens, and what to do about them -- they're always hard, if not impossible to handle; good. Sponges and how to use them. Paper, what kind, etc., but not the fact you need RAG PAPER. Liquid Frisket = Biscuit(?).

I did not care for her illustrations at the back of the book, but I think that's personal taste.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful full-color book is lovely to look at. The lessons are clear and concise. I would recommend it as a lesson book for those learning to use watercolors.