An Artist's Way Of Seeing

by Mary Whyte

Artist Mary Whyte has learned many lessons over the years--lessons about art and, perhaps more important to her, lessons about life. In this book, she uses specific illustrations from her training, her teaching, her travels and her mentors to show the reader how to see and how to appreciate the artist's experience. Referring to numerous color and black and white examples, she explains what her intentions and feelings were during the composition and completion of many of her favorite works. The techniques of watercolor painting can be learned. Skill, according to Mary, is never enough. One must learn to feel as well as to see in order to become a complete artist and a complete person. Her paintings are beautiful; so is her soul.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

96 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2005

About the author

Mary Whyte is an American watercolor artist, a traditionalist preferring a representational style, and the author of seven published books, who has earned awards for her large-scale watercolors.

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I noticed a scathing review of this book and wondered if this individual understood the intent of this work at all - this is not a “how to paint” book. This is a commentary on how one might begin to become an artist, which is an entirely different process altogether. As a lifelong musician, I can tell you there are many who “play music”... but not nearly as many musicians. So it is with artists. Mary correctly states here that to make art, you must go beyond recreation, or merely attempting to duplicate what you see, and instead paint what you Feel - that thing which is most uniquely yours and no one else’s. And you must know yourself to know your feelings... thus, why so many would-be artists (and musicians) fail.

I accidentally stumbled upon this in the library while looking for something else, but since I am on a journey of creative discovery (you could say rediscovery), I gladly took this gift from the God / the universe. Truly, this is an introspective piece destined to be enjoyed by any who have simply been given tips and techniques, when the thing they are truly after (that thing which cannot be taught, but must still be learned) is to find their life’s true vision.

[Manoj · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mary Whyte does it again!! The chapters are not numbered. They're named after colors - Red, yellow, mud etc. The book has nothing to do with painting techniques. It's just another collection of her paintings interspersed with her poorly written autobiography. "Oh how difficult my life was, my father wanted me to have a good career but I wanted to be an artist....I wanted to become a waitress paying or my art education but I got all expenses paid dorms in some expensive schools....how they offered me a teaching job but I threw the letter in trash....how I got married and it was so difficult"...blah blah blah. She sounds almost like my ex!! Rich people's problems that I will probably not understand, no wonder the ex is an ex. Coming back to books on painting people in watercolors, please allow me to recommend "Putting people in your paintings" by Laurel Hart. It's a 3-4 on a scale to 10 (Mary Whyte is a minus 1) - I'm halfway through it and it seems to be better than both of Whyte's books on the subject (don't take my word for it though as I'm still studying it , but it didn't seem to have this scam artist feel to it).

[loafingcactus · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the few art books I have come across where the text is the main show. Many of the examples are from her perspective as either a teacher or a student, interacting with a mentor or a mentee, which adds a layer of depth to the examples.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting quick foray into the mind of one of the best living American painters, whose work I adore. A mix of memoir and commentary. Many of the accompanying art I have seen before, in books and in person. While I was reading it I let my waiter take a gander and he gushed over what he saw (I don't think he knew about her). I am a booster for her work. She was a little down on art education, basically saying one has to find their own path. I wish I had just a little artistic talent.

[Crystal's Bookish Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wanted this book for so long, but there were no copies in my library, it's out of print and selling for $200+ on Amazon, and I didn't have any other options. Then it came available for my Nook and I was SO excited! I bought it and read it in one sitting.

This book is so inspiring for any artist, Whyte is a watercolor artist, but the book is filled with wisdom and insight about the creative process and like the title says it will show you how to see as an artist.

HIGHLY recommended for all artists it will change the way you approach your work.

[Debbie Yacenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painters are either recorders or poets. You can paint what you see, but isn't it better to emote while painting too? When someone looks at your art, can they tell how you feel about it? Mary Whyte's artwork is a reflection of her beautiful heart. I loved her stories about her models like Miss G and students like Doug. To know Mary Whyte is to be loved and respected by her. There are lots of artists whose works I admire but few I admire as human beings. Mary Whyte is the kind of artist I aspire to be like.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not about the physical act of painting; it is about the sight and thought processes that lead to the act of creating art. I found it as stimulating and inspiring as Richard Schmid's Alla Prima.

[Margaret Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, I was sent a large print copy with only black and white photos. The failure to experience the paintings in this small book in color was bothersome, but the writing is very well done. I enjoyed it and learned from it, both as a person and as an artist.

[Sue Pagano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book! I read it in one sitting. Reads like a travel log of the compositions of many of this artist's works.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably sage advice about the whys and the how's, but it was the whys, the philosophies, that I most enjoyed.