Breaking the Rules of Watercolor

by Burt Silverman, Candace Raney (Editor), Jay Anning (Designed by)

Discusses the fundamental materials and equipment of watercolor painting and describes techniques for painting portraits, character studies, and landscapes in watercolors

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Greg]

If you recall the album cover of Aqualung by Jethro Tull, the distinctive cover artwork is by Burt Silverman.
I've had this book for, it must be, over twenty years. It's a beauty, includes multiple examples of portraits explained in stages to completion.

[Ryan]

Docking a star as many of the plates are in black and white rather than full color, and because Silverman's use of "contemporary" elements at the time of painting has rendered many of the portraits heavily dated.

Still, the demonstrations are illuminating and his approach to materials is very freeing and persuasive.

[Kathy]

Probably the best, most useful information I've found on waterecolor painting.

[VeeDawn]

The author and artist has developed his own method for using watercolor and gives permission for other artists to do the same. "Art is based on observation that must involve... some special vision..." Using your special vision, do what you need to in order to make it work.

[Kyle Bice]

One of my favorite books about watercolor technique. Silverman pushes the student to move beyond the tentative wash techniques and jump into their painting boldly. I re-read this at least once a year.