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Watercolor With Me in the Forest
Unleash Your Creativity with 50 No-Sketch Watercolor Projects
From a classic dogwood rose, to a sly fox, to feathers that take on a dreamy quality, you can create polished artwork in just a few easy steps―no sketching required. Dana Fox, creator of Wonder Forest, is known for her unique and whimsical sense of style, and her popular watercolor workshops have introduced thousands to the joys of painting.
In Watercolor With Me in the Forest , Dana provides light outlines of each project, and every page is printed on premium art paper, so you can focus on the watercolor techniques―wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, painting fur and ink and wash. Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, Dana’s creative tricks will ensure that every piece of art is frame-worthy.
Whether you’re looking to try a new style, learn the basics or find a new way to de-stress, this step-by- step guide makes it easier than ever to create stunning art.
Check out Watercolor with Me in the Ocean for more great projects!
From a classic dogwood rose, to a sly fox, to feathers that take on a dreamy quality, you can create polished artwork in just a few easy steps―no sketching required. Dana Fox, creator of Wonder Forest, is known for her unique and whimsical sense of style, and her popular watercolor workshops have introduced thousands to the joys of painting.
In Watercolor With Me in the Forest , Dana provides light outlines of each project, and every page is printed on premium art paper, so you can focus on the watercolor techniques―wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, painting fur and ink and wash. Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, Dana’s creative tricks will ensure that every piece of art is frame-worthy.
Whether you’re looking to try a new style, learn the basics or find a new way to de-stress, this step-by- step guide makes it easier than ever to create stunning art.
Check out Watercolor with Me in the Ocean for more great projects!
120 pages, Paperback
Published August 14, 2018
442 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Dana Fox
18 books1 followerNote: There is more than one author with this name. This profile may contain books by multiple authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 4, 2021
This is very helpful, only I wish there’s also illustrations for the step-by-step procedure.
September 26, 2019
OMG this book is exactly what I’ve been looking for to learn how to watercolor. 50 lessons that tell you what colors and brushes to use, what techniques to use and a page of a pre-sketched drawing to paint in. All safely tucked into one book with heavy watercolor pages. Thank you for putting this together Dana Fox. Watercolor is not as hard as I thought it would be. I have been using her techniques to practice in my own notebook. Living in the woods, I can find most things in her book real specimens. I am currently obsessed with acorns. Highly recommended.
October 18, 2019
This book is beautifully illustrated and for a beginner provides a sense of confidence that I have often been without while trying to learn watercolour. My husband bought it for me and I read it from start to finish and plan to start working on some of the projects this weekend. My only wish is that the projects were on seperate papers rather then the back side of the previous project so that I could do them as I pleased and not so much in order.
February 13, 2021
Buy the real book!
I would like to say that the book is very good and it might be on print but on kindle the drawings are too small and the book is lack8ng in so many ways. I am sure that the book on print is a lot more substantial than the one in kindle as I have read in so many reviews that is is awesome. My mistake in buying the book.
I would highly suggest not to buy the kindle edition but buy the real book
I would like to say that the book is very good and it might be on print but on kindle the drawings are too small and the book is lack8ng in so many ways. I am sure that the book on print is a lot more substantial than the one in kindle as I have read in so many reviews that is is awesome. My mistake in buying the book.
I would highly suggest not to buy the kindle edition but buy the real book
August 23, 2024
I found this delightful book in a summer home that we rented and happily painted during my vacation. Easy to follow. Good results.
March 8, 2019
I borrowed this book from the library, so I had to copy the sketches onto my own watercolor pages. The drawings were simple enough to copy. I was very happy with the excellent instructions and results. This is a GREAT book for the beginning watercolor artist. Use your imagination and add to the pictures. Practice regularly and watch your skills develop. This is a book I'm planning to purchase for myself.
May 8, 2021
Cute watercolor animals and plants that would be difficult to replicate without previous watercolor and sketching experience. No information for blending colors to get desired colors for the project. You need to be able to sketch the animal or plant before using the watercolors. The instructions are difficult to follow without photos. There are not accompanying photos to show the steps. Definitely not a book for a beginner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2019
Great idea, cute illustrations, but the printing quality unfortunately ruins it. It does not take water well and pigment bleeds through onto the back of the page. The paper sort of disintegrates when you paint on it, which is a major problem for a book that is designed to be painted in. Extremely frustrating to work in at all.
December 31, 2022
Painting instructions without visuals are not helpful for learning.
July 26, 2020
It's a great book for those wanting to relive stress and deal with anxiety and also a good introduction to watercolour painting. In both instances, this is mainly because, unlike other watercolour books, you do not need to know how to draw to start colouring and practicing the watercolour techniques described. I highly recommend it for this reason.
One negative thing for me is that in some paintings it's clear we are not getting all of the instructions to get exactly the same results she shows on the explanation page (e.g. the cabin). It's a minor thing and it's only noticeable in some of the most complex paintings, but it can be disappointing not ending up with a comparable result to what is shown by the author.
Another negative point is that not all of the supplies needed are mentioned in the beginning, and I ended up having to skip paintings while I was waiting for some supplies to arrive, which I just found out half way through the book.
Other notes:
- Paper quality is average and does not deal well with heavy use of water and excessive brush work. A more intermediate painter will probably be able to deal with it reasonably well, but for the absolute beginner like me it will take a while and some crappy tries to get used to. That being said it is thick and paint does not cross to the other side as I have read in some other reviews (and trust me, I have drenched it in water in some occasions).
- You don't have to use the same supplies the author does, but I found out the hard way, that if you are going to need to buy watercolour paints for this book, it's better to buy the same as the author's. I used other brand and other colours and while for most of the time it was OK, is some instances I ended up with very weird colours.
- Keep in mind that if you are going to start painting with watercolours supplies can get expensive.
One negative thing for me is that in some paintings it's clear we are not getting all of the instructions to get exactly the same results she shows on the explanation page (e.g. the cabin). It's a minor thing and it's only noticeable in some of the most complex paintings, but it can be disappointing not ending up with a comparable result to what is shown by the author.
Another negative point is that not all of the supplies needed are mentioned in the beginning, and I ended up having to skip paintings while I was waiting for some supplies to arrive, which I just found out half way through the book.
Other notes:
- Paper quality is average and does not deal well with heavy use of water and excessive brush work. A more intermediate painter will probably be able to deal with it reasonably well, but for the absolute beginner like me it will take a while and some crappy tries to get used to. That being said it is thick and paint does not cross to the other side as I have read in some other reviews (and trust me, I have drenched it in water in some occasions).
- You don't have to use the same supplies the author does, but I found out the hard way, that if you are going to need to buy watercolour paints for this book, it's better to buy the same as the author's. I used other brand and other colours and while for most of the time it was OK, is some instances I ended up with very weird colours.
- Keep in mind that if you are going to start painting with watercolours supplies can get expensive.
July 30, 2021
There are so many things to love about this book. The artist/author creates woodland creatures that are sweet and fairly simple to draw and paint. She provides "lessons" on various techniques like wet on wet, wet on dry, painting fur and ink and wash. There are about 50 different lessons in all from acorns to lily pads and everything in between. Most are animals that you would find in the forest: squirrel, skunk, fawn, raccoon, bear, and more plus insects and plants.
Each two page spread contains the colors, brush type and any other needed items (paper towel, pen) used in the painting, complete instructions and a blank page where the image is lightly sketched so that you can jump right into painting.
My only issue is the quality, or lack thereof, of the watercolor paper. As an experienced watercolor artist, I found that the paper did not absorb the paint and it was very hard to layer and blend. I ended up working with my own paper outside the book. This does not change the fact that I loved the book and will purchase the others in her series ASAP.
Each two page spread contains the colors, brush type and any other needed items (paper towel, pen) used in the painting, complete instructions and a blank page where the image is lightly sketched so that you can jump right into painting.
My only issue is the quality, or lack thereof, of the watercolor paper. As an experienced watercolor artist, I found that the paper did not absorb the paint and it was very hard to layer and blend. I ended up working with my own paper outside the book. This does not change the fact that I loved the book and will purchase the others in her series ASAP.
July 22, 2025
I'm enjoying learning to watercolor during my summer break, and this book helps with my patience and painting. It's perfect for beginners like me. Each page has simple, one-step-at-a-time instructions and "foresty" drawings to paint. You can easily complete a page in about 20 minutes, which makes it feel approachable and fun.
As I worked through the book, I started to learn about things I didn’t even know existed—like drying time, layering, and the difference between “wet on dry” and “wet on wet” techniques. It’s all explained in a way that’s really easy to follow. I realize I don't know much about painting and I'm learning there is so much to watercoloring.
It’s a playful book that would make a great present for a friend who's curious about watercolor or just wants a relaxing creative outlet.
As I worked through the book, I started to learn about things I didn’t even know existed—like drying time, layering, and the difference between “wet on dry” and “wet on wet” techniques. It’s all explained in a way that’s really easy to follow. I realize I don't know much about painting and I'm learning there is so much to watercoloring.
It’s a playful book that would make a great present for a friend who's curious about watercolor or just wants a relaxing creative outlet.
May 16, 2020
Highly recommend. This book is a total joy. It is full of great projects that are easy to do and build skills right inside the book. Techniques covered in this book include wet on dry, wet on wet, painting fur, as well as ink and wash.
The book paper is decent but can soak through. That is easily resolved by clipping a spare piece of water color paper behind the painting before you start.
The author provides a basic sketch for each painting along with simple steps and a completed example.
I am immediately beginning her other book, Watercolor with me in the Ocean.
The book paper is decent but can soak through. That is easily resolved by clipping a spare piece of water color paper behind the painting before you start.
The author provides a basic sketch for each painting along with simple steps and a completed example.
I am immediately beginning her other book, Watercolor with me in the Ocean.
March 6, 2024
Everything I wanted in a watercolor book! I have not finished all of the 50 lessons, however I’ve completed several and LOVE these tutorials and plan to continue working in it. The book contains watercolor paper with outlines for each tutorial written on the opposite page so you can easily put to practice what is being taught right within the book. I already want to buy her other books (ocean and jungle) but holding back as I want to get through most of this one first lol.
Highly recommend if you’re even remotely interested in learning watercolor!
Highly recommend if you’re even remotely interested in learning watercolor!
July 4, 2024
Very relaxing workbook. The paper is heavy enough that most watercolor works well. The wet on wet section, though, is very hard with this paper - it absorbs the first layer of water very quickly so the water dries before you can drop paint in it. Very frustrating and not very helpful for learning this technique.
Otherwise, the sketches and instructions are enjoyable and clear. I agree with other reviewers that the more complex paintings are definitely missing more detailed steps.
This is fun, though, and I'd like to do her other workbooks.
Otherwise, the sketches and instructions are enjoyable and clear. I agree with other reviewers that the more complex paintings are definitely missing more detailed steps.
This is fun, though, and I'd like to do her other workbooks.
January 9, 2019
Excellent watercolor tutorial from author Dana Fox. Check out her youtube channel, Wonder Forest and enjoy the pace and pleasure of watercolor with others who are learning at all stages. The book is printed on watercolor paper and provides adequate information on tools, tips and materials needed to begin and flourish in the field. The pages are full of flora and fauna and suitable for beginners or those who want to work on different techniques. Highly recommend!
August 25, 2020
This is not the kind of book you hurry through. It's an exercise book that takes time to complete. As such I'm halfway through doing the sketches and exercise. I'm really enjoying it since it's basic but good since I'm only an advanced beginner after only a few years.
If you're an advance watercolorist, this is probably not the book for you, but anyone in the begining to intermediate stage of the art should be able to appreciate this book.
If you're an advance watercolorist, this is probably not the book for you, but anyone in the begining to intermediate stage of the art should be able to appreciate this book.
March 22, 2024
Really good. I’m enjoying it very much. I’ve been looking for books that can help me to learn and develop and experience watercolor and this is a very good beginning for me. Such an awesome book. I hope Dana will come with In the desert or other ideas, maybe In the city, or In the space, In the countryside, In the winter/summer/autumn/spring…. Etc thank you
March 19, 2025
Great for hobby painting
I enjoyed the fun way directions were given. It was never bossy or overly professional in tone. It provides a feeling of attainability that many books of this type lack.
I enjoyed the fun way directions were given. It was never bossy or overly professional in tone. It provides a feeling of attainability that many books of this type lack.
April 25, 2019
beautiful artwork! i have absolutely*zero* painting ability but still really enjoyed reading the book. now know a bit for when my sister talks about her watercolors 😊
August 9, 2019
Very easy to follow and the artist has a beautiful art style.
January 7, 2020
Similar to the Oceans book just released, this is an excellent guide for a loose, light whimsical watercolor style
March 7, 2020
It teaches you how to do animals and they are so cute.
February 2, 2021
Very glad I purchased this book! Delightful, beautiful, inspiring, instructional.
Can't wait to start painting the little forest creatures.
Can't wait to start painting the little forest creatures.
August 31, 2021
It was a pleasure to practice in this watercolor book.
September 1, 2021
Enjoying this book as much as the other one I just finished "in the ocean ". Fun and quick little sketches that add technique and pleasure to my daily watercolor.
September 26, 2021
This was the first time I used watercolors and I felt like an expert
December 7, 2021
Nice example with clear explanation. But it will be better if we can have some graphic illustration of how the strokes should be done or some exercices basing on difficulties...
April 22, 2023
The paper quality does not hold up to wet on wet techniques. The directions are not fulsome. I did not care for the “cuteness” of the pictures.
August 7, 2024
Nice for a beginner on a vacation, simple projects, suitable for kids
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews