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Creative Watercolor: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners--Create with Paints, Inks, Markers, Glitter, and More! (Art for Modern Makers, 1)
Creative Watercolor offers beginners a fun, modern, and practical approach to a timeless medium with instructions on how to paint simple motifs, create elegant lettering, and embellish projects beautifully.
Popular watercolor artist and workshop instructor Ana Victoria Calderon shares her step-by-step techniques for painting modern designs in this classic medium. All the fundamentals needed to get started in watercolor are here, allowing you to quickly learn how to create beautiful watercolor paintings. Through a series of easy tutorials and projects, you will:
Discover basic materials and tools, plus options for embellishing your paintings
Master essential techniques, starting with easy warm-up activities. Then, learn to layer, and get into the flow with watercolor
Get an introduction to scanning and digital editing for making multiples
Paint a variety of simple, beautiful designs: flowers and leaves, butterflies and critters, fruits and vegetables, and delightful lettering
Use what you've learned to create unique, stylish stationery, including beautiful invitations, place cards, menus, monograms, recipe gift cards, thank you notes—any project you can imagine, for any kind of event you can think of!
There's never been a better time to dive into the world of watercolor, so why wait? Grab a brush and get painting!
Perfect for all skill levels, the books in the Art for Modern Makers series take a fun, practical approach to learning about and working with paints and other art mediums to create beautiful DIY projects and crafts.
Popular watercolor artist and workshop instructor Ana Victoria Calderon shares her step-by-step techniques for painting modern designs in this classic medium. All the fundamentals needed to get started in watercolor are here, allowing you to quickly learn how to create beautiful watercolor paintings. Through a series of easy tutorials and projects, you will:
Discover basic materials and tools, plus options for embellishing your paintings
Master essential techniques, starting with easy warm-up activities. Then, learn to layer, and get into the flow with watercolor
Get an introduction to scanning and digital editing for making multiples
Paint a variety of simple, beautiful designs: flowers and leaves, butterflies and critters, fruits and vegetables, and delightful lettering
Use what you've learned to create unique, stylish stationery, including beautiful invitations, place cards, menus, monograms, recipe gift cards, thank you notes—any project you can imagine, for any kind of event you can think of!
There's never been a better time to dive into the world of watercolor, so why wait? Grab a brush and get painting!
Perfect for all skill levels, the books in the Art for Modern Makers series take a fun, practical approach to learning about and working with paints and other art mediums to create beautiful DIY projects and crafts.
136 pages, Paperback
Published December 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 4, 2019
I haven’t played with watercolors since I was a kid but there is something so inviting about a picture made with them. The muted colors suggest calm and tranquility to me, which I could use more of in my life. I even find the bright colors soothing.
Creative Watercolor is billed as a step-by-step guide for beginners so the uninitiated will not feel intimidated. Glancing through the pages will reveal tons of eye candy. There are so many different kinds of pictures made with watercolors that it will inspire something in everyone.
Calderon goes through the basics, including supplies and color theory. She does not limit herself to only watercolors but instead discusses ways to incorporate inks/markers, ribbon/twine, washi tape, stickers, and glitter/embellishments. The step-by-step photos with accompanying text clearly explain the techniques of gradient, spatter and layering. There are exercises for each technique so that the reader can feel comfortable using them before getting to the projects.
Using the techniques, Calderon goes through leaf studies, flowers, butterflies/bugs, fruits/veggies, and lettering. She also discusses scanning and Photoshop, using a wedding invitation as an example.
The explanations for all aspects of using watercolors are thorough and the step-by-step photos are extremely helpful. Calderon’s enthusiasm for this artistic medium comes through on every page and it’s contagious. Creative Watercolors is a very comprehensive book that will educate and inspire anyone wishing to learn and master watercolors.
Thank you to Quarto Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Creative Watercolor is billed as a step-by-step guide for beginners so the uninitiated will not feel intimidated. Glancing through the pages will reveal tons of eye candy. There are so many different kinds of pictures made with watercolors that it will inspire something in everyone.
Calderon goes through the basics, including supplies and color theory. She does not limit herself to only watercolors but instead discusses ways to incorporate inks/markers, ribbon/twine, washi tape, stickers, and glitter/embellishments. The step-by-step photos with accompanying text clearly explain the techniques of gradient, spatter and layering. There are exercises for each technique so that the reader can feel comfortable using them before getting to the projects.
Using the techniques, Calderon goes through leaf studies, flowers, butterflies/bugs, fruits/veggies, and lettering. She also discusses scanning and Photoshop, using a wedding invitation as an example.
The explanations for all aspects of using watercolors are thorough and the step-by-step photos are extremely helpful. Calderon’s enthusiasm for this artistic medium comes through on every page and it’s contagious. Creative Watercolors is a very comprehensive book that will educate and inspire anyone wishing to learn and master watercolors.
Thank you to Quarto Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 29, 2019
This is an Impressive beginner book to water coloring. For those who have no knowledge on the subject at all, to those who just need tips on painting objects, this book covers it all. From what tools you need and what brands to get them from, to basic techniques on how to get started, this really covers the basics.
I myself have a basic understanding of water coloring already. But despite already having knowledge of things like "wet on wet" or "dry on dry", I still found this book had a plethora of information for me to use. I love that there is a part on mixing colors together. This is something I am still figuring out and found it helpful to use as reference. There are many other simple, yet very helpful tools I've learned in here.
On to the part I was most looking forward to, the "how-to-paint" section. There are a variety of step by step instructions to follow in sections like: flowers, butterflies, fruits and veggies and even lettering! This is an easy, less stressful way to figure out how to paint objects. I find this has helped me the most. The author even shows how you can take the knowledge of objects you have learned to paint, and tweek it to paint something else. At the end of the book there are even ideas on ways to make useful crafts, and photo copying your artwork so you can print off more. Over all this section of the book was by far my favorite.
If you have zero knowledge of water coloring I think you will be the type to get the most out of this book. If you come in already having an understanding of what tools you need, and how to mix and water down paint, then you wont need the first half of this book. The last section will be the part that is most useful to those who have at least google searched how water painting works. Many of the topics this book features you could easily pinterest, or google how-to's of. But the artwork on every chapter page and inspiration this book provides is the selling point for me. This book makes me happy to look at, and inspires me to paint something new when I am stuck. If you are looking for a physical book to pick up and keep around as reference, or to give as a gift, then I think this one is perfect!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an arc of this book. As always, all thoughts are my own.
I myself have a basic understanding of water coloring already. But despite already having knowledge of things like "wet on wet" or "dry on dry", I still found this book had a plethora of information for me to use. I love that there is a part on mixing colors together. This is something I am still figuring out and found it helpful to use as reference. There are many other simple, yet very helpful tools I've learned in here.
On to the part I was most looking forward to, the "how-to-paint" section. There are a variety of step by step instructions to follow in sections like: flowers, butterflies, fruits and veggies and even lettering! This is an easy, less stressful way to figure out how to paint objects. I find this has helped me the most. The author even shows how you can take the knowledge of objects you have learned to paint, and tweek it to paint something else. At the end of the book there are even ideas on ways to make useful crafts, and photo copying your artwork so you can print off more. Over all this section of the book was by far my favorite.
If you have zero knowledge of water coloring I think you will be the type to get the most out of this book. If you come in already having an understanding of what tools you need, and how to mix and water down paint, then you wont need the first half of this book. The last section will be the part that is most useful to those who have at least google searched how water painting works. Many of the topics this book features you could easily pinterest, or google how-to's of. But the artwork on every chapter page and inspiration this book provides is the selling point for me. This book makes me happy to look at, and inspires me to paint something new when I am stuck. If you are looking for a physical book to pick up and keep around as reference, or to give as a gift, then I think this one is perfect!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an arc of this book. As always, all thoughts are my own.
February 8, 2019
This is a really wonderful book for beginning watercolor painting, exactly the sort that I love. It is filled with step-by-step instructions to paint flowers, fruits and veggies, bugs, leaves, letters and more. Along the way, the author gives very good instructions on how to do all kinds of watercolor techniques and has projects to teach you how to get comfortable with it all. The illustrations are gorgeous and inspired me to want to get painting right away.
My star system is 1 for really didn't like it, 2 for it was just okay, 3 for good, 4 for very good, and 5 for so good I plan to buy my own copy even if there are small drawbacks to it. I came very close to giving this a 5 as I would like to get my own copy, but the suggested retail price ($22.99) is a little high for me on our budget. Amazon has it discounted somewhat right now, but I'm trying to shop less there so I ultimately decided to pass on getting the book even though I did really enjoy it.
All in all, this is a cheerful, gorgeous book full of great tutorials and one of my favorite art instruction books that I've read.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
My star system is 1 for really didn't like it, 2 for it was just okay, 3 for good, 4 for very good, and 5 for so good I plan to buy my own copy even if there are small drawbacks to it. I came very close to giving this a 5 as I would like to get my own copy, but the suggested retail price ($22.99) is a little high for me on our budget. Amazon has it discounted somewhat right now, but I'm trying to shop less there so I ultimately decided to pass on getting the book even though I did really enjoy it.
All in all, this is a cheerful, gorgeous book full of great tutorials and one of my favorite art instruction books that I've read.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
March 7, 2024
LIBRO FANTÁSTICO PARA PRINCIPIANTES
Me ha vuelto a abrir las puertas del arte 20 años después.
¡Estoy muy agradecido! No para que todos sean artistas sino para que ninguno sea un esclavo.
Me ha vuelto a abrir las puertas del arte 20 años después.
¡Estoy muy agradecido! No para que todos sean artistas sino para que ninguno sea un esclavo.
September 11, 2023
Fun & seemingly easy look at how to paint with watercolors. Step by step guide to embellishing on your design with extra look at lettering. Very nice guide will have you wanting to experiment.
October 2, 2019
Easy to understand, with detailed imagery and descriptions, this is an excellent guide for creating illustrations and lettering using watercolor supplies and methods. I will be referring to this book often as I work on developing my watercolor skills/abilities.
I received this book from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful.
I received this book from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful.
May 11, 2019
Does give a nice introduction to projects, watercolouring and resources at the end. Some projects shown and how to do them. Do get some extra tips in side boxes. Also gives some other information. A nice start to painting.
February 22, 2022
A beautiful manual to start in the practice of watercolor using the basic materials to make various simple, beautiful and attractive projects. Each of them explained step by step, with a clear and concise text and offering some models for practicing and learning creativity and color variety, with results full of color and joy. Great!👍👍
Akuarela praktikan hasteko eskuliburu ederra oinarrizko materialak erabiliz hainbat proiektu sinple, eder eta erakargarri egiteko. Bakoitzak pausoz pauso azaldu zituen, testu argi eta zehatz batekin eta sormena eta kolore aniztasuna landu eta ikasteko ereduak eskainiz, kolorez eta alaitasunez beteriko emaitzekin. Bikaina!
Un precioso manual para iniciarse en la práctica de la acuarela usando los materiales básicos para realizar diversos proyectos sencillos, hermosos y atractivos. Cada uno de ellos explicado paso a paso, con un texto claro y conciso y ofreciendo unos modelos para la práctica y el aprendizaje de la creatividad y la variedad cromática, con resultados llenos de color y alegría. ¡Genial!
Akuarela praktikan hasteko eskuliburu ederra oinarrizko materialak erabiliz hainbat proiektu sinple, eder eta erakargarri egiteko. Bakoitzak pausoz pauso azaldu zituen, testu argi eta zehatz batekin eta sormena eta kolore aniztasuna landu eta ikasteko ereduak eskainiz, kolorez eta alaitasunez beteriko emaitzekin. Bikaina!
Un precioso manual para iniciarse en la práctica de la acuarela usando los materiales básicos para realizar diversos proyectos sencillos, hermosos y atractivos. Cada uno de ellos explicado paso a paso, con un texto claro y conciso y ofreciendo unos modelos para la práctica y el aprendizaje de la creatividad y la variedad cromática, con resultados llenos de color y alegría. ¡Genial!
January 2, 2021
Great if you're new to watercolors
She goes over technique very carefully giving you lessons to build upon. For those that like mixed media she does a bit of that but it's easy to skip that part of it's not your thing. She also goes over some basic Photoshop editing so you know how to scan your beautiful creations and alter the image to look like your painting. This was a great book to get me started with the medium. I work in encaustics, acrylics, drawing, etc... Basically everything but watercolor lol! So this was fun since it takes a very different approach than I'm used to. I'm loving what I've created so far. Thanks to great instructions !
She goes over technique very carefully giving you lessons to build upon. For those that like mixed media she does a bit of that but it's easy to skip that part of it's not your thing. She also goes over some basic Photoshop editing so you know how to scan your beautiful creations and alter the image to look like your painting. This was a great book to get me started with the medium. I work in encaustics, acrylics, drawing, etc... Basically everything but watercolor lol! So this was fun since it takes a very different approach than I'm used to. I'm loving what I've created so far. Thanks to great instructions !
May 18, 2020
An excellent guide
All steps to learning and then creating original work in watercolor are presented in this organized and comprehensive book. The language is simple and clear, therefore easy to understand and apply. Ms. Calderon starts with materials and techniques, and gradually increases the level of difficulty, but never beyond the reach of a beginner. The pictures are clear and precise, and the examples breathtaking, but not intimidating. What you see is what you could do. This is one of the best books of this type, and I 'd recommend it to anyone.
All steps to learning and then creating original work in watercolor are presented in this organized and comprehensive book. The language is simple and clear, therefore easy to understand and apply. Ms. Calderon starts with materials and techniques, and gradually increases the level of difficulty, but never beyond the reach of a beginner. The pictures are clear and precise, and the examples breathtaking, but not intimidating. What you see is what you could do. This is one of the best books of this type, and I 'd recommend it to anyone.
June 27, 2020
Fantastically creative
What a great watercolor instruction book! From basics like paint and brush and ink selection (you need white and a tiny 000 brush!) To beginning exercises to final projects, this is a comprehensive guide to making beautiful modern watercolors. Plus info on how to scan and Photoshop works to design invitations and stationary. I'm looking forward to trying all the projects in this book.
What a great watercolor instruction book! From basics like paint and brush and ink selection (you need white and a tiny 000 brush!) To beginning exercises to final projects, this is a comprehensive guide to making beautiful modern watercolors. Plus info on how to scan and Photoshop works to design invitations and stationary. I'm looking forward to trying all the projects in this book.
May 27, 2022
Obviously this particular book is aimed at pure beginners and it does a pretty good job. I’d say the first three chapters are extremely basic (you could probably learn the same from watching a good twelve minute watercolor tutorial on the youtubes) but the projects seem nice and also fun, so it’s kind of a wash if this book will be useful to you in your art journey. If you’ve never picked up a watercolor brush I’d say go for it though!
December 26, 2023
Leí este libro antes de empezar a dar clases de acuarela para darme una idea de ejercicios simples, me ayudó a desglosar la idea de las acuarelas, no copié el metodo pero sí me inspiré en varios ejercicios, recomendado para alguien que quiere empezar a usar las acuarelas sin necesariamente saber dibujar
January 5, 2024
Great book!
Clear directions, pretty exercises, and useful topics. The author includes chapters specifically addressing flowers, foliage, fruits and vegetables, lettering, etc. She also explains how to scan art and use PhotoShop to color correct the scanned versions, which is a topic I haven’t seen covered in other books.
Clear directions, pretty exercises, and useful topics. The author includes chapters specifically addressing flowers, foliage, fruits and vegetables, lettering, etc. She also explains how to scan art and use PhotoShop to color correct the scanned versions, which is a topic I haven’t seen covered in other books.
August 19, 2024
I checked this out on the Libby app to see if I would like it. So many watercolor books are the same, but this one comes with wonderful visual examples, and simple instructions that make it easy for a beginner like me to understand what they mean and are doing to achieve the look. I loved this one so much that I plan to buy a copy!
September 27, 2020
Nice, clean projects to try your hand at.
Great for beginning watercolor artists. I like the way the book is separated into projects such as butterflies, ladybugs, fruits, invitations, etc.
Great for beginning watercolor artists. I like the way the book is separated into projects such as butterflies, ladybugs, fruits, invitations, etc.
January 7, 2024
Loved this. The style, the watercolor warm-ups section, the chapter on Photoshop and digitizing your physical art, and even the lettering exercises definitely earns this a place on my physical reference shelf.
May 13, 2020
Autora que me ha llevado a familiarizarme con las acuarelas desde el nivel más básico hasta adquirir la confianza y mejorar en esta hermosa técnica. Excelente libro.
June 5, 2020
Good to introduce yourself in watercolor
I like the way she explains thechiques in a very simple way also with her special style. A lot of fun and good ideas in here
I like the way she explains thechiques in a very simple way also with her special style. A lot of fun and good ideas in here
January 4, 2021
Wonderful book to learn the basics of watercolour. The projects are fun and colourful with easy to follow step by step instructions.
July 29, 2021
Guía para principiantes bastante básica y directa. Ilustración tradicional y bastante cursi, por cierto.
November 5, 2021
Better ones out there
February 3, 2022
Excellent guide
I am just beginning to learn watercolor and this has been the best book I have found for instruction. It makes an overwhelming project possible.
I am just beginning to learn watercolor and this has been the best book I have found for instruction. It makes an overwhelming project possible.
October 22, 2022
Even though I’m not a beginner, I learned something and found many of the projects to be fun.
December 30, 2022
Cumple con lo que esperaba de un libro de acuarela para principiantes :) Ahora solo me queda poner en práctica todas las ideas que propone!
February 15, 2023
Ideal para alguien que no sabe nada de acuarelas pero demasiado básico si ya tienes algunos conceptos
December 30, 2024
Some interesting project ideas but I would have loved much more explanation with each one instead of just showing the beginning and end
April 13, 2025
Lots of fun projects and a variety of subjects.
August 19, 2025
Loved ebook so much, I got the physical as well.
September 15, 2025
This is a good book to learn basic watercolor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews