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Water Paper Paint: Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and Mixed Media
This book is not only for "painters" but for all types of creative individuals who want to experience and play with watercolor, whether their background is mixed-media, textile art, journaling, or paper craft. Unlike the typical watercolor textbooks, this unique, beautiful volume is a field book of inspiration, creative ideas, how to's, and projects, all from an artist's perspective. Each creative exercise features a technique, shows step-by-step photographs, and includes a clever idea for a gift or project that can be made from the painted samples.
156 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 23, 2011
I have found myself wanting to use watercolors in my work but have little to no experience in how to use them. Anybody can put paint and water to paper but to make it interesting can be another whole thing. I wanted a basic book - I have no aims to become a professional watercolor artist - something that would tell me more than I already knew - but not so so much that I would be overwhelmed by the
information. I chose this book to try and I glad that I did because it fits the bill perfectly for me!
I love the feel and the smell of books - and have been known, on occasion, to not by a book it if the paper feels off. The paper binding this book s feels like watercolor paper. In the book Heather Smith Jones does cover the basics of watercolor paper - how to 'stretch' it (affix it to a surface so that it will not buckle when you paint) and what the surfaces of various papers are like. The books also has an excellent, short version, of how watercolor paints are created and how to branch out and make your own paints should you want to. There is an explanation of what all of those little numbers and letters on the paint tubes mean as well, what mediums to use and why.
The projects include the fare you might expect in a beginner book :
* how to work wet into wet and wet onto dry.
* developing a palette and using one of a variety of different pallets for your work
* using color
* adding textures with things like salt, sprays (with a straw),lines, bubble wrap, paper towels etc
* painting with watercolors around a drawing as well as using backgrounds before a drawing
* working from a photograph
* art cardshttp://hrsmithjones.blogspot.com
* assembalges
* creating negative shapes
* collage
You get the idea. Yes, it's basic but it also contains a wealth of usable information for folks like me who want the basics presented in an intelligible manner and suitable for a wide variety of mixed media work and textile art. I am very pleased with my purchase of this book - and think it would make a great addition to your artist's library as a mixed media or textile artist. I am sure that conditioned watercolor artists might be bored - but for me this was the perfect book. Just what I had hoped for !
information. I chose this book to try and I glad that I did because it fits the bill perfectly for me!
I love the feel and the smell of books - and have been known, on occasion, to not by a book it if the paper feels off. The paper binding this book s feels like watercolor paper. In the book Heather Smith Jones does cover the basics of watercolor paper - how to 'stretch' it (affix it to a surface so that it will not buckle when you paint) and what the surfaces of various papers are like. The books also has an excellent, short version, of how watercolor paints are created and how to branch out and make your own paints should you want to. There is an explanation of what all of those little numbers and letters on the paint tubes mean as well, what mediums to use and why.
The projects include the fare you might expect in a beginner book :
* how to work wet into wet and wet onto dry.
* developing a palette and using one of a variety of different pallets for your work
* using color
* adding textures with things like salt, sprays (with a straw),lines, bubble wrap, paper towels etc
* painting with watercolors around a drawing as well as using backgrounds before a drawing
* working from a photograph
* art cardshttp://hrsmithjones.blogspot.com
* assembalges
* creating negative shapes
* collage
You get the idea. Yes, it's basic but it also contains a wealth of usable information for folks like me who want the basics presented in an intelligible manner and suitable for a wide variety of mixed media work and textile art. I am very pleased with my purchase of this book - and think it would make a great addition to your artist's library as a mixed media or textile artist. I am sure that conditioned watercolor artists might be bored - but for me this was the perfect book. Just what I had hoped for !
April 30, 2015
This had some good information about color theory and I'm going to actually try several of the projects from this one!
March 4, 2011
I sat down and went through this book last night and read almost every word, which I usually don't do in a writing/art/journaling book in one sitting. This is an "outlet" book, and I desperately need an outlet right now! I can see using this with kids in their writing expression as well. Watercolor is such an easy medium for everyone because you really can't mess it up. It is inexpensive, and it makes a wonderful background for writing.
February 3, 2021
this is so creative!!!! would definitely need more ideas w/ watercolour & this sorta helps a bunch. love the fact that they are mostly simple exercises - even if its complex, they are easily accesible. it aims to embrace our painting process & bringing the beauty of exploring paint in different ways.
July 15, 2018
Great book for people like me who enjoy the process of doing things but need a help with the creative spark that tells what to do or where to start.
September 11, 2021
This book has exercises that were really helpful for learning watercolor technique
October 19, 2011
I found this a fun, light yet very useful take on an old subject. Heather Smith Jones demonstrates traditional and more experimental ways of using watercolors in a very approachable style. Her writing is complimented by a very nice layout for the book, with lovely photos illustrating the clear instructions.
She starts with the basics: paper types, preparing paper, paints (including how to make your own watercolor paints). For the uninitiated, she explains many common techniques like painting still life, experimenting with colors, using watercolor pencils and soluble crayons. She also shares tips on composition, creating textures and details through tools and methods like using salt, stencils and tape, squirting/blowing on paint. If you're not happy with your work (or even if you are), you might also consider cutting it up and reassembling it.
If you're an experienced artist/crafter, you might not find the techniques new but it's a comprehensive list for beginners and many can be adapted for other media and mixed-media art. The paintings in the book are also a plus: Not only are they beautiful, they are also representative of a range of styles. A gallery of other artists' works also adds to the book's value.
She starts with the basics: paper types, preparing paper, paints (including how to make your own watercolor paints). For the uninitiated, she explains many common techniques like painting still life, experimenting with colors, using watercolor pencils and soluble crayons. She also shares tips on composition, creating textures and details through tools and methods like using salt, stencils and tape, squirting/blowing on paint. If you're not happy with your work (or even if you are), you might also consider cutting it up and reassembling it.
If you're an experienced artist/crafter, you might not find the techniques new but it's a comprehensive list for beginners and many can be adapted for other media and mixed-media art. The paintings in the book are also a plus: Not only are they beautiful, they are also representative of a range of styles. A gallery of other artists' works also adds to the book's value.
October 19, 2011
I found this a fun, light yet very useful take on an old subject. Heather Smith Jones demonstrates traditional and more experimental ways of using watercolors in a very approachable style. Her writing is complimented by a very nice layout for the book, with lovely photos illustrating the clear instructions.
She starts with the basics: paper types, preparing paper, paints (including how to make your own watercolor paints). For the uninitiated, she explains many common techniques like painting still life, experimenting with colors, using watercolor pencils and soluble crayons. She also shares tips on composition, creating textures and details through tools and methods like using salt, stencils and tape, squirting/blowing on paint. If you're not happy with your work (or even if you are), you might also consider cutting it up and reassembling it.
If you're an experienced artist/crafter, you might not find the techniques new but it's a comprehensive list for beginners and many can be adapted for other media and mixed-media art. The paintings in the book are also a plus: Not only are they beautiful, they are also representative of a range of styles. A gallery of other artists' works also adds to the book's value.
She starts with the basics: paper types, preparing paper, paints (including how to make your own watercolor paints). For the uninitiated, she explains many common techniques like painting still life, experimenting with colors, using watercolor pencils and soluble crayons. She also shares tips on composition, creating textures and details through tools and methods like using salt, stencils and tape, squirting/blowing on paint. If you're not happy with your work (or even if you are), you might also consider cutting it up and reassembling it.
If you're an experienced artist/crafter, you might not find the techniques new but it's a comprehensive list for beginners and many can be adapted for other media and mixed-media art. The paintings in the book are also a plus: Not only are they beautiful, they are also representative of a range of styles. A gallery of other artists' works also adds to the book's value.
November 12, 2023
This was an interesting look at watercolors suitable for both the novice and more accomplished painter.
She covers all the basics like color theory, brushes and paper. Although, she fails to mention wood pulp watercolor paper at all. This paper isn’t perfect but is often a more affordable alternative for a new painter. If she dislikes it strongly I would have liked to have seen her views on it within the book.
She discusses looking at the pigments used in your paints when selecting colors. Useful info BUT another quibble after emphasizing this being so much more important & useful than color names like ‘Happy Pink’ she gives us her chosen color palette as color names… with no pigment codes.
You’ll get the basics of making your own watercolor from dry pigment and a reference to a more in-depth book on the topic if you find yourself deeply interested.
The projects are interesting and not the same basic things often seen. Each offers a chance to explore the media and grow a better understanding of it and what you like.
Definitely worth the read.
She covers all the basics like color theory, brushes and paper. Although, she fails to mention wood pulp watercolor paper at all. This paper isn’t perfect but is often a more affordable alternative for a new painter. If she dislikes it strongly I would have liked to have seen her views on it within the book.
She discusses looking at the pigments used in your paints when selecting colors. Useful info BUT another quibble after emphasizing this being so much more important & useful than color names like ‘Happy Pink’ she gives us her chosen color palette as color names… with no pigment codes.
You’ll get the basics of making your own watercolor from dry pigment and a reference to a more in-depth book on the topic if you find yourself deeply interested.
The projects are interesting and not the same basic things often seen. Each offers a chance to explore the media and grow a better understanding of it and what you like.
Definitely worth the read.
February 20, 2021
Inspirational!
As others have said, I sat and read this from cover to cover (itching for daylight so that I could open a brand new set of watercolour paints and start learning). Even the section on paper manufacture (cold press, hot press etc.) is fascinating, who'd have thought it!
The publishers might think about republishing this for 2021, the "lockdown edition" because it's jam-packed full of projects that anyone, even me, can have a go at - so many people are looking for projects to work on from home with supplies that are already to hand and/or can be ordered online - this project based book (all 30 of them!) is just perfect for that.
I'm going to gift this lovely book to at least two family members with upcoming birthdays and highly recommend it for anyone needing inspiration and a gentle nudge to get started in making art.
As others have said, I sat and read this from cover to cover (itching for daylight so that I could open a brand new set of watercolour paints and start learning). Even the section on paper manufacture (cold press, hot press etc.) is fascinating, who'd have thought it!
The publishers might think about republishing this for 2021, the "lockdown edition" because it's jam-packed full of projects that anyone, even me, can have a go at - so many people are looking for projects to work on from home with supplies that are already to hand and/or can be ordered online - this project based book (all 30 of them!) is just perfect for that.
I'm going to gift this lovely book to at least two family members with upcoming birthdays and highly recommend it for anyone needing inspiration and a gentle nudge to get started in making art.
April 4, 2019
When I worked with preschool students (age 3), we incorporated variations of some of these explorations in our program, so I feel this is a book well worth checking out no matter what the age and stage of your kids.
February 2, 2025
This watercolor book offers a great collection of projects for those seeking inspiration, with plenty of creative ideas to explore. However, it’s not very beginner-friendly . I’ll definitely revisit it once I have more experience to try some of the projects!
July 22, 2017
Really enjoyed reading . . . now on to try all the wonderful things this book taught about watercolor painting.
December 16, 2017
Great inspirational read
Very well illustrated and written! Gave me many things to think about and actually put into a Tim in my own artistic life
Very well illustrated and written! Gave me many things to think about and actually put into a Tim in my own artistic life
May 23, 2018
Good teaching tool for people looking to pick up watercolor/painting. Lots of pictures!
October 30, 2019
This was a really good book for me. It was nice to learn all the basics of warercolour and some easy techniques to practice. Can't wait to try them out!
March 4, 2020
An inspiring, gorgeous adventure.
January 22, 2021
This was the book that introduced me to the world of watercolor!
July 8, 2019
I found this book fresh and inspiring. I love how the book helps you progress from easy to hard techniques. I love the incorporation of mixed media. I have not tried any of the projects yet, but I'm inspired to get started.
Want to Read
November 18, 2011Marie Z. Johansen rated it
I have found myself wanting to use watercolors in my work but have little to no experience in how to use them. Anybody can put paint and water to paper but to make it interesting can be another whole thing. I wanted a basic book - I have no aims to become a professional watercolor artist - something that would tell me more than I already knew - but not so so much that I would be overwhelmed by the
information. I chose this book to try and I glad that I did because it fits the bill perf...moreI have found myself wanting to use watercolors in my work but have little to no experience in how to use them. Anybody can put paint and water to paper but to make it interesting can be another whole thing. I wanted a basic book - I have no aims to become a professional watercolor artist - something that would tell me more than I already knew - but not so so much that I would be overwhelmed by the
information. I chose this book to try and I glad that I did because it fits the bill perfectly for me!
I love the feel and the smell of books - and have been known, on occasion, to not by a book it if the paper feels off. The paper binding this book s feels like watercolor paper. In the book Heather Smith Jones does cover the basics of watercolor paper - how to 'stretch' it (affix it to a surface so that it will not buckle when you paint) and what the surfaces of various papers are like. The books also has an excellent, short version, of how watercolor paints are created and how to branch out and make your own paints should you want to. There is an explanation of what all of those little numbers and letters on the paint tubes mean as well, what mediums to use and why.
The projects include the fare you might expect in a beginner book :
* how to work wet into wet and wet onto dry.
* developing a palette and using one of a variety of different pallets for your work
* using color
* adding textures with things like salt, sprays (with a straw),lines, bubble wrap, paper towels etc
* painting with watercolors around a drawing as well as using backgrounds before a drawing
* working from a photograph
* art cardshttp://hrsmithjones.blogspot.com
* assembalges
* creating negative shapes
* collage
You get the idea. Yes, it's basic but it also contains a wealth of usable information for folks like me who want the basics presented in an intelligible manner and suitable for a wide variety of mixed media work and textile art. I am very pleased with my purchase of this book - and think it would make a great addition to your artist's library as a mixed media or textile artist. I am sure that conditioned watercolor artists might be bored - but for me this was the perfect book. Just what I had hoped for !
I have found myself wanting to use watercolors in my work but have little to no experience in how to use them. Anybody can put paint and water to paper but to make it interesting can be another whole thing. I wanted a basic book - I have no aims to become a professional watercolor artist - something that would tell me more than I already knew - but not so so much that I would be overwhelmed by the
information. I chose this book to try and I glad that I did because it fits the bill perf...moreI have found myself wanting to use watercolors in my work but have little to no experience in how to use them. Anybody can put paint and water to paper but to make it interesting can be another whole thing. I wanted a basic book - I have no aims to become a professional watercolor artist - something that would tell me more than I already knew - but not so so much that I would be overwhelmed by the
information. I chose this book to try and I glad that I did because it fits the bill perfectly for me!
I love the feel and the smell of books - and have been known, on occasion, to not by a book it if the paper feels off. The paper binding this book s feels like watercolor paper. In the book Heather Smith Jones does cover the basics of watercolor paper - how to 'stretch' it (affix it to a surface so that it will not buckle when you paint) and what the surfaces of various papers are like. The books also has an excellent, short version, of how watercolor paints are created and how to branch out and make your own paints should you want to. There is an explanation of what all of those little numbers and letters on the paint tubes mean as well, what mediums to use and why.
The projects include the fare you might expect in a beginner book :
* how to work wet into wet and wet onto dry.
* developing a palette and using one of a variety of different pallets for your work
* using color
* adding textures with things like salt, sprays (with a straw),lines, bubble wrap, paper towels etc
* painting with watercolors around a drawing as well as using backgrounds before a drawing
* working from a photograph
* art cardshttp://hrsmithjones.blogspot.com
* assembalges
* creating negative shapes
* collage
You get the idea. Yes, it's basic but it also contains a wealth of usable information for folks like me who want the basics presented in an intelligible manner and suitable for a wide variety of mixed media work and textile art. I am very pleased with my purchase of this book - and think it would make a great addition to your artist's library as a mixed media or textile artist. I am sure that conditioned watercolor artists might be bored - but for me this was the perfect book. Just what I had hoped for !
September 3, 2018
My first color book. This helped me understand medium and choose some supplies without being overly perscriptive. I am excited to try some of the projects. There's a nice array of projects and skills.
June 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, 4.5 stars if I could give it that rating! I am a complete beginner to watercolors, so for me this book lacked some of the illustrations I would have liked to see...I needed to go to You Tube and watch a couple of videos on Water-painting (so that I could see the viscosity of the paints and mixes, learn about the white pan and gouache techniques, and see how wet to get the pans, etc) before I was truly ready to begin. Some of the instructions were too vague and I felt like I needed to see more illustrations of the processes, not just the final products...but that could just be my learning style. What I loved about this book was that it was full of achievable assignments! It introduced basic techniques and had projects to achieve each one, and for that reason this book was very successful for me. The assignments also scaled very well: you could easily do bigger or smaller sized pieces for each assignment, many assignments could easily be combined into one project, and you don't need to go out and spend a ton of money to get started. I would highly recommend this book to beginners to watercolors (though note that if you need more visuals of the process you might need to supplement with some videos) and to people interested in adding watercolor to mixed media projects.
November 13, 2013
The difficulty with the current crop of writers in the field of mixed media artistry is their inherent pretension. It's hard to count the number of "helpful" authors I've read who offer advice about materials, methodology and muse from the vantage of my-way-or-the-highway. I've been bullied, lectured and infantilized by, apparently, some of the most highly-regarded craftswomen working today. As I am not a fan of despots, particularly in the arena of hands-on art instruction, it gives me great pleasure here to draw attention to their counterpoint.
Ms. Heather Smith Jones has produced a book that comfortably and efficiently guides her reader through the world of watercolor painting and its applications for mixed media expression. Her lush imagery and carefully-measured explanatory voice combine to present a genuine invitation to explore and create at will with materials she clearly respects and enjoys. You are her talented friend. She is your artistic support. Together painting will happen.
In a genre shockingly sparse of capable teachers, this is one.
July 28, 2011
Out of the shelf-fulls of books I've purchased over the years, this one is like having your own instructor right there. The writing is straightforward, the exercises are clear and speak to the reader in a nice way. No down-talking here.
Lovely examples and photographs, and the author/artist gives her personal spin on the medium of watercolor and it's properties. I'd like to say I'm going to tackle each exercise over time and I just might! Definitely makes me want to get out my paper, paint and water :)
UDATE: ...which is exactly what I did: got out the supplies and relaxed into playing with paint and water. The exercises are smart and good teaching tools for experimenting. I have returned to this book a lot since purchasing!
Lovely examples and photographs, and the author/artist gives her personal spin on the medium of watercolor and it's properties. I'd like to say I'm going to tackle each exercise over time and I just might! Definitely makes me want to get out my paper, paint and water :)
UDATE: ...which is exactly what I did: got out the supplies and relaxed into playing with paint and water. The exercises are smart and good teaching tools for experimenting. I have returned to this book a lot since purchasing!
March 14, 2014
I love watercolor, so this book was a winner right off the bat. I love that it focused exclusively on water based media and techniques. Many if the projects were more abstract than I'm used to, but that is what makes them good practice exercises for me. My only issue is that there were a few spots where it seemed like a step was missing in the direction. Like from picture A to B I could see additional changes that were not described. I'm not sure if I'll buy this one, but I'll keep it in mind if I need some ideas in the future.
August 1, 2012
I paint, but not watercolours. And I'm not schooled in it. So I found this book really useful educationally. I liked the variety of projects and instructions with pictures. While I doubt I will follow all of them, it did give me several ideas, and new methods to try. I can't ask for more than that out of an art book.
January 27, 2012
About the first half of the book was review for me, because I have a fair amount of experience with watercolor. However, when she finally does get around to the mixed media part, I learned a lot of new things. There are so many ideas I want to try, maybe someday I'll make the time.
January 7, 2012
It was just o.k., like the stars said. Did not get too many ideas that I could use in my own art. Other people may get more than I did. I am more of a mixed media and art journal type of artist. This was a library book and I do not plan to buy this book.
March 22, 2012
This is a good, basic book about watercolor. Lots of ideas for projects. I'm fairly new to this craft, but felt some of her ideas were pretty obvious. Nevertheless, they gave me good thoughts to put into my brain that I may use later.
May 25, 2012
Great starter book for watercolor painting with some non-traditional exercises and projects.
If you've gotten jaded with watercolor paints some of the suggestions might inspire some lively fun in your thinking.
The mixed-media section could be expanded.
If you've gotten jaded with watercolor paints some of the suggestions might inspire some lively fun in your thinking.
The mixed-media section could be expanded.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews