The Artist’s Watercolour Problem Solver

The Artist’s Watercolour Problem Solver
The Artist Magazine

Published in association with The Artist magazine, this superbly illustrated book looks at many of the common problems encountered when using the popular painting medium of watercolour. Twelve well-known professional artists provide practical and straightforward expert solutions.The Artist magazine is one of the most respected art magazines for amateur painters. This book, based on its popular problem solving column, offers expert advice of interest to every watercolour artist.Watercolour is the most popular painting medium of all but many leisure painters find themselves held back by frustrating pitfalls. Here, a variety of professional artists provide helpful solutions to many of the most frequently asked questions. Superb illustrations help to ensure that the advice is not only practical and straightforward, but also inspiring.Numerous topics are covered, including: finding new subjects, working from sketches, mixing watercolours effectively and portraying difficult subjects such as fabric and sunlight. A variety of popular subjects are also included, from landscapes and seascapes to still life, interiors, people, buildings and flowers.Artists featuredJohn Lidzey, Ray BalkwillJulie Collins, John MitchellSally Fisher, Anuk NaumannGerald Green, Paul RileyBarry Herniman, Tom RobbHilary Jackson, Judi Whitton

Copyright (#ulink_c06357f0-fe18-5141-8a76-2f8d89613f5e)

Published by Collins,

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

77-85 Fulham Palace Road

Hammersmith London W6 8JB

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/)

First published in 2003 Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

Collins is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

© The Artist magazine, 2003

Editor: Geraldine Christy

Designer: Penny Dawes

Indexer: Susan Bosanko

The text and illustrations in this book were previously published in The Artist magazine.

The Artist magazine asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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HarperCollinsPublishers has made every reasonable effort to ensure that any picture content and written content in this ebook has been included or removed in accordance with the contractual and technological constraints in operation at the time of publication.

Source ISBN: 9780007149483

Ebook Edition © OCTOBER 2014 ISBN: 9780008108489

Version: 2014-10-15

Vin Rouge, Paul Riley

Parisian Side Street, Gerald Green

Portuguese Creek, Tom Robb

CONTENTS

Cover (#ufa3f8bfa-3e8e-5c40-9b86-f8721aa83119)

Title Page (#u2b703bc6-3d02-52b0-9d67-549de2f2e4eb)

Copyright (#ulink_ed819b0a-e98b-59b7-bc4c-8a679bea6db4)

Introduction (#ulink_66d530a6-1239-56c4-89b2-cdc3c98a144e) by Sally Bulgin (Publishing Editor, The Artist)

Artists’ Biographies (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

INTRODUCTION (#ulink_8920e610-6ae1-55d2-abca-7b2db745e001)

Following the worldwide success and popularity of The Artist’s Problem Solver, first published in 2001 by HarperCollins from the long-running series in the UK’s The Artist magazine, we decided to collaborate on this second publication, concentrating this time on the most helpful watercolour problem-solving articles from the magazine series.

As I mention in my introduction to the first book, the aim of the ongoing series on which this most recent book is based is to tackle painting enthusiasts’ most common problems by posing their questions to top-class artist-tutors, who offer advice and possible solutions to each problem through down-to-earth instruction and demonstrations.

Pears in the Studio

(Anuk Naumann)

20.5 × 20.5 cm (8 × 8 in)

In this latest publication, the problems covered are those encountered specifically by watercolourists, although you may find that the ideas are relevant to painting subject matter in other media too. Watercolour is a wonderfully expressive medium, offering endless opportunities for portraying subjects, but it can be unpredictable and you may need guidance to overcome sticking points and reach your full potential. Here you will find a myriad of different watercolour problems which cover topics ranging from finding inspiration, using your chosen colours to their greatest effect and working up pictures from sketchbooks, to creating impact through tone control and recognizing the point at which to stop work on a painting. The subjects covered are also numerous and feature landscapes, seascapes, interiors and still-life paintings, as well as nudes, flowers and fabrics amongst others. There is something of value to every painter, whatever their level of skill.

Venice (Judi Whitton)

25.5 × 33 cm (10 × 13 in)

Each of the questions posed has been tackled by well-known practising artist-tutors with empathy for students’ concerns and needs. These include John Lidzey, Paul Riley, Ray Balkwill, Tom Robb and Judi Whitton, who offer advice based on their own approach to the subject or problem in hand. The result is a cornucopia of information, advice and inspiration to encourage watercolour painters of all levels of experience.

Publishing Editor, The Artist

1

A MATTER OF SUBJECT

What shall I paint next? Can you suggest new subjects that will stimulate renewed inspiration?

Answered by:

John Lidzey

The problem of finding a subject to paint seems to affect many artists, while others appear to have no trouble at all. From my own early experience I know the frustration of wasting a morning in failing to find something worthwhile to paint. It might be seen, I suppose, as a condition that is similar to writer’s block.

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