Big Brush Watercolour


Book Description

Using the Japanese hake brush, obtainable from most art and craft shops, Ron Ranson demonstrates how, because of its nature and size, it forces the watercolourist to simplify the subject matter and thus distil the essence of a scene. He also discusses the dissecting and dramatizing of the subject.




Watercolour Fast & Loose


Book Description

Renowned artist Ron Ranson shows how to pare a subject down to its key elements and use large brushes and a limited palette to paint beautiful pictures with the purity and simplicity that's essential to a good watercolor.




Skies in Watercolour


Book Description

This best-selling title will be relaunched in September 04 with a fresh new cover design. Ron Ranson has a huge following among amateur painters and skies are a fundamental element of any landscape painting, essential in creating atmosphere. Learning how to paint impressive skies can enable artists to produce landscape paintings that are full of vitality and atmosphere. In Learn to Paint Skies in Watercolour experienced teacher Ron Ranson provides plenty of practical advice on how to achieve this. He gives guidelines on techniques, colour and aspects of composition, as well as tips on working on location and in the studio. Contents include: * guidelines on choosing materials and equipment; descriptions of basic cloud formations; simple sky exercises; advice on creating atmosphere; using a camera to provide good reference; stage-by-stage demonstration painting




Ron Ranson on Skies


Book Description

From the serenity of a color-streaked evening sky to the breaking light of a new day to the misty grayness after a rain shower, the ever changing sky dictates the whole mood and feeling of landscape painting. Master watercolorist Ron Ranson demonstrates how to capture the sky and improve the quality of your paintings, using a palette of only seven colors. He explains how to use a camera as a tool and photographs as a source to keep your work fresh, immediate, and spontaneous. A colorful gallery of finished paintings illustrates the results of the various techniques, and Ranson's constant enthusiasm provides plenty of encouragement. From clouds to sunlight to weather conditions, by successfully interpreting the beauty of the sky you will create more effective paintings every time you put brush to paper. A Selection of F&W's North Light Book Club. Studio Vista 128 pages (all in color), 8 3/4 x 10 7/8.




Painting Animals in Watercolour


Book Description

Artists seem compelled to try to capture the amazing variety of the animal kingdom; the challenge remains how to breathe energy into your paintings and make the animals jump off the paper. This deeply practical book offers an accessible introduction to sketching animals from life, to try to capture that essence. It gives instruction on how to approach drawing; covers ideas for materials and supplies to make sketching from life a joy; gives step-by-step demonstrations of different watercolour techniques; offers specific advice on using colour and painting, fur, feathers and features and gives ideas for mixed-media experimentation. Full of colourful examples and guidance, this new book explains how to transform your studies into finished artwork that are brimming with character. It encourages you to find the extraordinary in the everyday, as well as revelling in the breadth of nature. Taking a contemporary approach to traditional watercolour, the author shows how a few, well-chosen brushes of paint can reveal the soul of your subject.




Creating Luminous Watercolor Landscapes


Book Description

How to paint your world in watercolor…and have fun doing it! The day Sterling Edwards watched an artist paint an entire sky with three deft brushstrokes was the day he committed to trading his tiny oil brushes and photorealistic style in favor of big, bold strokes of watercolor. In the years since, he's developed not only a wonderfully fresh, luminous painting style, but also an approach that takes the intimidation out of this beautiful but often-mystifying medium. In this book, he shares both. • Initial chapters lay the foundation for successful paintings, from choosing the right brushes to achieving vibrant colors, interesting textures and strong compositions. • Step-by-step demonstrations illustrate techniques for painting rocks, skies, trees, foliage, buildings, water and other landscape elements. • An easy-to-follow, four-step painting process makes for easier starts and stronger finishes, complete with rich darks and sparkling highlights. • Eight complete painting projects cover a range of breathtaking scenes and seasons. Whether you're dipping into the medium for the first time or you're a watercolor devotee on a quest for clearer color and more personal statements, this book will help you make the most of the time you spend with brush in hand.




Watercolor Color


Book Description

Twelve art projects with step-by-step instructions and advice on materials, subjects, and methods.




North Light's Big Book of Painting Watercolor Flowers


Book Description

North Light's Big Book of Painting Watercolor Flowers presents not only the best work from your favorite artists but their expert instruction as well. Everyone from curious beginners to established painters can learn something from these veteran artists: Jo Taylor, Adele Earnshaw, Susan D. Bourdet, Ann Pember, Jan Fabian Wallake, Charles Reid, Susanna Spann, Patrick Seslar. First, follow core instruction on basic techniques, color, shapes and composition. Then start painting flowers in a rich range of settings and styles. The variety in this book is sure to keep you inspired. With more than 25 step-by-step demonstrations and a tremendous breadth of instruction, this is the essential guide to painting flowers in watercolor. - Back cover.




Paint Yourself Calm


Book Description

Discover the happiness benefits of putting brush to paper with a guide that puts judgment aside and “encourages simple enjoyment of painting” (Library Journal). Meditative, peaceful, and calming, watercolour painting offers a sense of control and self-worth to everyone, with no judgment or goal beyond the joy of painting itself. This book shows you how to calm and enhance your outlook through the movement of brush on paper. Master artist Jean Haines leads you through the journey, putting the emphasis on the joy of play rather than on pressure to perform or produce—and showing you how to wipe away your worries with the soothing, gentle strokes of watercolour paint. “Starting from the premise that everyone can paint, Haines frees readers of the goals and expectations of end results, and encourages simple enjoyment of painting. Open-ended, detailed exercises guide readers through experimenting with paint to gain a sense of control; to relieve stress; to escape; or to be in a better mood. The emotional and psychological properties of color are discussed as are obstacles to creativity and happiness. . . . [a] unique blend of self-care and expression.” —Library Journal




Watercolour Painting


Book Description

Hundreds of photos reveal Ron Ranson's approach to watercolor.