This book is definitely not for a beginning watercolorist and I don't think the author and publishers intended it to be. If you are just beginning to paint in watercolor in a realistic style I recommend starting with books aimed for beginners first. That said, for high-intermediate to advanced watercolorists who want to learn new ways to add life to their paintings this is one of the best books out there using the pouring process as the primary means vs. painting with a brush. That doesn't mean Ms. Engle doesn't use brushes, it's just that they are only one of several techniques at her disposal.

I got this book after having read Creative Discoveries in Watermedia. So I understand why the title says 'Experimental Techniques for Achieving Realistic Effects'. Many of the same techniques from the Creative Discoveries book are used here as well. Everything from squirt bottles to pouring the paints and tipping the board to let the paint run where it will to textural techniqes for added interest. All the chapters introduce fun methods for paiting but I'm glad design (aka composition) has a chapter of its own. All the techniques in the world won't save a painting with a poor design (that's when you just crop it and make it a mixed media experimental painting!) :)

My favorite chapter is the last one. It discusses experimental techiques, mediums, methods, etc. This is the only watercolor book I've ever seen that mentions W&N's Aquapasto medium, a product I love for adding texture elements to some of my more experimental paintings. If you're an intermediate to advanced watercolorist looking for new ideas you'll find plenty of them here.

Elizabeth Kincaid invites readers to follow her proven techniques for painting dazzling scenes drenched in color. Her beautiful flowers, foliage and landscapes will have readers eager to create their own--and they will, using:

* Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions that take the mystery out of composition, color, light and shadow

* A practical guide to masking and glazing

* Newly trained eyes to visualize before painting and to better perceive abstract form, value, line and color

All levels of watercolorists, as well as color enthusiasts of all mediums, will enjoy using Kincaid's tips to create vivid paintings infused with light!

This instructional book approaches the figure organically, showing readers how to observe its basic shapes and subtle nuances through practical exercises and lessons in the art of seeing with a painter's eye.

Step-by-step demonstrations in contour drawing teach how to capture the overall essence of the human form, then lessons in gesture drawing emphasize the body's linear rhythms in various poses. Painting techniques progress from silhouette to three-dimensional forms through clever uses of light, shadow, color, and value.

Artists will discover an exciting, mixed-media way of painting that takes full advantage of the vivid moods of watercolor, the punch and contrast of ink, and the rich textures of colored pencil.

Sueellen Ross teaches readers to layer one medium on top of another in easy-to-control stages. Step-by-step instructions teach how to use this technique to paint cozy interiors, beautiful flowers, cats, birds, and other delightful subjects in a brillant, realistic style.

Texture is one of the most crucial elements of any successful painting--and now, with Paint Luxurious Textures in Watercolor, readers can discover the secrets of this powerful technique. This book features:

-An overview of texture techniques, including glazing, underpainting, and masking -15 close-up, step-by-step demonstrations of how to create texture for a variety of subjects, including lace, embroidered silk, silver teapots, and cats -Two longer demonstrations that show readers how to combine all of the texture techniques discussed throughout to create a sophisticated, multi-layered painting

Readers will learn how to capture rich textures so realistic, their paintings will seem to jump off the canvas.

Readers who have never even picked up a paint brush will be amazed at what they can accomplish with the help of this one-of-a-kind instruction manual. Watercolours in a Weekend can teach anyone the essential skills needed to paint a complete watercolor picture in a single weekend.

Structured around six short courses for painting popular subjects, these projects provide a complete beginner's art course. Each one begins with practice exercises, covering a wide range of watercolor techniques. Readers are then ready to complete a full watercolor painting in a day. The step-by-step demonstrations for the paintings use only the techniques learned from the exercises, and a palette of mixed paint and a color swatch accompany each step.

Hazel Harrison is an accomplished art-instruction writer with many books to her credit.

Light on words, heavy on pictures, this totally user-friendly how-to book can turn an absolute beginner of any age, who has never held a paintbrush before, into a productive and proud watercolor painter. Basics open the book, as readers are shown the range of watercolors and how to mix them. Then simple wash techniques and the painting of light and shadows are presented. Next, step-by-step demonstrations show how to paint separate features of a still life or landscape-fruit, vegetables, flowers, trees, and skies-then how to combine these elements into lovely watercolor paintings.

Simply Watercolor holds the beginning artist's hand from start to finish, from selecting the right materials, to picking up a brush for the first time, to completing a simple still life or landscape. Readers will receive hands-on practice with such essential techniques as mixing paint, brushwork applications from wet-on-wet to dry brush, layering and glazing, creating special effects with razor blades erasers and sponges, and more. Close-up photos break down every paint stroke and explain essential techniques in easy, bite-size chunks. Finally, a series of demonstration tutorials takes artists step-by-step through the creation of their own paintings.