Books

My Watercolor Book List.

Most of these Watercolor Books are in my personal collection.  It's very rare for me to buy a new book, second hand books from Amazon.com, who will give you a complete description of it's condition ,is the way to go.
The comments relating to the content of the books are strictly my own opinion.

BASIC WATERCOLOR BOOKS.

The Watercolor Book by David Dewey, it has concise instructions simple exercises and wise advice.

The author see's the whole picture and explains it very well for the novice.
It looks like Dewey has painted the student lessons and technical examples himself.  Just as I do in this web site.

Equal emphasis to materials, theory, techniques, design, simple practice is all here for you.  Author mentions and explains a wealth of techniques that other books rarely explain, example. Pen and Ink Washes, Sketch Book, Monochrome Painting, Color Chords and so much more.

Great Book.

Watercolor for the Serious Beginner by Mary Whyte.
The author avoids an encyclopedic approach.
Adopts a conversational approach which is refreshing.  But from there it goes down hill fast, many pages seem to be somewhat casual and very elementary.

There were several places where I felt that specific information was incorrect or misleading.
The main theme of the book is patience, practice and serious effort.  Which is a very worth while project, but overall this book is not to be placed in my top 50.

A Practical Guide to Painting in Watercolor, by Hazel Harrison.
The author devotes a mere eight pages to set up materials and studio (which I think is enough).
She then goes into basic skills, well explained.  She next develops your skill a little more with complex techniques, but no problems here she explains it very nicely.

The section "Making Pictures" looks at problems associated with Still Lifes, Cityscapes, Landscapes, Human Figures and Animals.

In the latter sections, the gallery of paintings by contrasting artist suggest a variety of techniques.
The text comes with captions with illustrations photographs all concise.
I like the book.

Complete Guide to Watercolor Painting, by Edgar Whitney.
For several decades Whitney was the most prolific and influential and popular Watercolor Teacher in America.  This book is a classical introduction to design.  It did not impress me one bit.

Whitney has little patience for a slow well thought out painting approach.  Using a two inch brush lots of water and "Wham-Bam",finish a painting in twenty minutes.  Not recommended.

Basic Watercolor Answer Book, by Catherine Anderson.

This lady is the guru of multiple glazes, love her technique.

This book is based on "FAQ" format which comes across real well.  This book give you a relaxed, exploratory feel very close to the act of painting.  All the essentials are here, paper, brushes, brush stokes, paint, color and tonal value.  You will enjoy this book.

Watercolor A New Beginning, by Ann Lindsey.
Lindsey misses , well almost misses touching the technical essentials, like using the brush, paint, colors, washes, glazes and composition etc.
Author just describes the general goal, with a simple demonstration, avoids showing what makes the painting good or bad.  Not recommended.

The New Drawing On The Right Side of The Brain, by Betty Edwards.
This is a must on drawing.  The new addition is expanded with color plates and art examples.
If you are looking to improve your drawing, this book is it, a must buy.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Watercolor, Marian Appellof.
The title tells it all, it could be a beginners book, intermediates book, advanced book all rolled into one.
The stars come out in this book.

Stephen Quiller. Explains basic color terms and color theory.

Jeanne Dobie. Describes a pure pigment palette, how to mix luminous grays and good looking greens.

Don Rankin.  He handles glazes and texturing.

Maxine Masterfield.  Unusual media and complex texturing techniques.

Charles Reid, Don Andrews, Alex Powers.  All do composition and rendering of figures and portraits

Richard Karwoski,  Watercolor bright and beautiful.

Irving Shapiro.  On how to make a painting.  Great Stuff.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Watercolor is 400 pages of really good information.

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