Breaking the Rules of Watercolour [Abridged, Audiobook, Box set, Illustrated, Large Print] [Hardcover]

Although I have a large selection of watercolour painting books, my favourites are by Shirley Trevena. I couldn't wait to read this book and I wasn't disappointed. It has joined Shirley's other books in my collection, all of which have something unique to offer watercolour painters.

For anyone interested in getting beyond the `established' way of painting, where careful measurements of objects are taken before laying a mark on the paper, pale washes are laid in layers and colours have to be exactly what you see, this book will be a revelation.

Shirley's suggestions offer freedom to experiment with design, colour, scale, perspective and all the other `set in stone' established ways of using watercolour. The old rule that you should never use black in a watercolour painting is blown away, and she demonstrates fully how she makes the effects and marks so beautifully worked into the paintings to great effect.

Shirley explains how she starts with an idea and develops these ideas into full sized paintings. Firstly she makes little sketches of the composition to find the most interesting viewpoint and selects her colour choices for a painting. Each step of the process is fully explained and clearly shows how a painting started and the entire process through to the finished work, both in photographs and well written explanations. When I first saw Shirley's work I was well and truly hooked. Her stunning use of colour and the mysterious way objects appear to be behind something and then reappear in front is quite remarkable.

Taking desperate measures and drastic action to save a painting after working on it for many hours is another interesting feature in the book. There are several humorous little sketched drawings of Shirley trying to find a good composition and taking drastic action with the painting. It's lovely to see these clever little drawings.

If you are looking for a book which will inspire and liberate you in your painting, there is no doubt this is it. The book is clearly laid out in easy to follow sections and is beautifully photographed.

Shirley is an inspirational artist and is willing to pass on everything she knows to her students and readers of this book. I highly recommend it.

this is a great book, lots of inspiration for someone wanting to paint rather differently to the norm. It makes it easy for the reader to realise that you can do just about anything you like with watercolour, it is possible to through all the rules out of the window. I loved it

This third book by Shirley Trevena is a worthwhile buy even if you have the other two, although a few aspects of her very individual approaches and techniques are repeated. The illustrations are excellent and plentiful. This book unfolds a little more of Shirley's ways of working, but it would have been good to have seen much more put into the rather small section on her approach to abstraction. But perhaps we expect too much? for is it really possible for any artist to describe fully how they do it? There will undoubtedly always be some elements that defy description.

This book is an excellent buy on Amazon - just over half the full price!