Flowers in Water Colour (How to Paint) [Paperback]

This relatively new series from Search Press is now starting to branch out from the basic media guides which any series starts with, and which often only give a hint to its eventual success. On the basis of this first subject-based volume, it's going to be a good one. There is no shortage of books on flower painting and you can take your pick of anything from basic sketching to scientific-level botanical illustration. Julie King sets her sights at the beginner level and provides, in only 64 pages, a very thorough grounding that manages to encompass not only basic shapes, but also some specific flower types (Clematis, Roses, Delphiniums and Stocks), also showing them in context and not just as isolated blooms. If you want a good starting place for painting flowers, this is it. If you want to get more serious, there are plenty of books which will help you, but if you just want to be able to put flowers in a more general painting and have them look convincing and not out of place, this may very well be all you need. --Artbookreview.net

This book is published in association with Winsor & Newton. It contains just three comprehensive, step by step demonstrations on clematis, roses and delphiniums. The front cover picture does not form part of the demonstrations. Having said that, when the three demonstrations have been learned, you should be able to master similar paintings. This book is well laid out and the step by step instructions are clear and easy to follow. Julie's style of painting is attractive. The book begins with the usual look at materials, watercolours, papers, brushes and a section on colour that is very useful. Julie looks in depth at greens and how to lay out your palette. She then looks at basic techniques including using salt and also discusses flower structure. The three detailed demonstrations follow. You will want to do these and you should be able to make a reasonable attempt at them. I intend to do them myself. This is a book for beginners or for those self-taught watercolourists who wish to enhance their skills or even more advanced ones who wish to try a different approach. This 64 page book is full of colour and professional advice. It is very reasonably priced. --karenplatt.co.uk

Julie's textile background shows through in this excellent easy to follow book, teaching not just how to paint flowers but how to achieve varied and interesting textural effects with paint. An introduction to basic materials and paints ends with a much needed section on how to mix greens, invaluable advice for the floral artist. Julie then goes on to explain some basic techniques and how they relate to flower painting, first using paints and then adding different mediums such as salt or using masking fluid and cling film. Using these can give some excellent foliage effects and give texture to delicate flower petals such as poppies. There's a very interesting section on negative painting which can be used to great effect with leaves and petals - a subject so useful in floral works and yet very often not mentioned. Julie also covers basic flower shapes explaining how to make use of them. The final section contains three demonstration paintings, very clearly explained , to practice all the techniques used in the book. An excellent book for those who wish to paint interesting and lifelike flower portraits. Flowers are always a popular subject for artists, and if you have always wanted to learn the technique to portray them in watercolor, then here is how. This is quite an exhaustive book for its modest length, and I learned a number of things I would have loved to know when I was a beginner. Although I will never agree that purchasing artist quality paint instead of student is a good idea for a beginner this is not one of those books that expects you to buy up the art store. --JeannieZelos.com

Julie King's deep and abiding love for flowers and the natural world shows through in the wonderful delicacy and vibrancy of her water colour flower paintings.This title provides three comprehensive step-by-step demonstrations. It helps with selecting paints, brushes and other materials. It offers clear guidance to water colour techniques, including negative painting, masking, washes and more.