Creating Nature in Watercolor: An Artist's Guide

by Cathy Johnson

Experience Nature with an Artist's Eye This guide is a rare opportunity to experience the joy of painting nature with Cathy Johnson , a beloved artist, naturalist and teacher. With lively instruction and an approachable style, Cathy takes you on an enjoyable hike through the great outdoors, showing you how to see and paint the wonders of nature in a whole new way. Open this unique guide and see how achievable and fun watercolor can be. With dozens of examples of her own work, along with 15 complete step-by-step demonstrations, Cathy shows you how to capture a range of environments. You'll explore the beauty of the open desert, the shady stillness of an old forest, the dancing cascades of a rushing waterfall, and much more. Habitats are arranged by chapter,

Genres: Art, Nature, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 28, 2007

About the author

There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

sometimes known as Kate, has worked as a naturalist, writer, and freelance artist for the past 30 years, and was staff naturalist and contributing editor for Country Living magazine for 11 years. She is a contributing editor to the Artist’s Magazine and Watercolor Magic and has had a regular column in Personal Journaling magazine, where she wrote on a subject she feels passionately about -- realizing the importance of creativity in our lives. She has written and illustrated -- her own work and that of others -- for a number of national magazines, including Science Digest, Harrowsmith Country Life, Sports Afield, Country Journal, Muzzlelader, Women's History, Early American Life, Sketchbook, Woodworker, Woman’s Day, Threads, Mother Earth News, National Wildlife Magazine, Sierra and additional magazines listed on the writer page. Her writing and artwork has been included in a number of nature anthologies and art books.

(from http://cathyjohnson.info/biography.html)

Reviews

[Sherry (sethurner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson is a talent artist who I "met" online at the Everyday Matters sketching site. She does a goof job of explaining some of her watercolor techniques, and her examples are inspiring.

[Rachel Mckay]

Excellent, Cathy is a great instructor.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author describes how to make a nature journal using watercolor, ink, watercolor pencils, colored pencils, and graphite pencils--so it's multi-media, not just watercolor. She generally goes for detail and for realistic portrayals of animals, plants, and environments. I learned more about drawing and painting nature from just looking at her illustrations than I have from reading many "landscape painting" books. She covered materials and several environments: woods, water, prairies, mountains, and deserts. She also described how to realistically capture animals, plants, and humans in your journal illustrations. Her step-by-step descriptions are clear and detailed enough for those with some drawing and painting experience.

[Reuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn't need the introductory material, the information on different palettes for mountains, desert, plains, and seascapes was very helpful, as were the watercolor sketches of these very different landscapes and the color mixing tips. Also, it was enjoyable just to look at Johnson's beautiful watercolor, colored pencil, and ink sketches of beautiful places.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this artist/author's sketching style. She makes wildlife sketching look so easy, which of course, it isn't, but fun to read nonetheless.