The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook

by Gordon MacKenzie

Watercolor will entertain you for a lifetime. Those who have spent decades with it can testify how they are continually charmed and amazed by new discoveries every time they put paint to paper.

This book was developed to clarify and simplify various aspects of painting with watercolor, while at the same time challenging you with new possibilities. However, unlike a book of rules that tend to close our minds, this is a collection of principles, concepts and general information designed to expand the creative process.

This is your invitation to join the magic world of watercolor.

--Gordon MacKenzie

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Drawing, Crafts

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jackie]

Picked this gem up through Hoopla after it was recommended in a FB watercolor forum. I wanted to see if it was worth buying and it certainly is. MacKenzie is able to pack quite a bit of information in 144 pages. Everything from tools (watercolors, brushes, paper, palettes) to different techniques are covered. Techniques include the basics like wet-on-wet, glazing, masking, along with negative painting, creating shadows and values and even ways to approach composition. He also goes into how to fix problems. The instructions are easy to follow and all the techniques include pictures of step-by-step instructions along with examples of MacKenzie's own work, so everything is really easy to understand. I'll definitely buy this one once I fully get back into watercolors.

[Marcus Gunaratnam]

A True Master of the medium and teacher

Just when I thought that I had read it all along comes Mr MacKenzie to prove me wrong and provide further education.
I bought this as another e book for reading off my Android and now it is the first go-to book on watercolour next to watercolor techniques for artists &illustratorspublished by DK,via Penguin publishers.

[Ron Scherzinger]

This is a FANTASTIC book. Besides loving Gordon's style, he provides good information about pigments as to lightfastness, what 2 or more color names are really the same color, etc. The entire book is illustrated with pictures, notes etc done in watercolor. Great for the landscape painter. Gordon has another book, which name slips my mind now. However, he has two books combined into one. I actually purchased it through Amazon. I refer to it as a reference. Search his name.

[Karen]

I have read this before, but I didn't remember much, so I read it again. It has some awesome ideas and helps. I actually learned more reading it this time. I am excited to try some of the examples. I also found out what paints I have that will ruin a painting because they aren't good. Great tips!

[Patricia Garey]

This book was a delightful gift! I returned to watercolor seriously 2 years ago. Gordon MacKenzie's Essential Notebook was both a terrific premier and a great source of innovative techniques and ideas. I started browsing the Notebook but quickly began drilling down. I read it cover to cover and enjoyed it immensely!

[Jilly]

This guy is a serious mic drop watercolor artist with breathtaking work. Loved reading his take on art and creativity and will refer back to it plenty, I’m sure!

[David]

Has some very useful information about the properties of watercolor that would take a long time to discover through trial and error. Also a reference for pigments and their properties. One of the better art instruction books I own. MacKenzie has a pretty masking-heavy approach, but he explains other ways to go about it. Recommended!

[Christine]

I enjoyed this book. I hoped for a few more projects to do, but it was mostly small exercises to demonstrate techniques. The information was really useful though, very clear and informative!

[Andria]

This book gets a five star rating because it was the first art book I ever bought before I knew what I didn't know and back when I was game to try anything. It brings back great memories.