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Experimental Landscapes in Watercolour
Artist Ann Blockley is renowned for her innovative approach to traditional subjects. Following the huge success of her previous book, Experimental Flowers in Watercolour , she now explores ways to interpret landscape. Packed with stunning examples of her colourful, expressive work, this book encourages you to experiment with the same techniques in your own watercolour painting to develop a personal style.
Techniques covered include combining water-based paint and ink with other media such as gesso and collage to create dramatic effects; manipulating paint with materials such as plastic wrap (clingfilm); tearing, layering and reassembling paintings into watercolour collages; and developing textures and marks made using fabrics and other found objects. Throughout the book Ann offers her personal commentary on how her paintings were created, giving us a unique insight into the mind of the artist.
Both practical and inspirational, this glorious book is the ideal companion for watercolour painters who want to take their work a step further.
Techniques covered include combining water-based paint and ink with other media such as gesso and collage to create dramatic effects; manipulating paint with materials such as plastic wrap (clingfilm); tearing, layering and reassembling paintings into watercolour collages; and developing textures and marks made using fabrics and other found objects. Throughout the book Ann offers her personal commentary on how her paintings were created, giving us a unique insight into the mind of the artist.
Both practical and inspirational, this glorious book is the ideal companion for watercolour painters who want to take their work a step further.
- GenresArtNonfictionCrafts
128 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2014
63 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 17, 2015
This review is a little bit different from my usual because it is a review of a non-fiction book based on one of my other primary interests, apart from fiction, which is art. I received this book through NetGalley for review and read through most of it in one sitting.
Usually with this type of book I would use it more as a reference, something to flip through when in need of inspiration, something to look at more than read, but with this one, especially because it was in ebook format, I found myself interested enough to keep reading which I think is testament to Ann Blockley who made something quite personal, such as creativity, into something that I felt I was learning from.
Personally I haven’t actually created any art now for a little over a year as I haven’t felt inspired and haven’t known what to try to get back into it, but with this book I felt myself wanting to try the different techniques and methods described in the book.
A lot of this book consists of Ann giving examples of her own paintings and describing the processes she went through to achieve those looks. I found this to be really useful as a lot of painting books give samples but not finished paintings. Ann made it so that as a reader and as someone trying to get back into art, I could see how a simple technique could be used to great effect in a finished piece.
Overall I would definitely recommend this if you are interested in art or want some tips on watercolour painting in different ways. This is a great example of how watercolour art can be abstract and unusual and ultimately more interesting.
Usually with this type of book I would use it more as a reference, something to flip through when in need of inspiration, something to look at more than read, but with this one, especially because it was in ebook format, I found myself interested enough to keep reading which I think is testament to Ann Blockley who made something quite personal, such as creativity, into something that I felt I was learning from.
Personally I haven’t actually created any art now for a little over a year as I haven’t felt inspired and haven’t known what to try to get back into it, but with this book I felt myself wanting to try the different techniques and methods described in the book.
A lot of this book consists of Ann giving examples of her own paintings and describing the processes she went through to achieve those looks. I found this to be really useful as a lot of painting books give samples but not finished paintings. Ann made it so that as a reader and as someone trying to get back into art, I could see how a simple technique could be used to great effect in a finished piece.
Overall I would definitely recommend this if you are interested in art or want some tips on watercolour painting in different ways. This is a great example of how watercolour art can be abstract and unusual and ultimately more interesting.
May 19, 2014
Book Review- Experimental Landscapes in Watercolour by Anne Blockley
This book contains the artist’s interpretation of landscapes into watercolor paintings. She used techniques included water based paint and acrylic inks. Her paintings are based a lot on the English Cotswolds which is an area of woodlands, fields, hills and hedges.
She includes how to explanations with pictures of the effects. She does a great job with these explanations and the descriptions of each painting that she includes. She provides details for the techniques she uses also. The techniques she uses to obtain different looks are numerous. In one painting she uses fern leaves. For other paintings she used different types of salt to add a speckling effect. In others she explained how to use plastic wrap for a unique effect in the texture and for depth. It was a fascinating book and it was full of beautiful paintings.
I favor landscape paintings. I loved her painting titled “Autumn Magic”. The colors she used were a beautiful combination. I also liked the painting “In your Dreams” which was a great example of the combined elements she used. However my favorite paintings were the ones of the ocean.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to look at beautiful pictures and wants to know how to paint them. I give it a 4 out of 5.
This book contains the artist’s interpretation of landscapes into watercolor paintings. She used techniques included water based paint and acrylic inks. Her paintings are based a lot on the English Cotswolds which is an area of woodlands, fields, hills and hedges.
She includes how to explanations with pictures of the effects. She does a great job with these explanations and the descriptions of each painting that she includes. She provides details for the techniques she uses also. The techniques she uses to obtain different looks are numerous. In one painting she uses fern leaves. For other paintings she used different types of salt to add a speckling effect. In others she explained how to use plastic wrap for a unique effect in the texture and for depth. It was a fascinating book and it was full of beautiful paintings.
I favor landscape paintings. I loved her painting titled “Autumn Magic”. The colors she used were a beautiful combination. I also liked the painting “In your Dreams” which was a great example of the combined elements she used. However my favorite paintings were the ones of the ocean.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to look at beautiful pictures and wants to know how to paint them. I give it a 4 out of 5.
May 31, 2020
The type of art expressed in this book is a little too abstract for my taste. The cover painting is the most realistic (I.e., I recognize what the subject of the painting is) in it. This is also not a how-to book, but a series of paintings with the author’s tips on how she achieved the final result. Though her art is not a style I’m usually drawn to, I still found many helpful tips in this book that I cannot wait to try.
February 4, 2019
This book is a treasure trove of useful tips on watercolour techniques., not to mention the fact that Blockley's paintings are so beautiful and exciting that it left just wanting to paint, paint, paint!
July 28, 2020
Beautiful book - full of inspiration
A wonderful book. Full of gorgeous pictures and creativity. Very helpful ideas about use of different media together and the effects which can be achieved. A lot more inspiring than the more mundane intro to watercolour paintings books.
A wonderful book. Full of gorgeous pictures and creativity. Very helpful ideas about use of different media together and the effects which can be achieved. A lot more inspiring than the more mundane intro to watercolour paintings books.
August 25, 2018
Masterful presentation
Blockley does more with watercolor than one could imagine. The book is absolutely inspirational. She opens a whole new world for me.
Blockley does more with watercolor than one could imagine. The book is absolutely inspirational. She opens a whole new world for me.
November 12, 2021
I expected more of a tutorial book rather than just a collection of the artist's work.
June 26, 2014
Watercolours are often dismissed as twee, pastelly and timid when compared to other media, but these paintings glow with life and colour! This is full of inspiration for techniques to liven up your painting, such as using clingfilm, acrylic inks, salt, and the paintings are vivid and full of life. I am happily working my way through it, having abandoned watercolours a while ago, and feel inspired to try these techniques.
Reviewed in exchange for a preview Kindle copy.
Reviewed in exchange for a preview Kindle copy.
July 23, 2016
A visually stunning book. It offers a load of unusual tips to combine with watercolour painting that aren't specifically watercolour techniques, ie. other materials are employed (in this regard the title may be a bit misleading).
August 20, 2025
Full of helpful inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews