Watercolor 365: Daily Tips, Tricks and Techniques

by Leslie Redhead

A year's worth of tips, techniques, advice and more! Make watercolor a part of your daily life, turning every day into inspiration for your art. Designed to fit your life, Watercolor 365--the first watercolor book of its kind--provides a complete education in the medium, one bite-sized bit of information at a time. Open it daily to find a new tip, idea, technique or challenge...all aimed at getting you into the habit and mindset of an artist. Inside you'll    • 52 mini step-by-step demonstrations (like painting skin tones and adding texture)   • 52 Q&A's (based on questions received on social media, in workshops, and from blogs)   • 52 troubleshooting tips (such as how to remove masking fluid that has had too long to dry and how to lift paint)   • 52 bits of creative advice (suck as why you should consider taking a painting holiday and keeping photographic records of your process)   • 52 general tips (such as basic composition and transferring images for painting)   • 52 definitions (clear, concise definitions of terminology, such as value and atmospheric perspective)   • 52 exercises to improve your artistic skills (simple lessons for techniques like glazing and mixing grays)

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

488 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2017

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking FOr a Good Book. Rated 5.0 of 5

Wow, this is a fabulous how-to, tips & tricks art book!

Artist and author Leslie Redhead approaches this subject like a page-a-day calendar, giving simple tips and encouragement for each day. Sometimes it's nothing more than a motivational quote and sometimes it's a well-described tip to help one make the most of watercolor painting.

Sometimes I find these books too simple, treating the reader like the novice who isn't even sure what watercolor painting is. And sometimes I find the books too advanced, offering suggestions that are way beyond the average reader's abilities. This book, however, not only finds that middle ground, but has a way of making advanced techniques approachable for the novice and at the same time, manages to provide advanced tips for the more experienced artist. Each week is finished with the author responding to a question from a student or follower.

The weeks are often broken down so that Ms. Redhead is addressing a particular tip or trick each week, such as pouring, or lifting, or dry-brushing, etc.

The book is filled with examples of Ms. Redhead's work, proving that she knows whereof she writes.

This book really was inspirational and I can't wait to get back to my watercolor canvases and try out a few new things.

Looking for a good book? Watercolor 365 is an inspirational, how-to/tips and tricks book for watercolor painting by Leslie Redhead and will definitely inspire the artist within.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book for those who are interested in watercolor painting. What I loved about it is the way it is organized. There is something new but simple to think about and/or try each day of each week throughout the whole year. Whether novice or experienced in watercolor, there are brilliant tricks and tips herein on ways to hone one's craft and solve those niggling little problems that arise. Additionally, the author answers questions posed by students which are questions all of us have had at one time or another. And, finally, she has included photos of many of her own works which are truly inspiring. I will read and refer to this book again and again!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book, from the illustrations to the assortment of her original artwork. The wealth of information is priceless. Novices as well as established watercolor artists both will benefit from the tips and techniques presented. Watercolor 365 is a wonderful addition to any artist library.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a joy to read and it was truly indulging to look at Ms. Redhead's paintings, especially the landscapes. My only complaint is that, I wish the pages were glossy, so it will be easier to look at the details of each painting and make her artworks stand out even more. Anywho, this book would be perfect for beginners to intermediate watercolorists (maybe even the advanced artists will learn something from this, but I don't really think it's necessary for them to buy this, unless they enjoy collecting art books), but I don't think this would be a good stand-alone book for you if you're actually relying on books to learn how to paint because it didn't really have step-by-step instructions but it would be good to pair it with "how-to" books since Ms. Redhead pretty much discussed almost all watercolor techniques, advice and tips there is.

[joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring

A few really helpful tips are there, while inspiring and relieving suggestions are combined. Easy to follow, probably even in shorter time.