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The Watercolour Enigma: A complete painting course revealing the secrets and science of watercolour
Many watercolour artists are disappointed with the results of their endeavours because their attempts at painting do not always turn out as intended. However, the majority of mistakes are caused by the incorrect use of paint rather than artistic inability.
The Watercolour Enigma is based on a practical course by artist Stephen Coates, and is designed to take the student through a process of learning rarely seen in other practical art books. By examining the basic science of watercolour including the properties of water and colour pigment, and through a series of practical, straightforward, step-by-step painting exercises, budding painters will leave Stephen’s book not only with a mine of watercolour knowledge but with a selection of stunning paintings they can proudly say are their own.
Understanding the medium and how to use it will turn potential failure into success, and discovering the truth about how to use watercolours is exciting, liberating and enormously rewarding. So fulfil your dream and, with Stephen's guidance, learn to paint like a true, watercolour expert.
The Watercolour Enigma is based on a practical course by artist Stephen Coates, and is designed to take the student through a process of learning rarely seen in other practical art books. By examining the basic science of watercolour including the properties of water and colour pigment, and through a series of practical, straightforward, step-by-step painting exercises, budding painters will leave Stephen’s book not only with a mine of watercolour knowledge but with a selection of stunning paintings they can proudly say are their own.
Understanding the medium and how to use it will turn potential failure into success, and discovering the truth about how to use watercolours is exciting, liberating and enormously rewarding. So fulfil your dream and, with Stephen's guidance, learn to paint like a true, watercolour expert.
- GenresArtNonfictionCrafts
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 23, 2021
Excellent for beginner watercolourists. Coates explains his techniques in easy-to-understand terminology. The step-by-step exercises, which actually produce completed paintings, are of particular value to new artists. Helpfully, he has kept his palette simple, limiting the colours to ones most beginner painters have on hand. This is a good, overall "how-to" watercolour instruction guide.
March 29, 2022
Absolutely fantastic book finally made sense of many points in watercolour I was struggling with. Highly recommended
April 3, 2020
I read this book from start to finish. I really enjoyed some of the scientific elements in understanding how watercolor works. I also appreciated how the author stressed several times in the book to not be hard on yourself, practice and if it doesn't work out, that is okay, just start over! I'll bet he is a good teacher in person.
It was amusing to see some of the differences in that this was a Brit writing the book rather than American so there were a few language differences, but all understandable and I may adopt some of his terms anyway. I am a professional artist but it is always good to learn some new techniques. This was good for the beginning artist. I only wish he had a few more examples. It would also have been nice to include for tips and techniques, such as using salt, magic erasers (surprised that he didn't suggest dipping a brush in dish soap when using masking fluid.) But that being said, we all have our own habits, so reading a lot of different books is good to develop your own.
It was amusing to see some of the differences in that this was a Brit writing the book rather than American so there were a few language differences, but all understandable and I may adopt some of his terms anyway. I am a professional artist but it is always good to learn some new techniques. This was good for the beginning artist. I only wish he had a few more examples. It would also have been nice to include for tips and techniques, such as using salt, magic erasers (surprised that he didn't suggest dipping a brush in dish soap when using masking fluid.) But that being said, we all have our own habits, so reading a lot of different books is good to develop your own.
June 23, 2018
I am a beginning watercolorist, and I have purchased several books in the last several months. This is the one I have been looking for.
Stephen Coates is very straight-forward and gives complete step-by-step instructions on the basics of watercolor. Each exercise builds on the previous one. Instructions are precise and well illustrated. I think I will make a lot of progress using this book.
Be aware, however, that Coates is teaching his method of watercolor. You will read different instructions in other books and see other methods of YouTube. The advantage is that, although this is not the only way to learn watercolor, it is a great way to learn one method.
Stephen Coates is very straight-forward and gives complete step-by-step instructions on the basics of watercolor. Each exercise builds on the previous one. Instructions are precise and well illustrated. I think I will make a lot of progress using this book.
Be aware, however, that Coates is teaching his method of watercolor. You will read different instructions in other books and see other methods of YouTube. The advantage is that, although this is not the only way to learn watercolor, it is a great way to learn one method.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews