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En Plein Air: Watercolor: Expert techniques and simple step-by-step projects for creating dynamic landscapes in the open air with watercolor
For artists looking to grow beyond the studio, En Plein Watercolor is the definitive resource for experiencing the rewards and invigoration of watercolor painting on location.
En Plein Watercolor introduces beginning artists and fine-art enthusiasts to the core concepts of painting on location. This guide will have you fully prepared for a day of painting outdoors. Inside, you'll
A comprehensive list of what to pack to maximize your time
How to choose a subject and interpret it for a composition
How to deal with the challenges of shadows and shifting natural light
A review of color theory and color mixing
Tips and techniques for honing your watercolor skills and developing your artistic voice
The collection of step-by-step examples will help you gain new artistic skills as you create unique, dynamic artwork outside the studio. Perfect for artists looking to break outside the norm, En Plein Watercolor is your complete guide to experiencing the unique rewards of painting on location with the invigorating medium of watercolor.
Painting outdoors is a rewarding, peaceful experience full of joy, adventure, and persistence. Let the En Plein Air series guide you in your artistic travels as you explore this daring and expressive method of painting, wherever you may be.
Also available from the En Plein Acrylic and En Plein Light & Color.
En Plein Watercolor introduces beginning artists and fine-art enthusiasts to the core concepts of painting on location. This guide will have you fully prepared for a day of painting outdoors. Inside, you'll
A comprehensive list of what to pack to maximize your time
How to choose a subject and interpret it for a composition
How to deal with the challenges of shadows and shifting natural light
A review of color theory and color mixing
Tips and techniques for honing your watercolor skills and developing your artistic voice
The collection of step-by-step examples will help you gain new artistic skills as you create unique, dynamic artwork outside the studio. Perfect for artists looking to break outside the norm, En Plein Watercolor is your complete guide to experiencing the unique rewards of painting on location with the invigorating medium of watercolor.
Painting outdoors is a rewarding, peaceful experience full of joy, adventure, and persistence. Let the En Plein Air series guide you in your artistic travels as you explore this daring and expressive method of painting, wherever you may be.
Also available from the En Plein Acrylic and En Plein Light & Color.
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2018
181 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 15, 2019
EN PLEIN AIR: WATERCOLOR: EXPERT TECHNIQUES AND SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP PROJECTS FOR CREATING DYNAMIC LANDSCAPES IN THE OPEN AIR WITH WATERCOLOR
Written by Ron Stocke
2018; Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster (128 pages)
Genre: art, crafts, nonfiction, refernce, guide
(Review Not on Blog)
RATING: 4 STARS
I am hoping this year I "actually" start painting. I keep psyching myself out that I will be terrible and so I should not start. I have the supplies and guides/books and am getting the confidence that it's okay if it is terrible, and that is what practice is for! I read both Acrylic and Watercolor but have not decided which to start first as I have both paints.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
Written by Ron Stocke
2018; Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster (128 pages)
Genre: art, crafts, nonfiction, refernce, guide
(Review Not on Blog)
RATING: 4 STARS
I am hoping this year I "actually" start painting. I keep psyching myself out that I will be terrible and so I should not start. I have the supplies and guides/books and am getting the confidence that it's okay if it is terrible, and that is what practice is for! I read both Acrylic and Watercolor but have not decided which to start first as I have both paints.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
January 15, 2019
Thank you Quatro Publishing and Netgalley for granting my wish.
This book provides good explanations and examples of how to paint with watercolour, emphasising the importance drawing has in each composition.
A great book for artists wishing to get outside and away from their studio.
This book provides good explanations and examples of how to paint with watercolour, emphasising the importance drawing has in each composition.
A great book for artists wishing to get outside and away from their studio.
December 19, 2018
GNAB Ron Stocke has put together a very clear, concise set of instructions to improve the quality of your water color work and create eye popping appeal. It is a long awaited look into the perspective, light value and horizon work that is basic to an eye catching work of art, and is a work I am happy to share with my fellow amatuer watercolorists this holiday.
I received a free electronic copy of this instruction book on watercolor techniques from Netgalley, Ron Stocke, and Walter Foster Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Protected PDF
pub date Jan 15, 2019
Walter Foster Publishing
I received a free electronic copy of this instruction book on watercolor techniques from Netgalley, Ron Stocke, and Walter Foster Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Protected PDF
pub date Jan 15, 2019
Walter Foster Publishing
July 7, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book... Ron had great technique and preparation suggestions for both beginner and experienced painters alike. As I break into plein air painting, his guidance will be with me.
December 22, 2018
*~.Book Analysis.~*
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)
Rating: 5 stars
Reading period: Dec. 22nd, 2018
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley - I have received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: Dec. 18th, 2018
PROS
This book is so enlightening about watercolor painting! I went to art classes for two years during my teen days, but unfortunately financial issues led me away from it – I never actually painted seriously on a canvas and all. I decided to read this book especially because I was about to start water coloring when I dropped my lessons. I admit it is really hard not to look at details, but this is exactly the key point of this art: simplicity.
I honestly felt so inspired to learn tricks, techniques and tips from this book that I almost shopped for the materials on Amazon to start right away – maybe when I come back from my Christmas/New Year family trip.
CONS
Hm, maybe a con is that I can’t hug the artist ‘thank you’ for this book?
COVER ANALYSIS
In this particular case, the cover made me reach for the book. All this beautiful blue had me in a second! I think this defines well how much I liked it, right??
QUOTES
*this one is equally useful for when one is packing up for a trip!
RECOMMENDED FOR
People seeking to improve their painting / drawing skills!
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)
Rating: 5 stars
Reading period: Dec. 22nd, 2018
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley - I have received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: Dec. 18th, 2018
PROS
This book is so enlightening about watercolor painting! I went to art classes for two years during my teen days, but unfortunately financial issues led me away from it – I never actually painted seriously on a canvas and all. I decided to read this book especially because I was about to start water coloring when I dropped my lessons. I admit it is really hard not to look at details, but this is exactly the key point of this art: simplicity.
I honestly felt so inspired to learn tricks, techniques and tips from this book that I almost shopped for the materials on Amazon to start right away – maybe when I come back from my Christmas/New Year family trip.
CONS
Hm, maybe a con is that I can’t hug the artist ‘thank you’ for this book?
COVER ANALYSIS
In this particular case, the cover made me reach for the book. All this beautiful blue had me in a second! I think this defines well how much I liked it, right??
QUOTES
“Draw all you want, but paint only what you need.”
“When it comes to equipment, I think a natural reaction is to bring more than you’ll need. I use one simple rule: if I don’t think I’ll touch it, I don’t bring it. Carrying around too many equipment can ruin your day.”*
*this one is equally useful for when one is packing up for a trip!
RECOMMENDED FOR
People seeking to improve their painting / drawing skills!
December 29, 2018
I received a copy of En Plein Air: Watercolor through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
En Plein Air: Watercolor is a fascinating art book; one I hadn’t realized I needed to read until I spotted it listed online. This art book teaches you everything you need to know about painting with watercolors out in the real world – out in the open air, so to speak.
What originally caught my attention about En Plein Air: Watercolor was the cover. The colors were so beautiful, and the artwork so vibrant, I knew I had to learn more about it. What I found inside did not disappoint.
En Plein Air covers everything you might expect, and then some. It is a traditional art book, in that it teaches you everything you need to know about the particular medium included (watercolors, in this case), but as I stated above it also gives you the important starting information for painting outside. That sounds like a simple concept, but there’s more to it than that. This book does a good job of explaining it, and giving tips and tricks.
This book is split into seven sections; drawing, painting on location (this was my personal favorite), composition & technique, color & value, tips & techniques, the Artist’s Voice, and sketchbooks to studio. As you can see, it includes a little bit of everything. It’s certainly everything an aspiring artist would need to get started.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
En Plein Air: Watercolor is a fascinating art book; one I hadn’t realized I needed to read until I spotted it listed online. This art book teaches you everything you need to know about painting with watercolors out in the real world – out in the open air, so to speak.
What originally caught my attention about En Plein Air: Watercolor was the cover. The colors were so beautiful, and the artwork so vibrant, I knew I had to learn more about it. What I found inside did not disappoint.
En Plein Air covers everything you might expect, and then some. It is a traditional art book, in that it teaches you everything you need to know about the particular medium included (watercolors, in this case), but as I stated above it also gives you the important starting information for painting outside. That sounds like a simple concept, but there’s more to it than that. This book does a good job of explaining it, and giving tips and tricks.
This book is split into seven sections; drawing, painting on location (this was my personal favorite), composition & technique, color & value, tips & techniques, the Artist’s Voice, and sketchbooks to studio. As you can see, it includes a little bit of everything. It’s certainly everything an aspiring artist would need to get started.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
December 18, 2018
Learning to watercolor from online tutorials and books and then giving it up for several years had me interested in seeing what this book might have to add to what I knew already and perhaps tweak my interest in taking up my brushes again. I believe the author may have me interested in tackling figures in paintings...something I have always wanted to add to my paintings...and his tips and tricks are interesting indeed.
This book includes:
*drawing skills
*tools: brushes, paints, etc
*tips & techniques
*choosing where to work outdoors
*making sure you get permission
*composition and tension
*the golden rule
*perspective
*focal point
*use of light & color
*color & value
*artist’s voice
*sketching & sketchbooks
*and included step by step projects
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Will I use ideas from this book in the future? Perhaps...do want to get back to sketching and painting and this might be the book that acts as a catalyst.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
This book includes:
*drawing skills
*tools: brushes, paints, etc
*tips & techniques
*choosing where to work outdoors
*making sure you get permission
*composition and tension
*the golden rule
*perspective
*focal point
*use of light & color
*color & value
*artist’s voice
*sketching & sketchbooks
*and included step by step projects
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Will I use ideas from this book in the future? Perhaps...do want to get back to sketching and painting and this might be the book that acts as a catalyst.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
December 30, 2018
En Plein Air: Watercolor by author Ron Stocke is a wonderful book to help you with your pursuit of amazing watercolor! The author begins with examples of simple drawings. Yes, if you have had a desire to learn the basics of watercolor, you can do this! The information about perspectives and also vanishing points in the simple drawing can make a big difference in your art. Drawing buildings, vehicles, figures, and geometrical shapes are challenging, but with this perspective and scale trick of using the pencil and really seeing the difference your scale, midpoints, and horizons will make is so beneficial for your finished piece. This book will guide you to get your supplies, get organized, and get on location! The information about color, value, blending, and techniques are easy to understand. A beginner should feel comfortable to pick up this book, gather supplies, and get out on location and Enjoy!
January 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and will keep it in my library & revisit another time. Unlike many other art instructional books, this one actually had a few tips and ideas that were new to me, so I actually learned something new from reading and will definitely apply in my watercolors.
This is why the rating is not full 5 stars:
- I would have enjoyed if there was more structure, more connection between ideas that the author tries to convey, a reader's journey if you will. I was missing that at times.
- I would prefer if valuable page space was better utilised and filled more with author's advice. I feel more than once the pages were filled with illustrations without strong case in point or an entire page or a spread were used to illustrate a point that could be easily illustrated with an image about 1/5 of a page size.
Neither of these points prevents me from keeping this book and recommending it to you, dear stranger. Read it, learn from it & elevate your art. Good luck!
This is why the rating is not full 5 stars:
- I would have enjoyed if there was more structure, more connection between ideas that the author tries to convey, a reader's journey if you will. I was missing that at times.
- I would prefer if valuable page space was better utilised and filled more with author's advice. I feel more than once the pages were filled with illustrations without strong case in point or an entire page or a spread were used to illustrate a point that could be easily illustrated with an image about 1/5 of a page size.
Neither of these points prevents me from keeping this book and recommending it to you, dear stranger. Read it, learn from it & elevate your art. Good luck!
December 31, 2018
This is an excellent book for someone new to En Plein Air watercolor or seasoned artists. The explanations are clear and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. In this book, the author presents different drawing styles and shows you how to draw perspectives, how to choose the right equipment for painting on location, and how to paint from photographs. He also addresses difficulties in subject placement and mistakes in drawing simple shapes.
Ron's explanation of the color wheel and color mixing is concise and highly valuable. He presents a different concept of assigning a value to a subject rather than color. The author's finished paintings are stunning!
This is a book to be read and reread and I am definitely adding this to my list of art books! Highly recommend to fine-art enthusiasts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Walter Foster Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ron's explanation of the color wheel and color mixing is concise and highly valuable. He presents a different concept of assigning a value to a subject rather than color. The author's finished paintings are stunning!
This is a book to be read and reread and I am definitely adding this to my list of art books! Highly recommend to fine-art enthusiasts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Walter Foster Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2022
Wonderful Tips for Everybody
I took Ron’s 3-day workshop in 2021, it was amazing. I learned a lot within the three days. I’m so into his skills to paint the street scene. He also does a great job on book writing this time. All the tips that he mentioned in that book are so helpful. So many details are on the book too. The quality of the book is also impressive, images are so accurate. I really like the part that he mentioned about how to mix two colors to create your own gray, it’s super handy. This book combines theory and practical methods, he breaks down complicated things as simple as his painting. Would love to recommend this book and Ron’s workshops to anyone who wants to be a good painter.
I took Ron’s 3-day workshop in 2021, it was amazing. I learned a lot within the three days. I’m so into his skills to paint the street scene. He also does a great job on book writing this time. All the tips that he mentioned in that book are so helpful. So many details are on the book too. The quality of the book is also impressive, images are so accurate. I really like the part that he mentioned about how to mix two colors to create your own gray, it’s super handy. This book combines theory and practical methods, he breaks down complicated things as simple as his painting. Would love to recommend this book and Ron’s workshops to anyone who wants to be a good painter.
January 28, 2021
A Good Book
In my opinion this book contains information for someone who's had the basics or training in painting already. Ron Stocke covers all of the questions that I have as a trained artist but who's trying to learn how to be a better water colourist. Some of the tips that he shows he explains first and then gives step-by-step examples. I'm just a little bit intimidated by the excellence of his abilities as Ron's art captures images and impressions with just a few strokes of colour. This tells me how practiced and professional he is, a which is certainly a goal of mine.
In my opinion this book contains information for someone who's had the basics or training in painting already. Ron Stocke covers all of the questions that I have as a trained artist but who's trying to learn how to be a better water colourist. Some of the tips that he shows he explains first and then gives step-by-step examples. I'm just a little bit intimidated by the excellence of his abilities as Ron's art captures images and impressions with just a few strokes of colour. This tells me how practiced and professional he is, a which is certainly a goal of mine.
January 2, 2019
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book includes great tips and techniques for the beginner as well as the experienced watercolorist. The chapter on drawing was particularly useful as
it demonstrated the importance of planning and sketching before actually beginning to paint. The watercolor examples used in the book made it easy to see the techniques the author described. This book would be a great addition to the library of any watercolor artist.
This book includes great tips and techniques for the beginner as well as the experienced watercolorist. The chapter on drawing was particularly useful as
it demonstrated the importance of planning and sketching before actually beginning to paint. The watercolor examples used in the book made it easy to see the techniques the author described. This book would be a great addition to the library of any watercolor artist.
August 27, 2025
80%
My own problem with ever becoming an artist was that no one ever taught me how to turn drawing into career possibilities ( ? )
I never got beyond, just drawing stuff.
This book provides more examples of ‘drawing stuff’ without some of The pretenses of an amateur doodler, but it doesn’t really tell you how to start drawing & ‘finish’ it to its real financial conclusion ( ? )
My own problem with ever becoming an artist was that no one ever taught me how to turn drawing into career possibilities ( ? )
I never got beyond, just drawing stuff.
This book provides more examples of ‘drawing stuff’ without some of The pretenses of an amateur doodler, but it doesn’t really tell you how to start drawing & ‘finish’ it to its real financial conclusion ( ? )
November 24, 2025
Valuable Information
I have a lifetime of photography under my belt but I’m brand new to watercolor and I found this book to be incredibly informative. The authors love of the medium shines through in every detail. Also, the paintings included to reinforce the learning process are both useful and stunning. This book is must read for anyone loves painting or even just appreciates watercolor.
I have a lifetime of photography under my belt but I’m brand new to watercolor and I found this book to be incredibly informative. The authors love of the medium shines through in every detail. Also, the paintings included to reinforce the learning process are both useful and stunning. This book is must read for anyone loves painting or even just appreciates watercolor.
February 20, 2023
Excellent guide on urban sketching and techniques
Loved the structure of the book walking through step by step methods in beginning urban sketching using water colors. Techniques to framework your urban sketching is very helpful. Overall excellent book to refer if you’re looking for urban sketching water color guide for beginners to intermediate.
Loved the structure of the book walking through step by step methods in beginning urban sketching using water colors. Techniques to framework your urban sketching is very helpful. Overall excellent book to refer if you’re looking for urban sketching water color guide for beginners to intermediate.
March 11, 2024
Great book on plein air
I am a beginner when it comes to plein air painting. This book has wonderful tips to make plein air look less intimidating. He covers the different challenges that can come while painting on the go and how to overcome those problems. So overall a great read
I am a beginner when it comes to plein air painting. This book has wonderful tips to make plein air look less intimidating. He covers the different challenges that can come while painting on the go and how to overcome those problems. So overall a great read
October 6, 2020
An excellent start to finish impressionistic watercolor basics book. Includes perspective, value, composition, and tools. If you know how to sketch, this book will help you turn your sketch into a watercolor painting!
March 5, 2022
I will come back to this book again and again. It is a good foundation for learning the basics as well as more advanced techniques.
July 2, 2022
great instruction
The illustrations were superb, I am inspired by his dialogue and design are terrific. Please write more like this one
The illustrations were superb, I am inspired by his dialogue and design are terrific. Please write more like this one
February 20, 2023
Painting
The writing style doesn't work for my thought process. I'm sure it's good for someone else.
I do not recommend it for adhd crafters.
The writing style doesn't work for my thought process. I'm sure it's good for someone else.
I do not recommend it for adhd crafters.
March 31, 2025
Great book with some good tips. Was shorter than I expected though dense with good info. Would have been nice to get even more info and tips.
January 10, 2021
Very helpful to improve painting skills. Nicely illustrated
December 18, 2018
Watercolors require a loosening up. According to the author, this is required in order to paint with watercolors. They are not exact and do not contain meticulous drawings or paintings. This makes it more difficult if the painter is used to concentrating on the details.
It shows movement with figures and outlines the golden rule about placing the subject. Explained horizon and tension. The paintings and drawings are truly beautiful. The colors are so serene and makes you want to get some watercolors and follow his advice in learning to paint.
I received an eBook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions or ratings of this book.
It shows movement with figures and outlines the golden rule about placing the subject. Explained horizon and tension. The paintings and drawings are truly beautiful. The colors are so serene and makes you want to get some watercolors and follow his advice in learning to paint.
I received an eBook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions or ratings of this book.
December 19, 2018
Who knows a little about watercolour knows that's a difficult media. To do it plein air, priving oneself from the comfort of the studio, is for really courageous artists. You need a plan. This book is of great help, as it shows you how you can resolve this intimidating task. Perspective, figures, how to simplify what you see, elementary color theory, your equipment, there is all the know-how you need to start. It's not clear to me though why the various themes are treated in an unusual order, normally a guide like this would treat materials before other arguments and not halfway the book, and so on, but anyway I consider it a very useful guide.
December 21, 2018
En Plein Air Watercolor: Expert techniques and simple step-by-step projects for creating dynamic landscapes in the open air with watercolor by Ron Stocke, published this December 18 by Quarto, is the perfect book for learn how drawing and painting in watercolor in the most diversified environments. For starters and for painters this book introduces also the art of drawing for passing later at real examples for capturing the best subjects in a city, in a countryside or seaside.
I warmly suggest to everyone this creative book.
I thank NetGalley and Quarto for this eBook.
I warmly suggest to everyone this creative book.
I thank NetGalley and Quarto for this eBook.
January 4, 2019
En Plein Air: Watercolor by Ron Stocke is a creative book about techniques and step by step projects for creating landscapes in watercolor in the fresh air. The book covers drawing, painting on location, composition and tension, color and value, tips and techniques, the artist's voice as well as sketchbook to studio. Mr. Stocke's philosophy is that you have to learn how to draw if you want to learn how to paint. There are many wonderful drawings and watercolor painting "En Plein Air" to inspire almost anyone. This is not a beginner's workbook. This book should be used by those who have had some experience in drawing and watercolor. Definitely a book full of inspiration. Well done! I would like to thank Quarto Publishing, Ron Stocke and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2019
As a oil and acrylic painter, I struggle to get my head around the concept of watercolor. I love the look of it and I envy those that can achieve such flowing and beautiful painting.
The photo in this book are amazing and the stock standard fact the is " you can hide a bad drawing with a good painting" so yes this book is about getting the drawing right with plenty of sketching. To highlight this there is information and examples on perspective, creating tension and detail. This leads onto the playing with watercolor and value, mixing, practicing and how to keep the color from becoming muddy,
There are lots of examples, as well as a step by step marine to try, which I quite liked. I really love this book
The photo in this book are amazing and the stock standard fact the is " you can hide a bad drawing with a good painting" so yes this book is about getting the drawing right with plenty of sketching. To highlight this there is information and examples on perspective, creating tension and detail. This leads onto the playing with watercolor and value, mixing, practicing and how to keep the color from becoming muddy,
There are lots of examples, as well as a step by step marine to try, which I quite liked. I really love this book
February 28, 2019
Great reference book. I found this book really inspiring - the paintings are beautiful in their skillful loose style, and also useful as a teaching tool in themselves. There is a lot of very useful information regarding composition etc - well explained in a simple fashion and useful for any style of painting - and there are some good step by step tutorials. I would definitely recommend this book and am happy it has inspired me to pick up my watercolour paints again.
April 30, 2019
#EnPleinAirWatercolor #NetGalley
I was very pleased to be able to review an online copy of this book. I've painted in watercolours for a few years, however I have never ventured outside in the fresh air to paint. This book is an invaluable resource guiding the reader to help them paint successfully in the open air. I particularly loved the paintings in the book, the use of vibrant colours is inspiring and the tips throughout the book on how to succeed, what to look out for and how to plan for painting watercolours in the outdoors, a really good book. Great inspiration to get my paints out and equipment and go and paint outside.
I was very pleased to be able to review an online copy of this book. I've painted in watercolours for a few years, however I have never ventured outside in the fresh air to paint. This book is an invaluable resource guiding the reader to help them paint successfully in the open air. I particularly loved the paintings in the book, the use of vibrant colours is inspiring and the tips throughout the book on how to succeed, what to look out for and how to plan for painting watercolours in the outdoors, a really good book. Great inspiration to get my paints out and equipment and go and paint outside.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews