How to Make Art for Joy’s Sake: Free-Spirited Watercolor

by Kristy Rice, Amy Palmer (Foreword)

Offers you a joy-based, hands-on way to enrich your art-making journey and your creative life!

Kristy Rice’s joy-focused approach to watercolor art has won the hearts of fans worldwide. Here she teaches the basics of painting, infusing the learning process with wit, wisdom, and laughter. Rice shows all levels of painters how to make “art for joy’s sake.” A great use this book with the Art for Joy’s Sake Journal !

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

192 pages, Spiral-bound

Published July 27, 2021

Reviews

[Amethista (Witch in Antwerpen) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a happy, joyful book! I really enjoyed reading this, especially because I feel Rice does have a lot of passion for her arts - and it shows! I loved seeing the different techniques - some of them I didn't know yet - and how to implement those in especially botanical art. Especially the subchapter on flowers was my favourite, and I definitely will use the tips mentioned in my own art (if I even may call it that).

However, I feel I wasn't really the target for this book, as something kept almost 'bothering' me. Perhaps it's the chaotic way of presentation, being used to more sleek, minimalistic layouts in books like this, or maybe the colourscheme of it all (a bit murky), or even the fact that some handlettering was on the verge of being illegible. Somehow it just didn't fully resonate with me.

If I could give a 3,5, I would. It's a good basic on watercolour techniques, and for me quite a good starting point to pick it up again. I think within the right demographic, it definitely would be deemed a solid 4- or 5-star book.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different but interesting approach to watercolor. I enjoyed the author’s POV and the projects and ideas in the book. Not one I’ll add to my permanent library but definitely worth the read.

[Kelly Paradis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely introductory watercolor guidebook that doesn't rely on expensive paint or tools. The author even shows how expensive watercolors compare to Crayola, as well as the difference between following watercolor "rules" vs painting however you feel like. The message is paint wherever, whenever, and don't worry about whether your painting is instagram-worthy or not. I appreciated that a large portion of this is dedicated to different simple techniques and brush strokes as opposed to full on projects. And you only need ONE brush to follow along.

Thank you to Kristy Rice, Schiffer Craft, and Edelweiss for access to this free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good exercises for when you want to make art but feel stuck or overwhelmed.

[Nicky Brinsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the loveliest books I have ever seen/read! Beautiful photos, in depth instructions and tons of inspiration. Thank you Kristy!

[Karen Hurula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, approachable way to get paint on the paper, and find joy. Nothing intimidating about Kristy's way.