Watercolor Artist

Packed with page after gorgeous page of illustrations demonstrating tried-and-true techniques, inspirational ideas and the most up-to-date information about must-have painting tools and materials, watercolorists find everything they need in WATERCOLOR ARTIST to help them create stunning art...from start to finish.

Editor’s Note

Naomi Brotherton

New + Notable

Lifetime Achievement in Watercolor • THE WATERCOLOR USA HONOR SOCIETY PRESENTS DEAN MITCHELL AND DON LAKE WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS.

Piazza di San Marco • MAURICE BRAZIL PRENDERGAST gives a popular Venice landmark a progressive color and composition treatment.

A Pick of Papers • Every paper has its advantages. What you choose depends on what you want to do and how you want to work. Here’s an introduction to one of the more unique options for watercolor painters—YUPO®.

stoking the creative fire • WHETHER IT’S A CREATIVE RUT OR FULL-BLOWN BLOCK, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR ARTISTS CAN BE SUSTAINING MOTIVATION AND KEEPING THE CREATIVE ENGINE HUMMING. HERE, FIVE ARTISTS SHARE PRACTICAL TIPS TO JUMP-START IDEAS AND KINDLE INSPIRATION.

Just Get Started • We all run into moments when we just can’t figure out what to paint. I’ve found that a “quick-start exercise” that simply gets me painting can trigger inspiration. Here are five prompts that I’ve put to work successfully over the years

MEET THE ARTISTS

Past Splendors • PETER JABLOKOW BRINGS NEW LIFE TO THE DILAPIDATED AND THE DISCARDED THROUGH THE USE OF ARCHITECTURAL UNDERPINNINGS AND LOOSE COLORS.

Sourcing Inspiration

Brushing Up

Meet the Artist

Artist’s Toolkit

Abandon(ed) Ship • Peter Jablokow combines architectural precision with colorful drips and spatters to pay homage to a bygone dredging vessel.

A Day in the Life • STEPHEN QUILLER’S VIBRANT LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS REFLECT THE JOY AND COLOR IN THE ARTIST’S INSPIRING LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS. SPEND A DAY WITH HIM TO EXPERIENCE THE ROUTINE THAT FEEDS HIS CREATIVE SOUL.

Born Free • A STRONG DRAWING FOUNDATION, CONTROLLED PAINTING EDGES, PURPOSEFUL BRUSHSTROKES AND KEEN ATTENTION TO DETAIL BRING KATHRYN MAPES TURNER’S ANIMALS TO LIFE.

Meet the Artist

Just Paint • SOMETIMES THE BEST PAINTING ADVICE IS THE KIND THAT COMES TO YOU WHEN YOU MOST NEED TO HEAR IT. IN THIS EXCERPT FROM MY NEW BOOK, THOMAS W. SCHALLER, ARCHITECT OF LIGHT, I RECALL SOME OF THE SHARED WISDOM THAT HELPED MOVE MY ART FORWARD.

Enter to win!

Abstract Artistry • MARY ANN BECKWITH EXPERIMENTS WITH UNCONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES TO CREATE A VISUAL LANGUAGE THAT REFLECTS HER WORLDVIEW.

Toolbox

6 Ways to Make Better Art

Meet the Artist

Everyday Sketching • To encourage a more regular habit, I created a list of prompts to inspire daily sketching.

Sketch Your Day

In the Wash • Learn the secret to successful paint layers. (Hint: Apply them deftly and keep them to a minimum.)

Seeing the World in Washes

demo

If you could visit any art museum in the world, which would it be?

Arctic Antics