Watercolor Techniques: Painting Light and Color in Landscapes and Cityscapes

I was drawn to this book by the atmospheric perspectives, but more personally, the author painted locations where I've been. I go to Paris every year, and was in Venice in 2018, so I could feel the light and the palette of colors--hitting my emotions. In other words, his work spoke to me. I've attached two of my paintings from my own photos, but relyed upon what I learned in the book to pull my paintings together. I'm a leisure watercolorist, having taken my first class in January 2018. A long time ago, I painted with oils, and I've always enjoyed drawing.

This book entails in-depth knowledge and tips that Watercolor artists from beginner to very elite levels can use to expand their expertise.After pursuing a career in visual arts for some 20 years, followed by 20 years of hiatus, I have recently returned to painting with watercolor. I felt elated to learn about Mr. Reardon's book.I believe the concepts and crucial techniques offered in this book are the very secret recipe that masters offer through years and years of tutelage, those core concepts that will propel one's artistic vision and WC paintings into many levels above where they already stand.The book's superb print quality, glossy thick papers, sturdy binding, and more importantly inclusion of many many magnificent colorful paintings of Mr. Reardon followed by easy instructions is made for serious artist, art lovers, and general audience all the same.I positively recommend this book!!! It is a definite must for any beginner, intermediate, or professional visual artist and Watercolor enthusiasts alike.

I wish I had this book when I first started painting, I wouldn't have wasted so much time wondering why my approach to watercolor wasn't working. Michael Reardon is one of America's preeminent watercolor landscape painters, and this book lays out his process, philosophy and vision quite superbly. Its clearly written, easy to understand, and builds on knowledge from each chapter to the next. If you are new to watercolor this book will guide you in the right direction. If you are an experienced painter it will help eliminate your weaknesses. The true strength of Reardon's book is his approach to conveying light and value, which is the lifeblood of any representational painting. Highly recommended!

For those of us who are starting out, choosing a primer from the hundreds of choices is daunting. Most of the principles taught in these books are the same, and what gets left out is also the same. While it's obvious that each author provides guidance in his/her own style, the challenge is to find the style and subject matter that is pleasing to you. That's what will get you to try something. Reardon does landscapes that have depth, using old world scenes - cities, villages, squares - and earth tones. The book is filled with step-by-step examples of how to approach these subjects, albeit with understandably limited details. The best the book can do is to encourage the reader to try the examples. In this case, the book cover speaks to the author's subjects, style and approach. If you're looking for portraits, animals, flowers, still life, this is probably not the right book.

Its been said that if you can get one tip out of a book or watercolor painting dvd, you have come out ahead. I've picked up 3 things already that I didn't know about after 10 years of painting from this book. Worth getting.

I have purchased several watercolor books and as I am fairly new to the medium they have all been helpful. This book however is different in a lot of ways. And all of them are good. I love this book! It is logically written and well illustrated and I understood the concepts presented. Somehow this author got some things to "click" for me which no other book or video has prior. This book loosened and improved my next painting ten fold. I haven't done any of the lesson paintings that are in the chapters but reading through them has been very educational. This is one that will stay in my library and referenced for sure. Thank You Michael Reardon!

There simply isn't another watercolor requisite reader like Michael Reardon's Watercolor Techniques. It touches on all of our own dilemmas and beginner blocks of this media and how to address all the parts of getting into techniques and basics.The demonstrations are of the "step-by-step" type, with explanations one would expect from a "no hocus pocus, no nonsense" master of this media. The planning of our own day is for me as important as the planning of a reasonable painting ,and this is explained in the pencil value sketch and the steps of the demos illustrated in a timed sequence. The explanation of the value and the use and knowledge of color is straight forward as are the use of light, shadow, mixing of color and the simple making of washes. The techniques are all brought into a very human and simplified type of presentation . Having taken one of Michael's workshops, the reading and keeping handy of this book is only exceeded by a personal observation of a video or workshop.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  A must have for any lovers of Michael Reardon's style watercolours! This is the best watercolour book I own thus far. Totally fell in love with many reproductions of his work. Lots of tips and guidance and a few exercises to do for you to copy step by step some of his work. Tips on colours, water ratio, values, light and shadows......This is going to be my watercolour Bible! I absolutely love it! Not cheap but worth every penny.

I think a beginner might find this more helpful than a more experienced artist as the scope is limited as the title says. The content is focused on light and dark and painting contrasts and the subjects are usually architectural or fountains. I did find that aspect helpful though.

Maybe it is not a book for the complete beginner but it is full of sound instruction. Although titled for watercolourists the principles apply across the various artists media. The major building blocks that make great pictures are dealt with in a straightforward way. You cannot but be inspired. If I had to whittle my art books down to only three this would be one of them!

Fantastic book especially if you want light, Mediterranean style paintings. Lots at great techniques and information I found really useful in developing my own paintings

Excellent book and well priced