Watercolor Workbook: 25 Beginner Botanical Projects on Premium Watercolor Paper (Watercolor Workbook Series)

I can't create a picture worth a damn but I enjoy making pretty things. This was an absolutely perfect introduction for watercoloring for me. I have enjoyed the entire process, reading the instructions to outlining the pictures to the actual painting. The author gives easy to follow instructions and a relatively simple and forgiving list of supplies to get started.Her recommended supplies for the entire book:#1 round brush#4 round brush01 or 02 Micron Pigma waterproof penWinsor & Newton Cotman watercolor tube paints in:Lemon YellowYellow OchreAlizeran CrimsonBurnt SiennaCobalt BlueWhite (any)Ivory BlackOxide of Chromium (professional)Payne's Gray (professional)Optional extras - Perylene Maroon and Perylene Violet.There are some good discount art supply stores online to get the paints at halfish price so it's not a bad investment if you try to stick with the recommendations.The paper quality feels hefty and easy to work with and the designs are aesthetically pleasing without being too complex or too boring. She walks you through every step with clear instructions and provides examples. The painting pieces themselves are big and one-sided so you could cut them out, crop and frame. She encourages experimentation and having fun, and her writing feels like you're painting with a friend.I think this is a good buy for any creative type, professional or novice. My mother has a disability affecting her grip and dexterity, and I think she could use this book to paint. She's creative but as her issues have progressed is easily discouraged to try new art hobbies. This is relatively easy and still sophisticated. I might outline some of the sketches for her, show her a couple tricks and let her have at it. You DONT HAVE TO PAINT IN THE LINES to be pretty.I've pre-ordered Sarah's next book and want her to make a dozen more please. If the author reads this I have some ideas for a version of your workbook that is even more accessible for folks with impaired vision or dexterity.Have the drawings already outlined black, perhaps ever so slightly bold for better contrast.Keep an even simpler color palette with less need to mix.Include more examples of loose and undefined boundaries. Show how going outside the lines can be pretty.Keep the boho, soft floral aesthetic that lean slightly simpler in shapes. (the illustrations are gorgeous)Perforate the pages to make it easy to detach. Maybe a spiral binding for even easier use.Increase the text size and contrast.Include a larger avatar/finished example.Recommend brushes that are more ergonomic, maybe a round brush with a fatter handle.I've gone down the Amazon rabbithole and so far there hasn't been a workbook quite like this. I am a fan!

Very simple instructions. Practice tasks were short and manageable, so that even with ADHD, I was not overwhelmed by them. I enjoyed using the book and the lessons have improved my art. I was commissioned to do my first watercolor after someone saw a painting I had done of a cat in a garden. While not my only training, it did help me learn to manipulate watercolors. I had fun with the lessons and made good progress with techniques for application and mixing colors.

I really love this workbook and I wanted to point out some of the negatives from other reviews are probably people who didn't understand what this workbook is for. It is not a beginner guide to mixing water colors, it says that it's for water coloring botanical projects. No drawing needed, it's meant to be a water color, coloring book. It's what the description says it is. It's not misleading. It's a beginners guide to learning a few techniques and exploring how to mix colors as you go.The instructions are very clear and in depth. I've really enjoyed this workbook.

This lovely botanically-themed watercolor workbook by Sarah Simon and printed on watercolor paper has almost everything you could wish for. The instructions are excellent and the color mixing guides are flawless. Each sketch to paint is adjacent to the palette and a small version of the drawing executed in full color. Honestly, the graphic design of the book is just stunning. Unfortunately, readability is compromised in the execution of this high design concept. The elegant type face is artistic, thin and too small a type size to be easy to read. This issue is further complicated by printing the words in an otherwise gorgeous dark grey color. It honestly requires repeatedly putting down the paintbrush and picking up a magnifying glass. The color recipes with each sketch are an even smaller point size. Taking the point size up in favor of readability would solve the issue. It is also somewhat awkward that the instruction page for each new sketch is located on the back side of the wet watercolor you just finished. Is it gorgeous and well-written? Yes. Perhaps the paint-on watercolor pages on watercolor paper could be one section with a second, longer section to allow larger, legible type with tear out instructions on less expensive paper.

Just outstanding! I'm not a beginner in watercoloring but this books is easily done by beginners with some guidance. Simon gives explicit directions on how to paint, how to mix and blend colors and the small projects she presents build confidence. For me, this books was like a mini-painting-retreat with fun project AND it has watercolor paper and outlines of drawings in the book itself.. makes it all so accessible. I highly recommend this book.

The media could not be loaded. This workbook is perfection. So well made and explained for beginners in the water color world. So entertaining yet challenging for more advanced water color enthusiasts.I ordered this book as well as some new water colors to practice with, and from the moment I opened it I was obsessed.I absolutely love Sarah’s designs, I find them so aesthetically well balanced, modern, classy, original and inclusive. Love them all!As someone who hasn’t painted in years and has not much experience, I found this book to be so helpful. It was so easy for me to start painting again and remember how much joy I feel while I am doing so. It’s instructions, tips and stunning color combinations definitely helped awakening my creativity a little more each day.10 out of 10! 🎨🫶🏼