About the Book:

Read the introduction here.

Which paints and brushes should I buy? What colors do I mix to get that color? How can I make my paintings look brighter? What’s a "Funny Brush"? A glaze? "Mud"? Oops!… and how do I fix mistakes?

In the Basic Watercolor Answer Book, award winning artist Catherine Anderson answers 100+ of the most asked questions about painting in watercolor- from how much paint to squeeze out on your palette to how to make the most of watercolor’s inevitable "surprises." In quick reference, Q & A format, Catherine offers help on:

- paper and painting surfaces. What’s good paper to practice on, without spending a fortune? How can I prevent my paper from buckling? What does "acid free" mean?

- brushes and their care. How do I know what help me in the painting? How do I "use the white on my paper?" How can I create soft edges to give my paintings that soft watercolor look?

- tonal values. How can I make a simple object look dimensional? What is a value sketch and how can it help me?

- painting outdoors, on location and from life. What kind of palette should I use for outdoor painting? How can I make my clouds look softer? My water look like water?

Chapter 7 answers the "doozie" of all water color questions: Is this a mistake or a creative opportunity? Have faith and see how you can transform problem paintings into great successes (and valuable lessons) with creative changes in color, composition, cropping and more.

Drab Dessert to Stunning Seascape! Here is an example of how what you may perceive as a mistake is actually a creative opportunity. "Do not be afraid when you have a choice to make. Trust yourself enough to let you learn from mistakes." _{- Jerry Mills,1996}

In addition to loads of practical information (much of which you won’t find anywhere else), this book also includes lots of step-by-step demonstrations, gorgeous paintings, clever ideas and words of encouragement to keep your spirits high.Whether you’ve been painting for ten minutes or ten years, you’re bound to have a slew of questions. These answers can make your attempts more successful, more confident and a whole lot more fun!

Check out Catherine's beautiful cards here, and her signed and numbered prints here.

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