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Complete Guide to Watercolor Painting

by Edgar A. Whitney

A practical course in watercolor

Regular price $28.00 USD
Regular price $46.67 USD Sale price $28.00 USD
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Paperback New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A practical course in watercolor

Edgar A. Whitney’s guide moves from foundational materials—paper, pigments, palette, and brushes—to exercises in washes on dry and wet paper. It then addresses landscape painting, portraits, and figures, with two color sections tracing the stages of seven watercolor works. Drawing and design principles broaden the instruction beyond brushwork, while chapters on matting, framing, and selling cover some of the practical considerations around finished pieces. The book’s scope makes it a structured reference spanning both the making and presentation of watercolor art.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Beginners seeking instruction in watercolor materials and basic techniques
  • Watercolor painters looking for guidance on landscapes, portraits, figures, or design
  • Artists interested in framing and selling completed work

Themes

Watercolor techniqueArt materials and toolsDrawing and designPresentation and sale of artwork

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

The author of this superb guide was not only a renowned watercolor painter but also a brilliant teacher with an unmatched talent for conveying to his students the techniques and aesthetic philosophy underlying great paintings. Years after becoming award-winning painters themselves, his students still quote his "Whitneyisms" to remind themselves of all that is most important in creating art. This fine guide, the distillation of Edgar Whitney's teaching, is one of the most useful, comprehensive, and popular watercolor painting books every published -- almost a cult classic. Starting with the nuts-and-bolts basics -- including choice of paper, colors, palette, and brushes -- and with exercises to give the beginner experience in using washes on both dry and wet paper, the book presents a full course of watercolor painting. The author gives specific, detailed instructions for creating landscapes and for painting portraits and figures -- instructions that come vividly to life in two 16-page full-color sections showing the steps involved in creatiang seven of his own watercolors. Other chapters focus on drawing; the principles and elements of design; and matting, framing, and selling completed works of art. Beautifully designed and illustrated, this invaluable book will be treasured by all watercolorists -- from complete beginners to experienced painters looking for ways to improve their own paintings.
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