Pick up the paintbrush right now and get ready to create your own beautiful watercolor creations. Step one: read and learn with Leslie Frontz's new book, The Watercolor Course You've Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists. There's nothing misleading about this title; all the tips and tidbits of information you've always wanted are assembled in one place.
Beginning with the basics, Frontz covers materials while getting right to the point of what works and what doesn't with no-nonsense, expert insight. As the author writes "...there are more supplies available than one artist could master in a lifetime." The focus is on "how" materials are useful in achieving artistic goals, as opposed to a long list of items one must buy. Conveniently, the wonderfully done photography clearly illustrates the tools and techniques in action. Exactly what you need to know, when you need to see it. Visual learners will appreciate
The bigger issues of composition such as values, color mixing, and subject matter are demonstrated in a loose style that is plainly laid out, step by step. Artwork by the author is included in the book for examples. Where some books might gloss over these important technical aspects, Frontz provides simple steps that improve your art efforts immediately. Setting up a palette easily becomes a lesson rather than a prep task.
Artist? Of course, she is definitely talented. First and foremost, however, Leslie Frontz is a teacher who can delight and inspire other artists of all ages and abilities.
[I received this book free from the Blogging for Books program, in exchange for my honest review. That happens to be the only kind of review I do... so, we're good.]