Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours: Painting with freedom, expression and style

PRODUCT: Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours: Painting with freedom, expression and styleDo you ever wonder if you really need another art book, awesome bird book or pocket-size field guide to insects? Not to mention all those tubes of paint? And where will you put them all?Well, here's a book worth making room for, Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours. The hardcover edition is a full-size book; the dust jacket and cover both display the same ethereal chicken; the pages are a nice, heavy weight and pictures do not show through the pages; the numerous illustrations are clean and crisp and many are either full page or full spread. In addition to being a wonderful art book, Atmospheric Watercolours makes a wonderful coffee table book.This beautiful book was delivered this morning as I was enjoying my Sunday morning cup o' joe. Well, my husband vacuumed the entire apartment and my coffee went cold as I became so immersed in the pictures I couldn't put the book down.Ah, well. I've calmed down a bit now and had a chance to thumb through the book to look at the instruction. Haines has the rare ability to connect with the reader in the same fashion that her paintings do. The format of the book is progressive instruction, but that instruction is woven with Haines' philosophy in a formal yet intimate way. Haines takes you step-by-step through some of the paintings in the book, exploring both technique and composition, and every step is photographed along the way.I've purchased a lot of art books over the last few months, some worth the money and some, not so much. If I suddenly had to replace all those books, Jean Haines Atmospheric Watercolours would be at the top of my list.

I had this book for a long time and then lent it out and never saw it again. The book was so good, I bought another copy for myself again and won't lend it out again. Not only is full of very helpful tutorials and lovely photos, but the writing in it is also incredibly personable and inspiring for an artist. I recommend this book for anyone wanting to loosen their watercolor style.

I started out in oils and was good at it but paintings took to long to finish. Just an impatient gal, then I took up acrylics and did not like them. Then went to water colour and loved it but wanted to paint in a different format, kind of realism kind of abstract. This book helped out a lot as far as what I wanted my paintings to look like. But not for the beginner.I also took up coloured pencil, Derwents, Prismacolor and Faber Castell and LOOOOVED them. They also make water colur pencils that you can use with paint or just the pencil. They are fantastic. I like the Derwents the best, especially since they also have a Ink water based pencil.So, still honing in on my style, but this certainly did help me.I am not looking to "copy" someone else's style, but create my own and I already paint and draw, so this book did the trick. I also loved a few other books like these that I have reviewed which you can look at._____________________________Also, if you want to know about Color theory to get even better....COLOR WORKS, the crafter Guide to Color by Deb MenzFOR ANYONE who wants to knwo about Color Theory this test breaks it down so that ANYONE can understand this subject. I learnt more about color theory in this book than all others put together because I now "Understand" the concept.While this book is for the textile artist, ALL artists should get it and is also has cut outs to use when choosing your colour palette whether it be for Fashion Design or Art.For any Artist:Color Mixing Bible, by Ian SidawayFor Watercolour:Water Colour in motion, O'ConnorPainting Watercolour that dance with light, KincaidPainting flowers with Impact in Watercolour, CollinsJean Haine's Atmosphere WatercoloursWatercolour from the Heart, NechisVibrant Flowers in Watercolour by Soon Y. Warren is just off the hookColour Pencils and Graphite:Ultimate Guide to Colored Pencil, GreeneColored Pencil Secrets for Success, KullbergColoured Pencil Solution Book, Gildow and NewtonMasterful colour, SteinbergColored Pencil Painting Bible, NickelsenPaint Radiant Realism in Watercolour, Ink and colored Pencil, RossDrawing Realistic Textures in Pencil, HillberryThose are just my favorites so far, I have a ton as I believe that you need to keep learning to stay fresh.

beautiful book many useful techniques

This was a very good book to help expand one's thinking about how to be more creative. After a while I thought there was a bit too much repetition on the use of salt and water drops. A very encouraging book. THis is NOT a great source if one is wanting to get realistic depictions of subject matter with expressionistic techniques. The author is clearly in the camp of doing representational type works where one has to interpret what one is seeing. Over all though, some of the techniques are clearly transferable to those of us who tend towards more realistic forms of painting.

I teach beginner watercolor in NYC, and as soon as I brought this book to class, everyone loved it. This very loose style of painting DOES take quite a bit of practice to do well, but even your 'bad' attempts will be beautiful in their own way. Some of my students used the book with no help from me, and still created some lovely florals. Haines' instructions are very detailed and helpful, and should be read all the way through before you pick up your brush...you'll have better luck that way. An excellent introduction to a technique that is luminously beautiful, and really takes advantage of the unique properties of transparent watercolor.