Friday, May 15, 2015

Check It Out: Just Add Watercolor by Helen Birch

Just Add Watercolor by Helen Birch is a tiny lil' thing. A cute thing. An informative thing full of ideas and techniques. Do you want tips? This tiny tome has 'em. Looking for the fundamentals? You'll find those here, as well. 


Find it on Amazon.com



What it does not offer is a step-by-step guide. Strictly speaking, this is not a how-to book. However, if you're looking for inspiration, I'd definitely recommend giving it a whirl.  

The book itself is divided into sections on traditional water, gouache, digital, mixed media, other water-based media, and non-paper media. There's also a section devoted to the fundamentals (materials, paint types, inks, additives, papers, masks, stencils, and equipment). 


You'll find, I believe, 189 gorgeous paintings inside which serve as examples of how the respective artists bring their thoughts and images to life. I found the section on representing animals especially interesting. Nobody who knows me will be shocked by this. But for the rest of you, please check out Kelly Puissegur's anthropomorphized pugs in Bon Jour. She makes watercolor silly and it reminded me that I don't have to be Gauguin to have a good time with watercolor. 

Looking at the wonderful artwork in this book actually made me want to grab some brushes and gouache and get to painting already. Neveryoumind that I don't really know how. When I was seven I didn't know how but it was fun. Remember that? 

My recommendation? Get this book and get back to being seven!

As for me, I'm considering a painting party. Wanna come?

xoxo
Megan

Disclosure time: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and I received nothing but this adorable book for my thoughts. Not even a penny guys. Not a penny for my thoughts. But I'd love yours. Pennies or thoughts. Or both. 

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