Watercolor Textures For Artists - Book Review

 

Title: Watercolor Textures For Artists

Author: Ana Victoria Calderon

Publisher: Quarry Books

Publication Date: March 5, 2024

Length: 70 Pages

About the Author
Ana Victoria Calderon is a Mexican/American watercolor artist and teacher with a bachelor's degree in Information Design and continued studies in Fine Arts. Ana teaches in-person workshops and hosts creative retreats in Tulum, Mexico, as well as more than 40,000 students on Skillshare, where she is a Top Teacher. 

Textures and Techniques
This art book is divided into the following sections;

• Watercolor Basics
• Texture Swatching
• Inspired Textures
• Mindful Painting
• Mystical Landscapes and Skyscapes
• Templates

My Thoughts
The author begins this book with an introduction to basic watercolor supplies and techniques. I have had limited experience using watercolors so I found this introduction very helpful.
Ms. Calderon introduces textures using a variety of watercolor methods and alternate drawing tools, such as gel pens, paint markers, and colored pencils. The color illustrations are outstanding and offer a great deal of ideas and inspiration.

Some illustrations explain the difference between "wet on dry" and "wet on wet" watercolor techniques. 

The print edition of this book offers templates that can be used to try the more advanced projects in the last chapter of this book. These projects are beautiful but appear to be too complicated for my skill level. 

This is a short book but it offers instruction and inspiration for all levels of watercolor painters. If you worked through all the projects in this book, you would have an excellent creative experience. I didn't realize texture could make this much difference until I read this book!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading experience.

Creating Art With Alcohol Ink - Book Review

Title: Creating Art With Alcohol Ink; Complete Guide to 12 Easy Techniques, 17 Spectacular Projects

Authors: Laurie Williams and Sheryl Williams

Publisher: Design Originals

Publication Date: January 17, 2023

Length: 144 Pages

About the Authors
Laurie “Trumpet” Williams is a mixed media and alcohol ink artist, instructor, and influencer. 
An award-winning artist in watercolor, alcohol ink, oil, and charcoal, Sheryl Williams loves to teach. She teaches her skills online through the CreateSmArt Academy, offering an online Alcohol Ink Master Course that starts at the very beginning and works all the way up to advanced representational art.

Great Resource for Artists Are you interested in alcohol ink art?

This resource provides a list of tools and supplies, safety considerations, twelve alcohol ink techniques, and an inspiration gallery that features completed projects.

The book is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced alcohol ink artists and crafters. The detailed instructions and color photos lend themselves to an excellent learning experience.

My Thoughts I chose this book because I have dabbled in alcohol ink art and I am interested in learning more methods and techniques. I was not disappointed...this book provided some techniques that I was familiar with and many new methods to try.

I was pleased with the way a detailed list of the supplies was listed at the beginning of each new project. The color photos are helpful in understanding the techniques. I am very impressed with the clarity of the instructions.

Alcohol ink is best if used on non-porous surfaces. It can be used on treated canvas, Yupo paper, glossy photo paper, jewelry, candles, switch plates, tabletops, ornaments, glass bottles, and even musical instruments.

There is an informative section on how to seal your alcohol ink projects so they won't scratch or fade.

I highly recommend this book for inspiration and instruction. You can never have too many art books! I have included one of my alcohol ink paintings below ( 5" by 7" on Yupo paper).

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley.

Alcohol ink art by Janette Fuller

 

Art Book Helps You Discover Your Unique Creative Style

 

Title: Fresh Paint; Discover Your Unique Creative Style Through 100 Small Mixed-Media Paintings

Authors: Flora Bowley & Lynzee Lynx

Publisher: Quarry Books

Publication Date: August 2, 2021

Length: 173 Pages

About the Authors
Flora Bowley is an internationally celebrated painter, workshop facilitator, author, visionary, and inspirationalist. Her soulful and transformational approach to painting has inspired thousands of people across the globe to "let go, be bold, and unfold" as they move through fear and welcome joyful, spontaneous expression back into the creative process.
Lynzee Lynx enjoys creating in many mediums, including paint, beads, metal, and fabric. She’s passionate about ecological preservation, personal style, embodiment, cultural art practices, and mindful consumption.

How to Discover Your Creative Style
The authors believe there are eight key ingredients needed to discover and develop a personal creative style. These ingredients are:

1. Desire
2. Self-Inquiry
3. Trust
4. Awareness
5. Expansion
6. Exploration
7. Gentleness
8. Dedication

The reader is challenged to create 100 small paintings as a way to connect more deeply to yourself and the world around you, to trust in your own inclinations and preferences, and to "do the work".

My Thoughts

This is not your typical art book. You are not given exact instructions on how to do specific projects. Instead, you are offered a variety of prompts, exercises, and philosophies to consider. 

This book focuses on creativity and how to develop your own unique style. If you follow the guidelines provided by the authors and create 100 small paintings, you will be well on your way to discovering your artistic preferences and specialties.

I like the way the written exercises and prompts encourage you to go outside of your comfort zone and try new techniques with new materials. There are no mistakes when you are expanding and exploring your artistic skills. This book offers a framework that will lead both beginners and experienced artists to consider a fresh outlook and mindset.

One of my favorite ideas from this book is to let your ancestry and family traditions inspire your art. I hope to let my German ancestry and my rural upbring come out in my future art projects. 

The ambitious goal of creating 100 small paintings is a bit overwhelming but I am sure it can be done with some gentleness and dedication. I read a digital copy of this book and plan to order a print copy so I can dive in a little deeper.

Highly recommended.

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley.

Handmade Card For A Young Artist

I make my granddaughter a handmade greeting every week. She is in the fourth grade and is an excellent little artist.

I think she will like this "artist card" because she loves all kinds of art and crafts projects.

I am entering this card in Mo's Challenge #169 - Emboss It!

This is how I made the card:
(1.) I started with a blank kraft card that measures 4" by 5 1/2".
(2.) I chose "Stars Embossed - Gold" (the Paper Studio) for the background. I used a Loops paper punch on the corners and attached it to the card.
(3.) I used the digital image "Jo Painting" from Mo's Digital Pencil Shop. I colored the image with Copic sketch markers. I used a Spellbinders die to cut around the image and I inked the edges with distress ink.
(4.) I cut and dry embossed a black frame for the image. I glued the colored image on the black frame and then used foam squares to attach the image to the card.
(5.) I used a small pink paperclip to attach a Tim Holtz "Bliss Ticket" to the card.
(6.) I embellished the card with a cute bumblebee sticker and two rose stickers.

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Kids Camp At Painting With A Twist

My granddaughter recently attended a week of summer art camp at Painting With A Twist in Conroe, Texas.
She enjoyed painting and getting to know her fellow artists.
The theme for the week was "Color Works" and she painted four very colorful masterpieces. Each picture was painted on a 16" by 20" canvas with acrylic paints. The instructors provided step-by-step instructions.

My granddaughter painted the following colorful paintings at art camp;
Day #1 ~ Fleur-de-Lis
Day #2 ~ Peace Sign
Day #3 ~ Guitar
Day #4 ~ Fish
This was a wonderful experience that encouraged creativity and taught artistic skills.

Painting With A Twist also provides painting experiences for adults. The "twist" is you can bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage!! They offer birthday parties, team building, guy's/girls nights, office parties, date nights and family activities.
I'm not sure a glass of wine would improve my artistic skill, but it sounds like a great time. I hope to enroll in one of their classes soon!




Do you have a Painting With A Twist near you? Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.