Lessons in Realistic Watercolor

Target Consumer: Beginner to advanced artists looking to either learn classical realist watercolour techniques or improve upon the skills they already have.

In the tradition of American painters such as Andrew Wyeth, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent, Robinson shows readers how to create beautiful, timeless, classical watercolour paintings through the use of simple, yet sophisticated, techniques every watercolourist needs to know.

Robinson's approach to the medium of watercolour is primarily traditional. Many artists find watercolour difficult to control and are often disappointed with the results. The water meanders across the surface of the paper and, given the proper nuance by the artist's brush, it will reluctantly settle. The end result is the bright white of bouncing light contrasted with the liveliness of mysterious shadows. Robinson's method teaches artists to layer colours from light to dark and to focus on the highlighted areas first. Furthermore, his "live in the moment" approach embraces watercolour's unpredictability as part of the process, the end result being a painting with intensity, spontaneity, and beauty.

For the beginner, mid-level, or professional artist, Robinson introduces his unique working method that shifts the focus from the end result to the enjoyment of each stage of the painting process. Readers will learn how to start by stretching the paper to achieve a pristine surface; choose the right materials (brushes, palettes, paints, etc.); do a preliminary drawing; establish the subject's light, middle, and dark values with a tonal underdrawing; create symmetrical features and mass big shapes using intuition to achieve a more natural appearance; work through a monotone wash; explore water manipulation and work wet into wet for colour mixing; finish up with a special drybrush technique; avoid common mistakes; set up an artist's studio; and establish yourself as a pro.

Lessons in Realistic Watercolor is an invaluable resource for watercolourists who wish to deepen their understanding and practice of this fluid, unpredictable, and rewarding medium.