Watercolour workout

Ray Campbell Smith

Published by David & Charles, hardcover with dustjacket, illustrated

Every artist's work improves with practice — professionals are fond of saying that they 'never stop' painting. Yet for many who try to emulate this, by picking up the brush and 'dashing off a painting whenever the opportunity presents itself, the experience will too often be disappointing and disheartening, both in the struggle to overcome problems and in the finished result.

In Watercolour Work-Out Ray Campbell Smith identifies the reasons why this occurs, and suggests how to approach your painting sessions to get better results. Following on from a detailed introduction to the pitfalls and their solutions, Ray analyses his approach to fifty of his best paintings — tracking his method from the moment he first sees the scene through to putting the final touches to the painting. Along the way he examines the importante of preliminary sketches, planning colour and tone, and simplifying the scene effectively.

This informative and attractive book will help you to produce paintings rich in tone and colour contrast, and with greater insight, originality and confidence. Ray's friendly advice and structured approach will encourage you toward more enjoyable, and more successful, painting sessions.