What This Book Is (and Isn't)

Before inviting folks to join me on this painting journey by following the exercises in The Big Book of Nature Painting in Watercolor, I suppose it would be a good idea to describe the book and what the exercises will and will not include.

This book is not, in my opinion (IMO) intended for beginning beginner watercolorists as it assumes terminology and skills with which a novice painter may be unfamiliar. It's more appropriate for advanced beginners, like me, up to experienced painters who want to improve their method of painting various aspects of nature.

The book focuses on specific aspects of painting nature, namely: trees, skies, and water, However, there are additional aspects covered within these areas such as painting snow or "painting a white bird set against light water and waves," both under the water topic. (If you do not have the book, you may want to check the "look inside" feature at Amazon for the TOC which describes specific subjects.

Every chapter has the same format. It begins with a photo relevant to the subject (trees, skies, or water) and then discusses the artistic problem found in the photo along with the strategy to overcome that problem--the solution. It then proceeds to explain, step-by-step, how this solution is implemented along with photos of each step.

What the book does NOT discuss is composition; it is strictly focused on techniques that may be used to tackle aspects found in nature painting. Each finished painting includes the subjects in the lesson photograph, literally, which many, many art instructors strongly advise against. Composition, IMO, is even more important than technique when it comes to capturing a viewer's attention. However, that is not what this book is about. Think technique, technique, technique regarding nature elements, and you've got the idea. For some this may be a deficit but for those floundering when confronted with a certain type of sky or tree, etc., the book is a welcome aid.

Even though lessons are in step-by-step format, steps fail to include details that might cause frustration, especially to less experienced painters. For example, this is a "Step Three" for a lesson on "Making Sense of Distant Masses of Color" (under "Trees"):

While the paper is drying, start adding definite shapes to the red and oranges. If necessary, rewet some areas and then blend the colors together; this procedure is used here in the lower left corner. When the paper has dried, begin adding the dark green trees. Give their shapes some definition.

 Because the book is organized around topics rather than skill level, it's easy for someone to jump in and join me in doing the exercises at any point. I'll be posting my experience performing each exercise as well as my resulting painting, and hope that you'll do the same thing. So, without further ado...