Ray Campbell Smith explores the stages of his creative process from intial thoughts through to finished painting, revealing his approach, inspirations and techniques, information which will benefit all those striving to improve their art. This practical teaching guide features 50 of Ray's watercolours accompanied by considered explanatory text, working sketches and details. Selecting a wide range of approachable, popular subjects, Ray describes the methods and materials he uses to paint them, and demonstrates how he employs fluent brushwork and a limited palette to distil a scene down to its essentials. Throughout Ray stresses the importance of good composition and illustrates how he determines the most effective viewpoint. He also encourages readers to add interest and impact to their work by making the most of tonal and colour contrasts, and describes the best ways of doing this. Ray is an outstanding teacher of his art, and by offering readers an invaluable insight into his working methods, this book will help all artists avoid the pitfalls of the watercolour medium and produce paintings with style and confidence.