Oct 13
There's an immediate sense of variety in this admirably comprehensive book that really does live up to its claim to be complete. In something such as this, the introduction to materials and techniques clearly has a place and it's rightly more extensive than the cursory notes we could usually all probably do without. William is particularly good on the uses and handling of colour and tone as well as core techniques such as wet-in-wet. Although the beginner might feel the need for something more basic at this stage, as long as you've got the hang of how to use your materials, you'll find it easy to pick up from where this starts. William has a simple, relaxed and open style that relies on transparent colours, the use of washes and a constant sense of light that makes for easy and comfortable viewing that is immediately encouraging. The range of subjects is wide and includes landscapes, buildings, boats and people, and there's also an extensive series of demonstrations that put the basic lessons of the introductory section into practice. Because of its simplicity, the clarity of the instructions and the quality of the execution, I'd say this is the best work of its kind that I've seen.
* Artbookreview.net *
Nov 13
William Newton is a full-time professional artist and tutor with many years' experience teaching both adults and children, so he is well placed to bring us his Complete Guide to Watercolour Painting. From landscapes and seascapes, architecture to portraits, William will take you from first principles to finished watercolour with clear, well-measured advice. There's plenty of information on handling the medium, including what materials you'll need, painting techniques, colour and tone, drawing and perspective - as well as detailed step-by-step projects - all illustrated by William's beautiful work.
* Leisure Painter, The *
Nov 13
William Newton has been out of the limelight, as far as books are concerned, for too long. However, this has served to build up his teaching methods through workshops that provide feedback in real life. The result is a collection of sound wisdom - there's a huge variety of subject matter and there are demonstrations, hints and tips and short paragraphs that are little nuggets of wisdom. William tells us in his introduction that he's 'self-taught', meaning that he has studied many different artists and analysed their works and working methods. As a result, he knows not just what to learn, but how to learn.
* Artist, The *
Nov 13
This book covers everything you need to know about painting watercolour. From the materials you need to techniques, perspective, drawing and more. Newton is a self-taught artist, who now tutors others. The paintings are admirable. William shows how to create landscapes with a limited palettes of only four colours and gives three examples. He also looks at that difficult colour green. There are six detailed, step by step projects covering a variety of subjects: architecture, landscape, still life and portraiture. Plenty of step by step photos and images of finished work illustrate this handsome book.
* Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts *
Dec 13
What a pleasant change it is to read a how to book on painting by an artist who is self-taught! Perhaps it is not surprising that this is one of Search Press' rare hardcover books as it is something rather special, and in many ways easier to learn from than a book on the same topic by a college taught painter. So how is this book different and deserving of its hard cover? This artist does not merely tell the reader to buy the best but explains why one item works better than another and explodes a few old myths in the process. There is some very up to date advice in here dealing with what is on the market now, and no mention of expensive items like easels. Instead of color wheels there are paintings using a limited palette and advice on mixing, greens in particular to look lifelike. There are exercises to try out to practice certain things such as tonal values, washes, wet into wet etc and various staged projects. These include the usual types of picturesque country view, an Oxford college, a still life of a cannon and a painting of an old man; a nice mix of the invariable and the less obvious. Each project demonstrates some aspect of watercolor painting so you can learn by experience. Throughout the book the artist talks to the reader rather as if he was there in person, giving useful advice and explaining why it is useful. As a largely self-taught painter myself I found this book easier to learn from than those by the more formally trained artists and if this is your background then you might agree with me. This is one of the better books for the total beginner on watercolor painting.
* Myshelf.com *
Jan 14
Learn how to paint landscapes, seascapes and portraits in watercolour. All the basic information you need is given in this book. The illustrations are extremely inspiring and beautifully presented. The projects cover scenes of Magdalen College, Barges on the Mud, Farm tracks, village streets. There are useful inset items such as the back view of a fisherman on his way home - a scene which artists are rarely shown how to depict. Other sections focus on subjects such as shadows and glazing, accompanied by an illustration of the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Palace Gardens as an example of the points being raised in the text. The book is very easy to follow and understand. It is extremely well written and will prove a useful aid to artists of any standard.
* Monstersandcritics.com *
June 14
After providing a short introduction and a solid grounding in basics such as materials, color palettes, painting light, drawing and sketching, watercolor techniques, and subject matter, painter Newton (Art Handbook: Painting with Watercolours) goes on to offer the reader half a dozen step-by-step projects that are considerably more complex than the average painting guidebook. Most projects depict atmospheric yet realistic landscapes, but a still life and a portrait exercise are also included. VERDICT Sophisticated enough for intermediate or advanced artists while accessible enough for those with just a bit of experience drawing or painting, this volume will have wide appeal.
* Library Journal, USA *
