Recommended Art Books

Everyone has their favorites.  Here are few of mine, chosen both for the instruction and the beauty of the art displayed.  Enjoy!

Robert Wade's Watercolor Workshop Handbook

Robert Wade has an incredible style that is so free and yet so intense.  His paintings pack action and a freedom of style.  His palette is interesting.  His book isn't so much a how-to, but rather offers some advice and techniques such as washes and mixing colors.  There's a lot of good info to be taken away with this book.  His discussion on glazing is especially good.

This is just a fun book with some amusing pictures of cats doing just that--painting.  A whimsical look at art from a cat's point of view.  Just plain fun, with some great photographs.

This was an inspirational book for me.  Engle's plain speaking about developing her style and advice to other artists is thoughtful and wise.  Though Engle's style is not one I use, I so admire her beautiful work.  This is a great book for learning to incorporate a loose style.

Though heavier on oil technique, this is more a book for learning to see and read a composition.  The examples are well laid out and thoroughly explained.  I refer to this book often when I have an idea for a painting and want to review different options for presenting it.  The watercolor technique pages are very thorough as well and employ some interesting techniques.  More a book for the advanced artist than a beginner.

This is another inspirational work, with some great quotes about painting by a truly great individual.  Amazing that a man so involved with the politics of the world left this special place for himself.

Aimed at novice artists, this is a great book for demystifying creating texture with some very simple techniques with big impact.  I refer to this book when I'm looking to create a texture that I haven't done for awhile or if I'm doing something new.  The illustrations are very good and the colors are right on for matching with your own palette.

For those wanting to venture into the world of plein air painting, this is an informative guide to painting what you see.  Johnson makes it all look easy, with simple brushstrokes creating nature on your support.  The book is filled with practical advice from what to pack to how to prepare with inclement weather.  Delightful as a walk in the woods!

This book is a comprehensive look at the different styles and techniques of watercolor.  Not only is it a valuable history of watercolor, but it is also a helpful instruction book.  Contemporary and old masters of the art are featured.  There are some demos of techniques, but it is more an exploration of watercolor in all its glory.