Experimental Flowers in Watercolour Creative techniques for painting flowers and plants

by Blockley, Ann

• ISBN13: 9781906388775
• ISBN10: 1906388776
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-06-23
• Publisher: Batsford

Summary

From the blooms of summer to the berries of winter, well-known watercolor artist Ann Blockley shows the experienced painter how to push the boundaries of watercolor using both traditional and unconventional techniques and concepts. She'll demonstrate how the use of collage materials such as glitter, sequins, salt, and gold paint can create amazing textures and bring flowers and foliage of every season to life. With this practical yet inspirational book as a guide, your watercolors will surely blossom.

Author Biography

Ann Blockley is a well-known watercolor painter and teacher. She is author of five bestselling practical art books, all published by HarperCollins. Ann runs her own very popular watercolor courses, has made a DVD of her painting, and regularly writes for Leisure Painter and The Artist magazines.

Table of Contents

Introduction    6
Experimental flowers in watercolour    8
Paint experiments and colour doodles    10
Watercolour and mixed media    12
Surface textures    14

Spring    16
Exploratory sketches    18
Finding inspiration    20
Getting started    22
Playing with ideas    24
Background    26
A fresh look at composition    28
Creative mark making    30
Challenging yellows    32
Using the white of the paper    34
Working spontaneously    36
Exploring watercolour    38
Experimenting with shapes    40
Capturing the essence    42
Choosing a format    44

Summer    46
Exploring a theme    48
Being original    52
Expressive leaves    54
Interpreting your subject    56
Avoiding the literal    58
Starting with collage    60
Choosing your subject    62
Developing ideas    64

Moving on    66
Telling a story    68
The decorative approach    70
Working from life    72
Creating drama    74
Emphasis and echoes    76
Looking for abstract qualities    78
Experimental flower centres    80
Using paper collage    82

Autumn and Winter    84
Vibrant colour    86
Sparkling light    87
Paint textures    88
Leaving something to the imagination    90
Finding your own style    92
Hedgerow tangles    94
Torn and cut paper edges    96
Working creatively    98
Shapes and pattern    100
Using a restrained palette    102
Coloured drawings    103
Tonal values    104
Working with gesso     106
Winter skeletons    108
Finding a fresh approach    110
Food for thought    112

Flowers in the landscape    114
Index    127