Just Add Watercolor...

I love art. I recently revisited watercolor as a medium to learn to paint with. I was so happy when I saw this book from Helen Birch was available for review from Blogging For Books.

This pint size book has over 200 watercolor pictures from different artists, incorporating different styles and mediums. In the beginning is a contents of thumbnail size images along with the page that they are on. On the opposite page there is a description of what kind of watercolor it is, a summary of the artist/painting, and a tidbit to help a budding artist.

This book is small, but it is packed with information for those that like to look at art, those looking to explore a new medium, those looking for inspiration, and those that just simply need a gift for an artist friend/family member.

I enjoyed looking through it and I will be keeping it on my coffee table and art desk for inspiration.

**NOTE: I received this book in return for my honest review from Blogging for Books.**

Daily Painting

Daily Painting by Carol Marine

Age Range: Anyone that wants to broaden their artistic design

Genre: Painting and creativity

Paperback: 192 pages

Publisher: Watson-Guptill (November 4, 2014)

Source: From publisher via Blogging for Books

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

About the Book:

A unique system for jump-starting artistic creativity, encouraging experimentation and growth, and increasing sales for artists of all levels, from novices to professionals.

Do you want to bring the joy back into your art? Have you landed in a frustrating rut? Are you having trouble selling paintings in galleries, getting bogged down by projects you can’t seem to finish or abandon, or finding excuses to avoid working in the studio? Author Carol Marine knows exactly how you feel—she herself suffered from painter’s block, until she discovered “daily painting.” The idea is simple: do art (usually small) often (how often is up to you), and if you’d like, post and sell it online. Soon you’ll find that your block dissolves and you’re painting work you love—and more of it than you ever thought possible!

With her encouraging tone and useful exercises, Marine teaches you to:

• Master composition and value
• Become confident in any medium
• Choose subjects wisely
• Stay fresh and loose
• Photograph, post, and sell your art online
• Become connected to the growing movement of daily painters around the world.

About the Author:

CAROL MARINE is an artist and the creator of the popular blog A Painting a Day (or Almost). She is a member of Daily Paintworks, a distinguished group of daily painters, and she teaches daily painting workshops around the country. Marine lives in Eugene, Oregon. Visit www.dailypaintworks.com.  

My Thoughts:
   
I have read my fair share of art books beacuse I've wanted to branch out more into different mediums. I have to say, I really liked the style that Carol used in order to bring this book to life. This book is great for any artist that is just budding or an expert. She goes over some great content. I think I thought like a lot of artists and thought you had to paint BIG in order to "make it". I love how she helps you bring out different things in yourself and your medium, whatever it is. This is a great how-to to experiment with different mediums. 

I never really thought about blogging and selilng my art before. I just did it for fun. But, after reading her steps, and how easy it seems to get things going (mind you, she DOES specify that things don't happen over night....) on a blog to sell your work. I think this is something that I'd like to venture in to.

I highly recommend reading through this book and take up some of the techniques for yourself!

I received this book for Blogging for Books in return for my honest review. 

Butterfly and the Violin

This story has two stories that meet together: one from the past and one from present day. The past is about a promising violinist that helped smuggle Jews during the Holocaust and she too is taken to a prison camp. The other, is about a woman who is in the search of a rare painting of this promising violinist. 

The Butterfly and the Violin, is the first book in Kristy Cambron’s debut series "A Hidden Masterpiece". This book is about the story the painting tells, and the impact the story has on Sera James.

The book switches between both time periods with ease. I was never confused as to which era I was in. Kristy Cambron writes with a clarity and authority on her subject matter. Even though this book is classified as Historical Christian Romance, anyone, regardless of their reading preference, will certainly love this story. I am looking forward to the second book in the series when it releases.

**NOTE** I received this book for free in return for my honest review from BookLook Bloggers

Urban Watercolor

I love art. I love to paint. I am new to watercolor and I was excited to get this book.

Urban Watercolor Sketching is a great instructional for anyone who is just beginning to learn watercolor to the person that is a seasoned artist looking for a new angle on how to approach the medium.

I love the beginning on how watercolor was birthed. I didn't know this and I have a better appreciation for the medium.

The text is visually paired with colorful images. This book is not a how-to paint a picture with instruction. It is a guide on the materials used- from paper to brushes. It is a book that helps you expand on your imagination, changing the perspective of a view, and helping the artist grow. It is a about the art of storytelling through painting.

I putzed around with some of the guides and found it very easy and understood more about watercolors versus watching a video. Which is not like me....I'm a very visual learner, and this book helped me dig into myself and pull out feelings and expressions that I didn't know I had.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in return for my honest review of the product. I did not get paid for my review, but got a free copy of the product.