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Initial impressions: Watercolor essentials, Hands on techniques for exploring watercolor in motion


I got this book from the library. I planned to purchase it at the time but wanted to make sure it would work for my level first. At the time of reading it I have been using watercolors for 6 weeks. It's definitely a good book but after going through it I am not sure it is the next step that I need. 

Pros

  • There is a good section on the DVD on washes and problems with washes
  • There are a few good basic exercises like the value and shadows exercises that I would like to work on
  • The tip to use "contact paper" from the hardware store might save me a lot of money as I was seriously wondering whether masking film was something I needed to buy
  • The special techniques tips are well explained and it's nice to have all the demos on the disc
Cons
  • A large amount of the book and the DVD are devoted to texturing techniques that I would consider special effects. I would have preferred to see more demonstrations (over and over again) of basic washes, charging and applying those to simple compositions.

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