Quick & Clever Watercolor Pencils

There are few art books about watercolor pencils so this was a welcomed addition to my hope/how-to art book collection especially since it contains many hints for using such pencils, hints that are helpful to beginners. The author, Charles Evans, is British and has a TV how-to show in the UK. This doubtless explains why the book is helpful for both this medium and for beginners. He is also on You-Tube which is interesting especially his British lilt!! The beside-the-point of the shadow color magenta, I recommend the book for beginners. Let us hope someone soon will write more books on this medium.

This is not a book for someone looking for a step-by-step guide. I am not an art student, nor have I had any formal training. I cannot draw very well. The only instruction I've had, has been through books. This book does show enough technique so you can either recreate his drawings or apply the technique to something entirely new.The author is British, so I believe some of the complaints about the book, are due to this (like the tone of the writing). Personally, I think he's trying to make it entertaining and something that anyone can do, rather than something mystifying. Regarding complaints about using magenta for shadows, this may be attributed to differences in the products sold in the US, even if they are from the same company. Some of the specific tools he uses are difficult to find in the US. And anyway, if you don't like magenta, use indigo, or purple or a darker gray color for shadows. I've changed out colors on many of the drawings I've tried to recreate, with no ill effect.The author presents his watercolor pencil sketches as something he does rather than taking pictures, of something he may want to paint later. I use them for art journaling, as a way to capture what I see/feel. I was happier with the drawings I did using his techniques, than anyone else. I do not have a lot of drawing skills, so get frustrated by most other well-known artists' books and usually just look at their books since I cannot recreate anything in them. I recommend this book, but suggest you look at the book online, or try to get a copy of the book at your local library so you can determine if you will like it. It is one of my favorites.

Some of the lessons are really good, some not so good. It's an older book and I'd guess if he has newer books they'd be better. His YouTube videos are great. What I didn't like is the photos he uses for instruction weren't easy to follow. Small areas and often at odd angles so it made it hard to figure out what he was doing. Maybe it's just me......

This is a revision of a very long review done in 2009. It's 9/6/2013. I have been drawing for 20 years. I have dabbled in watercolor...My work was highly detailed,... and Boring.....I had no idea how to let loose..let my creative juices shake me out of a rut....Until I picked up a copy of this book with it's "Magenta" shadows, Prussian Blue, Lime and Viridian Green, gasped and then smiled....Here was a book that could breathe life into anything. It was definitely not dull and it wasn't full of skills that leave a beginner standing in the dust...This is a no frills, have a good time and accomplish something special book...All anyone starting out wants to do is create a picture that's appealing and enjoy doing it....In this case, many pictures... Mr. Evans carefully approaches the development of creativity as the book progresses. He gently encourages, supports and helps the student find their individuality, their "eye," teaching composition, arial perspective, color mixing and blending, while making it great fun. The student is given the tools and skills which build to where they no longer need such close direction. There are several pages scattered through the book with such opportunities. Hate "Magenta," fine, but you'll have to admit you know where the shadows belong,...whatever color you choose to paint them.....and in the end there will be lots of special paintings.Charles Evans is a dedicated fine artist who takes the time to show anyone how to have fun and create something special from the start. Find him on YouTube or his web sight and see for yourself. I did. I have. And I'm more impressed than ever....My only codicil: Use good, Artist Quality watercolor pencils such as Derwent, Faber Castell Albrecht Durer, or Caran d'ache, from the start. It will make a great difference in your results.

I rate this higher than the previous reviewers because it fills a niche. It isn't a 12 page basic, how to use watercolor pencils booklet that comes with a starter kit. It also isn't a book that expects you to want to spend hours on a painting and only has examples for folks that can already draw and paint like pros. So, I suggest it as a mid-step on a beginner's route to the art.I do agree that the magenta is not a good color choice for the shadows, but each artist to their own taste. Suggestion: get a decent (or almost any) watercolor instruction book that includes shadows. There are much better and easy ways to mix VERY good and realistic shadows that will make your artwork look professional. The magenta detracts from the art in this book.Again, a good step between how to get pencil on paper and wet it in 12 basic steps - and how to do experienced art.Also, keep in mind that this book is not to show how to spend hours drawing, layering, blending, and reworking to end up with a realistic picture of nature. It is a way to make a sketchbook study in the field that you can then use back in the studio.PS. I'm a watercolorist, so my interest in watercolor pencils is not to sell the medium as artwork, but to get journal sketches down quickly and on the run in order to capture ideas. So, I think the book works JUST FINE for that.

Learning

This is the best book I have found so far for this medium. The step-by-step lessons provide 15 to 25 steps or more, whereas other books I have purchased (while good books) often have only 5 steps or less, and I need more! I am a self-taught artist who has already played around a little with this medium and knew very basic techniques before I found this book...so if that sounds like you, I think you will find it very helpful.

I like some of the paintings that Charles has done using the medium.There are quite a few projects to try, which are broken down into chunks. Some reviews mention small images, but you can pinch and zoom these out; having said that, several pictures are blurred.I noticed that Charles uses a wet brush to wick some of the paint out of the pencil, but the set I purchased from WHSmiths explicitly says to not wet the leads.Not quite as inspiring as I thought it would be, but a good place to start.

I sent these to my sister to encourage her in her artistic talents. She was really pleased with the effects she could produce in her artwork using the hints in this book

The contents of this book I found most helpful, I have been using watercolour pencils for some time, but being self taught I need some refinements and this book has them. The reason that I have marked it down is the quality of the printing, some of the wording is blurred and the colour reproduction is not good. There is one puzzling thing, at the front of the book it claims it is printed in China whilst on the last page it clearly states Printed in Great Britain?????

This book is a useful addition to my art library. I have been using coloured pencils more lately, and this is a handy reference book where you can find inspiration on those days where your mind (and your page) is a blank!

For those who aren't acquainted with watercolour pencils, this is the perfect way to learn how to use them. The book is easily read and facilitates the use of this particular medium by the well illustrated step by step presentation of the subject matter.