Splash 9 - Watercolor Secrets: The Best of Watercolor: Watercolor Disoveries

As intriguing as the paintings themselves, the artists talk about what inspired these new directions - anything from a trip around the world to a bowl of apples passed by a hundred times before. Find out how a workshop, a new brush, or a new perspective (like painting into the sun) injected these works with fresh energy, emotion and inner reflection.

In true Splash tradition, the sheer diversity of work within is stunning - from thick, dark and dramatic to light, loose and washy … in some cases all in the same piece. You'll find work from favorite Splash watercolorists, along with quite a few new artists never before seen in print.

Featured artist Jerry Stitt contemplates that ''A painting is good not because it looks like something, but because it feels like something.'' The difference is passion '' the kind of energy, excitement and pure joy that pulses through every page of this book.

A brilliant collection of the best watercolors being created today, Splash 10 explores "passion" through the work and words of 100 top contemporary painters. With each modern-day masterpiece, insightful firsthand commentary taps into the psyche of the artists to explore where their passion comes from, and where it leads them.

These artists find the passion to paint in any number of places - a handful of peppermints, a rescued dog named Tugboat, visits to places where "even the walls have personality," and spectacular moments created by the warm late-afternoon sun partnering with rich, cool cast shadows. Some of them find passion in their materials (like rice paper) or in the very act of putting paint to paper, whether it be broad, wet strokes of pure color applied with big brushes and arm-swinging applications, or meditative, economical strokes.

This edition of Splash is dedicated to discovering not only how today's artists create great watercolors, but what motivates them to be creative, work in this amazing medium, and portray the subjects they love.

Simple secrets for colors that sing

Don't settle for colors that just sit there. Inspired by the work of the great Impressionists, Color Harmonies shows you how to use analogous colors (colors next to each other on the color wheel) and their complements to achieve lively, glowing effects. By keeping palette-mixing to a minimum, placing pure color notes side by side, and applying other simple but powerful color tricks, you'll create sparkling passages of color that attract your viewer's eye, engage the imagination, and make your paintings shine.

• 5 demonstrations illustrate the step-by-step creation of stunning light-filled paintings.
• Includes expert instruction on drawing and composition, techniques for adding texture and interest, making the most of light and shadow, and more.
• Richly illustrated with gorgeous landscape, flower and figure paintings.

Breathe new life into your art through negative painting. Linda Kemp shares her techniques for using the strength of negative space - the areas not occupied by subject matter - to create alluring works of art.

Watercolor Painting Outside the Lines is a comprehensive guide to evoking more passion in your paintings. You'll learn how to take hold of the often-overlooked areas of a painting through interactive, easy to follow elements including:

• Step-by-step techniques, exercises and projects
• Do-it-yourself tests and worksheets
• Troubleshooting suggestions and secrets
• Straightforward diagrams for color and design

If a picture is worth a thousand words, watercolor has the power to transform that picture into pure poetry. This book will show you how to do just that, step by creative step. Inside, you'll learn how to take great reference photos of the people, places and things that intrigue you, and use the unique qualities of watercolor to turn them into original and striking paintings.

• Paint a range of popular subjects, including people, landscapes, architecture, still life and interiors.
• 18 step-by-step painting demonstrations take you through the entire painting process, from start to finish.
• Expert advice for shooting reference photos gives you a jumpstart to dynamic paintings.

Watercolor—easy as A, B, C.

This comprehensive, hands-on watercolor workshop features 26 core lessons, from "A" (animals) to "Z" (zeroing in on your artistic style). In between you'll find expert advice on painting an exciting range of popular subjects, including:

• barns and buildings
• clouds
• eagles and other birds
• flowers
• glass
• hills and valleys
• ice and snow
• landscapes
• seascapes
• boats
• people and portraits
• still lifes
• trees
• cityscapes
• and more!

Individually, each lesson offers a stand-alone, "bite size" art session whenever you have an hour or two to devote to your painting. Together, they present a diverse "sampling" of subjects, ideas and techniques. Perfect for beginning artists just starting to explore as well as experienced artists looking to try something different, Watercolor A-Z is an engaging reference for achieving pleasing effects in watercolor, while keeping things fresh and fun.