History & Criticism, Watercolor 

There is nothing right or wrong about painting in great detail, but the most common problem encountered by beginning artists is the tendency to produce overworked watercolours. Since watercolour's charm lies in its ability to suggest imagery, this book should prove to be of value to artists learning to paint in this medium. The author presents his method through a series of easy-to-follow demonstrations. The backbone of the method is a completely worked out underpainting, which is achieved by flowing lots of fresh colour over a dry, unpainted support. Then, over this mix of fluid and hard-edged shapes, a drawing is applied. It's this combination of an abstract underpainting and a detailed drawing of the subject matter that gives this method its strength and fresh appeal. This book shows how this approach is equally successful for favourite subject areas: landscapes, figures and portraits, and still lifes. Sections on drawing, design, and colour as they apply to this method make this book a complete guide to a whole new way of working with watercolour. - from Amzon