Artist Ann Blockley is renowned for her innovative approach to traditional subjects. Following the huge success of her previous book; Experimental Flowers in Watercolour; she now explores ways to interpret landscape. Packed with stunning examples of her colourful; expressive work; this book encourages you to experiment with the same techniques in your own watercolour painting to develop a personal style. Techniques covered include combining water-based paint and ink with other media such as gesso and collage to create dramatic effects; manipulating paint with materials such as plastic wrap (clingfilm); tearing; layering and reassembling paintings into watercolour collages; and developing textures and marks made using fabrics and other found objects. Throughout the book Ann offers her personal commentary on how her paintings were created; giving us a unique insight into the mind of the artist. Both practical and inspirational; this glorious book is the ideal companion for watercolour painters who want to take their work a step further.
#1215372 in eBooks 2014-09-01 2014-09-01File Name: B00OXWCTZA
Review
54 of 54 people found the following review helpful. Amongst the best for mastering acrylicBy Sheilah. BockettPatti Bradys "Rethinking Acrylics" has proved to be even better than my (previously reviewed) favourite; Nancy Reyners "Acrylic Revolution; and thats saying a lot. As an artist; I have changed from pastel work to painting abstracts in acrylics; and I could not have developed the unique textural and reflective effects I wanted without the help of Patti Bradys book.One comment claims that most artists use only acrylic pigments and water. Maybe hobby artists do; but to create finishes that professionally replicate the beautiful effects of traditional mediums like oils and encaustics; it is necessary to go further than pigment and water alone. For example; there are artists like myself who do not have the correct ventilation for using encaustics. Patty Brady demonstrates an exciting "faux encaustic" using acrylic pigments and mediums that solves the problem and looks very like the real thing.Another challenge is in creating vibrancy and light. It is not possible to use ten to twenty glazes to achieve light refraction and depth without using the unique effects of acrylic mediums. And if you want to "float" objects in successive transparent layers; the use of an acrylic medium is essential. Brady covers all these techniques and more.Regardless of whether you like Patti Bradys style of art or not; she has the use of acrylic mediums down to a fine art. If you want to learn to exploit acrylics to the full; this is definitely the book. And it does show work in progress from other artists who demonstrate creative uses of acrylic pigments and mediums in very different styles.While the book does focus exclusively on Golden Artists Colours; it is possible to adapt the techniques to other quality brands. The emphasis is on quality. It is impossible to achieve the same effects (as Brady does) by using cheap substitutes. I have also found Golden Paints much more user friendly than other brands in regard to toxicity. Despite initial price; they are economical because they have a high chroma and so go a long way. No; it does not cost $50 dollars to complete a painting with Golden Paints" as one commenter claims. My most recent work was 39 inches x 45 inches and the Golden Products I used would have cost me less than $15 (and some were specialty products.)There are no "cheap gimmicks" in this book as one critic has claimed. It is the ability to achieve the visual statement you want that determines choice of paint medium. "Rethinking Acrylics" has helped me achieve results well beyond what I had initially hoped.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Perfect resource bookBy Sharon E. RaineyI am certain I will be referring back to this book time and time again. So much useful information and easily searchable.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Wild and Exciting AcrylicBy Ronald K. RidleyPatti has several different artist showing their method of painting. Each is different and exciting. It somebody wants to jump start their painting. This is a good place to start. She shows you examples of hoe to use gel; molding and other techniques to give texture to your paintings. You will see many wild designs and ways to express your self.
