Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner - (Absolute Beginner Art) by Matthew Palmer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This book is a comprehensive course in watercolour landscape painting by expert Society of All Artists tutor, Matthew Palmer. Matthew is renowned for his beautiful, detailed paintings and his ability to teach effective painting using simple techniques. He teaches over 150 pupils per week and also appears regularly on TV. The book begins with excellent advice for the beginner, including, easy drawing for painting, composition, easy perspective, light and shade, colour, and how to paint skies, tree, water and figures in watercolour. There are then six simple step by step painting exercises, and each exercise leads into a more developed step by step painting project, including a windmill, seascape, snow scene, mountains and lakes, bluebell stream and an all-rounder featuring a landscape with buildings and figures. The exercises are ideal for beginners and the main projects will also build skills for improving artists. A pull-out outline drawing is provided for every exercise and main project, and Matthew shows step by step how to transfer these onto watercolour paper. Like best-selling artist, Terry Harrison, Matthew has an accessible style, plenty of tips and tricks for beginners and his own range of brushes and colours to make things easier (though readers can use alternatives).

Review Quotes

Library Journal - Jan 15 2025
Palmer (Watercolour Animals for the Absolute Beginner) presents an updated edition of his bestselling book, offering readers fresh artwork and numerous tips gleaned from years of teaching watercolor painting. Starting with a detailed look at needed materials, Palmer discusses the qualities of various paper weights and textures and helpfully includes photos of different brush types to aid readers in identifying them. Appreciating that new watercolor artists may struggle with underlying drawings, Palmer illustrates simple but effective tricks for rendering buildings, animals, people, and objects, and also gives readers exercises for practicing single and two-point perspective. Palmer covers topics including composition, light and shadow, and the importance of tonal contrast in creating realistic depth, as well as techniques like using masking fluid to preserve highlights. Recommending two alternative sets of primary colors, Palmer shows which additional colors can be made by mixing them and also advises readers on creating shadow tones.
VERDICT Palmer's detailed landscapes are likely to intimidate beginner artists, but the wealth of practical advice he offers should aid those who feel confident enough to try to replicate his paintings.

About the Author

Matthew Palmer is one of the Society for all Artists' most renowned demonstrators, and his classes are particularly popular with beginners. He has been painting seriously for twenty years and specialises in landscapes, still life and animals. He has his own studio at his home in Derbyshire and teaches over 150 people per week, as well as running watercolour workshops and holidays. He has many personal exhibitions, participates in several art shows and appears regularly on the Painting and Drawing Channel.