Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of the book's purpose, which is to help artists learn how to paint water in watercolor. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique characteristics of water and how they can be captured effectively on paper.
Chapter 2: Materials and Techniques
This chapter covers the essential materials and techniques needed for watercolor painting, including brush types, paper quality, and color theory. It demonstrates the basic brushstrokes used to create different water effects, such as droplets, ripples, and waves.
Example: Using a round brush, apply a mix of blue and green paint to the paper to depict a droplet. Hold the brush vertically and lightly press down to create a rounded shape.
Chapter 3: Painting Still Water
This chapter focuses on capturing the essence of still water, such as lakes and ponds. It explains how to create the illusion of depth by using darker colors for the foreground and lighter colors for the background. It also covers techniques for painting reflections and ripples.
Example: To paint a still pond, start by creating a base layer with a pale blue wash. Add darker blue along the edges to suggest the depth. Use fine brushstrokes to create subtle ripples by adding a slightly darker mix of paint.
Chapter 4: Painting Flowing Water
This chapter teaches how to portray flowing water, such as rivers and waterfalls. It discusses the principles of perspective and how they can be used to create a sense of movement. It also covers techniques for painting splashes, foam, and currents.
Example: To paint a river, use a horizontal brushstroke with a gradual transition from light to dark colors. Create the illusion of flow by painting waves and ripples in the direction of the current. Add white highlights to suggest foam and splashes.
Chapter 5: Painting Transparent Water
This chapter explains how to capture the transparency of water, allowing the viewer to see through to what lies beneath. It covers techniques for glazing, layering, and lifting to create a sense of depth and luminosity.
Example: To paint a clear stream, start by applying a thin layer of blue wash. Use glazing layers to add depth and create the illusion of underwater objects and vegetation. Lift out areas with a damp brush to reveal the underlying paper and suggest the flow of water.
Chapter 6: Painting Dynamic Water
This chapter explores the challenges of painting water in motion, such as waves crashing on a shore or a waterfall cascading down a cliff. It covers techniques for creating a sense of energy and impact.
Example: To paint a stormy sea, use thick brushstrokes to convey the force of the waves. Layer different shades of blue and green to create depth and texture. Add white highlights and spatter to suggest crashing foam and sea spray.
