Landscapes in Watercolour: Techniques and Tutorials for the Complete Beginner

by Lois Davidson

Overview

Landscapes in Watercolour breaks down ten progressively more challenging paintings into easy-to-achieve steps for the absolute beginner.

A variety of landscape paintings, from a midwinter farm and a sunny woodland to a coastal waterfront and boats in an estuary are featured. Each watercolor is broken down into four or five steps, showing the reader how simple it can be to achieve stunning results as they build up their painting from the background color and add the finishing details. 

The reader will learn how to simplify the scene in front of them, allowing them to recreate the essence of the landscape for the viewer without slaving over an easel for hours. Interspersed with the tutorials are special masterclasses covering trees, skies and reflections.  Readers will benefit from the section on choosing tools and materials, and introductory topics on color theory, composition and perspective, as well as the essential basic drawing and painting techniques.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784946838
Publisher:	Guild of Master Craftsman
Publication date:	07/02/2024
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Lois Davidson is an English watercolor artist with over 40 years of experience. She has been painting professionally since 2020, and was shortlisted for the Jackson's Painting Prize in 2021. She now runs a successful YouTube channel, alongside her daughter, which boasts almost 90,000 subscribers and demonstrates traditional and experimental watercolor techniques, with a focus on loose landscape painting. She also offers painting tutorials and more learning-based watercolor workshops on Patreon, and she runs a popular online art community. She sells her paintings across the world through her Etsy page, and she exhibits her work locally and online. She lives in the South East of England.

YouTube @LoisDavidsonArt (86,900 subscribers)
Instagram @ loisdavidsonart (26,600 followers)
Patreon @loisdavidsonart (742 members)

Table of Contents

Introduction 8
Materials and Equipment 10
Colour and Value 14
Composition and Perspective 16
Basic Techniques 20
Drawing and Line and Wash 22
Troubleshooting 24
Mountains 26
Sunny Woodland 32
Focus on Skies 38
Old Farm in Midwinter 40
Estuary With Sailing Boats 46
Focus on Trees 52
Moorland Track 54
Coastguard Cottages and Sea Wall 60
Focus on Reflections 66
Flatford Mill 68
Adriatic Coastal Town 74
Bait Diggers at Low Tide 80
Windmill in the Snow 86
Suppliers and Resources 92
Glossary 93
About the Author 94
Acknowledgements 94
Index 95

Editorial Reviews

A perfect introduction to the medium, Landscapes in Watercolour by Lois Davidson will teach you everything you need to know to start painting the world around you. With over 40 years of experience using and teaching how to use watercolour, Lois provides information on how to choose your tools and materials. Basic drawing and painting techniques are clearly explained, and Lois offers advice on subjects such as colour theory, composition and perspective...a well presented and well written book that will encourage beginners to get started straight away.”—The Leisure Painter

"There is much to like in this attractive volume...there is a brightness to both the work and the reproduction here which will draw you in...as well as the clever use of almost-sharp line to define shapes...Sometimes, the simplest and most basic things are the best."—The Artist

"Dive into the enchanting world of watercolour painting with this insightful book. With practical techniques and inspiring landscape projects, this guide is ideal for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Embrace the fluidity of watercolour to unravel your imagination and improve your art."—Artists & Illustrators

“There is much to like about this short, practical guide. After a concise introduction to materials and techniques, Lois proceeds by way of a series of demonstrations that introduce trees, flowers, skies, buildings, water and even boats. Her compositions are simple, but not simplistic, meaning that they are easy to follow without leaving you feeling short-changed."—Art Book Review

From the Publisher

There is much to like about this short, practical guide. After a concise introduction to materials and techniques, Lois proceeds by way of a series of demonstrations that introduce trees, flowers, skies, buildings, water and even boats. Her compositions are simple, but not simplistic, meaning that they are easy to follow without leaving you feeling short-changed." 

Art Book Review

A perfect introduction to the medium, Landscapes in Watercolour by Lois Davidson will teach you everything you need to know to start painting the world around you. With over 40 years of experience using and teaching how to use watercolour, Lois provides information on how to choose your tools and materials. Basic drawing and painting techniques are clearly explained, and Lois offers advice on subjects such as colour theory, composition and perspective. The main body of the book is devoted to ten different landscape paintings, from a midwinter farm to a coastal waterfront, with each subject broken down into easy steps, interspersed with tutorials that explain how to paint special elements of the landscape, such as trees, skies and reflections. This is a well presented and well written book that will encourage beginners to get started straight away.”

The Leisure Painter Magazine