Creating Textures in Watercolor: A Guide to Painting 83 Textures from Grass to Glass to Tree Bark to Fur

Have many watercolor books, magazines in an attempt to start my art hobby. Finally, took a class and the instructor recommended this book. She brought it to class and just working with it and her added a great deal to learning technique.

I've been a collector of Cathy Johnson's books for many years, and this one fills a unique niche as a handbook and easy reference for creating wonderful textures across a wide range of subjects. Whether you need to suggest bark on a tree, falling snow, mossy rocks, weathered wood or one of dozens and dozens of other surfaces you'll find easy to understand and follow instructions that will help take your painting to the next level and beyond. Clear, straight-forward language and outstanding demonstrations make this a book every watercolorist should add to their library, whether they paint in a photorealistic style or a more impressionistic one. It's a must-have!

When Ms. Johnson called this a book of textures, she wasn't kidding. She doesn't fool around with page after page of the oft-repeated list of materials, etc., but gets right down to textures. Watercolour is the painting medium I spend most of my time in. In general I don't use how-to watercolour books because I can figure it out on my own, and frankly, I don't want to do it someone else's way...but I've found this is a good resource in considering new solutions to make things pop. I think Ms. Johnson's completed paintings are the best parts of the book. Although I appreciate seeing her "sketchbook" of textures complete with written instructions how to create them, seeing how they are incorporated in an actual painting brings them to life.

This is a great book for those starting out with watercolors. The format makes everything very simple and gives illustrated step-by-step directions that are simple to follow and easy to elaborate on using your own creativity! I love this book because the author doesn't talk down to the reader, but explains everything in a matter-of-fact way that's easy for beginners and refreshing for the more advanced. Sparse on words and full of pictures/illustrations, I'd highly recommend this book for anyone looking to improve their grasp of watercolor painting.

I am relatively new to watercolor and found this book to be enormously helpful in being able to recreate what appear to be difficult textures. She makes it seem so easy! Thank you for this instruction book that will help perfect any painting.