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Colorways: Watercolor Flowers: Tips, techniques, and step-by-step lessons for learning to paint whimsical artwork in vibrant watercolor Paperback – December 18, 2018

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 161 ratings

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Colorways: Watercolor Flowers teaches artists of all skill levels how to paint harmonious, vibrant, and colorful renditions of flora.

Calling all aspiring artists! Grab your paints because it's time to explore key watercolor techniques, including
washes, gradations, painting wet-into-wet, glazing, and understanding the color wheel to create harmony in your art. With Colorways: Watercolor Flowers, you will create vibrant and colorful floral paintings while mastering how to use color for maximum effect.

You'll also learn where to find artistic inspiration, how to become a “visual collector,” and how to add fauna to your floral paintings. While step-by-step instructions are included for some flower varieties, most projects offer inspiration and tips that allow for personalization using mixed-media techniques, as opposed to a specific template to follow. You can learn to stamp, use tissue paper, create monograms, and collage using the gorgeous artwork and instructions in this book.

Colorways
 is a new series from Walter Foster that teaches artists of all skill levels how to create innovative, inspired artwork full of color and imagination. Focusing on creating expressive pieces over realistic scenes, Colorways shows artists how to break the "rules" of color and let their imaginations and artwork soar to new heights. For more fun books in the Colorways series, also check out Acrylic Animals and Watercolor Animals.
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From the Publisher

Introduction

Introduction

One of my greatest joys as a mother has been observing what captures my kids’ imaginations. My oldest son loves stories of ancient heroes; one of my girls is fascinated by fairy tales; and her sister is inspired by the things she can create with her hands. It is something different for each of my five children, and that has helped me realize what captures my imagination: color.

Color is the inspiration of my life. It is the thread that runs through everything I love and, perhaps, what I enjoy most about watercolor painting. Not only can color elicit emotion, it is also an exploration that will never disappoint, as there is always more to discover!

What do you need to explore color? All it takes is a willingness to play and experiment and an awareness of colors. Through the guided projects featured in this book, together we will explore ways of using and experimenting with color in watercolor painting.

Watercolor is a forgiving and spontaneous medium—one that doesn’t let you take yourself too seriously—and it’s super fun to play with! If you want to get comfortable with this medium and enjoy it to the fullest, commit some time to practicing and painting as much as you can. It really is true that there’s no substitute for repetition.

Now, let’s paint!

The projects in this book are designed to suggest ways for you to experiment with watercolor, so you get the practice you need and can become equipped with a variety of methods and ways of thinking about watercolor. This will allow you to design your own unique painting experiences based on what inspires you.

Watercolor Techniques

  • Wash
  • Wet-into-wet
  • Drybrushing
  • Stamping
  • Layering
  • Patterns

A few projects from Colorways: Watercolor Flowers

A Library of Flowers

A Library of Flowers

When painting florals, include at least these three subjects: blooms, leaves, and buds. In this project, you will use small sheets of paper to paint many different flower and leaf shapes that you can use for future reference.

Floral Frames

Floral Frames

Let’s use your new watercolor skills to paint floral frames, which are great for decorating lettering, another painting, or even a photograph.

Floral Letters & Monograms

Floral Letters & Monograms

One my favorite ways to use my floral painting skills is by applying them to a monogram. This is also a wonderful way to create a unique, handmade gift for a loved one.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bley Hack is an artist based in the Midwest. Working primarily with watercolor, as well as pen and ink and digital media, Bley creates patterns and artwork inspired by vintage designs. Some of her clients include Papyrus; Design Design, Inc.; Art in Motion; Calypso Cards; Lifetime Brands; and Minted. Learn more at estherbley.com

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Walter Foster Publishing (December 18, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1633226123
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1633226128
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.29 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.45 x 11.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 161 ratings

About the author

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Bley Hack
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Bley Hack is a native of the Midwest and attended the University of Cincinnati to study art education. She taught studio art in elementary schools until the birth of her first child in 2009.

Now working from her farm studio, Bley creates whimsical, colorful artworks inspired by the fresh florals and vintage charm she spies in everyday life.

When not painting, you can find Bley raising her young family, and with her husband caring for their 200 year old farm. Summers (and winters!) are dominated by planning and planting for the family flower farm, which provides Bley with endless inspiration. Her painterly designs can be found on prints, cards, home decor, and fabric.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
161 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book has beautiful illustrations and simple designs for creating watercolor flowers. They find the instructions easy to understand and the encouragement encouraging. Many customers describe the book as fun and enjoyable, with creative tips for budding artists and teachers. However, opinions differ on the knowledge level - some find it helpful and inspiring, while others consider it uninspiring and not suitable for beginners.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

13 customers mention "Beauty"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has beautiful colors and text. They appreciate the author's style and simple designs with watercolors. The step-by-step guide makes creating watercolor flowers accessible to a wide range of skill levels. The author is a great artist and her examples are stunning, making the book enjoyable to peruse.

"...new techniques using this step-by-step guide that makes creating watercolor flowers accessible to a wide range of skill and confidence levels,..." Read more

"This book is lovely! I just started watercolor a little under a year ago and this book is wonderful...." Read more

"...techniques or for someone who wants lots of examples of loose, stylized florals, but don't expect it to go deeply into flower varieties and anatomies..." Read more

"...The artwork in the book is exquisite. And the information is organized in way that encourages rather than intimidates...." Read more

7 customers mention "Ease of follow"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the instructions in the book easy to follow. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations and simple language.

"...water in different ways to achieve lovely effects, and she gives specific instructions, of course with pictures, for using the brush to make..." Read more

"...It has great instructions and inspiration to get you quickly making wonderful bouquets of watercolor flowers...." Read more

"Beautiful paintings throughout yet simple enough instruction to be able to understand and follow. Highly recommend!" Read more

"love this book! Easy to follow" Read more

4 customers mention "Encouragement"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's encouragement and positive tone. They find it engaging, inspiring, and fun. The book is organized in a way that encourages rather than intimidates.

"...and has enjoyed seeing her art in various forms -- always lovely and cheery!)" Read more

"...It has great instructions and inspiration to get you quickly making wonderful bouquets of watercolor flowers...." Read more

"...And the information is organized in way that encourages rather than intimidates...." Read more

"...The creative projects will draw you in and the encouragement and positive tone will keep you going...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it fun and say their young family is enjoying trying new techniques using the step-by-step guide.

"My young family is enjoying trying new techniques using this step-by-step guide that makes creating watercolor flowers accessible to a wide range of..." Read more

"This is a fun book simple designs With watercolors and I love it. The book was used but in perfect condition thank you" Read more

"Cheerful and fun book!..." Read more

9 customers mention "Knowledge level"6 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's knowledge level. Some find it helpful for beginners, with creative tips and techniques for artists. It includes craft projects and step-by-step lessons for learning to paint. Others feel it lacks inspiration and is not suitable for beginners.

"...I just started watercolor a little under a year ago and this book is wonderful...." Read more

"Don't bother buying this book if watercolor excites you. It is the drabbest book I have ever seen. Totally uninspiring!..." Read more

"...It also includes craft projects and techniques (picture frame, collage, lettering, stamping, incorporating tissue paper), should those interest you,..." Read more

"...On every page, it inspires the reader to grab a paintbrush and begin to create a masterpiece of his or her own. The artwork in the book is exquisite...." Read more

Delightful step-by-step, illustrated guide for all ages and skill levels
5 out of 5 stars
Delightful step-by-step, illustrated guide for all ages and skill levels
My young family is enjoying trying new techniques using this step-by-step guide that makes creating watercolor flowers accessible to a wide range of skill and confidence levels, particularly as the illustrations and instructions are very clear and simple. Before using this book, we hadn't really found a watercolor guide that worked well for us, so it's been delightful to see the new watercolor experiments and creations in our home. Bley demonstrates how to mix the colors and water in different ways to achieve lovely effects, and she gives specific instructions, of course with pictures, for using the brush to make different shapes. Her plethora of examples is stunning, so the book is also just enjoyable to peruse. (Our family is blessed to know Bley in real life and has enjoyed seeing her art in various forms -- always lovely and cheery!)
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019
    My young family is enjoying trying new techniques using this step-by-step guide that makes creating watercolor flowers accessible to a wide range of skill and confidence levels, particularly as the illustrations and instructions are very clear and simple. Before using this book, we hadn't really found a watercolor guide that worked well for us, so it's been delightful to see the new watercolor experiments and creations in our home. Bley demonstrates how to mix the colors and water in different ways to achieve lovely effects, and she gives specific instructions, of course with pictures, for using the brush to make different shapes. Her plethora of examples is stunning, so the book is also just enjoyable to peruse. (Our family is blessed to know Bley in real life and has enjoyed seeing her art in various forms -- always lovely and cheery!)
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Delightful step-by-step, illustrated guide for all ages and skill levels

    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019
    My young family is enjoying trying new techniques using this step-by-step guide that makes creating watercolor flowers accessible to a wide range of skill and confidence levels, particularly as the illustrations and instructions are very clear and simple. Before using this book, we hadn't really found a watercolor guide that worked well for us, so it's been delightful to see the new watercolor experiments and creations in our home. Bley demonstrates how to mix the colors and water in different ways to achieve lovely effects, and she gives specific instructions, of course with pictures, for using the brush to make different shapes. Her plethora of examples is stunning, so the book is also just enjoyable to peruse. (Our family is blessed to know Bley in real life and has enjoyed seeing her art in various forms -- always lovely and cheery!)
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
    14 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2019
    This book is lovely! I just started watercolor a little under a year ago and this book is wonderful. It has great instructions and inspiration to get you quickly making wonderful bouquets of watercolor flowers. I think it is great for someone brand new or someone who has been painting a while. Just flipping through the pages will make you smile.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2019
    This is a pretty book, and the author has a beautiful style. I expected it to be a guide to painting different types of flowers, but it is much more general and aimed at true beginners and crafters. There are only three flowers presented specifically (rose, zinnia, and foxglove). The other flowers in the book go unnamed. I would have liked to learn about more specific flowers with their foliage and techniques for painting them in the author's lovely, expressive style. The author leaves it to the reader to find gardening books and other source materials for flower specifics. This would be a good book for a beginner wanting to learn basic techniques or for someone who wants lots of examples of loose, stylized florals, but don't expect it to go deeply into flower varieties and anatomies. It also includes craft projects and techniques (picture frame, collage, lettering, stamping, incorporating tissue paper), should those interest you, as well as some discussion of color theory and tips for choosing colors.
    12 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2018
    Colorways: Watercolor Flowers does exactly as the title promises...and more!. It offers tips, techniques, and step-by-step lessons for learning to paint. On every page, it inspires the reader to grab a paintbrush and begin to create a masterpiece of his or her own. The artwork in the book is exquisite. And the information is organized in way that encourages rather than intimidates. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for way to explore and enhance creativity. It is lovely in every possible way.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2022
    Originally the book was to learn basic water color painting, but reading through the book and feeling the texture of the pages drinking a cup of coffee was an event itself. Unexpected pleasure before I even opened the paint!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2021
    Don't bother buying this book if watercolor excites you. It is the drabbest book I have ever seen. Totally uninspiring!
    a rating of zero wouldn't be low enough.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2019
    I would like to thank Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster for providing me with a free – temporary - electronic ARC of this book, via Netgalley. As I am auto-approved with this publisher, it is my choice and any reviews given are obligation free.

    ‘Colorways: Watercolor Flowers’ is an interesting “how to” book. I will say now that I didn’t have the time or equipment to try any of the exercises – so please no criticisms about “how can you review something you didn’t try”… I read a lot of murder mysteries, I don’t try any of those either!

    Despite my brain seeking the Australian spelling of colour, I actually liked this book. The wording is friendly, making the ideas and exercises seem doable. The last thing you want in a “how to” book is the narration tone being stilted, strict and unfriendly. Yes, there have been books I’ve seen like that, but don’t review them as they fit into my DNF (Did Not Finish) category.

    But ‘Colorways: Watercolor Flowers’ felt approachable, meaning it felt like an instruction book I could and would enjoy following… if I had the time. Actually, I feel it would be a great companion book to a tween or teen learning to use watercolours as their medium. Something they could read and try in practice, while also getting hands on help from an art teacher. As an adult, I feel I could tinker with it, knowing my end results would vary from how the professional in the book does it, but I know they always make it look easier than I may find it as they have had a lot more practice at the activity than I have. Still, I feel it is a good “how to” for people new to watercolour painting to give a go. That is why I say it is approachable – it demonstrates the exercises in a way that encourages the reader to give it a go, no judgement! :-)

    The layout and formatting of this book is also good – despite my aversion to how colour is spelt ;-) – and I feel this adds to the welcome, “come and try” feel it gives off.

    Would I recommend this book to others?

    Yes I would. As said, it would be a great companion book to a tween or teen learning watercolour. Or even an adult learning watercolour too. ‘Colorways: Watercolor Flowers’ contains some very pretty; seemingly easy exercises that I feel would help anyone new to watercolour want to have a go.

    Would I buy this book for myself?

    Yes I would, but as a paperback version, rather than an electronic one. With instruction books I much rather the paper format and, I feel, when water is involved, a paper version of a “how to” book a much safer option than an electronic version. ;-) But yes, I do want to explore watercolour painting at some point and can see myself seeking this book to give it a go. Mostly because I am into folk art and flowers, so ‘Colorway: Watercolor Flowers’ fits into my styles of art to do at home.

    Another reason to buy as a paperback is, on Amazon at least, it costs you more to buy as a Kindle than in paper format. Budget savvy me wants a cheaper deal any day. ;-)

    In summary: A good little “how to” book to help you learn some watercolour flower basics.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2018
    The art is simply beautiful and the narrative is crystal clear. The creative projects will draw you in and the encouragement and positive tone will keep you going. There are creative tips for ‘budding artists’ and for teachers in this wonderfully helpful guide.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Ericka Meade
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 9, 2019
    Excelente libro para iniciantes en acuarela floram
  • sisi
    3.0 out of 5 stars Makes you want to have a go at it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2019
    Very encouraging to help having a go at painting,brilliant
  • Jennie Harper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
    Reviewed in Australia on July 21, 2023
    I love this book it’s step by step beautifully illustrated
    Many ideas
    We’ll set out
    Just love this book
  • Jacquie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Australia on November 16, 2019
    Great book, very beautiful book and lots of great ideas and hints