This book enables any amateur artist to explore confidently the most popular painting medium the world has ever known: watercolour. Richly illustrated in colour throughout with well-known works of art, photographs of materials and step-by-step examples, the author shows how to achieve various effects and provides an insight into the art of watercolour. By reconstructing in practice the methods of great watercolourists, Stephenson reveals new ideas on how artists as diverse as Durer, Cezanne, Turner and Sargent actually worked. Using examples of the most popular subjects - landscapes, portraits, still-life paintings and figures - Stephenson employs a series of demonstrations to show how to re-create the methods of the watercolour masters. From the initial sketch to the final painting, he guides us expertly through every brushstroke. This highly practical book will appeal both to beginners and to more experienced artists alike.