November 2017
Terry Harrison's Complete Brush with Watercolour also draws on previously published material - Brush with Watercolour and Painting Watercolour Landscapes the Easy Way. In his introduction Terry writes: I have written a book that I would want to read. This is about how to use brushes, what colours and what materials to buy and how to master techniques such as wet into wet, wet on dry, dry brush work, and using masking fluid without it coming unstuck! Acheiving his goals, this is an emminently sensible introduction to the medium with clear and thorough advice, well laid out pages and inspiring illustrations. Terry's teaching makes it all seem so simple. Ten step-by-step projects are included so you can get going straight away.
* The Leisure Painter *
This is not a new book, except that it is, and it even feels like one. How so? Well, it's another of those bind-ups that Search Press are becoming so adept at, comprising the original (and excellent) Brush With Watercolour and subsequent Watercolour Landscapes The Easy Way.
As we've come to expect, you can't see the join and the new whole is, if not greater than the sum of its parts, then at least equal in terms of the usefulness of the book. The result, in fact, is one of the most coherent watercolour courses I've seen in quite some time. It's slightly shorter than the combination of the originals, demonstrating that the preliminary material has been filleted for duplication. I also suspect that some running orders have been changed so that there's no jumping about. You can't, like Ernie Wise's supposed wig, see the join.
The best way to sum the book up, I think, is simply to list the main chapter headings: Choosing your equipment, Using the brushes, Techniques, Demonstrations. You see, perfectly logical. As to those brushes, yes they are all from the Terry Harrison range. I've observed before that you may have suitable alternatives already, or you can get them - one fan brush is, let's face it, pretty much like another. Except that it isn't. Terry's brushes have a very slightly ragged edge from new, so they don't produce a sharp line. It's a small detail, but worth pointing out as it shows the attention he's given them and that they're designed to help you, rather than just make money for him. Quite a lot of artists have tried a brush range over the years, but Terry's has stood the test of time, which is an endorsement in itself.
Sorry to bang on at length there, but I think it's important to stress that Terry is assiduous in his efforts to help you paint, rather than simply to show you how clever he is. It's the main reason why, as well as the brushes, he himself is as popular as ever.
There's plenty here to like, from the simple technical explanations at the beginning, the exercises in skies, foliage, water, flowers and buildings as well as wet-in-wet, drybrush and the use of masking fluid. To conclude, the ten demonstrations cover just about every aspect of landscape painting across differing conditions and seasons. It really is that comprehensive.
* Artbookreview.net *
July 2017
The artist's two best-selling painting guides folded into a single edition this book offers a concise and practical guidance for painters of all levels working on watercolour landscapes. Forming a coherent course, it moves from simple technical explanations to demos covering every aspect of landscape painting with insightful instruction. Complete Brush with Watercolour makes a strong addition to the publisher's latest roster of exciting practical art and craft books.
* Artitsts and Illustrators *
