This is a really wonderful book for beginning watercolor painting, exactly the sort that I love. It is filled with step-by-step instructions to paint flowers, fruits and veggies, bugs, leaves, letters and more. Along the way, the author gives very good instructions on how to do all kinds of watercolor techniques and has projects to teach you how to get comfortable with it all. The illustrations are gorgeous and inspired me to want to get painting right away.

My star system is 1 for really didn't like it, 2 for it was just okay, 3 for good, 4 for very good, and 5 for so good I plan to buy my own copy even if there are small drawbacks to it. I came very close to giving this a 5 as I would like to get my own copy, but the suggested retail price ($22.99) is a little high for me on our budget. Amazon has it discounted somewhat right now, but I'm trying to shop less there so I ultimately decided to pass on getting the book even though I did really enjoy it.

All in all, this is a cheerful, gorgeous book full of great tutorials and one of my favorite art instruction books that I've read.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

Creative Watercolor is a book I wish I had when starting in watercolor two years ago. I’ve been dabbling in watercolor since seeing a group of middle aged women painting in the butterfly house while on vacation at the San Diego Zoo. I saw them and thought, “now that’s what I want to do when I retire!” But also thought to myself, “why wait to retire?!” I started painting a couple months later but didn’t enjoy the watercolor books I was finding, and the rec department short class I took had one session then got cancelled! Anyways, this book is the one! The one I should’ve had from the beginning! It walks the beginner through supplies and even recommends specific brands which is very helpful to someone new to watercolor. The first chapters cover how to actually work with watercolor, then the subsequent chapters focus on what you are painting (I.e. flowers). Each segment has a small project that is not out of reach for the beginner. The photographs and illustrations in the book are gorgeous and really help to show the reader exactly what steps to take. Love this book and am adding this one to my list to actually purchase as it really is a great resource for a beginner to watercolor.

t played with watercolors since I was a kid but there is something so inviting about a picture made with them. The muted colors suggest calm and tranquility to me, which I could use more of in my life. I even find the bright colors soothing.

Creative Watercolor is billed as a step-by-step guide for beginners so the uninitiated will not feel intimidated. Glancing through the pages will reveal tons of eye candy. There are so many different kinds of pictures made with watercolors that it will inspire something in everyone.

Calderon goes through the basics, including supplies and color theory. She does not limit herself to only watercolors but instead discusses ways to incorporate inks/markers, ribbon/twine, washi tape, stickers, and glitter/embellishments. The step-by-step photos with accompanying text clearly explain the techniques of gradient, spatter and layering. There are exercises for each technique so that the reader can feel comfortable using them before getting to the projects.

Using the techniques, Calderon goes through leaf studies, flowers, butterflies/bugs, fruits/veggies, and lettering. She also discusses scanning and Photoshop, using a wedding invitation as an example.

The explanations for all aspects of using watercolors are thorough and the step-by-step photos are extremely helpful. Calderon’s enthusiasm for this artistic medium comes through on every page and it’s contagious. Creative Watercolors is a very comprehensive book that will educate and inspire anyone wishing to learn and master watercolors.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a great book for beginners! I have bene dabbling in new art mediums. After reading this book, I feel ready to start water color projects. Ana Victoria Calderon keeps instruction simple and easy to understand. Beautiful photos of the projects are include giving great visual about what the book is suggesting but encouraging your own flair and abilities.

I love Ana Victoria's watercolor paintings. Since I've taken all her Skillshare classes I was happy to see that she has also written a book filled with lots of colorful art lessons. She makes painting fun with her cute flowers, bugs and food paintings.

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a fun and colorful book. Watercolor beginners will enjoy the painting and lettering activities and exercises. The author reviews a variety of watercolor
paints, papers, and brushes. She carefully explains the best uses for each product while encouraging personal experimentation with each.

The step by step photos are very helpful. The attention to the subjects of transparency and translucency, in watercolors, was very useful.

There was a section on the use of photoshop and reproducing one’s artwork.
This would be valuable in making copies of one’s own work.

A Nice book to help you create wonderful card items with watercolor. There is a section on different techniques to achieve wonderful background, one also on how to use photoshop to make multiple copies of your artwork. This is followed by techniques to paint leaves, flowers, insects/butterflies, fruit/vegetables and lettering all using different techniques with watercolor. I love the loose and watery rose. These can then be incorporated and converted to beautiful card stock for gift giving or labeling - or anything you like.

5/5

I wish I could give this book a 10/5!

This is a must-have book for anyone interested in watercolor or current painters. Personally, this book re-ignited my passion for watercolor painting.
The book goes from color techniques to how to approach different objects like fruits, animals, leaves, etc. It also combines this techniques with great ideas of do-it-yourself cards which really spark the reader's creative side.

I completely love this book and will recommended to friends and family!!

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry for the opportunity to review this book.

I had really wished for this book in particular because I love to create. Watercolors are my favorite medium to work in so not being able to download it because it was an incompatible file to my ancient kindle. Thank you for the opportunity to try though! Hopefully I can find it in a hard copy somewhere.