If you don't want to read the stuff below, the summary: if you bought this book, disregard the supplies recommendation. You will waste money for no good reason.
I guess the reason why this book gained a lot of popularity is that #everydaywatercolor hashtag on instagram. This is how I got there, too. I also guess for most readers it is the first guide for watercolors, hence positive reviews. The author I self-taught, I get it, but some of the things she writes do not stand even a brief google check:
1. "Color theory" it gives is plain wrong. Red-yellow-blue is not a "primary palette", cyan-magenta-yellow is. RBY "theory" was left behind in 19th century.
2. Pigment series and quality. The author is very contemptuous about "student grade" watercolors and "hues", and seems to imply that the series number on the tube somehow corresponds to the overall quality of a paint. This is just wrong. First, the author herself mixes pigments a lot (obviously), unconcerned with "muddiness". Second, the tube number has nothing to do with quality -- only with the cost to produce. The author herself uses "Opera Rose", which is series 2, but has the worst possible permanence ranking (B). Third, no need to shy off student palettes. I started with a Cotman set by Winsdor and Newton. They are good, you just won't get any expensive pigments there, like violets and pinks.
And this brings me to the main point: this book can make you waste a lot of money.
Of course, when you want to commit to 30-day marathon, you want to have all supplies on hand. The book does not give a definite list of supplies, but has a lot of recommendations and "I use those" kind of stuff, which can be misguiding for a complete beginner. For example, in recommendations she lists a round brush #16, which is very expensive (because it is big!). It is used only in the last couple of exercises to add background wash. A much-cheaper 1 in flat brush will do the job, and even round #6 will work in a pinch. And I can go on and on like that.
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401 reviews
Julia
This guide is misguiding
19 March 2018 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
Debbie
Maybe not for a complete beginner or those who don't like the runaway tendancies of watercolor
3 November 2017 -
Published on Amazon.com
Sammie
I am in love with this book
16 November 2017 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
I am in love with this book
Reviewed in the United States on 16 November 2017
I am in love with this book!!!!! I haven’t finished it yet, but I know I’ll go through it multiple times.Reviewed in the United States on 16 November 2017
I have been interested in learning how to watercolor for several years now. I had some time on my hands so I ordered the Everyday Watercolor book because it seemed easy to follow and understand. I’m so glad I did! The exercises are simple, but for beginners it’s perfect, it breaks down technique in the most conventional way. I attached some photos from one of the first exercises, I haven’t purchased actual watercolor paper yet because I’m still learning, so the page I practiced on is a bit wrinkled, but either way the guide is easy to follow and helps even the most inexperienced artist be creative.
I can’t think of any negatives for this text other than it focuses primarily on floral patterns; I’m not super into botanical art. It’s still a great place to start though, so I won’t complain.
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