Light and Mood in Watercolour Paperback – March 4, 2008

I was rather disappointed with this book. Don't get me wrong: Curtis is a great artist. An incredible artist. His paintings are gorgeous, masterful. But have you notice that most of the positive reviews of this book don't talk much about the instruction in the book? What is mostly mentioned are the beautiful paintings. There is a reason for this, in my opinion.The written content of this book falls into that tiresome pattern that so many mediocre art books do: lots of rhetorical phrases and repetitive cliches with very little useful information. For example, he offers several very short sections on how to paint different subjects. But it seems that almost everyone of these sections is no more than a brief thought or two, and then the phrase: "Observation is key!" I don't know how many times I ran across that phrase in this book. To me, that phrase began to mean "I really don't know what to say or I really don't want to take the time to say it."Other generalizations and pointless statements abound, like "A variety of edges can add interest to your paintings."(Not an actual quote from the book, but very similar) Okay, I think we all know that about edges. So what do I do about it? How do I use that? How do you go about using them? Can you show me an example? Alas, there are no such answers here....you get the idea.Sure, there are paintings in which he illustrates his points, but these are often just as vague. Example ".....this subject demanded a bold loose treatment" And??? That's it. Nothing more to say about this picture. Hmph. I certainly got nothing out of that!There are a few decent explanations and points sprinkled throughout the book, but they are very few. And yes, the paintings are gorgeous, beautiful, and masterful. But you won't find out much about how he created them.If you are looking for a watercolor instructional book, look elsewhere. I suggest Either of Gordon Mackenzie's books.

I had already enjoyed David's book about oil painting. An admirer of the work of David Curtis, I value this book even more! It is a wonderful sampling of the artist's awe-inspiring paintings, with technical information about his working methods woven within a narrative that puts the reader alongside the artist and his emotional responses to the subject, the point of view, etc. Later on in the book the artist does present examples illustrating his three ways of working: plein air, studio painting from reference sketches and photos, and a combination of the two previous methods. This book is a treasure for the watercolor enthusiast/collector as well as for the professional painter.

I had first read this book in a library and gained an apreciation of david curtis as an extremely talented artist. I then orderd this book for my personal library but it was n ot available anywhere. I then turned to amazon and they found a new LIGHT AND MOOD after a two and a half months.I HAVE ADVISED THAT I WOULD DEAL WITH AMAZON CA. BUT NOT AMAZON.COM I ALSO CANCELLED AMAZON PRIME BUT HAVE BEEN INVOICED FOR BY COM USING MY CREDIT CARD WITHOUT AUTHORISATION AND IN SPITE OF THE CANCELATION. SUGGEST THAT CREDIT BE ISSUED NOW.!!!

I don't work with watercolor, but bought this for an artist that has been working in the medium for a couple of years, and she assesses that it is well organized and has enough explanation to help her improve her skill set. Based on her pleasure, I am assigning the book 4 stars.

I gave it this rating because I don't consider this book nearly as worthwhile as Joseph Zbukvic's book with a similar title.I also found the quality of the images to have a rather washed out appearance and suspect the original art works would have looked much better than the reproductions of them in this book.Despite this, I am still pleased that I bought it and enjoy looking through it.Maggie

I was very impressed with David Curtis' work. He is a master with watercolor, and has some good step by step examples which help to show how he completes his pieces. It is very helpful to see samples of landscapes from different places, seascapes, villages, interiors, and many different countries. I have another of his watercolor books which was also helpful. I now want to look at his oil painting books.

Another wonderful book by the amazing artist David Curtis. As an artist myself I love to just look at some of my favorite places on earth. But it is also a great help on how to paint better.

All for my reference library...

I first came across David Curtis' watercolours of the coast during a visit to Whitby. Since then I have seen more in various books and periodicals and became curious enough to buy this book. Whether you, , like me, are curious to see more of his work or want to understand his watercolour process this book satisfies on both fronts.This is not a step-by-step how to paint book for the beginner but does give a comprehensive insight into Curtis's materials, methods and philosophy. I like this kind of book. The areas of approach I share with the author make me feel validated, where we differ sparks ideas for experimentation and there are enough - over 100 - excellent colour illustrations to make it good value for the pictures alone.(I would hasten to say, however, that the £325 palette and each £100 + brush he uses, although hugely desirable, are neither indispensable nor a guarantee of good work.) Kit envy apart, this is a generous, fascinating book that any watercolourist will find both inspiring and a pleasure to look at.

Very happy with the purchase of this book. The quality of the paintings is off the scale and the detailed descriptions of his approach and methods is very helpful. This is one book I will be dipping into regularly for inspiration.

I already have one of David Curtis' water colour dvds, which is excellent and I am half-way through reading this book. Although this was written a few years ago, it is very interesting and informative and I would have no hesitation in recommending it. Although I do not own any paintings by this artist, I am a fan as he comes from the same area of the country and several paintings in the book are of scenes which I visit quite regularly.

This book Light and Mood in Watercolour is one of the best books I have seen on this subject, covering varied aspects of the medium from materials and techniques to ideas, subjects, working methods with of course the emphasis on light and mood. There is above one hundred coloured illustrations by way of example.The book would be a good asset to those interested in this particular style of painting.

Excellent book. Very interesting and informative.Beautiful pictures and great insight into composition etc.Highly recommended.