Watercolor Techniques: Painting Light and Color in Landscapes and Cityscapes Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, March 29, 2016

A quote I love from the book "Watercolor painting is a lifelong journey. There are always new and rewarding challenges just around the corner". Well I can honestly say that Michael Reardon has successfully taken us along on the journey that has gotten him where he is today. He does not hold anything back to keep you guessing what colors or techniques he used in every painting in the book along with 8 thorough demonstrations. No other watercolor book I've read does that and I have a library full! He covers so many areas that are important to achieving all the qualities of a good watercolor painting but not only that, he does it with depth and light and mood. It is not a true beginners book that describes how to paint a tree for instance. Those books are good to have, but this one is a must for all stages of painting - beginners and advanced. Focal points, composition, value, color, mood, light, shadow, atmospheric perspective, regular perspective, techniques.....it's all in there and it's easy to understand. If you already know about watercolor you still would do well by this book.....it's probably not how you were taught so there are new things to discover......that's what a lifetime of growing in what you love to do is all about. I love the book.....it's not sitting on my shelf.....it goes around from room to room! The best part is you walk away wanting to incorporate these ideas into your own work to put your own unique style to your art....that is so helpful! Thank you for taking all the time and effort it took into writing this book... It's obvious it was so well thought out and done with excellence in mind......from a true master.

Love it.

I admire Reardon and wanted to learn his approach to painting. The book is a quick read and many of his paintings are homages to John Singer Sargeant. A bit more explanation on the exercises would have been nice.

This book is nothing short of remarkable - the art he presents is out of this world, and the layout and format of the teaching are the best of any watercolor book I've ever seen. It's got technical excellence, and a real soul - you feel like you can hear an artist speak who really knows how to teach. The progression of engaging in learning about painting makes great sense and special illustrations show particular elements (color, shadow, paint components) so clearly. But aside from the great teaching and just otherworldly art illustrations, this book is worth it just to see and understand what a remarkable watercolor artist thinks in creating his art - it's a biography as much as an art instruction book and it excels at both. Even if you never want to watercolor, buy it and read it for the richness of the story it tells.

This book entails in-depth knowledge and tips that Watercolor artists from beginner to very elite levels can use to expand their expertise.After pursuing a career in visual arts for some 20 years, followed by 20 years of hiatus, I have recently returned to painting with watercolor. I felt elated to learn about Mr. Reardon's book.I believe the concepts and crucial techniques offered in this book are the very secret recipe that masters offer through years and years of tutelage, those core concepts that will propel one's artistic vision and WC paintings into many levels above where they already stand.The book's superb print quality, glossy thick papers, sturdy binding, and more importantly inclusion of many many magnificent colorful paintings of Mr. Reardon followed by easy instructions is made for serious artist, art lovers, and general audience all the same.I positively recommend this book!!! It is a definite must for any beginner, intermediate, or professional visual artist and Watercolor enthusiasts alike.

As a watercolorist myself, I have long admired Michael Reardon's watercolor paintings, and was delighted to see that he had published a book. I highly recommend his "Watercolor Techniques" to anyone interested in watercolors! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing his process step by step, and his instructions are so understandable. He has clearly explained and illustrated each step, showing the painting as it progresses, from initial washes to the finished painting! He explains consistency of paint, grading a wash, color choices, leaving light in the painting, complimentary color choices, and so forth! I have recently added a few of his paint colors to my own palette.Whether a beginner, or like me, a "seasoned" watercolorist, I think you will find his book very helpful and enjoyable!

This book is a joy! It is very exciting to be able to watch Michael deconstruct his mysterious watercolors! The tutorials walk you through lessons on materials, light and shadows, values, color saturation, color temperatures, many kinds of washes...as well as lessons on composition...for a beginner this book is just one revelation after another! I look forward to spending more time with the exercises. This book could certainly help someone learning other mediums as well, since there are explanations of color theory, perspective, and composition.So inspiring...

Good book. But I'm expecting something more in detail.