Rating: 
Summary: Great Paintings BUT>>>
Review: The paintings are both stunning and unattainably great, and Zbukvic should have limited himself to the paintings and demos the book. There are enough good demos in this book to make this book a must have, given that the art is so stellar.However, he uses a flawed teaching tool to teach others how to master a logical method for knowing when to use what degree of wetness in a wash for atmospheric results (the 'watercolor clock' graphic). The clock is a sort of pie chart that on one side has degrees of wetness and on the other applications. The idea is that the big hand will point to a use and the little hand to a degree of wetness. But the hands of a clock can be moved anywherearbitrarily! There is no rule governing when to move , say, one hand to 10 o'clock and the other to 3 oclock . Without such a rule you are left simply with the information that degrees of wetness exist and various situations exist but no means of coordinating when to use what. In other words its a gimmick to sell books & would have flunked as a sixth grade science fair project. That being said his art is so absolutely great that even a flawed gimmicky trick can be overlooked in favor of his great talent and his helpful demos.
Rating:
Summary: Do you want to understand how to be a better painter?
Review: This book has been waiting for you. You will learn how to "look", how to "see", how to paint! If painting atmosphere on your paper is your goal, this is the book for you. The water clock is an easy to grasp concept for experienced painters. It provides a kind of time line for your work in progress. There are step by step illustrations that keep you informed of all the conditions as the author demonstrates his complete control of the medium. Any watercolor student should buy this beautifully illustrated book for their library.
Rating: 
Summary: Teaches you nothing
Review: This book has no instruction that is usable. A waste of time and money. Zbukvic may be a respected artist, but a teacher he is not.
One specific--the instruction is based upon the "watercolor clock" which is so much unsuable nonsense. It doesn't even stand-up to its own logic. I'm throwing up my hands and throwing this book in the recycling bin.
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