Mastering Light & Shade in Watercolor

Rating:
Summary: An exceptional book by Singapore's foremost watercolorist
Review: For an absolute beginner like me, this book is most suitable. It is systematically written and concepts are clearly defined and illustrated. Few books are written with the beginner in mind. Bravo and awaiting for another book by this artist.

Rating:
Summary: I got lost!!
Review: I am a beginner. I tried to follow this book and got lost.

The explanations about the images sometimes did not illustrate the concepts. The focus shifted to something else. It was hard for me to find the linkage.

I like books written by Frank Webb, Al Stine and Charles Sovek. There are all very easy to understand and I can learn pretty fast by reading those books. Try one yourself if you are a beginner.

Rating:
Summary: My personal opinion
Review: I bought this book because of its good reviews. But it is just not right for me.

Probably it is only suitable for tropical watercolourists. Only one kind of light and shadow effect was mentioned. The scope was too narrow. No much I could gain as a watercolour painter. It didn't fit the word 'Mastering'. But I could understand because many 'so called' masters could not write proper concepts.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed!!
Review: I was disappointed with this book as an experienced watercolor artist. I am in this field for > 35 years. The author only focused on one form of light and shades. Light and shades are very exciting subjects as we can see in the impressionists' masterpieces. I only found very limited scope of discussions in his book.

Rating:
Summary: Not for beginner
Review: I'm a beginner in watercolour. I am not able to apply the techniques taught here.

This book can't work by itself. I need some artists to explain to me before I can understand the hiden secrets.

I think the writer should edit it and make it more comprehesive rather than showing it like Black Magic.

Rating:
Summary: Ong Kim Seng's Mastering Light & Shade in Watercolor
Review: In Ong Kim Seng's Mastering Light & Shade in Watercolor we see his mastery of the watercolor medium especially in depicting light and shadows. This is an extremely useful instructional guide for those who want to create not just paintings, but paintings with impact! This book too is perhaps the pioneer instructional watercolor book with an Asian perspective.
I would strongly recommend this book for watercolorists who wish to produce not just paintings but impressive paintings and
even to non-painters who love to look at a master's work.
An excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: Stimulating and Practical Guide by Leading Watercolourist
Review: Ong Kim Seng needs no introduction....he is an outstanding artist, as his Asian and American awards would testify. In this, his first book, he provides a thorough guide that is valuable for the completer beginner and which is also a source of many new ideas to stimulate more experienced artists, particularly those that have been taught more traditional approaches. The portfolio of Ong's paintings, presented throughout the book, is and inspiration for all "junior" artists to be bold and experiment with what Ong is trying to teach us.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating, Stimulating and Inspiring
Review: The book gives me a new and exciting perspective to mastering luminous watercolor painting. I find the gallery of beautiful paintings and the step-by-step demonstrations most captivating. There are so many stimulating ideas and helpful tips, explained concisely, on how to produce impressive paintings. Definitely a book to enjoy and a great reference manual for me.

Rating:
Summary: Watercolorists, you have to have this book!!
Review: This book does not pretend to be for the beginner watercolorist. It's a book to be bought and savored by the intelligent, thoughtful painter who wants to capture the beauty and luminescence of nature and translate it into transparent watercolor works of art. The text explains well while the step-by-step examples illustrate exactly what the artist wishes to pass on to his audience. It's a very `user friendly', well written and excellently presented explanation of how the experienced artist can follow Ong Kim Seng's own method of using light and shade. He does not try to shroud his work with mystery nor does he leave out essential steps to keep his secrets to himself. Ong is one of those generous artists who happily shares his successful techniques with his readers. The color reproduction is particularly good - being very close the originals - as is the layout and presentation. Definitely buy it for yourself and feel confident buying it as a gift for discerning watercolorist friends.

Rating:
Summary: A gorgeous, indispensable book
Review: This is a gorgeous book. It combines lovely paintings with a high level of practical and down-to-earth expertise. It is a treat for the eye as well as an indispensable instructive guide for painters and art students. The author shares his hard-won skills, and demonstrates those skills in his distinctive style. The book brilliantly illustrates, apart from the light and shade of the title, colour, composition, draughtsmanship and the other frustrating aspects which make up an outstanding watercolour.