Glorious Garden Flowers in Watercolor

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Summary: An Art Book To Treasure
Review: Congratulations Susan. A book presented with love and passion for your work,clearly written and illustrated in true colours and easy to follow techniues for artists and students eager to follow your artistic methods.You have told us all your secrets,which will inspire anyone who reads it, with enthusiasm to get involved and enjoy painting Living Watercolours. An art book to treasure. Thankyou Susan. Mary Parkinson New zaeland. .

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Summary: Glorious Feast for the Eyes for the Painter and Non-Painter
Review: From the time I saw the first cover shot in a North Light flyer, I knew I MUST own this book! I have many floral watercolor books, but if I had to give them all up and keep only 1 -- this would be THE book. The breathtaking pictures (thanks to Susan) and the incredible color reproduction (thanks to North Light books) makes this book a feast for the eyes and the soul! The method of instruction that breaks down Susan's artistic process step-by-step make this book one of the most information-packed I've read. Susan is not stingy sharing her techniques-- but pictures this gorgeous are really only about 10% technique and 110% divine inspiration. Keep them coming, Susan! I too would love to see a video come out.

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Summary: Glorious Garden Folowers in Watercolour
Review: I have always wanted to paint, specifically watercolours. I have have participated in classes but never really felt confident enough to move on. I purchased Susan Harrison-Tustain's book and was overwhelmed by the images I found within. Now I am working through the excercises and although previously my attempts were pretty rugged now they are not so rugged. I found the book so inspiring and easy to follow that my confidence has now improved greatly.

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Summary: A book for artists and garden lovers alike.
Review: I'll never forget the morning I went to the letter-box and saw for the first time an advance proof copy of my book "Glorious Garden Flowers in Watercolor". It was not bound and was forty pages short but I could see that the publishers North Light Books and the printers had made an exceptionally professional job of weaving the text and paintings together and reproducing my art to a very high standard. It surpassed even my highest expectations. Now that the finished book is in my hands I'm even more pleased. My hope is that artists and those with a love of fine art and gardens will gain great enjoyment and inspiration from my book. When I first attempted watercolor I knew nothing about the medium or its possibilities or supposed limitations. Oil had been my choice since painting from childhood and I was in awe of the rich depth of hue possible with it as a medium. I wondered if it was feasible to create those same depths in watercolor - so I set about experimenting. Thankfully all the 'rules' usually associated with watercolor had escaped me and I was free to push the medium past all of the preconceived boundaries. In my 'ignorance' I evolved a painting style that created beautiful rich luscious colors as well as the delicate subtle tones that describe the softness and gentleness of a subject. The true excitement was in still being able to retain and emphasise the translucency that only watercolor can produce. My 'priming' method was born and has been a reliable friend ever since. I paint instinctively - observation being my greatest tool. After a time the demand for me to tutor workshops forced me to take a good look at why and how I painted - why I used certain methods and avoided others; which pigments I preferred and why. It was also a journey of self-discovery - I had finally reached a place in my life where I understood what it is to be totally fulfilled. I had discovered the magic of watercolor and of life at the same time! I think of "Glorious Garden Flowers in Watercolor" as being multi-faceted. Included are over forty completed paintings throughout the book creating a gallery of my work. I also describe my methods, including my 'priming' method along with a great number of other tips and pointers. Among many other things you'll find how to capture gentle dappled light as it illuminates beautiful blooms and leaves, dew-drops about to fall off a leaf and how to create rich translucent shadows. I love to paint the very nature of each flower and in my book I show how to describe the form of the large but delicate blooms of the English rose 'Constance Spry', then how thick leathery petals such as those of Magnolia officinalis can be portrayed to give an impression of their density. I show how to paint the multiple creases found in Iceland poppies and how to mold with light and shade - warm and cool colors to describe the gentle ruffles of the rhododendron 'Floral Dance'. Then there is my signature feature - busy insects such as lady bugs, bumble bees, butterflies and cicadas as they scurry around the composition, bringing life and movement and a 'soul' to the paintings. There are many other examples and demonstrations showing the methods I use. Best of all these can be used for many other subjects apart from those shown. I have chosen to write this book for beginners as well as advanced artists, along with those who enjoy fine art and the garden. I recently spoke with someone who has one of the advance copies of my book. I was thrilled to hear that it has pride of place on her coffee table and every few days she enjoys leaving it open at a different page. She said it was like having several pieces of fine art in her living room. Opposite the "Conclusion" in the book is one of my favourite paintings. It shows a golden hollyhock growing next to a very old shuttered window in the medieval village of St Paul de Vence in Provence. My last words in the book are: "I hope, with this book, I have not only shown you how to reach your goals by showing you a number of techniques but, more importantly, also shown how to give your subjects a spirit. I like to think of it rather like leading you to a window, throwing it open and allowing you to discover a whole new world of your own creativity. May your paintings and their creation fill your soul with joy."

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful watercolor reference
Review: This book gives wonderful, explicit, detailed instructions and easy to follow illustrations to create some of the most beautiful flowers done in watercolor today. Susan is an amazing painter and she does a great job of describing her technique.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous watercolor flowers; good instruction
Review: This book is full of gorgeous watercolor roses and other flowers that look so real you can almost smell them! It is a little challenging for the beginner, so I would recommend this book for the intermediate and above watercolor artist. The author shares a lot of good advise and even shows you how to make dew drops and bumble bees. It's a beautiful book that I keep returning to again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Glorious Feast for the Eyes for the Painter and Non-Painter
Review: This is not the first time that I have found myself lost in a wonderful book on watercolor painting technique. I love to open the covers and dive into a beneath-the-surface world of this alluring, elusive medium. It's fascinating to see what goes into making a work of art, and to mine little nuggets of "hints." I have to say that this is the most exquisitely done book of its kind that I've seen. The author's writing is so warm and accessible. Her painting style is so expressive and fresh. She succeeds in demystifying an artistic process in a most delightful tone. The paintings are reproduced in vivid, luscious detail. I only wish she would come out with a video so we could see this magic unfold! Thank you, Susan, and please keep painting, writing, and sharing your incredible gifts!!

Rating:
Summary: A Gorgeous, Instructive and Thoroughly Inspiring Book!
Review: This is not the first time that I have found myself lost in a wonderful book on watercolor painting technique. I love to open the covers and dive into a beneath-the-surface world of this alluring, elusive medium. It's fascinating to see what goes into making a work of art, and to mine little nuggets of "hints." I have to say that this is the most exquisitely done book of its kind that I've seen. The author's writing is so warm and accessible. Her painting style is so expressive and fresh. She succeeds in demystifying an artistic process in a most delightful tone. The paintings are reproduced in vivid, luscious detail. I only wish she would come out with a video so we could see this magic unfold! Thank you, Susan, and please keep painting, writing, and sharing your incredible gifts!!

Rating:
Summary: Harrison-Tustain/ Best flowers I've ever seen
Review: When I show a friend Susan's book they can hardly believe it is in watercolor. Her flowers, leaves and backgrounds are exceptionally vivid and robust. There are a few step-by-steps in it but not enough for a beginner. I hope her next book will have more steps to each picture. I feel confident we will see more from her - if she's willing. This has inspired me more than any other watercolor book. And, I liked almost all the pictures in it enough to try myself, which is alot more than I can say for any other watercolor book I've ever found! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Harrison-Tustain/ Best flowers I've ever seen
Review: When I show a friend Susan's book they can hardly believe it is in watercolor. Her flowers, leaves and backgrounds are exceptionally vivid and robust. There are a few step-by-steps in it but not enough for a beginner. I hope her next book will have more steps to each picture. I feel confident we will see more from her - if she's willing. This has inspired me more than any other watercolor book. And, I liked almost all the pictures in it enough to try myself, which is alot more than I can say for any other watercolor book I've ever found! Enjoy!