I’ve read a number of art how-to books over the years and consider myself a talented amateur (I began my university studies as an art student) and I can say, unequivocally, that this is one of the best how-to books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read.
Author/artist Felix Scheinberger writes in a very natural, easy-to-read manner. Each chapter is barely a page long but speaks so directly and succinctly that any longer would be completely unnecessary. The book is broken into sections as follows:
Intro
First Attempts
Excursion in Color Theory
Your Own Style
Basics/Tools
Out & About
Tips & Tricks
I really liked that the section on tools (the brushes, the paints themselves, the paper) is near the end of the book. So often it leads off in how-to books, and the impatient reader gets bored. Scheinberger gets the budding artist excited about working with watercolors by leading off with discussions on colors and things to try.
The narrative style is very casual and calm and the reader gets the feeling that they are in the room with Scheinberger and listening to him speak. It does not feel like a typical how-to which is usually narrative that says “try this” “try that”.
I really liked there is even a brief chapter called “How Much Is Your Picture Worth?” Not many books ever discuss value and the idea of selling artwork.
And of course there is artwork as well. Scheinberger’s style is as relaxed and casual as his writing. It is watercolor ‘sketching’ and it really makes me want to carry around my set of watercolors and sketch all the time.
This was an amazing book and I recommend it most highly.
Looking for a good book? Urban Watercolor Sketching by Felix Scheinberger is easily one of the best, most encouraging ‘how-to’ art books available.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through Blogging for Books, in exchange for an honest review.
* * * * * *
Urban Watercolor Sketching: A Guide to Drawing, Painting, and Storytelling in Color
author/artist: Felix Scheinberger
publisher: Watson-Guptill
ISBN: 0770435211
paperback, 160 pages
Looking For a Good Book 