The Tao of Watercolor: A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting

The style of the book is unique. The author's approach to painting is an all encompassing experience, which includes the body, spirit and external stimulation. I'm not that familiar with "Tha" painting, but I find several approaches interesting. Plus, I liked that the artist/author used bold colors and gave examples of their works created with them. However, my one complaint is that more steps should have been included of how to complete a painting using those bold colors. Many steps were absent throughout all the book's examples, which is usually what makes a book only good or okay, instead of great. I realize many artists tell you to finish a painting the way you want, and this is okay, but in a teaching book, I expect to see lots of steps on how the artist begins and completes at least one work of art. Similar to a math equation; once you learn steps and see how they all work together, you can solve an equation usually in many ways. Overall, I do like the book and this is primarily because its unusual and unique from all the other technique books I have. I would consider this my "yoga" watercolor book on a beginners level.

I took an art class and the instructor watched me paint for a bit. I thought she was going to correct me but instead she put this book in front of me. She said, “by the way you paint, I think you’ll like this artist”.By golly she was right. This book is part of a set and the step by step exercises are very minimal. I found a lot of insight on Using only clean water to layer in value, by mucking my way through them.This artist and her process work for me. Her art is whimsical, deliberate and probably not for the type A kind of artist!!

I purchased this book hoping that it would help me loosen up my watercolor painting. I was disappointed enough to return it, something I rarely do. Clearly, this author has found an enthusiastic audience to which to sell these books and her paintings, but I suspect they are something of a fringe group. That's fine, but I recommend you look over this book thoroughly before committing to purchasing it. There is basically no instruction that will teach you to do a watercolor painting in anything but vague, fuzzy, garishly colored (she really, really likes bright pink) paintings that call to my mind the tie-died T-shirts of the 60's. I was also put off by the self-portrayal of the author as a kind of artistico-spiritual guru. In her experience, she says, all watercolor students fall into one of two categories: those who never finish a picture because they are too hung up on doing things just so, and those who would like to play but don't know how--left brain types and right brain types. She assures us she has had an epiphany and is now beyond such limitations. If you buy her books, she'll share her higher wisdom. Well, good for her, she's got her audience. There are Taoist quotes at the beginning of the chapters, but if you want to explore that philosophy, you'd be better off with a source that truly addresses it. If you want to learm how to do watercolors, this is not the place to do it.

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I am fascinated by Jeanne Carbonetti book The Tao of Watercolor and the wonderful works she produces. I love to experiment in all types of media and expressionism - working on abstract to realistic images and found this to be a perfect blend of abstract/impressionism that is exciting to work on. If you are big on getting right to the detail technique used in each example, this is not the book for you. If on the other hand you want to try getting closer to your heart and letting your creative mind come out the philosophies, examples, and brief technique discussion will sing to your artistic soul.

I’m sorry but I did not like this book at all, but art is so subjective that I hate to give it a bad review. If I loved the author’s style it would have helped. It was a book club suggestion from a blog I follow. It does offer the wisdom of getting into your happy place - your Zen - before starting a painting, but that’s not a new idea. (Important, but not new). It just wasn’t for me.

great book. beautiful illustrations. painting instructions included. Its a combination of impressionist and experimental painting. She mentions a little bit of her Buddhist beiiefs but not as much as she does in some of her other books. I believe in Jesus not Buddha.

I tried and enjoyed many of the author/artist's techniques and found them pleasing. It IS important to use good wc paper and good paints. Usually I try a new technique using the insipid paints and crappy paper I bought before I knew better (Hey, I feel like I have to use it for SOMETHING.) just to get a feel for it before I switch to the good stuff. In this case, the techniques are easy enough and honestly they don't work with inferior supplies.As to all the philosophy, I could have done without it. A little is fine, but I buy art books for art; I have plenty of philosophy books of my own that suit me better.

I have been trying, with various results, to be a loose woman, this book is incredibly inspirational, it offers 4 very easy to follow examples but, of course, you have to also follow your own ideas too, it's all about seeing beyond the "normal" and allowing your mind to wander and see past the accepted. I don't think it is suitable for beginers as you need to know the basics before you can move on to this method.but it clearly explains how to move forward from the accepted forms of painting.

After seeing this book at my local art group I decided to try and obtain a copy. The book is exactly as described - good condition and it arrived well packaged ad in good time.

Because the author presented her underlying philosophy to painting this gives a structure and cohesion to the techniques that are described and demonstrated. The 'what I have learned' sections that follow each technique are very useful summaries and give easy reference to the technique. Colourful and inspiring visuals.

Very well written, you really have to open your mind when reading this book, there is a lot of truth in what is said, and it will help your outlook towards your painting.

i bought this book for a friend who is a very keen watercolour painter, myself i have all on painting the garage door, but she was very please with the book, (made her day), good all round servive from the supplier. cheers