Experimental Techniques for Achieving Realistic Effects

Book was suggested by an instructor who had taken many workshops with Nita Engle. Great suggestion!! I have tried many of these non conventional techniques and I find it challenging and inspirational.

This book was disappointing. They show some very lovely pictures that she has painted, but it is so vague on specifics for many of the concepts. You really have to have experimented a LOT to relate to what she shares, I believe. I admire the pictures, but to learn from...minimal. There are better books for helping give insight. In her book, you go from some rough pictures to a dramatic completion -- skipping a few steps. Unless you really need inspiration for a unique way to vary your style, this book is wayyyy out there.

This book is definitely not for a beginning watercolorist and I don't think the author and publishers intended it to be. If you are just beginning to paint in watercolor in a realistic style I recommend starting with books aimed for beginners first. That said, for high-intermediate to advanced watercolorists who want to learn new ways to add life to their paintings this is one of the best books out there using the pouring process as the primary means vs. painting with a brush. That doesn't mean Ms. Engle doesn't use brushes, it's just that they are only one of several techniques at her disposal.
I got this book after having read Creative Discoveries in Watermedia. So I understand why the title says 'Experimental Techniques for Achieving Realistic Effects'. Many of the same techniques from the Creative Discoveries book are used here as well. Everything from squirt bottles to pouring the paints and tipping the board to let the paint run where it will to textural techniqes for added interest. All the chapters introduce fun methods for paiting but I'm glad design (aka composition) has a chapter of its own. All the techniques in the world won't save a painting with a poor design (that's when you just crop it and make it a mixed media experimental painting!) :)
My favorite chapter is the last one. It discusses experimental techiques, mediums, methods, etc. This is the only watercolor book I've ever seen that mentions W&N's Aquapasto medium, a product I love for adding texture elements to some of my more experimental paintings. If you're an intermediate to advanced watercolorist looking for new ideas you'll find plenty of them here.

From beginner to the more seasoned watercolor artist, everyone can enjoy this book. I love both the authors wet on wet looseness and dripping watercolors, as well as her wet into dry tighter watercolors. Her techniques are worth learning and her paintings are all so beautiful. When I bought this book, I first had to study the Table of Contents, then a quick look through the index, and then a long study of the book before I could start painting. It's just loaded with great instruction, and I really wanted to understand what I was going to learn, and I learned so much with this book. I have several watercolor books, and this is among my top 5. Some of my favorites are:
Watercolor Secrets by Rachel Rubin Wolf
First Steps Painting Watercolors (First Step Series) by Cathy Johnson
and Painting Flowers in Watercolor with Charles Reid by Charles Reid
There was another, but I couldn't find it right now. I like to mention books I like when I refer to them - as in "this is among my top 5". Hope someone finds it helpful!

I am relatively new to watercolor but not to painting. This book is perhaps misnamed in that it is quite sophisticated in terms of technique and far from just pouring paint onto paper. There is still a lot of control in the author's process especially in the planning stages of the work. It is a refreshing change from typical landscape watercolor books but is not for people who want to control every brushstroke. I think it will appeal to people who really appreciate a very loose style of painting and for those who want to just see what happens when they play with paint.

This book has a lot of good information about choosing paints, supplies, and so forth--strongest portion of the book, in my opinion. Also several good techniques, though little you wouldn't see on say Sue Scheewe or Terry Madden (both PBS shows).

What I liked least was where she essentially makes a "stamp" and stamps out a bunch of trees in one painting. Would you pay big money for a painting knowing it was created that way? How is it art rather than craft (as in, paint this picture in 30 minutes or less)? Granted, lot of techniques are shortcuts of one sort or another, but stamping makes the same image again and again, whereas salt or crumpled paper/plastic will give a different result every time.

I liked the book, but after reading it you will definitely look at watercolor paintings in a different way (look, the artist did this here, and that there, etc.), and I'm not sure that's a good thing, because it detracts from appreciating the art if there is too much technique going on in a picture.

A really good book for watercolor painting that is not so technique-dependent is Painting Greeting Cards in Watercolor by Jacqueline Penney.

Content is great. The book condition was very poor for a new book. I paid for a new book, and I got a book with a broken binding and smelled like a musty old attic. Very disappointed in the store for delivering a book in such poor condition.

I'm a professional photographer who's photos have appeared in many farm
and ranch magazines, as well as advertising magazines. I have published my work
in Reader's Digest company magazines, as well as many calendars over the
years. I know how important it is to have your own style - you - "The
Look" that says that's so-an-so. Folks, this author is one of the best in her
medium. I'm a flat out beginner in this medium of watercolor and can't miss
this roadsign to GREAT - BEAUTIFUL - RELAXED - FUN - she's flying while
most of us are crawlling. The Best to you Nita Engle - Joseph :o) NOTE:
why do think there are so many reviews - "The BEST" [...]

The realistic effects Nita Engle achieves are even more amazing when she reveals how they're done.
Her wash technique looks completely random (swirling paint into a wash, some spatters, streaks) but when overpainted with trees or other landscape elements, the washes become reflecting water, weather, all in excitingly "better-than-real" effect.
This book is valuable for the wash technique alone, but the wonderful pictures are also inspiring.

Having experienced Artist's Block and Analysis Paralysis, I found her book an escape hatch back to art for the creative artist. I tried to find a solution to my block by taking many courses, to find myself stuck even more by the instructor's techniques and paralyzed. This is not a book for the fledging artist, but one vitally needed by the experienced. She doesn't show you The Way, but shows you a way to unleash your creativity. And, she shows you that all artists are human, and can make mistakes like hers. A very refreshing and therapuetic book for the stuck.

Have you ever tried to achieve the ever changing glistening sun-reflection in your painting and not quite make it? This book has it all but tradition. Great book for those who desire to think outside of the box.Engle has put the excitement of her classroom in a book,but I sure would like to be in HER classroom!
This book isn't for the timid or faint-hearted.She seems to attack her canvases with a fury & desires to be the victor.I appreciate the honest sharing of successes & failures. This book is for those who are looking to put excitement in their dry worn-out traditional watercolor & want to explore innovative techniques to go outside the comfort zone to implement new & fresh methods into their own style of painting.

No matter what anybody says, watercolor painting is difficult. There are many instructional books out on the market that says they can help you become an excellant painter in ??? easy lessons. It just doesn't work that way. You can become a profecient painter by learning the basic techniques and,most important,paint, paint, and paint some more. Nita Engle has written a book that allows you to add some fun and spice to the time you paint,paint,and paint some more. Nita is a very respected teacher and painter and if you can't arrange to go to one of her workshops, buy this book! The effects Nita has evolved is amazing and she clearly explains how to get these effects. This book won't turn you into a wonderful painter in ?? easy lessons, but if you are a watercolor painter this is one book you'll use for years. Don't miss it!

I am a landscape watercolourist, living in lush west Devon UK. My art has just about reached the stage where I am able to exploit watercolour pigments for their own particular characteristics, instead of just using them as a means of applying colour. Nita's book has inspired me in a host of different ways, and has lifted the quality of my work. Now I can let the colours flow and explode over the paper, so that the picture comes alive, wheras before it just sat there feeling embarassed and self conscious. I'm really pleased with the results. The book has helped me to find a postive direction for my work. Thanks Nita

At long last one of the world's greatest watercolor artists has published a book that reveals all of her secrets. I highly recommend this book to anyone (beginner to advanced)who works in this media. Her illustrations and instructions are like nothing I have seen before. Her style allows watercolors to paint themselves and they do with natural results. She has been copied by many artists without the recognition she so rightly deserves. This book should be in every artist's library. She has changed my method of painting which has led to great results. I can't wait for her next book.

I loved this book. I learned many new aspects of watercoloring. Her style, and the freedom she gives permission for, was very freeing. I highly recommend it. She is world famous, and her originals are quite expensive--plus, most are in private collections. Prints are available, and they are not cheap. Buy this book, unless you are one who wishes to paint very realistically.

I agree with the former reviewer that this book is not easy, and beginners would find the illustrated technique almost frightening. But, I am a new watercolor artist, and I think her suggestions for trying the unusual, and suggesting a more abstract approach delightful. I would highly recommend Ms Engles' book to anyone who wants to journey into a new thinking for watercolor.

My immediate impression of this book is that it is DIFFERENT than most of what else is available. Good for this author to direct a book to a niche for once! Anyone can see it isn't for a beginner. I could see that I couldn't live without it on my own shelf. There are plenty of how to books for the individual who wants just ONE book. This is for the connoisseur of art ideas and techniques. While not noted as such, I find this author very "right brain" and right is right!

This is an exceptional book. I am an amateur painter and I found the techniques a little too complicated. I felt a little bit overwhelmed since I didn't have very specific instructions. It will be an amazing book once I master more simple techniques and move on to more complicated staff. Overall I found the book full of very helpfull techniques that will come very handy in the future.

Thank you Nita for your wonderful book. I've been waiting for years for it and it is everything and more than I expected. Nita doesn't hold back on any of her techniques. If you want to know how a master artist thinks and works, this is the book you should have. I also know what that tool is you have Nita. Now I'm hoping we'll see a video by you. Thanks again for this wonderful book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in watercolor. There are lots of great ideas to make your paintings interesting. I used several of the techniques with great success. It's a good informative book. This should be in everyone's library of art books.

My quest for an informative and stimulating book on watercolor has been a sucess! One of the best investments you will ever make if you are looking for inspiration and instruction of methods to make your paintings come to life. Good luck in all YOUR quests!

This is an advance level book with interesting techniques, however, I feel there are earsier ways of accomplishing similar results and a lot less messy. Our watercolor class will continue working within this book for a while longer, as we are always interested in trying different methods in a search to find our own individual voices.

This book is in itself a great overall benefit to amatuers like myself who are basically self taught,I have found it very useful in the mixing and flowing of various colours,but experiment is the key word.Thank you Nita.

I found this book to be very inspirational. I love the artist's work and she takes you through all the steps to learn her technique. I highly recommend this book for anyone striving to be a serious artist who wants to broaden their horizons.

This book is not only an instructional book but an inspirational book; to all artists who love watercolor. Nita Engle is intelligent and innovative. Her fresh approach and methods left me wanting to learn more about not only her painting style but Nita Engle the artist. She is truly a modern American Master.

From beginner to the more seasoned watercolor artist, everyone can enjoy this book. I love both the authors wet on wet looseness and dripping watercolors, as well as her wet into dry tighter watercolors. Her techniques are worth learning and her paintings are all so beautiful. When I bought this book, I first had to study the Table of Contents, then a quick look through the index, and then a long study of the book before I could start painting. It's just loaded with great instruction, and I really wanted to understand what I was going to learn, and I learned so much with this book. I have several watercolor books, and this is among my top 5. Some of my favorites are:
Watercolor Secrets by Rachel Rubin Wolf
First Steps Painting Watercolors (First Step Series) by Cathy Johnson
and Painting Flowers in Watercolor with Charles Reid by Charles Reid
There was another, but I couldn't find it right now. I like to mention books I like when I refer to them - as in "this is among my top 5". Hope someone finds it helpful!