Hazel Harrison

This is a fairly comprehensive text about watercolour techniques though it doesn't go into a huge amount of detail about any one aspect of the techniques. I did learn a few new things...like (p94) creating texture by applying paint with paper and (p56) adding gum arabic to the colour you want to lift out. (haven't tried that).
It's not really a go-to book for examples of how to solve particular problems but gives a great overview. It includes materials such as paper, brushes and pigments. (I show more wasn't aware of the potential to combine acrylics with watercolour). Not sure whether I will keep this as a reference or just use the other books I have on technique (such as creating texture). I give it 3.5 stars. show less

Quite a nice overview of "how to" paint in watercolour. Covers off the basics: paper. paint, brushes, some techniques...but not a great deal of detail. (I liked her section on painting with gum-water...wasn't aware of this before). She then extends the work into; landscape and seascape, buildings, nature, portrait and figure and, finally, still life. Some nice worked examples but I think if I need tuition, say, in portrait painting, then a more specialised book or video is where I would be show more looking.
Overall three stars from me. show less

Hazel is fairly prolific in the "How-to" art book scene. This is another one of her competently produced works covering drawing in pencils and pastels. It's well done and some nice examples and lovely photographs but I feel that I have most of this material covered well in other books that I have. So I'm donating this book to charity. Three and a half stars from me.

Quite a nice introduction to watercolour painting. She covers all the usual stuff: brushes, paper, colours, colour mixing, etc. then there are a series of examples of different styles of painting and different subject matter: scenery, still life, animals etc.
I like her overall approach and give the book three stars.