Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner

From there, the book moves through the essential techniques: flat and graded washes, wet-into-wet painting, dry brush, lifting color and creating textures. The authors explain color mixing and value with simple exercises, then guide readers through a series of step-by-step projects, mostly landscapes and nature subjects, that combine the techniques into finished paintings. The newer edition also includes a DVD with demonstrations.

What sets the book apart is its patience. Each technique is broken into small steps with photographs, mistakes are treated as normal, and the authors offer practical solutions when things go wrong. The projects are achievable but attractive, which gives beginners a real sense of progress. It pairs naturally with the same authors' drawing book in the series.

More experienced painters will find it too basic, and the projects focus heavily on landscapes, so readers interested in portraits or abstract work will need other resources. As a first step, it is excellent. A modest set of student paints, good paper and a few brushes are all you need to begin. About 128 pages in the North Light paperback.