Ann Blockley is a very successful artist, known for the innovative way
in which she uses texture as a key element in her work. This book, in
Collins Artist's Studio series, looks at how she achieves her stunning
effects and provides essential guidelines for the intermediate painter
wishing to develop this aspect of their own painting.
Creating texture in watercolour can be quite a challenge but this book
provides a fresh approach to the subject. It focuses on a wide range of
unusual techniques, some of which depart from the more conventional
methods, revealing how to portray texture by a variety of means. Ann
explains how to manipulate the paint by lifting out colour, scraping and
scratching the paint, and by using additional materials such as wax,
clingfilm, salt and metallic pigments. She also explains how the surface
itself can play an important role in the effects that can be achieved,
and experiments with acrylics, inks, gouache and collage as well as
watercolour.
In later chapters Ann looks at the creative process and provides
insights into how to develop ideas, then concentrates on how to portray
texture in specific subjects, such as flowers and foliage, animals,
still life, buildings and landscapes. Practical exercises, projects,
step-by-step demonstrations and studio tips are included, as well as the
work of several guest artists - John Blockley, Moira Huntly and Shirley
Trevena.
