Introduction

Welcome to Watercolor Animals, part of the Colorways series. I have always been drawn to using animals as subject matter for my art. Their playful innocence and majestic beauty consistently inspire me. I love capturing their essence and bringing them to life on paper. In this book, we will explore several approaches to painting animals in watercolor.

Exploring color is one of the aspects I enjoy most about painting. You can create compelling and eye-catching pieces when you’re not afraid to add color in a meaningful way. This book is intended to inspire you to give it a try and provides you with the skills to do so successfully.

Whether you have no experience with watercolors or you already love the medium, I hope this book helps you appreciate what can be done with watercolor paint. No formal education is necessary to enjoy making art, and I will encourage you throughout this book to experiment and create your own personal style!

Some common fears when working with watercolor are its permanence and unpredictable nature. In reality, however, nothing about watercolor is very permanent—and there are many tips and tricks to help you use its unpredictability to your advantage. In the pages of this book, I will show you how to control the medium, to an extent, but also how to embrace what you cannot control. The natural variation and unpredictability of the medium is part of its unique beauty!

We’ll get started by exploring some of my favorite tools and techniques, as well as basic color theory. Of course, once you know the rules, I encourage you to break them! You will find a total of twelve unique projects, with helpful photos and instructional steps, to help guide you on your watercolor journey. Please don’t forget to enjoy the process!