10-Minute Watercolours: Techniques & Tips for Quick Watercolours (Collins Gem)

A great little YOU CAN DO IT book for people who have no confidence in their own artistic ability and who want just to give it a go. I've bought it for myself and then for several friends, as its an affordable (even frugal) thoughtful little gift. Great bought along with a small paint box for a holiday too.

Buyers be aware - this is a miniature book about 2 inches square that I found illegible and unusable. Not fit for purpose. Content looks all right when you get when seen under a microscope. Would never have bought this if it had been clear that it was so minute. Very overpriced in my opinion as well. Returning.

I thought 'Ten minutes? Must be a good one for beginners!' - But no! In order to do the p o s s i b l y 10 minute items (and some she admits took more time, even for her), you must beforehand absorb the information on how to do specific techniques -- and remember them, and have practised them. They also refer to at least 3 different types of paper as you go through - which if you are a beginner, you could end up buying a lot of paper you may not use. The 'all you need to know' on the front cover and the longer blurb on the back lend and over-confidence in the book as a 'ten-minuter' when bought online. I think you HAVE to SEE this book, to know if it might be for you. I think it will be useful in some ways, but (were it not for the similarly named school revision books!) this book ought to be called something like 'Bitesize'. If you are all set up in your space, have a super memory and don't need to keep referring to different pages when working on a larger project, so your paint is drying perhaps when it shouldn't, while you are looking something up, and you are not clock-watching to see if you really can do different images within a set time-frame, you will probably do ok. I think overall, the book is a nice little thing, as a reference for people who can cope without a set-by-step guide, because they already have a good idea of what they are doing anyway. If you need step by step, maybe try something by Matthew Palmer, or similar.

I reckon it's pertinent that my favourite watercolour instructional book is by far the smallest. In this tiny tome Hazel Soan imparts more information and creates more inspiration than any other book on watercolour I've read. Perhaps this is because by giving herself the limitations of size and time that she has, Hazel cuts through the mass of mystery watercolour is shrouded in to reveal how to make fresh, interesting paintings with relative ease & finesse. I have a tendency to make little progress in things because I imagine them to be more complicated than they really are, whenever I'm feeling like that about watercolour painting, I reach for this book. Because it really can go anywhere with you, you can find yourself enjoying that inspiration at times when your other books are sitting on the shelf, so when you have ten minutes spare you're filled with ideas & ready to paint. Especially useful for taking with you on sketching trips, where you might find yourself staring at a daunting subject and asking 'what would Hazel do'? At which point she'll show you the way. Does the size make it hard to read? You'd think so, but no it doesn't, each page keeps it's points brief and the illustrations are very clear. And that's from someone with awful eyesight. Now can we have a DVD to go with it please?

This is perhaps the most useful little book a lapsed amateur artist like me could hope to own!! I ordered this - together with it's companion in the Little Gem series, Sketching, and some new artist materials - right here on Amazon. Now, even though I hadn't picked up a brush since my sixth-form days (more years ago than I'm going to admit to!!), I'm really fired up and revelling in this "found-again" hobby. Hazel makes it all sound so simple, and although I'm finding it isn't, practice yields results and what better excuse to while away some time on a bistro terrace watching the world go by, or walking in the countryside, than seeking something inspiring to sketch? Hazel has certainly encouraged me to enjoy many a happy leisure hour honing my technique with the help of her clear advice, and - crucially - given me the confidence to believe that even I can do it. For that, I shall always be grateful to her!!

I have a whole library of books and I scoffed at a friend when he introduced me to this minuscule book at one of our art club meetings.I purchased the book and the next day I had in my possession a truly marvellous watercolour instruction book. I haven't worked my way through it yet but can already see that this book is not just for beginners there are hints and tips for watercolourists of all standards.Don't be put off by it's size, it is smaller than a coaster but it has such a wealth of knowledge for watercolour it fits in your pocket, your bag, your glovebox, your paintbox it's a great size for taking anywhere with you, I'll be taking mine on holiday as it won't take up much space but has volumes of info.Hazel Soan is a wonderful artist and a wonderful teacher she has teamed up with Collins here to make a wonderful little book of watercolour.

It's not a bad little book for what it is. It's not going to give you a massive insight into being the best artist ever, but it does have plenty of tips and tricks, guides, advice, from equipment, materials, papers etc right through to techniques for quick watercolour sketches and exercises to teach you different aspects of the craft.The size is handy, it's smaller than your phone (but a bit thicker) so fits neatly into a back pocket and you can keep it on you and dive into it for five or ten minutes when you have the opportunity.Whatever your level, I recommend this.