YBC Book Review - The Watercolor Course You've Always Wanted by Leslie Frontz

As an artist, I love to create beautiful things.  And as an artist, I love to try many different mediums.  One medium I have never really tried was watercolor because I thought it was too difficult.

Than along came this...

"The Watercolor Course You've Always Wanted"

by Leslie Frontz.

First, I just skimmed through the book.  Then I browsed a little more closely.  Then I got excited.

Every chapter is stuffed full of information for both the experienced watercolor artist, and for beginners like me.  I realized while reading this book, that you can't just jump into watercolor paint if you don't understand how they work.  It's not like painting with acrylic or oil.  The blending is different.  The shading is different.  And it looks like so much fun!  

Guess what's on my Christmas list this year.  A new watercolor set.  lol

This book takes you through everything you need to know to start painting.  How to choose the correct paint, brushes and paper.  Understanding the values of color for depth and shading.  Textures.  Mood.  And so much more.  When you get this book (and every serious artist should get it), you will want to keep it handy for easy reference while you work.  I know I will.

Now for a little background on the author.

Leslie Frontz is a studio artist with over 40 years of experience.  She teaches watercolor classes at a local community college about 2 hours from me!!!!  (I'm squealing with excitement.  Now I can join one of her classes to learn even more.)  And her work has been featured in several magazines and books.  You can learn even more, and enjoy her work, by visiting her website, Frontz Studio, and you'll meet her husband Harold, who is an accomplished artist in his own right.

I highly recommend this book for artists, and wanna-be artists.

Let your creative juices flow.

Be blessed,

Debbi

 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

What's new with handmade

It's been a while since I've checked out some other sites to see what's new "with the competition". hahaha.  Not really, the best part of being part of the handmade community is the support we give to each other. :0)

Over at Handmade Artists, I found this really cool feather mask.

It's made of papier mache and beautiful turkey feathers. 

 I found this in the shop of Dara Gallery.

I love things that speak to our nations Native American history, (plus hubby is part Cherokee) so when I saw this handpainted gourd bowl, I knew I had to share it with you.  Done in a traditional pattern, you can find many more pieces in the shop of bjsgourtartetc. 

Over on Etsy, I found this beautiful watercolor painting of feathers.  This is an original painting, not a print and you really need to visit the shop to see the colors...very bright and vivid!  The artist is Rakla, and her talent is amazing. 

After Etsy, I popped over to Artfire.  I haven't been there in ages!  

I love this embroidered terry hand towel and if it was mine, and I caught some one actually put their wet hands on it????  Well, let me tell you, it would be ON! lol.  There are tons of other beautiful items in the shop of Velvet Hearts.

And to end this post, I had to visit my new haunt, The Craft Star.

Just lookie at what I found!!!!  The cutest baby cowboy boots, I need these for Quintin!

 You can find the sweetest baby stuff in the shop of 

Handmade Gifts by Barb.

Did you realize that Christmas is just around the corner?  AGHHHHH. lol.

You can get a jumpstart on your decorating with this gorgeous handpainted ornament for your tree.  It's a wooden egg, so you won't have to worry about it falling and breaking, if you're like me and keep your tree up until it's almost bald. :0)

Stop by Bryn and Jeremiah's shop to see this, and many more handmade decorations.  And it's not just for Christmas.

Well, that's my shopping spree for today.  Pick a link, any link, and have fun shopping for yourself.

Be blessed,

Debbi