David Bellamy’s Skies, Light and Atmosphere in Watercolour (Paperback)

June 12

After some forays into more general books, it’s nice to see David getting back to the subjects he’s best known for and, let’s be honest, he’s most comfortable with. The book follows David’s fairly discursive style, with explanations, examples and demonstrations for each section – the three elements of the title are taken separately. There’s an excellent variety of material here, from mountains to landscapes and settings both in the UK and abroad, which makes for a good choice of approaches. There’s really not a lot more I can say. This is classic Bellamy and well up to the standard we’ve come to expect of him.

Summer 12

Regular readers of Leisure Painter will know that David Bellamy really understands the needs of the amateur painter and can provide clear instruction on how to paint all aspects of watercolour. In his latest book on the medium, David turns his attention to capturing what he regards as the three main ingredients of a successful painting: skies, light and atmosphere, explaining how even the most mundane of subjects can be transformed by the right lighting and mood. The book opens with information on materials needed to get started. Quite quickly thought David moves on to look at skies, and demonstrates various techniques, such as lifting out and wet in wet to create the effects you need. For example, types of clouds, sky compositions, sunsets, shafts of sunlight are all described clearly before David embarks on a 12-stage step-by-step demonstrations showing how to create a sky full of drama. Light comes next and further techniques are introduced, such as laying glazes to increase light effects, using cast shadows, directional, reflected or intense light. This is followed by a step-by-step demonstration of a cottage in a landscape to explore painting sunlight and shadow. The final section looks at atmosphere and a good selection of David's watercolours highlight the techniques that can be used to suggest atmospheric effects, such as space and distance, mist, rain squalls and snowfall. The closing demonstration is of a waterfall in which David puts into practice many of the techniques he has described.

Aug 12

Watercolour is the perfect medium for capturing the changing moods of skies. David Bellamy is an expert in this type of art and in this book, sets out to share some of the skills he has acquired over the years. He explains the techniques carefully and thoroughly in such a way that anyone, no matter whether they are a beginner or experienced artist, can follow him. There are clear step by step photographs showing how to achieve the various effects. It is a good way of learning how to paint different cloud types, silver linings, shafts of light, shadows, as well as getting the greatest effect from painting the sun. A good solid book, 'how to' book for artists with plenty of good advice and help.

Oct 12

If you are painting any outdoor scene there is probably going to be at least a patch of sky in it, and of course light of some sort. Find out how to get it right in watercolors in this book by award-winning artist David Bellamy. The premise of this book, as laid out in the introduction, is that even the dullest scene (perhaps as captured first on camera) the right light and atmosphere can lift the painting above the common run. All kinds of mood can be achieved if you know what to do, and this book shows the tricks of the artist’s trade and how to use them. It starts with the usual overview of what you need and why, then it is on with the lessons. Chapters each deal with a separate subject, such as skies, mood or atmosphere and are divided into samples of different effects and how they are done and longer tutorials. These show how to paint a simple picture in several stages (varying from twelve to twenty-four, not as many as in the beginners’ books). There are three of these projects where the artist can try out what has been learned just by reading and looking at samples, a good method and one I have found works. The pictures shown are from many other countries besides the UK so you can find out how to paint a wider range of weather and light. I would suggest that this is a book aimed pretty squarely at the improver; beyond the stage of the Ready To Paint or What To Paint series but not yet ready to leave behind the world of art instruction books. As if anybody ever is!

Sept 12

This latest guide by celebrated British watercolorist Bellamy (David Bellamy’s Complete Guide to Watercolour Painting) focuses on the most elusive elements of landscape painting. Each of the book’s three sections provides many examples of how light, sky, or atmosphere may be rendered in watercolors, and ends with a complete landscape step-by-step project. The book is aimed at both beginning and intermediate painters. Bellamy suggests that the effects learned here can help more experienced painters refresh an otherwise tired location. ­VERDICT Traditional landscape watercolorists will appreciate the tips and techniques presented here.

Apr 12

HANDY REFERENCE GUIDE FOR THE BUDDING ARTIST. CLEAR CONCISE INSTRUCTIONS WITH USEFUL TIPS. GOOD SOUND ADVICE ON PAINTING SKIES WITH WATERCOLOUR.-"Marine Eng", Amazon