'How to Paint Watercolor Book 1: Design Paintings from Photos' by Daniel Novotny (e-book)

Learn to design paintings from photos in this step-by-step guide!

• Analyze photo reference
• Fix visual problems
• Tell a story
• Draw your subject correctly
• Utilize positive & negative space, perspective, light & form
• and more!

About this book series

The purpose of this book series is to provide the student with an easy-to-follow guide to the creative process. It maps the completion of one painting project from start to finish. The painting routine differs from artist to artist. But it’s my belief that the creative process can be laid out as a set of universal steps.

Book #1

In Book #1 you’ll learn about the challenges of working from a photo reference. You’ll see how I analyze and transform my picture into a cohesive design. Yet my concern isn’t purely visual. Painting is storytelling. You’ll learn how I deal with narrative concerns as the design evolves.

Book #2 (sold separately)

Book #2 demonstrates the importance of value. In order for painting to make visual sense the painter must design a readable value pattern. You’ll learn how I go about creating solid value patterns and understand how to approach value in your own designs.

Book #3 (sold separately)

In Book #3 everything comes together. Watercolor takes over the process of exploration. Two watercolor studies are demonstrated in full but more are shown to demonstrate the variety of ideas one subject offers. All of these experiences lead to the final full sheet demonstration which utilizes the most refined version of the design.

For a prolific painting routine one needs knowledge, experience but also guidance. The purpose of this series is to accompany you on your journey and help you take that next step towards painting mastery. I hope that this series can help you establish or fine-tune your own painting practice and ultimately become a small part of your journey towards becoming your own, independent artist.

Table of Contents

1 Reference Photos & Creativity

2 Painting & Storytelling

3 Photo Reference Analysis

1 How To Resolve Visual Clutter
2 How To Create Narrative Hierarchy

4 From Photo To Design

1 Large Shapes First: The Gesture
2 Analysis & Spatial Distortion
3 How To Fix Distorted Perspective

5 The Painting Rectangle

1 Context
2 The Design Rectangle
3 Positive & Negative Space
4 The Concept Of Integration

6 Creative Solutions To Painting Problems

1 Imagine Objects In Space
2 Shapes As Puzzle Pieces
3 Search The Neighborhood
4 Perspective Doesn’t Create Depth
5 Light Vs. Form

7 Design Paintings from Photos Cheat Sheet

PLEASE NOTE

This is Book #1 in a 3-part series. By purchasing Book #1 you don’t automatically gain access to parts 2 or 3 and will have to purchase them separately.