The Urban Sketching Handbook Working with Color

Book excerpt: Learn to express yourself through color while painting on location with the in-depth tips and techniques of Working with Color, the fifth volume in the Urban Sketching Handbook series. Expert watercolorist, illustrator, instructor, and co-founder of Urban Sketchers Montreal Shari Blaukopf shares her essential color tips about color-water ratio, achieving bold color, avoiding muddy washes, painting in layers, and using wet-in-wet techniques. This essential handbook covers: supplies and materials sample color palettes color mixing using limited palettes monochrome sketches the power of complementary colors using evocative, expressive color With a focus on using watercolor with greater confidence and knowledge, the book also delves into pencil and ink and watersoluble pencils. The instructional text is enhanced with stunning watercolor illustrations by the author and other expert urban sketchers from beautiful locations around the globe. The illustrations include examples of color swatches showing value; mixing; illustrations of complementary, analogous, and neutral color schemes; and sample galleries. Working with Color is an indispensable guide for on-location artists looking to expand and strengthen their expressive use of color.