Mako's No Fail Watercolor, Ohn Mar Wins Go with the Flow Painting and Irit Landgrafs Watercolor Fre

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

45:00 Morning Becca. I thought I'd share some more budget friendly cotton, 140lb cold pressed paper options as well. Strathmore 500 series, Bee Watercolor Paper and Meeden/Baohong Academy. All are wonderful with Meeden/Baohong being my favorite at $16.95 [sometimes less!] for a 20 sheet, 7×10 block!

[@nonamepainter]

I whole-heartedly agree with your Baohong/Meedan recommendation, it's an incredible paper. I can't second the Bee Paper recommendation though, I have had nothing but problems with the sizing. I have heard that up until the pandemic it was much better paper. So sad too as it's awfully affordable, haha.

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

​@@nonamepainteryep! You're so right! That's why I recommended it... I'm still working through several packs of the 50ct that I've had for a while! Even the paper in the sketchbook is different! I'm glad you commented!

[@nonamepainter]

@@Lauraisabelgonzalezart Aww, me too! I just stretched some of it, crossed fingers that helps. 🤞🤞🤞

[@heatherhigbee5144]

I’m not very experienced at all with watercolors or the paper, and I have only tried around 8 different brands of paper. I haven’t found a great cellulose, don’t really care for Paul Rubens 50% cotton. Meeden/Baohong is nice. I have been enjoying the Bee Paper I bought from Jerry’s. It was $40 for a 15x3’ roll. So far, I haven’t noticed any sizing issues. Granted, I’m only about 2 feet in so fingers crossed it remains consistent. Dealing with the roll however is a different matter 😂

[@daniellerodda5111]

Hi Becca- thanks for sharing your thoughts on these books. I am the target demographic for many of these books- a hobbyist creative who wants to develop by completing easy to access projects. I frankly don’t think the pages of the same stuff about materials and colour theory are necessary- because that’s been covered at extensively on and in video tutorials- especially those with a big social media presence. As I write this I realize that some folks may pull this book off a shelf and may have never used KZbin Art School. I want to look at pretty pictures, see visual step by step projects with variations and I want to know about the artist’s story. I don’t want to read three pages of pontification about cotton versus cellulose paper or artist versus student grade paints. Tell me what you like, but acknowledge that as a beginner/hobbyist I will not have likely dropped $300+ on paints right out of the gate. I like how some use QR codes to videos going into greater depth. Your reviews are thorough and as a comic illustrator you offer a unique perspective. Some gentle feedback- your comments come back to what you would do or plan to do in your own book which is valuable. At times it edges towards nit picky and competitive. I don’t think you intend that but I get that feeling/vibe. I do love how you point out elements that publishers are responsible for vs content that the author includes. Anyways- I enjoy the series.

[@Nattosoup]

I'll be honest-RE being nitpicky and competitive- as I screened this one, I noticed the same thing, and winced a bit. I've been trying not to repeat myself (sometimes I just plain forgot I said it, and often while screening videos I'm doing chores, so I'm a bit distracted and miss things sometimes), and I definitely slipped with this one- it can make it sound like something bothered me far more than it actually did or intended. Many of those notes were really meant to be notes to self, and I should have done a better job designating that those are 'self thoughts' and not 'say thoughts', because when I finally came back to them for the video, I'd totally forgotten. Looking back, I THINK my intention with saying the quiet part out loud was hoping that my viewers would hold me to it when the time came to beta read, but it still comes across quite poorly, and really could have been a standalone video wher I talk more about generalities I've noticed in how to publishing vs what I hope to accomplish. Thank you for taking the time to share so much with me regarding your needs as a reader- it's really helpful, and for being kind and patient with me in providing some helpful feedback!

[@mjpete27]

Becca, I am of a similar opinion that so many “self taught” artists are simply not recognizing that their education in “similar” pursuits are transferred to the field that they are currently learning! I might even add that just taking an organized class is a very good learning experience for teaching others! I started learning about watercolor painting from my Grandmother when she taught summer classes for her grandkids and great grandkids! She was a true traditional watercolor painter, when I wanted to learn how to paint differently, I was told that is NOT how it is done! So I resorted to the county library and books from art history to how to books on drawing, printmaking and painting. I did work in a digital workflow in the late 90’s and had even stopped using paint and paper! I watched Hullo Alice & Denise Soden right here on KZbin when I decided to go back to traditional methods! I am still learning about the new landscape of watercolor painting as well as a new to me medium, Soft Pastels! Yes, I was taught NEVER USE White nor Black paints in a painting! Thank you for sharing so much of your art journey with us.

[@fvs6161]

Fantastic review! I think I've never seen a better art book review in all the time I've been researching art supplies/books!

[@ilonavandertang-vos2198]

This is 3 in the morning in the Netherlands 😂...but I'm curious....so I will be there

[@Nattosoup]

Oooph, that's so early/late though! Get some rest!

[@mjpete27]

I caught a little of the premier earlier today, just through Mako’s book so now I just wanted to see more! Ok on with the show! I am just going to add that there is a HUGE difference in book made since the advent of the internet and before. I did learn from books from before the internet and if the authors did not include a picture I would have no idea what they were talking about! Having a video that authors can point to has made their step by step instructions not as clear as they must be. I am just not sure if I would be able to do what most art authors are “showing” me to do as a true beginner. I also believe editors are not doing as an effective job as they could be doing! Ok more video…. I did purchase the Flower color guide from Amazon and new they are $20.00 but I got mine for less than $10.00 used! It is lovely reference guide.

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

Came back to add that the Michael's brand Artist's Loft cotton 9×12 20 sheet block is also another favorite. But its $40 price tag prevents me from mentioning it more. However if you have a coupon/reward vouchers, then it's definitely worth investing. I cut it down to 40, 6×9 sheets!

[@melyssa528]

Tysm for this. I’ve been eying 2 of these 3 books but just didn’t know if they would truly be worth the money.

[@tribalstyle138]

The red Silver quill brush is great (though not in their black velvet like- ie not squirrel). I bought it on Amazon for like $12 -2 years ago and it's amazing. The 60 size is sort of a 14 or 16 in typical brush size.

[@susanhammitt7080]

I really like hearing your opinion of these books. I am looking for more instructions and appreciate hearing your thoughts and how they could be applicable to me.

[@dee-ellencook763]

Your review of Watercolor Freedom was spot on. I purchased it because I wanted a how to on some of her beautiful work, the book did not provide it. Lots of mixes, I just wanted more projects!

[@stacyerobinson3259]

What Japanese/ Chinese titles can you recommend to an English speaker who doesn't speak either language?

[@dorothykocher8984]

Do you know of some Japanese Watercolor books you would recommend?

[@phillipstroll7385]

No one should be buying art books or online classes, period. There is nothing new in art that has existed since the beginning of time. If you want to learn go to the library and check out the books from the masters. Nothing has changed. You'll learn everything you need to know from that, for free. Then, once you learn the fundamentals, then you find your style.

[@Nattosoup]

Hm, an interesting viewpoint. I remember feeling this way when I started graduate school- I devoured Andrew Loomis and Glen Vilppu. And while a lot of art processes have stayed the same for hundreds of years, many have changed! Color theory isn't just color theory when you're choosing a print profile- RGB and CYMK look and print very different, and you may need to change a few things. Alcohol markers came about in the 70's and 80's, and handle differently from acrylics. Photography absolutely shook the illustration profession while opening up new possibilities. And digital art processes are constantly offering new shortcuts that enable creators to produce beautiful comic pages at a fraction of the time it took Frazetta. I love honoring old methods, but I am also intensely excited about new ways of thinking, new processes, and new attempts to communicate with others. If you have a library well stocked with art books and comics, then of course you should avail yourself of these wonderful resources, but not every library has even the basics of art how to, let alone the great masters. Even the phrase 'great masters' is up for debate- are we talking Eurocentric Renaissance painters who utilized studios of dozens of uncredited apprentices, are we including Chinese and Japanese painters and poets, or are we talking about modern day masters of tattoo, graffiti, comics, and fiber arts?

[@phillipstroll7385]

@@Nattosoup graffiti lmmfao

[@nonamepainter]

​@@phillipstroll7385snob

[@gingerblue]

@@phillipstroll7385 well basquiat and haring laughed all the way to the bank and museum collections, as are their estates and inheritors and the museums and auction houses benefitting from their marks. So art is subjective. I'm not a fan of 70s ,80s ,90s repro art, but I respect them as movements. I'm glad you're not the one determining the canon.

[@phillipstroll7385]

@@gingerblue I'm completely aware and it's hilarious. One born every minute.