Four Art Books That Transformed My Watercolor Journey

Starting at the Library: My Watercolor Awakening

When I first started painting in watercolor, I did what any curious beginner would do—I headed straight to the public library and grabbed every book I could carry. Little did I know that one particular book with a vibrant kingfisher on its pages would change everything about how I approached painting.

Jean Haines' World of Watercolour: The Book That Started It All

The moment I pulled Jean Haines World of Watercolour off that library shelf and saw that kingfisher, something clicked. That painting captured the spirit of watercolor for me—the looseness, the color, the magic. I immediately thought, "This is how I want to paint."

What I absolutely adore about Jean Haines' approach is how she focuses on having fun with color and leaving things to the imagination. That dreamy, ethereal quality in her work spoke directly to my artistic soul. The book is filled with practical exercises you can follow step-by-step, but more importantly, it's filled with her philosophy about playing with color and embracing the unexpected.

Seriously, go to your library and grab as many Jean Haines books as you can find. I now own almost all of them because each one offers something unique. But this first one? It kickstarted the particular style I paint in today. I could honestly make an entire video just about this book—it's that influential to my work.

A Detour to Powell's: Finding Inspiration Beyond Watercolor

Pop Painting by Camilla D'Errico: When Oil Paints Inspire Watercolor

During a trip to Portland for my husband's conference, we wandered into Powell's Books (because how could we not?). Up on the top floor where all the art books live, I found Pop Painting by Camilla D'Errico displayed on a stand, and I was immediately captivated.

Now, I'm admittedly a bit of a stickler about buying books—partly because I'm cheap, but mostly because I only have so much room. So I did what I always do: checked it out from the library first, fell in love with it, then went back and bought my own copy.

Here's the interesting part: Camilla works in water-soluble oil paints, which isn't watercolor at all. But her pop surrealism style, her creativity, and her approach to that dreamy, imaginative aesthetic resonated deeply with me. Those colorful drips in her work? While they behave differently in oil than watercolor, they still inspire how I think about loose, flowing elements in my own paintings.

This taught me an important lesson: you don't have to stick with books about your specific medium. Color theory applies across all mediums. Value works the same way. And inspiration can come from anywhere. Whenever I'm in a creative slump, I flip through this book (rainbow bunnies, anyone?), and it reignites that creative spark.

Fun fact: Camilla lives on Vancouver Island, really close to me! It's fascinating to see how we share similar geography and inspiration pools yet create very different art.

The Heavy Hitter: Learning Value From the Masters

Architect of Light by Thomas Schaller: My Mentor in a Book

If you wanted to use a book as a weight to—well, let's just say this one is substantial. Architect of Light by Thomas Schaller could probably double as a doorstop, but it's worth every ounce.

Thomas Schaller is a literal architect who specializes in (you guessed it) architectural watercolor painting. While his style differs dramatically from mine, his teachings have fundamentally shaped how I approach painting. When I talk about the importance of value in my videos? That came directly from what I learned from him.

It's amazing how we can have mentors we've never met in person. Through his writing, Schaller has mentored countless artists, including me. The book includes exercises on playing with value—like imagining a house on a hill and experimenting with making the sky dark and the house light, then reversing it. These studies teach you to see differently.

And here's my little brag moment: I once had a painting in a show that also featured one of his works, and I fangirled so hard. Unfortunately, he'd moved to New York City by then, so he wasn't there. But being in the same show as one of the greats? That was a career highlight.

A Local Connection: Finding Inspiration Close to Home

Painting Life With Life by Bev Jozwiak: The Pacific Northwest Influence

Speaking of that show, another artist featured was Bev Jozwiak, who lives right here in the Pacific Northwest—specifically Vancouver, Washington. Her book Painting Life With Life has deeply influenced how I approach certain subjects.

What I really appreciate about Bev's work is that sense of looseness combined with high value contrast. She paints a lot of crows (and I love crows!), and her work demonstrates something crucial: those "grays" aren't really gray at all. Get close, and you'll see pink, blue, and green. It's how these colors interact and relate to each other that creates the appearance of gray—but with so much more life.

Bev's also known for her paintings of kids with umbrellas and ballerinas—and not just because they're aesthetically appealing. Her daughter is actually a professional ballerina, so these paintings come from real life, from practices and behind-the-scenes moments.

Her approach to glazing faces and building up layers has definitely influenced my portrait work. In fact, my recent Majora's Mask fan art piece for charity used techniques I learned from studying this book.

Quick note: You might not find this one on Amazon—it's published by Creative Art Press. There's a second book in the series, but this first one really got me.

Your Turn: Building Your Artist Library

These four books were game-changers for me as a beginner, and I hope they inspire your journey too. Remember, your artistic education doesn't have to be expensive—start at the library like I did. Find what speaks to you, what captures that feeling you want to create in your own work.

If you want to get the books I use, I am an Amazon Associate; I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Happy painting, friends! 🎨