Richly illustrated and informative, this guide brings together the expertise of four popular authors to cover the basics of watercolor technique in an easy-to-follow format. Twenty detailed step-by-step demonstrations showcase the versatility and beauty of watercolor paints while teaching the processes of laying down initial washes, creating light and shadow, using perspective, and transforming sketches into finished paintings. Special attention is paid to landscapes—one of the most popular subjects for hobbyists—with advice on capturing the fleeting effects of sun, storm, and mist in paintings of rural architecture or the sea.