Birds, Bees & Blossoms

Birds, Bees and Blossoms is a beautifully presented step by step botanical and animal and insects guide, with 30 easy projects that are each labeled teaching you about the item you are painting . Harriet shows you how to draw and includes a colour guide as well as showing you how to lay each of the watercolour washes for each of the projects and when you have completed them all, which means you will have improved your watercolour skills, there is even a guide to composing stunning patterns and scenes to create your own creations. A very encouraging book at a good price. Highly recommend.

My copy arrived on time and in perfect condition. Firstly, I would like to mention the physical quality of this book. It has an impressive cover with a wonderful satin feel. It goes way beyond a ‘paperback’ as the cover is heavyweight and robust and will definitely stand up to long term use. I have already dropped some watercolour on the cover and it easily wiped clean! Good quality paper has also been used on the pages inside - no flimsiness here! Now for the contents …. The informative first section of the book is ideal for beginners to watercolour. It starts with a detailed list of materials needed and explains the basic watercolour techniques. There are even lessons in brush strokes to practise. All the projects inside this book follow the same structure whether you are painting an insect, bird, animal or plant. You are given a list of which size brushes you need and the colour paints to use. You then follow the steps from first sketching the subject with simple shapes, adding the details, to then applying the watercolour. Each step is precisely explained making it very easy to follow. There is a very interesting section at the end of the book explaining how to create compositions and patterns and Harriet also makes reference to some of the art movements and styles that have influenced her work. In conclusion, this is a superior book for any watercolour artist. It does not matter if they are like me, at the beginning of their artistic journey or if they are a more experienced painter. It’s as if Harriet De Winton is with you, holding your hand through every project.

very useful

I bought the New Botanical painting book by the same author and it is great for those starting out in watercolour with step by step tutorials; I bought this thinking that it would be simpler, however, this is definitely for intermediate level artists which is fine for me but if you are looking for easy practice and projects, it may not be for you. The book is beautifully presented and illustrated with bookmark feature. I'm looking forward to trying it out!

This book is beautifully presented and full of inspiring projects. Harriet is an excellent teacher who encourages you to apply what you have learnt to find your own style. Her YouTube channel and Patreon are excellent places to learn from her. I loved following along with her tutorials from this book. I love that she doesn’t use endless varieties of paints and that she teaches drawing alongside painting (so many other tutorials provide the line work, which I find frustrating as I want to learn the skills to create my own work). Highly recommended, this book has it all!

Beautiful book

This book is not for beginners, experience drawer wanting to learn the artists illustration style will find it useful. Illustrations cannot be enlarged for better viewing. Instructions can be a bit vague. Pattern making section has useful information and tips.

This book is just as delightful as Harriet's first book, which I use constantly. I cannot wait to get painting the animals and blossoms that are in this book. Harriet gives wonderful advice on how to achieve each project and also includes basic information for beginners as well as ways to use the animals and blossoms in more complicated projects, which is very helpful for more advanced painters. Just looking at the beautiful work she has done is a joy in itself and then she gives you the help and confidence you need to start your own creations. I love this style of painting, which is in-between loose and botanical. Highly recommend.

This book is absolutely detailed, useful, and most of all, beautiful. It is a book suitable for anyone interested in deepening the techniques of watercolor painting.

Libro hermoso y muy útil para realizar algunos bonitos y sencillos proyectos de acuarela muy bien guiados y con el estilo de la autora.

Harriet De Winton è una garanzia!! Il libro è molto bello e curato nelle foto e nei disegni, ti guida passo passo con spiegazioni abbastanza semplici, se poi ci si collega ai video su Youtube che l'Autrice mette generosamente a disposizione tutto risulta ancora più chiaro e semplice ! Lo consiglio vivamente

Auch das zweite Buch von Harriet de Winton ist eine einzige Inspiration. Wer auf der Suche nach Schritt für Schritt Anleitungen für Aquarellmotive ist, findet in diesem Buch eine Fülle an Vorlagen aus der Tier- und Pflanzenwelt. SEHR EMPFEHLENSWERT!!!!

Beautiful and good instructions but I had not expected zebras and tigers... not for a beginner.