Dancing Brushes: Rae's Way With Florals

As a watercolor painting artist and instructor for over 50 years, Rae Andrews has had the privilege of helping students from all over the world grow in their personal painting journeys.

Many are rushing to 'find their personal style' before they have learned the basics of drawing and color mixing. Rae's advice is to slow down. Bake the cake first, then cover it with icing.

Drawing is as essential to art, as is knowing colors and what happens when they are mixed together. This is ESPECIALLY paramount within the realm of the watercolor medium.

Knowledge can only make any artist more confident and intuitive in the execution of their paintings. Practice and more practice will help alleviate the failures or 'stinkers' as Rae calls them.

Watercolor is such an elusive and spontaneous medium. At times it is very frustrating, but oh so rewarding, when it all flows into place for us.

This medium has very particular and exciting properties and is very different from other mediums. Many 'ah ha' moments await you on this magical journey. Savor them, take notes, and let's travel this road together.

This book is for intermediate to advanced artists and demonstrates the different approaches Rae has found successful on her journey of discovery, using FLORALS as her subjects. She demonstrates many of the techniques and strategies that she uses when painting floral renditions, from semi-abstract or very loose to more refined and controlled approaches. Sometimes, all are used in one painting.

Rae is a colorist and loves to surprise her viewers with her dramatic choices of contrasts, both using color and values. After all, Rae feels that being an individual and standing out in a crowd is what any artist wants.

Finally, she hopes you enjoy these FLORAL exercises and feel inspired to strive and forge forward, gently stepping out of your comfort zone and daring to be different. Above all, have fun!