How To Make Art for Joy’s Sake: Free-Spirited Watercolor

The text “captures the experience, rather than simply the techniques, of watercolor painting” and encourages everyone, regardless of skill level, to give it a try. Rice (“Painterly Days” series) tells the reader that they have nearly everything they need, right now, to find joy and satisfaction with painting; her trick for success is simply being curious. Rice’s tone is conversational and friendly. Chapters include “Avoiding Distraction,” “The $100 You’ll Never Regret Spending on Paint,” “Wet on Wet,” and “Contrast Detailing.” The book has full-color illustrations, exercises for honing brush handling and muscle memory, and plenty of painting projects, including leaves and greens, bouquets, and imaginary landscapes. Most interesting is the section called “Best Practices for a Joyful Painting,” featuring simple guidance, including “You can almost never use too much water”; “Get away from your painting!”; and “Readiness is the #1 roadblock to painting on a regular basis.”