3 Books That Made My Watercolors POP🎨 (Texture Techniques Explained)

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Three years ago, I discovered the secret to adding drama, depth, and texture to my watercolours — and it all started with these three incredible books.
Each one has helped me grow as an artist in a different way: from mindful, intuitive painting… to bold experimentation… to playful, expressive mark-making.

If you’re looking to bring more energy, texture, and confidence to your watercolours, I hope you find these book reviews helpful.

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED

1️⃣ Watercolour Texture for Artists — Anna Victoria Calderón
A gentle, mindful, intuitive approach that connects watercolour to the seven elements of art. Includes basics, texture grids, swatching, nature inspiration, and step-by-step demos. Simple, calming, and beautiful.
✅ https://amzn.to/48qkI4b

2️⃣ Dynamic Watercolours — Jane Betteridge
Loose, bold, experimental. Encourages you to take risks, try unusual surfaces, use found objects, play with gilding flakes, textured grounds, crackle glaze, tissue paper, and metallic leaf. A confidence builder and a stunning coffee-table book.
✅ https://amzn.to/48wqCRC

3️⃣ Watercolour Textures — Ann Blockley
Open exploration, risk-taking, and honest reflection on the challenges of experimenting. Includes manipulating water, playful doodling, tonal values, landscapes, animals, and skies. Wonderful for developing themes and loosening up.
✅ https://amzn.to/4pEi41R

🎨 Why these books helped me be much more advednturous and add more drama and depth to my watercolours

They helped me explore texture fearlessly
They encouraged mindful, intuitive painting
They invited me to loosen up and experiment
They taught me that you don’t need a fixed idea to start
They each expanded my creativity in different ways

I hope these three books inspire you as much as they inspired me.

🎥 ABOUT ME

I’m a self-taught artist sharing thoughtful, calm videos about my creative process — from book reviews and mindful sketching to studio stories and painting practice. If you enjoy slow creativity and watercolour exploration, feel free to subscribe 💛

** DISCLOSURE **
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💬 TALK TO ME

Which watercolour book has inspired your art the most?
Or is there one you’re thinking of trying?
I’d love to hear in the comments!