This richly illustrated and comprehensive resource helps watercolorists plan and create exceptional paintings by focusing on color, value, and other elements in both subjects and settings. Too often, melding the subject with the background is an afterthought for artists. "White! Light! Bright!" is the mantra for this book's unique and effective method for planning your subject in concert with its background and then creating a powerful piece in three major stages: from white, light, and bright color to midvalues and finally to darks. Easy-to-follow text from a skilled teacher alongside visuals and demonstrations helps you catch the energizing spark of light and contrast. Get comfortable with the how-to of building value, color, shape, and background through various edges, textures, and other compositional elements. You'll bolster the creative thinking and planning processes that are key to an artist’s ability to turn an abstract idea into a standout representational watercolor painting.