I’ve been reading a variety of art instructional texts in an effort to find things that will help build my photography chops. I’ve mentioned Betty Edwards’s ‘Draw on the Right Side of the Brain’ methodology previously. I’ve also been exploring a couple of books about watercolor painting too. A new one for me arrived this week, David Bellamy’s ‘Watercolor Landscape Course‘. David is apparently quite a famous watercolorist and educator, although not the David Bellamy I’m familiar with.
The introduction has a number of useful comments for the prospective student. The section ‘Getting Involved In The Subject’ particularly resonated with me. Here’s an excerpt:
The best paintings, I feel, result from the artist having an affinity with the subject. Painting is nothing if not accompanied by the poetry of feeling. You need to find those subjects that excite you most, for only when you find an involvement with the subject can you do your finest work.
This as equally applies to photography and I couldn’t agree more!
Andrew Nixon's Photo Blog 
These words are very true. Just fyi…Betty Edwards also wrote a very good book on color theory (titled Colors). Good basic information.
Thanks for the tip about Betty Edwards color book. I’ll be sure to check it out.
Hi Andy,
You might look into “The Simple Secret to Better Painting” by Greg Albert. That particular book has helped to give me a boost in understanding composition more than any other. Good post. Photography is art……
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for the book suggestion – it’s now in my amazon.com shopping cart!