Secular Charlotte Mason

I serendipitously came across an excellent looking book I wanted to share. 

I had been hunting for and not finding a book about how to paint - -something for someone with absolutely and utterly no backgroun or inherent talent (like me) so Jack and I could learn to paint together.  Jack had been asking for painting classes since we went to see the Van Gogh's at our local museum a few months ago, but I have to learn along with him.

Then, as I walked past the "New Books Shelf" at the library on Sunday I saw a book called Painting for the Absolute and Utter Beginner by Claire Watson Garcia.  Perfect!

So far I have only looked at the very first few exercises...but so far it looks like exactly what I was hoping for.  It starts with the very most basic stuff on what brushes do what, what you'll need, and then how to put the paint on the paper.  Unless it suddenly takes a momentous leap at some point, this is a book that Jack and I can use!

The author also has another book, about drawing, that seems to be at about the same level, from what I can gather at Amazon -- and a search on her books reveals an entire class of art books I had never managed to find before! 

Hope someone finds it helpful.

Thank you for the recommendation.  I've been interested in the dry brushing technique since hearing CM mention it for nature studies.  I've seen some dry brushed paintings and I think it would be a wonderful way to capture nature.  My son also loves take photos so perhaps we can do some of both.

I got a watercolor book for the serious beginner and the supplies for my birthday last year. That was over a year ago and I have yet to try it.

"I got a watercolor book for the serious beginner and the supplies for my birthday last year. That was over a year ago and I have yet to try it. "

Yeah, actually *doing* it is the hardest part.  I find I get a lot more done now that I have a permanent "craft room" set up in the guest bedroom.  I can set things out ready to go, and then work in dribs and drabs of time.  If I had to rely on the dining room table, I'm not sure I'd go any art or crafts.