Book excerpt: The Natural World in Watercolour explores the relationship between nature and art and offers sound advice on how to translate its organic properties into painting using a range of watercolour techniques. Ideal for those with a basic grasp of watercolour painting, this book is perfect for anyone wanting to explore the versatility of this medium further. The book begins with a comprehensive introduction to composing a painting technically as well as advice on the tools and materials needed and how to organise your colour palette effectively. This is followed by simple exercises explaining the techniques. Each project is photographed step-by-step, through which you'll learn and put into practice some of the tricks and techniques that artists use to skillfully mimic the beauty of the natural world around us. Lavishly illustrated with colour photographs throughout as well as step-by-step artworks on the theory of colour, this is an essential practical guide for anyone interested in this popular and satisfying medium