Artbookreview.net
Feb 14
I suspect the broad usp of this is going to be the popular artist Dermot Cavanagh rather than the subject matter, effective though that is. Theres a good variety of subjects here, including vernacular and formal buildings, and Dermot is particularly good on the use of colour to create shape, depth and recession. Ireland isnt known as the emerald isle for nothing and he is also particularly sound on what Val Doonican once described as forty shades of green. As a general exercise in landscape painting, this is definitely worth a look.
Monstersandcritics.com
Jan 14
The dreamy Irish landscape has always inspired artists, but not everyone can get a instant good result. Dermot Cavanagh has set out to create an answer by devising a step by step guide to five Irish landscapes: The Argory, Glencar Lake, Glendalough, The Singing Pub and Doo Lough. These sites reflect all aspects of the Irish landscape including lakes, buildings and countryside. Tracings are provided so that readers can easily acquire the outlines, before concentrating on the painting effects. Clear instructions ensure that painters of any level of skill can obtain a good result. All the tracings are reusable. This is an extremely useful and well thoughtout book which will be welcomed by artists of any standard. Dermot is an experienced teacher and this shows in the level of tuition and help that is provided.
Leisure Painter, The
Feb 14
Popular tutor, Dermot Cavanagh, is the author of the latest title in the Ready to Paint series. Here he tackles Irish Landscapes in Watercolour and, as usual with this series, all the drawing is done for you with free tracings provided so that you can get straight on with the exciting part of adding colour. Each of the landscapes tackles a different element: skies and foregrounds, mountains and lakes, trees and foliage, stone and brickwork, light and shade and aerial perspective. Dermot recommends using just 12 colours to keep everything simple, avoiding overworking and muddying of colours. Each of the six pull-out tracings is accompanied by clear step-by-step demonstrations, making this the ideal choice for beginners or those wishing to improve their watercolour techniques.
