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Watercolor With Me in the Forest Paperback – August 14, 2018

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,275 ratings

Unleash your creativity with 50 no-sketch watercolor projects from the best beginner watercolor book on the market, complete with watercolor paper and gorgeous reference illustrations.

From a
classic dogwood rose, to a sly fox, to feathers that take on a dreamy quality, you can create polished artwork in just a few easy steps―no sketching required. Dana Fox, creator of Wonder Forest, is known for her unique and whimsical sense of style, and her popular watercolor workshops have introduced thousands to the joys of painting.

In
Watercolor With Me in the Forest, Dana provides light outlines of each project, and every page is printed on premium watercolor paper, so you can focus on different techniques―wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, painting fur and ink and wash. Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, Dana’s creative tricks will ensure that every piece of art is frame-worthy.

Whether you’re looking to try a new style, learn the basics or find a new way to de-stress, this step-by- step guide makes it easier than ever to create stunning watercolor art.

Check out
Watercolor With Me in the Ocean and Watercolor With Me in the Jungle for more great projects from Dana Fox!

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“I’ve long admired Dana’s work and love how she has been able to translate her whimsical style into easy-to-follow instructions that inspire and encourage me to try the techniques myself.” ―Brittany Luiz, author of Lettering with Purpose

“Dana is our go-to in testing watercolor papers. This book will inspire your inner creative.”―Paige Clark, Legion Paper

About the Author

Dana Fox is the creator of Wonder Forest, and her work has been on the shelves of Target, Urban Outfitters, Wayfair, Bloomingdale’s and many others. She lives in Ontario, Canada.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Page Street Publishing; Illustrated edition (August 14, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1624145566
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1624145568
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.55 x 0.7 x 8.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,275 ratings

About the author

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Dana Fox
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Dana Fox is the author of the bestselling Watercolor With Me book series, which includes three titles: Watercolor With Me: In The Forest, Watercolor With Me: In The Ocean, and her most recent release, Watercolor With Me: In The Jungle.

She is a Canadian-based artist, founder of the Wonder Forest product brand (wonderforest.com) and owner of Dana Fox Creative, a small art and design studio.

Although she has a lifetime of traditional art training, Dana spent over a decade building her career as a website and digital designer before rediscovering painting as a method of relaxation and anxiety management.

"I fell in love with watercolor and how calming the practice was. I was able to eliminate stress and express my feelings through art, unlike I had before."

With her extensive background in technical digital work, she began creating patterns and watercolor designs for home decor items and tech accessories, which can be found in stores worldwide including Bloomingdale's, Target, Nordstrom, Wayfair, and Urban Outfitters.

Dana has since started teaching watercolor painting online in her Watercolour Workshop (watercolour-workshop.com) and over on her ever-growing YouTube channel (youtube.com/thewonderforest). She has also created her own line of premium synthetic watercolor brushes which can be purchased on Amazon or in her online shop at http://wonderforest.com.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
3,275 global ratings

Review this product

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Customers say

Customers find the book's instructions clear and easy to follow. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations and simple projects. The watercolor content is described as enjoyable coloring with recommended colors. Readers appreciate the thick watercolor paper and that the book can become a watercolor journal. Many find it a great place to start with watercolor, with lessons and projects to practice and improve techniques. Overall, customers describe the book as fun and effective for beginners.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

153 customers mention "Ease of use"141 positive12 negative

Customers find the book easy to use. They appreciate the clear instructions in color mixing, theory, brushstrokes, and cute projects. The pictures are simple to paint for both young and old. The book is well-organized, starting with lessons for wet on dry and then wet. It teaches four different watercolor techniques that are simple to follow.

"...what to paint and the adjacent page has the painting and instructions with color swatches...." Read more

"...than most books because it tells you the materials they used, steps of how to do it, and great paper & illustrations to work with...." Read more

"...I love how easy it is to use and the instructions are so easy to follow. The quality of the book is great." Read more

"...It’s not a deal breaker tho as thing is a masterfully created instructional workbook." Read more

147 customers mention "Illustrations"141 positive6 negative

Customers find the book's illustrations beautiful and clear. They appreciate the simple yet effective watercolor paintings with good end results. The images are sketched directly onto watercolor paper, making them easy to paint from. The book provides a variety of images for practicing painting techniques.

"...The paintings seem simple, but each is a lesson in watercolor painting. I love it!" Read more

"...they used, steps of how to do it, and great paper & illustrations to work with. I planned not using the page they drew on for you so do in the book...." Read more

"This book is super cute! It is very informative...." Read more

"...This is a wonderful beginner book with 119 pages of lovely watercolor illustrations and instruction on nice thick paper...." Read more

65 customers mention "Watercolor content"58 positive7 negative

Customers find the book's watercolor content helpful. It includes step-by-step instructions with paint swatches for recommended colors. They say it's a great place to start with watercolor, providing inspiration and guidance on how to mix colors and where to paint. The projects in the book help improve watercolor techniques and provide opportunities for painting scenes. Overall, customers find the book easy to use and recommend it as a fun summer drawing and painting activity.

"...I paid extra for the spiral bond and it was worth it! Lovely relaxing paint along book." Read more

"I luv it so excited will be great for summer drawing & painting fun! Great for a gift as well!" Read more

"The color palette is your standard colors so you don't have any weird mixing to do. The pictures gradually, slowly get more difficult...." Read more

"...This book is not filled with watercolor theory or heavy color mixing. Simple to use. Don’t need tons of paints...." Read more

57 customers mention "Watercolor paper quality"45 positive12 negative

Customers appreciate the watercolor paper quality of the book. They mention the pages are thick, 100lb watercolor paper, and the book can become a watercolor journal if painted along the sides. The illustrations and instructions are on nice thick paper, and the book is well-written and easy to use.

"...with 119 pages of lovely watercolor illustrations and instruction on nice thick paper...." Read more

"...The book is made of watercolor paper similar to the Artisto brand, maybe a bit smoother...." Read more

"...Also, the heavyweight paper is included in the book, so I don't have to go search for watercolor paper." Read more

"...CHEAP WATERCOLOR PAPER RUINS EXPERIENCE: Unfortunately, the watercolor paper used either is not thick enough, lacks proper sizing, or both...." Read more

53 customers mention "Book for beginners"53 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for learning watercolor techniques. They appreciate the simple lessons and projects that allow beginners to practice their skills. The teaching format is great, with pages available for small practice sessions. Overall, it's a wonderful way to introduce and practice with watercolors for both adults and kids.

"...This is a wonderful beginner book with 119 pages of lovely watercolor illustrations and instruction on nice thick paper...." Read more

"This is a great beginner book for anyone wanting to learn some techniques about watercolors. The book is published on good quality watercolor paper...." Read more

"...Good for beginners." Read more

"Great book. Paper isn’t the best but overall great experience doing the lessons in. The book." Read more

40 customers mention "Fun to read"40 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it entertaining for beginners and intermediate painters of all ages, with detailed instructions and fun forest scenes. The techniques look enjoyable, and the animals and forest life illustrations are appealing. Many consider it a great way to share an activity while connecting.

"...I think it will be great fun to learn from this book...." Read more

"I am enjoying this book. There are a lot of fun projects in this book that let you play, learn and end with a decent picture even if you are new to..." Read more

"Fun for adults and kids. A wonderful way to introduce and practice with watercolors. Fun for inexperienced and experienced artists!..." Read more

"I viewed this book by ebook. The techniques look like fun and the animals and forest life illustrated are adorable...." Read more

29 customers mention "Effectiveness"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful and informative. They say it offers valuable lessons to teach different aspects of watercolor painting. The projects are enjoyable and highly recommend it for all skill levels.

"...It is very informative. It is such a helpful guide to learn how to use watercolors...." Read more

"...Explanations are clear and the techniques do work--of course you get better as you practice them..." Read more

"...It teaches you different skills and techniques that really made me feel like an artist!..." Read more

"...to give up on watercoloring along came this book and restored my faith in my ability to create!!" Read more

10 customers mention "Value for money"8 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They find it worth the price and a great purchase.

"...I think it's a quality item and worth the money. Also good for gift giving." Read more

"...Not to hard, not to pricey, and I personally appreciate the effort Ms. Fox has put into these books. Worth it, worth it." Read more

"...I'm frugal. So This is the only book of the series worth the price." Read more

"...The illustrations are very basic and waste the entire page. Each page is a different single item such as a single leaf, or two acorns...." Read more

Great book!
5 out of 5 stars
Great book!
I originally bought this book as a surprise for my cousin who started to learn watercolor. After hearing how much she was enjoying it, I decided to let go of my intimidation of the medium, and try for myself as well. It was the best decision. The book is laid out with easy to follow, simple short instructions. The pages are good quality and the pre-sketches are incredibly helpful. I’d been interested in watercolor since my college days and I’m glad to say, those 20 years of intimidation have since turned into fascinated delight. I couldn’t love this book more, or be more grateful I took the risk to try a new thing.Furthermore, my delight inspired a long distance friend to try too! We are now doing book 2: Into the Ocean together over zoom/facetime. Dana.. make more books! I don’t know what I’ll do when we finish these. Sketching is our shared weakness.. make some pre-sketched workbooks for us! Or, more in the Into series! Into the holidays: with various fun year round scenes. Into the garden with plenty of flowers, critters, and mix garden plot scenes. Into the Skies with sunsets, sunrises, auroras, thunder clouds, rainbows. Into the Mountains: how to do snowy landscapes, glacier passes, sunrise reflections on snowy scenes, animal prints through snow mountain meadows. Into landscapes: how to do shading on hills or under trees, how to do ocean waves, or waterfalls, or quiet rivers with fish inside? Just some thoughts! We want more!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2024
    One page is a sketch of what to paint and the adjacent page has the painting and instructions with color swatches. The paintings seem simple, but each is a lesson in watercolor painting. I love it!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
    This book is so different than most books because it tells you the materials they used, steps of how to do it, and great paper & illustrations to work with. I planned not using the page they drew on for you so do in the book. I do not want to ruin the book. It is a guide for me to learn how to work with watercolors since I haven’t had any classes in it! I would highly recommend if you want to learn how to use watercolors. I looked at this book in person at a store first and I fell in love with it right away that I went to go find it cheaper here on Amazon…I knew the first moment I looked at the illustrations & steps that this book I would buy. You can’t go wrong with this book. I would even have bought this book at full price because it is that good!!! Check it out for yourself by getting yourself a copy today!!!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024
    The media could not be loaded.
    This book is super cute! It is very informative. It is such a helpful guide to learn how to use watercolors. I love how easy it is to use and the instructions are so easy to follow. The quality of the book is great.
    19 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2019
    I have only skimmed through this book so far, but what I have read and viewed look to be very well thought out. I think it will be great fun to learn from this book. This is a wonderful beginner book with 119 pages of lovely watercolor illustrations and instruction on nice thick paper. Dana also has a Youtube channel with tutorials of some of the illustrations. This is actually how I discovered her book.

    The introduction is one page with a short list of supplies included. You then jump right into learning. I love that.

    I plan to start painting from it in the next few days. I will sketch the drawings on a separate watercolor sheet though. I don't really want to paint in the book so I won't be able to comment on the paper. I can say that the paper is more of a hot press surface but not a super smooth hot press. The weight of the paper feels to be about 110lb.

    Each section is designed to teach a certain technique. Wet on dry, wet into wet, how to paint fur and ink & wash. Each section starts simple and progresses with each study to the most difficult of the studies at the end. As you progress to the next section she has you use the techniques you learned previously along with the technique she is teaching in the new section.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2024
    Beautiful illustrations and clear instructions. My only dislike is that the instructions and reference photo are on the right and the area to paint is on the left, so as a right handed person my arm covers the instructions and picture as I paint. It also causes the painting side to not lie flat. It’s not a deal breaker tho as thing is a masterfully created instructional workbook.
    Customer image
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Beautiful book but better for left handed

    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2024
    Beautiful illustrations and clear instructions. My only dislike is that the instructions and reference photo are on the right and the area to paint is on the left, so as a right handed person my arm covers the instructions and picture as I paint. It also causes the painting side to not lie flat. It’s not a deal breaker tho as thing is a masterfully created instructional workbook.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    12 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2024
    This is a great beginner book for anyone wanting to learn some techniques about watercolors. The book is published on good quality watercolor paper. I paid extra for the spiral bond and it was worth it! Lovely relaxing paint along book.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024
    I originally bought this book as a surprise for my cousin who started to learn watercolor. After hearing how much she was enjoying it, I decided to let go of my intimidation of the medium, and try for myself as well. It was the best decision. The book is laid out with easy to follow, simple short instructions. The pages are good quality and the pre-sketches are incredibly helpful. I’d been interested in watercolor since my college days and I’m glad to say, those 20 years of intimidation have since turned into fascinated delight. I couldn’t love this book more, or be more grateful I took the risk to try a new thing.
    Furthermore, my delight inspired a long distance friend to try too! We are now doing book 2: Into the Ocean together over zoom/facetime. Dana.. make more books! I don’t know what I’ll do when we finish these. Sketching is our shared weakness.. make some pre-sketched workbooks for us! Or, more in the Into series! Into the holidays: with various fun year round scenes. Into the garden with plenty of flowers, critters, and mix garden plot scenes. Into the Skies with sunsets, sunrises, auroras, thunder clouds, rainbows. Into the Mountains: how to do snowy landscapes, glacier passes, sunrise reflections on snowy scenes, animal prints through snow mountain meadows. Into landscapes: how to do shading on hills or under trees, how to do ocean waves, or waterfalls, or quiet rivers with fish inside? Just some thoughts! We want more!
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Great book!

    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024
    I originally bought this book as a surprise for my cousin who started to learn watercolor. After hearing how much she was enjoying it, I decided to let go of my intimidation of the medium, and try for myself as well. It was the best decision. The book is laid out with easy to follow, simple short instructions. The pages are good quality and the pre-sketches are incredibly helpful. I’d been interested in watercolor since my college days and I’m glad to say, those 20 years of intimidation have since turned into fascinated delight. I couldn’t love this book more, or be more grateful I took the risk to try a new thing.
    Furthermore, my delight inspired a long distance friend to try too! We are now doing book 2: Into the Ocean together over zoom/facetime. Dana.. make more books! I don’t know what I’ll do when we finish these. Sketching is our shared weakness.. make some pre-sketched workbooks for us! Or, more in the Into series! Into the holidays: with various fun year round scenes. Into the garden with plenty of flowers, critters, and mix garden plot scenes. Into the Skies with sunsets, sunrises, auroras, thunder clouds, rainbows. Into the Mountains: how to do snowy landscapes, glacier passes, sunrise reflections on snowy scenes, animal prints through snow mountain meadows. Into landscapes: how to do shading on hills or under trees, how to do ocean waves, or waterfalls, or quiet rivers with fish inside? Just some thoughts! We want more!
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
    20 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    I purchased this book to see if I would like it? And yes it's very good quality. The paper works fine and the designs are cute and simple. The paper is of good quality to practice on. It's also a well made book. The pages are not glued but stitched like a watercolor journal. I think it's a quality item and worth the money. Also good for gift giving.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • PammieT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good quality! Great lessons
    Reviewed in Canada on December 7, 2024
    Bought for a young teenager but I think I’ll buy one for myself! Great lessons for the beginner at watercolour. Pages are good quality Artist paper. Lessons build as you go.
  • Elisabet
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bonito
    Reviewed in Spain on January 30, 2025
    Libro prefecto para iniciarse en el mundo de la acuarela.
    Ilustraciones preciosas y explicaciones bastante detalladas.
    La calidad de las hojas es lo que esperas para pintar con acuarela.
  • serena ercoli
    5.0 out of 5 stars Watercolor with me in the forest
    Reviewed in Italy on February 8, 2024
    iL LIBRO è FATTO MOLTO BENE.
  • Stéphanie
    5.0 out of 5 stars j'adore
    Reviewed in France on October 29, 2023
    pareil que les autres j'aime beaucoup
  • Linda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Painting Book Ever
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2023
    As someone pretty new to painting I just love this book so much. It's so much easier to have pictures drawn on watercolour paper right in the book with the instructions. The drawings are so nice too. It's a great way to teach yourself how to paint. I'm shocked how quickly I'm Learning.
    Customer image
    Linda
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Best Painting Book Ever

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2023
    As someone pretty new to painting I just love this book so much. It's so much easier to have pictures drawn on watercolour paper right in the book with the instructions. The drawings are so nice too. It's a great way to teach yourself how to paint. I'm shocked how quickly I'm Learning.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image