If you’ve ever flipped through a watercolor book and felt more confused than inspired, you’re not alone. Traditional art books often show, but don’t teach.
Comprehensive Watercolor introduces a complete watercolor learning system designed for:
Independent learners
Visual thinkers
Artists seeking real results
This system isn’t random. It’s intentionally built around:
Layered learning (start simple, go deeper)
Technique demos (200+ QR-linked videos)
Visual cards and templates (modular practice)
It’s not just knowledge—it’s application. Whether you’re painting on the go or following along in your studio, this system supports your artistic journey.
Watercolor is one of the most beautiful mediums—but also one of the most intimidating for newcomers. The transparency, the timing, the unpredictability… That’s why this book is watercolor for beginners—not just in name, but in philosophy.
Every chapter was written with clarity, pacing, and reassurance in mind.
You’ll learn:
What materials actually matter (no fluff)
How to set up your space without overwhelm
Which techniques to start with—and why
More importantly, you’ll gain confidence through action.
No vague advice or skipping steps. Just real techniques, clearly demonstrated, and patiently taught. You’re not “just a beginner. ” You’re an artist in the making—and this book respects that.
Introducing Our First Publication: Comprehensive Watercolor by Mandakyns, Published by Makyn Press
A Book Years in the Making – Now in Print
It’s with great pride (and no small amount of watercolor smudges) that I introduce the first official publication released by Makyn Press, in collaboration with Mandakyns:
Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor
This is more than a book—it’s a fully guided experience designed for beginners, developing artists, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the process of painting with watercolor.
Crafted with clarity, structured for real learning, and infused with interactive elements, this guide represents not only the heart of Mandakyns, but the very mission of Makyn Press.
About the Book
comprehensive watercolor – an interactive guide for learning to paint with watercolor
Comprehensive Watercolor isn’t a typical instruction manual. It’s a modular, visually intuitive workbook that teaches watercolor as a system—not just a series of techniques.
Here’s what makes it special:
✅ 200+ embedded video tutorials via QR codes ✅ Hands-on worksheets, color charts, and concept exercises ✅ A carefully structured path through tools, materials, timing, application, technique, and composition ✅ Sections on pigment properties, blending, and brush control ✅ Designed to work whether you’re learning solo, teaching in a classroom, or building your own watercolor journey at your pace
This publication marks the official debut of Makyn Press, the independent publishing sister company to Mandakyns. Makyn Press is devoted to creating instructional, artistic, and educational books that help readers not just read, but make.
We specialize in:
Thoughtful design
Educational clarity
Books that are as useful as they are beautiful
By starting with an internally developed title, we’ve been able to build the systems, tools, and templates needed to support future publishing—without compromise.
Why This Book Matters
Watercolor is a medium that confuses and intimidates many artists. I created this book not just to teach—but to translate.
This guide was designed from the ground up to support:
Visual learners who need more than text
Busy creatives who want structure without fluff
Educators who need clarity for classrooms
Self-learners who are tired of generic tips and want to build a real skillset
What Readers Receive
A high-quality printed book Scannable QR codes for on-demand video learning A tactile, organized process that gives beginners a path and returning artists a refresh
BONUS: The book includes access to The Ultimate Watercolor Product Guide, a downloadable companion full of reviewed, categorized, and budget-conscious tools and supplies.
This book represents years of trial, testing, organizing, painting, teaching, and reworking. Every video was filmed by me. Every layout was chosen with care. Every QR code, tip, and section was developed to make watercolor more accessible to more people.
It’s not perfect—but it’s everything I’ve learned, and everything I needed when I was starting.
Looking Ahead
Makyn Press is currently accepting outside submissions—and this book marks just the beginning. More titles, workbooks, FlowThroughs, and creative collaborations are on the horizon!
Together, we’re building a creative publishing ecosystem—one thoughtful book at a time.
VISIT OUR SISTER COMPANY
Makyn Press is a proud sister company to Mandakyns, where you’ll find a wide range of professional Publishing Services.
Together, both companies share the same logo, creative vision, and values. While Mandakyns focuses on art, design, and education, Makyn Press extends that mission through creative and thoughtful publishing.
Learning art from a book can be a beautiful experience—but it often leaves you wondering, “How exactly did they do that?” That’s why I chose to help you learn watercolor with interactive QR codes. Each major technique, color theory explanation, and visual concept links directly to a short, clear demo. Here’s how it works:
Scan the QR code with your phone or tablet
Watch a bite-sized tutorial
Try the technique for yourself right away!
No more guessing. No more flipping pages looking for the right example! Even though the book is fun to flip through because of the colorful and easy to read chapter edging!
These videos don’t just tell you what to do—they show you. You’ll learn brush control, timing, color mixing, and more by watching in real-time, whenever you need it. It’s like having your own on-call watercolor coach—built right into the book!
The key features of Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor is what makes this watercolor book different!
There are dozens of watercolor books on the market—but very few that meet you where you are and grow with you. What makes this book an interactive watercolor guide isn’t just the QR codes or the stylish layout—it’s the intentional design for real learning. Inside, you’ll find:
Modular lessons that build skills in bite-sized chunks
Scannable QR codes that lead to over 200 instructional videos
Downloadable templates, product guides, and more
Whether you prefer to read, watch, or paint your way through a topic, Comprehensive Watercolor supports your learning style.
Take a look at what makes this book different
It’s not just a book—it’s a complete course in your hands! Definitely a volume that you’ll want to keep close nearby when you’re learning, practicing, and working in the studio!
You’ll feel like you have an instructor with you, walking you through each brushstroke.
Creating Comprehensive Watercolor wasn’t just about writing a book—it was about creating a bridge. A bridge between overwhelmed beginners and the joyful, intuitive flow of watercolor painting. The origin of Comprehensive Watercolor lies in my own journey. When I first began painting, I struggled with materials, misunderstood techniques, and books that offered static images instead of actionable help. I wanted to change that. That’s why this book:
Integrates over 200 interactive video lessons
Uses QR codes to link every concept to a visual demonstration
Encourages hands-on practice through step-by-step guides
It’s more than a reference—it’s a studio companion.
Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor
why I wrote the book
I wrote it for the self-taught artist, the visual learner, and anyone who’s felt stuck or intimidated by traditional art instruction. I believe watercolor should be accessible, playful, and deeply personal — and Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor definitively reflects that belief from cover to cover!
TAKE A PEEK INSIDE!
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the book will be published on may 1, 2025!
Comprehensive Watercolor is not just a book—it’s a fully interactive watercolor learning experience designed for beginners, hobbyists, and self-taught artists.
Created by artist and educator Amanda Clarke-Peterson, this guide goes beyond traditional art instruction by combining clear step-by-step lessons with over 200 embedded video demonstrations accessed via QR codes. Readers can watch brushstrokes, color mixing, and watercolor techniques unfold in real time, then immediately try them with guided practice.
The book introduces readers to essential watercolor techniques, color theory, timing concepts, and creative expression. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or returning to watercolor after years away, this resource is designed to build confidence, encourage experimentation, and support visual learners at every step.
Also included is a free downloadable Ultimate Watercolor Product Guide, covering recommended materials, tools, and supplies for all budgets and experience levels.
I’m thrilled to finally share something I’ve been quietly working on for a long time: my very first book, Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor, is officially on its way into the world.
This labor of love has been in the works for months (okay, years), and I couldn’t be more excited to invite you to be part of its beginning.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Comprehensive Watercolor is an interactive guide designed for curious beginners and developing artists who want to learn watercolor with both clarity and confidence. It’s packed with techniques, visual examples, and over 200 embedded video tutorials—all thoughtfully structured to help you build foundational skills and deepen your creative practice.
Rather than taking a rigid, academic approach, I wanted this book to feel like a studio companion—someone by your side, showing you how watercolor works and how to enjoy the process along the way. From brush control and color mixing to layering, timing, and troubleshooting, the book is divided into digestible parts with real-world application in mind.
Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or revisiting watercolor after a long break, Comprehensive Watercolor invites you to explore with curiosity and patience—and just enough technical insight to help you grow.
📅 RELEASE INFO & PREORDER DETAILS
The book is currently available for pre-order through April 30, 2025. It will officially be published on May 1, 2025.
Pre-ordering not only ensures you get early access—it helps support the launch and spread the word to other artists looking for a guide like this. I’ve poured my heart into every lesson, diagram, and video link, and I can’t wait to get it into your hands.
If you’re local—or just passing through Gaffney, SC—there’s a special opportunity to preview the kind of work featured in the book. Two of my watercolor pieces, Line & Wash and Wash & Line, are currently on display as part of the Spring A’Comin Exhibit hosted by the Cherokee Alliance of Visual Artists (CAVA).
Each piece was created using techniques from the book, and both include framed QR codes that link to exclusive behind-the-scenes videos. These videos demonstrate the process behind each artwork and offer a glimpse into the kind of visual content included throughout Comprehensive Watercolor.
This is a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the book’s educational material in a gallery setting—before the book is officially released.
📍 Location: Gaffney Visitor’s Center & Art Gallery 210 W. Frederick St. Gaffney, SC 29340
📆 Reception Event: Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 5:30–7:00 PM Free and open to the public!Come meet other local artists, see the works in person, and enjoy a creative evening in a beautiful space. I’d love to say hello, answer questions, and hear about what you’re creating too.
WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK
Watercolor has taught me so much—not just about painting, but about presence, patience, and finding flow through art. I created this book to demystify a medium that’s often misunderstood as “unforgiving,” when really, it just requires a little guidance and trust.
I’ve met so many artists who stopped painting because they felt like they were doing it wrong. This book is here to show that you’re not. There’s no perfect technique—only progress, exploration, and learning what your materials are trying to tell you.
Comprehensive Watercolor is my way of handing you the torch, along with all the tools I wish I’d had when I started. If it helps even one person fall in love with painting again, it will have done its job.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS JOURNEY
Writing, illustrating, and filming for this book has been one of the most rewarding (and challenging) creative projects I’ve ever taken on. I truly hope it offers support, inspiration, and clarity to anyone who loves watercolor—or wants to fall in love with it for the first time.
Thank you for being part of this moment with me! Your encouragement and interest mean more than you know!
– Amanda Clarke-Peterson Artist, Author & Creator of Mandakyns
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