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.
A SNEAK PEEK AT THE SPRING A’COMIN’ EXHIBIT
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