Experimental Landscapes in Watercolour (NTSC DVD) with Ann Blockley SWA

I bought this dvd using a gift card I received. I'm very picky about how I spend gift money/cards and I tend to buy something I wouldn't normally spend for myself, or at least something I was planning to buy but was saving or just waiting for the right time. I really was curious about this dvd and once I received it and watched it, I was really glad I'd gotten it.I'm not a painter - yet. I play with paint, that's about it, but I have these ideas in my mind about what I'd like to paint (abstract for sure) and this artist brings some of my ideas to life, and gives more direction to other ideas I have had. I enjoyed watching her execute her techniques. It's a simple, straightforward dvd that I'm sure I'll watch at least a few times as I start playing with paint over the cooler seasons. I'm waiting because my paints dry out too fast in the hot season, and I like to hunker down in the cold season and do some art. But the first thing I'll try when I get my paint and paper out are some of the things from this dvd.

I have admired Ann's work and love her books but I am a very visual learner and it helps me to both watch and listen to Ann while she paints. It has also been a while since I have worked with watercolor and she has rekindled my interest. I have been a mixed media experimental artist for many years and her way of approaching landscape makes me excited and interested in the medium again.

I learned so very much from this DVD! I love Ann's work and her Dad's (John Blockley) as well. Ann is very daring in her approach to painting her impressions and interpretations of a place! She explains every move, all her supplies and intentions as she goes along with the project. She shares her excitement and wonderfilled secrets to the best effects from materials used. The end result shows her heart within her work. Beautiful. I also purchased the book "Experimental Landscapes in Watercolour" which shares many different techniques. It's like the encyclopedia of exciting watercolor techniques ! Great DVD, you will certainly enjoy it!

Wonderful video and Ann goes into great detail about her creative process and how she achieves certain effects in watercolor. Worth every penny to learn from a master like Ann Blockley.

A friend had loaned me her copy of this DVD. After watching it, I had to have my own! It is extremely well filmed; camera angles, pace. Ms. Blockley explains her process thoroughly and clearly. When you have finished watching it, you will be inspired to try it all for yourself. I know that I will watch it again and again for information and inspiration. I also have the companion book. When you see the techniques from the book in action on the DVD, it provides a great comprehensive experience.

Absolutely love this DVD! It gives me great ideas to play with for new experimentation with watercolors. This isn't a beginners "how to DVD" this is for someone who already has some watercolor experience but wants to step outside of the lines and play with new ways to do things for a semi-abstract approach. This uses different mixed media techniques that some may be familiar with but maybe in a different manner than they have previously tried.

I have painted these techniques for many years, and I should have been more discerning when I bought this DVD. So it's completely my fault for getting very little out of this tape. I found Ann repeated herself all the time and tended to mumble to herself while painting, just sort of 'self talk' but it was distracting. I wanted her to just get on with it! It had nothing new for me, and I will pass it on to others who are starting in this mixed media arena.

Amazing book. She has a lot of techniques that I would like to use

Having read previous reviews saying that Anne 'ums' a lot, I would say this is not a problem - this DVD is not a 'how to paint' tutorial, it's for people who already paint who want to move into a more loose and experimental style of working. Anne is getting you to think in new ways, and is speaking thoughtfully from her own experience of exploring the character and behaviour of paint and using other materials to aid loose working. I found this DVD excellent for stimulating my own creativity in new directions. Although it's based around landscape themes, the techniques explored could easily be transferred to any subject material. A lot of painting DVDs are simply one person showing off their own skills, but Anne gives you techniques which you can then work with in your own creative ways. Presumably the high price tag is based on a lower sales potential than film DVDs, but I would say it's worth the money as a resource you'll return to again and again.

Ann is a superb teacher and I appreciate the fact that she is so willing to share her techniques and unique style so that other artists can develop themselves. Watercolour is an unpredictable medium and so you would enjoy this video most if you are willing to 'step out of the box' and live dangerously! Enjoy the magic and loosen up your style without trying to be in control. Ann's speaking voice is just a tiny bit 'um' irritating, but then she is an artist and not a television presenter! Basically it is a good quality recording and easy to follow and see what she is demonstrating. Very good value for money and I watch it again and again and always learn more.

I love the way Ann puts her heart and soul in these projects, how she chooses her words carefully in trying to express how she feels at that moment, if that involves um- ing like someone here said, so be it.. If that annoys you, please, you try paint live and comment at the same time.I love her style and that of her father for that matter, I discovered her long time ago in the library in Belgium, I am a Belgian now living in the UK. The overall quality of the video is excellent. I have a lot of her books and I am so pleased with this DVD.That loose painting means you have to let go of things and that is fascinating and scaring me at the same time.Thank you Ann for sharing your techniques, and my the Gods who ever they are bless you.

I bought this (rather expensive!) DVD after buying the experimental landscapes book and finding it inspirational but not all that instructive. I'm so glad I did. I find Ann Blockley's art enthralling and she has such a clear passion for her work in the DVD. I don't find the presentation annoying and as others have said, she is an artist not a newsreader, so maybe it's reasonable to cut her some slack. Her loose expressionist art speaks for itself, and has not only myself but also my son now experimenting in watercolour. Fabulous.

Despite some of the poor reviews of this DVD I'm so glad I bought this, because it is very instructive to actuall watch Ann produce her beautiful watercolours. You can read instructions in her books but seeing her do it really gives you a better idea. I would say that if you want to loosen up your watercolours or feel you have got into a rut with your painting, this is a great way to get going again. The DVD shows that there is a place for expressionist techniques in watercolour painting and that using them in combination with your preferred methods can be really fruitful.