How to Paint Like Turner

British artist J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) painted unforgettable watercolors and was revered for his masterly use of shifting light and dramatic cloudscapes. Now, this clear, accessible book reveals the secrets of Turner’s technique, making his magical effects possible for today’s painters. The book examines the materials Turner used and suggests modern-day equivalents to recreate his effects. Using his works as examples, chapters explore themes such as sky, water, trees, people, moonlight, and more. Step by step, contemporary artists explain how to emulate the examples and master the techniques to create other compositions. Only the Tate, the global center for Turner scholarship, could create this instructional gem.

Nicola Moorby works at Tate on the Turner Bequest.

 

Ian Warrell is curator of 18th- and 19th-century British art at Tate.

 

Joyce Townsend is senior conservation scientist at Tate and the author of Turner’s Painting Techniques.

 

Mike Chaplin is a watercolor expert.

 

Tony Smibert is a painter based in Tasmania.