Launch Announcement for Comprehensive Watercolor
Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor
Available May 1, 2025 — Pre-orders are open now!
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming release of our flagship publication, Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor. Written and illustrated by Amanda Clarke-Peterson, this book is designed to empower artists of all skill levels through a hands-on, flexible learning experience that combines the beauty of print with the power of digital tools.
TRY IT!
Curious how it works? Take a look at the FlipThrough above, then open your camera or QR scanning app. Next, scan any QR code inside the preview of the flippable book.
You’ll instantly be taken to a video or resource connected to that lesson — so you can start learning right away. No app download required!
The book is an interactive experience designed to help you dive into watercolor techniques as you explore the book.
A New Way to Learn
Unlike traditional art books, Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor is built around interactive, modular content. Each chapter is structured as a mini-workshop, allowing readers to explore specific techniques, tools, or timing concepts at their own pace — and revisit them whenever they need.
This guide includes:
- Over 200 embedded videos accessible by QR code
- Slide-based presentations that can be viewed on any device via YouTube
- Visual breakdowns of techniques, timing, tools, and troubleshooting
- Insightful product comparisons to help you choose the right materials
- Clear, approachable structure suitable for both beginners and experienced artists
Whether you’re learning solo or using this guide in a classroom, it’s designed to be flexible, engaging, and genuinely helpful.
What Makes This Book Different?
Interactive Design
Readers don’t just read and look at pictures — they are able to watch how to perform each technique. This allows them to pause, practice, test, and repeat using the integrated video library.
Hands-On Approach
Exercises are built around doing — not just theory. This guide includes structured practice, illustrated gauges, and interactive flipbooks created by the reader for reference to help beginners advance quickly.
Technique-Based not Subject Oriented
At Mandakyns, we believe in a technique-based approach rather than a subject-oriented one. Instead of focusing narrowly on what to paint, we emphasize how to paint — giving artists and learners the tools, skills, and confidence to express any subject they choose. By building a strong foundation in technique, creativity becomes limitless and adaptable across styles, mediums, and subject matter.
Product Knowledge That Matters
With a dedicated companion guide, The Ultimate Watercolor Product Guide, you can make informed choices about your tools without wasting time or money.
Modular Format
Don’t want to read cover to cover? No problem.
✅ The colorful page-edges make it easy to find the Chapter you need in this book, when you need it!
✅ Each section was developed with the viewer’s attention in mind and kept to short segments to increase the ability of the – brain to retain the information.
✅ It’s set up to read and consider the images in the book, then watch the video and perform the techniques to lock in the knowledge contained in each section through practical application.
✅ Comes complete with Table of Contents, Glossary (in the beginning), List of Video URLS with page number, and an Index.
Who This Book Is For
- Brand-new beginners who feel overwhelmed by watercolor’s unpredictability
- Intermediate painters looking to build a stronger foundation
- Teachers and workshop leaders seeking structured learning tools
- Mixed media artists ready to add watercolor to their toolkit
Included With Your Purchase
- Full-color paperback (8.5” x 11”)
- QR-coded access to 200+ instructional videos
- Printable worksheets, resource links, and a supplemental workbook (optional add-on)
- Digital compatibility with phones, tablets, and desktops
How to Get It
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Pre-order window: Now through April 30, 2025
Where to buy: Visit Mandakyns.com
Want early access? Join our Newsletter to get book launch updates and bonus content!
From the Author
“This book is the resource I wish I’d had when I started painting. I wanted to demystify watercolor, bring clarity to the timing and technique, and give artists the freedom to learn their own way. I hope it becomes a favorite tool on your creative journey.”
— Amanda Clarke-Peterson
Related Resources
- Ultimate Watercolor Product Guide (Free companion ebook)
- Submission Guidelines
Help Us Spread the Word
If you’ve been following the development of this project or just discovered it — thank you! You can support the launch by:
- Sharing this post on social media
- Pre-ordering a copy for yourself or a friend
- Leaving a review once it launches
We can’t wait to get this book into your hands!