acknowledgments

My years editing have taught me that every book is a team effort, not the product of one individual. This book could not have happened without the help of the following people, to whom I extend my deepest gratitude: Jennifer Lepore Kardux for her patient and firm direction; Rachel Wolf for her wise counsel from the very beginning; Wendy Dunning for her wonderful design work; and to all the contributing artists whose work graces the pages of this book.

Most of the ideas in this book are not my original creation, although I hope their synthesis into my concept of the one rule of composition makes them more accessible to painters. I was informed and inspired by many sources, in particular the watercolor instruction books by “the two Tonys,” Tony Couch and Tony Van Hasselt, who have made many lessons for painters clear and memorable.