Painting Abstracts: Ideas, Projects and Techniques [Paperback]

Rolina van Vliet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

Full instructions for 65 abstract paintings are provided in this guide that urges beginners to plunge right in, learning about composition, theme, and design while they paint. The history of abstract painting and its importance as a means of self-expression are covered in the guide's beginning pages, and each of the paintings that follow conventional step-by-step instruction is replaced with information on composition, imagery, method, materials, and technique, allowing the painter to copy straight from the book—or make changes according to the flow of creativity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you’re intrigued by the subject but don’t feel you know where to start, then this book will help you a long way towards the end of the road."  —Artbookreview.net

About the Author

Rolina van Vliet is an artist and workshop teacher who specializes in abstract painting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Search Press (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844483363
• ISBN-13: 978-1844483365
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Watercolor

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No 'right' recipe, October 22, 2008

By 

S. J. Bockett (Wellington New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Painting Abstracts: Ideas, Projects and Techniques (Paperback)

For me, this book is too formulaic; it is more about "getting it right" than about awakening creative inspiration. While it is true that the abstract artist needs a good grasp of design, this is not the essence of abstract art; it is a medium for expressing intangibles visually.

If you believe a 'paint by numbers' kind of approach will give you confidence to begin, by all means start with Painting Abstracts. But if you want your abstracts to sing, I would recommend working from Mary Todd Beam's book, "Celebrate Your Creative Self." (She also has a new book coming out in March of 2009.)

For me, all the examples in "Painting Abstracts" have the same emotional temperature and use exactly the same visual metaphors. To get the idea of different visual metaphors, I would recommend looking at works by artists using other mediums, especially fibre artists and ceramic artists.

What I most find missing in this book is help with awakening inspiration: in the texture of rocks and leaves and trees for example, in different moods of water. Have you ever looked at a sunset that made you gasp? No doubt we cannot all aspire to creating the same emotional impact, but it is possible to put some of that feeling into an abtract painting.

Look further than this book if you want to do more than know how to handle your medium or how to create a pleasant design.

Postscript April 20th 2009:
It is worthwhile to read Pamela Blunt's rebuttal of my review in the comments, as well as my reply. (Incidently, I gave her a 'yes' vote, even though she completely disagrees with me.) Both our comments encapsulate the two different ways of approaching abstract art. I am sure folks are more than capable of deciding which way they want to go.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for learning abstracts, February 10, 2009

By 

Paulette Boyt "PBoyt" (Kansas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Painting Abstracts: Ideas, Projects and Techniques (Paperback)

I really love this book about abstracts. Lots of pictures to inspire you. But even better are the exercises using specific tools and/or paints and techniques, but without an actual picture to copy. For a beginner, I found them quite challenging. I discovered painting abstracts is not as easy as it looks. I'm still learning and trying from this book.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for beginners !, June 14, 2009

By 

Sophia Jacob (India) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Painting Abstracts: Ideas, Projects and Techniques (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book which takes you through the nuances of abstract art without curbing your indviduality, this is a book to pick. The language is simple and the supporting illustration helps comprehension. On the flip side, the style of painting remains the same through out, but I still highly recommend this book for artists who are rearing to try abstract art ,but are looking for inspiration and guidance.