The Art of Abstract Painting

This detailed guide to abstract painting teaches you how to compose dramatic, beautiful, thought provoking and evocative abstract paintings. It provides information about the background, aims and procedures of the abstract method, focusing on creativity and self-expression, the goal being the development of the reader's own talents. There are no step-by-step instructions; instead the reader will learn where to find inspiration, how to develop ideas, how to create spontaneous, lively effects and how to apply a range of techniques on different surfaces, whether it be transparent watercolour or thickly applied acrylics.

I am a big fan of Rolina van Vliet's work and her books. This book is very similar to the one published by Search Press in 2008, but I do feel it is worth buying both. The book concentrates on creativity and self-expression and features many beautiful works of art by Rolina. It explains abstract painting methods in detail and will enable you to produce your own paintings. Short study exercises and professional tips provide a short-cut to creativity.-KarenPlatt.co.uk Rolina van Vliet has produced an excellent book on how to analyse the abstract method and ways to produce lively and effective abstract art. Many people feel that abstract art is simply unstructured and free flowing but Rolina shows that in fact there are some very in depth thought processes in its creation. Rolina begins by welcoming the reader to a world of free expression and says that by following this route ones artistic expressions will be given the scope they need to create spontaneous lively works that emanate from within oneself. This book has developed to show the artist how to familiarise themselves with abstract painting an easy to understand way and that will subsequently point the way to the great adventure of creating one's own expressive, original and creative works. Rolina describes this book as being an answer to some of the students questions such as what is abstract ?A" where do I begin ?A" The text in her book gives information about the background, goal and procedure of the abstract method, and how to use these to develop the focus of your own talents in these areas. These are accompanied by illustrations that clarify the content of the methods described. The text next to the illustrations gives extra information such as technique, composition and construction of the works. These help put into context the application of methods to the individual artworks. There are useful study exercises and tips for the student to work from to help focus on the bringing out the creativity from within. In most art books there are step by step demonstrations but in abstract art the focus is on bringing out the artwork form within the individual. Rolina's study tips help one begin the journey towards achieving this goal. The study tips are arranged as assignments but deliberately not in the form of step by step examples. Rolina says this type of procedure is a direct opposition of the abstract method, and that focus is own one's own efforts and talent and that the student must avoid copying to any extent at all. The illustrations accompanying the assignments are there purely to give impetus to one's own artistic aspirations. Rolina shows the student via this book how to practise artistic and expressive skills, something essential to the art of abstract painting. The emphasis is on bringing out expression from within oneself. When one paints reality the external information is there as a guide, whereas abstract comes completely from within oneself and we need to learn methods to make the appropriate choices of shape, colour, texture and composition. As there is a lack of external guidance we need to learn how to make these choices in order to form a pleasing artwork. The study tips are directed at helping us to achieve this, and to learn to direct our creative thinking into an artwork with focus, direction and restraint. This book is full of beautiful illustrations and excellent tips to enable us to compose thought provoking and evocative abstract paintings. It shows how we can use a variety of media in our journey and how to give rein, direction and control to our free thinking. It's a fascinating book for everybody, whether they are just starting in abstract, artists wishing to obtain more freedom in their works or simply people interested in learning more about abstract art. A fabulous and unusual treat.-JeannieZelos.com This is Rolina Van Vliet's second book and pretty much picks up where Painting Abstracts left off. The subtitle, A Guide to Creativity and

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