Painting Abstracts: Ideas, Projects and Techniques Paperback – Illustrated, November 1, 2008

I read the negative reviews and almost didn't buy, but I'm so glad I went ahead. This book has a purpose and it is to get you painting, playing with concepts (the goal of many of the exercises literally uses the word "play"), trying different techniques, and tapping into your own creativity. It's purpose is not to reproduce the pictures, and because of this, the pictures are chosen more to illustrate the technique than for their aesthetic quality. Because beautiful paintings are done by people who have practiced a lot and mastered lots of techniques and concepts and learned over time how to put them together. Those people don't need books like this. People like me, who want to really know how to do that one day, to be proficient at it, but who cannot get a fine arts degree to learn all that I would need to know, can really benefit from a book like this.This book also helps with self-consciousness and perfectionism, that have kept me scared of actually painting. Because the goal of the exercise is to play and practice, not produce a masterpiece, I've been able to loosen up and let go, and I am having a lot of fun with it. It focuses you more on the technique or concept that judging the outcome. A lot more ideas for things I want to try are flowing too.

This has lots of beautiful illustrations with full instructions and explanations of how each painting and effect was created. Even the colors used and types of paint are shown.This book is very inspiring and can serve as a guide to creating your own artwork by adapting and modifying the techniques shown to make acrylic artwork that is unique.Tho art on the cover for example is a study in blue that you can learn from and modify it however you want. I use this book as a reference and source of new ideas for paintings.Very well done and worthwhile purchase.

I love the exercises in this book! It is a great way to learn … by experimentation. It is really designed for acrylic painters, despite the marketing hype. I have to translate the exercises as a watercolorist, and there are a few I cannot do at all with watercolors.

This is a very good book and presents these ideas, projects and techniques clearly and attractively. It is a book to read over and over and very helpful to beginning or more advanced artists.

I’m happy with myself for making this choice. If you’re attempting to wrap your mind around abstract painting, this truly is a great book. It’s a real book with a great balance of instruction, visuals, and tutorials which makes it excel in terms of a more well-rounded comprehension. Because of its composition, your comprehension of what is being taught becomes tangible and grounded as you work through the tutorials.

While this book has a ton of great ideas and "project starters" (it really is like an art course), the problem lies in the visual inspiration- there isn't very much variety.The paintings are all by the same artist, and all have the same feel and flow to them. Because this isn't a "step by step" book (and NO book on abstract painting should be!) there are many ways to interpret the techniques and ideas that Rolina Van Vliet shares throughout "Painting Abstracts", but the only art she presents as examples are her own paintings, and only one of each for most of the project starters.It would have been nice to have a few artists participating, as well, so the reader could see some variations and different ways of approaching different projects and techniques.I would strongly suggest using the "Search Inside This Book" feature before you buy. Even though the artwork is only a small part of a book like this, if you are anything like me, you will be less likely to pull it from the shelf or refer to it if the art (which makes up a large *visual* part of the book) doesn't do anything for you. I would have appreciated different perspectives on the different ideas and projects Van Vliet shares in this book.

This book is a great collection of abstract techniques and design composition. Practicing all the techniques on paper with color and then moving on to a large canvas is what I would suggest. Going through the entire book would actually transform your abstract paintings from beginner to intermediate. I simply love this book!!!

"Everything can be done but nothing has to be"...awesome book! Upon the surface this book looks easily simplified and sparse in content. Read each line and consider the thought put forth and you are dining a la carte. This book is by far the best book on getting to know yourself, your journey, your soul and the golden elements of how to. This book will last me at least 2 years in play and discovery. A treasure, so rare, so brutally truthful and yet so humbly stated. I recommend this book to any serious abstract artist who wants to paint the stroke with confidence, boldness, energy and focused intent. The works shown are not spectacular but provide enough direction to get you thinking, working and learning. Understatements in this book are the power source of the whole road of abstract.