Review of ‘Painting Abstracts – ideas, projects and techniques’ by Rolina van Vliet

This book by Rolina Vliet is excellent, it has tons of information, illustrations and exercises. Chapters 1-7 describe abstract painting as an art form, guide you through tools needed and explain of how the book is laid out. A total of 65 exercises are organised by subject in chapters 8-12. For every exercise there is an explanation on theme/emphasis, picture element, composition, materials, technique, work sequence, tips, and alternate variations. The sample paintings are very inspiring, the challenge is not to copy them but create your own. The possibilities are infinite and enough to keep anyone busy.

This book is a great motivator but ‘Originality and individuality must always be your starting point.’ The exercises are a jump start to painting and give you a topic/idea to focus on.

My best paintings came from the following exercises

Exercise 1 - Expressive Shapes

This painting was made on A4 Acrylic Paper using acrylic paints.

Exercise 5 - Spontaneous Shapes

This painting was made on A4 acrylic paper using acrylic paints with a thickening medium with orange paint.

Excercise 14 - The line dripping technique

Lady in Red Acrylic 50x40cm on canvas. This under painting was made first, then in one go the face was painted on with a stick using diluted acrylic paint

Exercise 44 - the palette knife as a painting tool

Spring 40x40cm Oil on canvas.

As of 2022, Amazon gives the book 4.4 out of 5 with 387 global ratings. 63% rated 5 stars, 16% 4 stars, 11% 3 stars, 3% 2 stars and 4% giving it 1 star. One 1 star review was ‘it seems to be about putting paint, paper etc onto canvas in a random way which doesn't have a relationship to anything in the environment.’ I disagree, the last chapter theme and project has a few exercises from life. Anyway, abstract for me is not about reality… that’s what photographs are for!!!!

I would highly recommend ‘Painting Abstracts’. This book gives a creative person all the tools they need to begin making art.