Abstract Painting: Concepts and Techniques

It's a pity to dismiss Vicky Perry's book if you have done absolutely no abstract painting, because you may well find it invaluable further down the track. The text provides advanced theories that will be well beyond someone who is a complete beginner, but will be a mine of information for the experienced amateur as well as the art student.I purchased this book before I found Brian Ryder's "Beyond Realism" (see my review of this book) and was initially as challenged by Vicky Perry's text as other reviewers. However, having now worked my way through Ryder's book (and two other's I mention at the end of this review) I found that the concepts and techniques in "Abstract Painting" began to click, and even found them refreshing and exciting. What is more, the examples of abstract art in Perry's book are from professionals, which are hardly open to criticism from amateurs. Okay, so I don't like them all either, but that can only be a plus: you can ask yourself - how would I express the artist's idea myself? (You can't do that with the one's you like - they've already made the definitive statement!)This is no paint-by numbers book for two reasons: firstly, by its very nature, abstract art cannot be taught literally, in formal steps - as is technical drawing, for example. Secondly, the author quite reasonably assumes that the reader has some experience, not only in the fundamentals of art making, but also in basic forms of abstract expression. If you are short on either of these skills, you need to start elsewhere.Contrary to what other reviewers claim, there are plenty of books available that can get a beginner started on abstract painting. It is just that such books are not necessarily titled "abstract." They tend to come under the cateories of design, or creativity. Even collage books like those of Gerald Brommer are a good introduction to abstract principles - with instruction included.For the absolute beginner, I would recommend beginning with Mary Todd Beam's "Celebrate your Creative Self." All the exercises in this book are abstract, and clear instructions are given as to materials and techniques. You even get to copy to some extent! Next, I recommend Maxine Masterfield's "Painting the Spirit of Nature." That also gives techniques, but assumes more experience. Try Vicky Perry's Book after you have cut your teeth on these two - or something similar. I am sure you won't be disappointed.

This book is NOT for beginners wanting to learn how to handle paint and brushes and canvas.And that's just the first great thing about it.I've looked at it a dozen times in the two months I've had it and still find it fresh on every reading. I was fortunate to find it while browsing in a library in a city I was visiting and was overjoyed to find it again at Amazon.This book makes me remember why I made the decision to paint non-objectively and reinforces that choice.The examples she uses to illustrate are high quality reproductions of excellent art from accomplished praticioners and the chapter materials are perfectly chosen and ordered. There is nothing superfluous in the writing.I'd say Ms. Perry has done us all a great service by writing this book and she should be very proud of it. Thank you, Ma'am!

There aren't many books on technique where abstract art is concerned. I understand that by its nature, each abstract painting is a new invention, and may not relate solidly to anything else. Even so, artists like me who want to create abstract works would be grateful to know how to generate certain effects with certain techniques and materials.This book falls short in this dimension. It's filled with windy theory, and woefully lacking in practical information. There are many examples of abstract works (some good, some not), but virtually no clear information on how they were produced. Biggest weakness: there are no step-by-step photos to clarify the text and provide insights into the examples.The book is not totally useless. If you can get through the turgid prose, there are a few nuggets of information you may find of value. But I suppose it'll have to do till somebody turns out something better.

I am an artist who has only a vague understanding of what is meant by the term, "abstract art". I bought this book because I want to understand both the concepts behind the term "abstract art," and the basic technical approach that an artist might take in creating an abstract work. This is a thoughtful book that is very well researched and illustrated. I would recommend it to a general audience as well as to artists.

Some great stuff in here, but seen better. Quality was brand new paperback of course, but I've seen some pretty cool abstract painting books.

a book for post art school impetus---the serious could work and experiment from the contents of this book forever.....the negative reviews I have read here seem to come from those who werelooking for a how-to short-cut to art making in a hurry...there is no such devicethis is a highly intelligent resourse--if, as an artist, the contents seembeyond your grasp, then keep working/seraching/researching and try readingit again...

am currently reading it. Find it full of very helpful information.

I haven't finished the entire book yet. I have read 3/4 of it and it is full of information in art itself. It makes you understand why abstract can be harder to paint than realistic. I think it helps with your realistic painting as you can plan it using abstract masses to balance and use of values. Abstract painting books are hard to find that actually makes you appreciate all kinds of art.

I bought this book together with 'Painting Abstracts' by Rolina Van Vliet. I have found both books to be very useful both in terms of explaining concepts and in giving lots of illustrations which give inspiration and ideas about what looks good and what doesn't. As a beginner and not being a naturally talented artist I found that one really needs all the help one can get from books and instructional stuff from the web especially when it comes to understanding how the various media work e.g. oils, acrylics, watercolours etc. This book is certainly helpful for the beginner, it may not be so valuable for soneone who is already an experienced artist and is already sure of what they are doing.

This is the best book on abstract painting that I have come across. It is written for the amateur artist who is also a serious student. It deals with the definition, history and psychology of abstract work and discusses composition, materials and techniques. It is illustrated with many inspiring examples of artists' work with clear and jargon-free notes. It is a book I shall treasure and use as a reference for years to come.

As a novice abstract artist this book gives me a great history, background and theory of abstract painting in many forms as well as suggestions and tips for processes. I borrowed it from the library first and found it so useful and interesting I have bought my own copy and know it will always be a useful and inspiring book for me.

I paint in Oils and in Acrylics and I am virtually self taught although have had classes in watercolour and pastels over the years. I have many books on painting however this particular book is very very informative.Although this book is about abstract painting,it is a wealth of knowledge about painting with oils with heaps of information on painting concepts and techniques as well as colours, supports, mediums, grounds etc. Then it goes into Acrylics and again tells you all about the paints themselves, mediums, gels and so on.. Quite frankly, the information in this book is enough to get you started and moreso. I took this book out of the local library and knew that I had to own it. Good luck to you on you painting journey.

This book is good as far as it had a very indepth and technical/historical description of many different art forms and techniques. It is an informative book. If you are looking for a book to help you get ideas for painting and with exercises to try different techniques, I would give this book a miss. I also wasn't even particularly inspired by any of the example paintings in the book either.