How to Paint Abstracts (Pocket Art Guides) - Hardcover

Books in Barron's Pocket Art Guides series offer practical advice and instruction to art students and amateur painters. Each of these books focuses on a specific aspect of painting or drawing, and includes many tips that even experienced professionals will find new and helpful. All titles have many captioned color illustrations, as well as enlightening notes on how famous artists solved specific problems. This book describes different approaches to creating an abstract painting, ranging from simplification and distortion of identifiable subjects to the rendering of pure abstract forms. It also explains that artists who abandon figurative references must nevertheless demonstrate command of composition and color theory. Examples of abstract canvases by artists including Paul Klee and Robert Delaunay are shown and analyzed.

(back cover)
Splashing random spots, strokes, and squiggles on a canvas is not the right way to create an abstract painting. On the contrary, successful abstract paintings make great demands on both artists and viewers. The artist who abandons figurative references on his canvas must compensate by demonstrating sound composition, command of technical resources, and a deep understanding of color theory. Beginning artists who wish to explore the satisfactions of abstract painting will find the systematic and structured direction they need in this book. Drawing from examples of abstract canvases by major artists, including Paul Klee and Robert Delaunay, thisPocket Art Guide gives students a solid introduction to abstract painting with practical explanations, useful suggestions, instructive exercises, and enlightening color illustrations.

ABSTRACTING REALITY
ABSTRACT TECHNIQUES
STYLES AND INTERPRETATIONS
Also Available in This Series
Color Secrets
How to Paint Light
Painting Outdoors