The Bottom Line
If you're interested in creating non-realistic paintings, but don't know where to start or how to proceed, the illustrated step-by-step demonstrations should give you the inspiration to try.
Pros
- Explains the artist's creative processes
- Mixes abstraction with pure abstract
- 10 step-by-step demonstrations
Cons
- Artist's style may not be your taste
Description
- Hardcover book, 128 pages, ISBN 0-7153-1165-4
- Published by David and Charles www.davidandcharles.co.uk
- Divided into two sections: adventurous painting techniques and developing paintings
- Adventurous techniques includes acrylics, oils, oil pastels, spattering paint, and creating texture.
- Techniques show results you can get by lifting paint and blending on the canvas.
- Gallery of the eight of the artist's favourite paintings, with a note of what inspired each.
- Written by artist and teacher Brian Ryder. See his work at www.westnorfolkarts.co.uk
Guide Review - Book Review: Beyond Realism
If you'd like to be painting in a non-realistic way, abstracting the essence of the world around you or capturing your emotions but aren't sure how to proceed, Beyond Realism may be just the book to give you to confidence to experiment.
It's written by an artist who paints pure abstract and semi-abstract in a variety of mediums. In each of the 10 step-by-step demonstrations artist Brian Ryder sets out his working method, from initial inspiration (shown in a photo) to final painting.
He takes you through composition, testing colors, developing the painting, changing your mind, and knowing when to stop. He clearly explains what he did in each step in detail, enabling you to follow the creative process.
