This is the fourth and most technical book on abstract art by Rolina van Vliet. In comparison to its predecessors it takes a more in-depth look at the practical nature of abstract art. With a detailed explanation of the technical aspects of painting, the book covers figurative elements, composition and construction work specifically. Abstracts: Techniques and Textures is a comprehensive handbook for amateurs, professionals, teachers and students alike to learn the intricacies of painting abstracts. The book features 50 studies detailing dozens of techniques and textures readers can use to practise achieving abstract and non-figurative painting. The book also includes more than 350 selected images to inspire and guide the reader’s eye.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 7 Abstract and abstraction 8 The ‘Abstract Painting Method’ 10 Primary visual elements 12 Secondary visual elements 16 Composition 18 Play and practice 22 Getting started 24 Structuring your work 26 Study information 28 Techniques and textures 30 Technique in pictures 31 Water-based and mixing techniques 32 Study 1 Drip technique 34 Study 2 Sponge technique 36 Study 3 Pouring technique 38 Study 4 Flow painting technique 40 Study 5 Working with water 42 Study 6 Mixing with gel 44 Study 7 Mixing to create 'visual language' 46 Study 8 Alla prima mixed technique 48 Application techniques 53 Study 9 Knife scumbling technique 54 Study 10 Knife and line technique 56 Study 11 Impressionist knife techniques 58 Study 12 Sgraffito as a 'visual language' 60 Study 13 Knife technique 62 Study 14 Working with a foam brush 64 Study 15 Technique without texture 66 Study 16 Dynamic painting techniques 68 Adding details, relief and background techniques 72 Study 17 Texture using French chalk powder 74 Study 18 Scored line relief effect 76 Study 19 Relief technique 78 Study 20 Textured background 80 Study 21 Gel texture 82 Study 22 Using newspaper as a background 84 Study 23 Paper texture 86 Study 24 Sand texture 88 Collage; integration; print and stamp techniques 92 Study 25 Textile texture 94 Study 26 Painting with paper 96 Study 27 Collage using slate 98 Study 28 Printing technique as integration 100 Study 29 Using letters as texture 102 Study 30 Collage with colour integration 104 Study 31 Collage using textiles 106 Study 32 Pattern printing 108 Study 33 Aluminium foil texture 110 Drawing, sketching and line techniques 114 Study 34 Negative line technique 116 Study 35 Drawing with an atomiser 118 Study 36 Shape and line stamp technique 120 Study 37 Sketching using a palette knife 122 Study 38 Sketching using liquid paint 124 Study 39 Lines in relief and rhythm 126 Study 40 Sketching with paint 128 Study 41 Lines using the wax-resist technique 130 Mixed pastel; freestyle painting; covering techniques; and correction 134 Study 42 Sandpaper texture 136 Study 43 Cling film texture and collage technique 138 Study 44 Collage using mixed materials 140 Study 45 Mixed techniques 142 Study 46 Freestyle painting 144 Study 47 Freestyle techniques 146 Study 48 Freestyle using textiles 148 Study 49 Free 'visual language' 150 Study 50 Miscellaneous techniques 152 Over to you 156