Abstract and Colour Techniques in Painting Paperback – April 2, 2013

I love this book. I didn't realize my discontent with painting was stemming from a desire to be more abstract yet retain some realism. The book, to me, is like having a discussion with this artist who is providing many, outstanding, examples of her philosophy. The color plates are lessons in themselves. If you're looking for a book that gives you step by step instructions from what paint, paper and brushes to buy to how to apply each dab of paint, this isn't it.Each beautiful painting shown, and there are dozens, is a lesson in itself. Not to copy but to develop one's own style after seeing a master's works. She leads by example.

I heard about this book in my Art class for Adults and was very impressed by the photos and information.I bought it used at a good price. It has great tips and is a good recourse for new and experienced artists.

This book provides only a vague description of HOW to create these abstracted works, especially since the author uses mixed media and each is so different from the other, but the examples of her work on virtually every page are incredibly beautiful in color harmony, balance and line. Her work provides many amazing models for how to abstract landscapes, still lifes and seascapes. She is truly a master of color, and this book is an inspiration for artists at any stage of development. Highly recommend it! The first two artist friends I showed it to subsequently bought copies of their own.

I love the style of this artist and enjoyed the many colorful paintings included in the book. I would describe the paintings as happy, interesting, quirky, and original. Although the book has "abstract" in its title, there are recognizable objects and/or people in each painting. This is one of my favorite books on painting.

This is one of my favorite art books of all time. I am a professional artist looking to paint more abstract. Claire is so inspiring to me!Of you like abstract or are wanting to understand it better , this is a great book for you.I would love to see more books from her!

A better title for this book might be "Abstract and Colour Technique In My Works".The real title is misleading in that this is a book about style and technique that Claire Harrigan uses in their paintings.This is not an overview of techniques in abstract painting but a very specific, painting by painting, description of techniquethe author used in their paintings. I think the author does a great job of describing their style and technique so if I wantedto copy or use their style or study them as an artist this would be an informative book. If you are an artist working on yourown abstract style and technique this is not the book for you.

I had to re-read continually of the author's slightly rambling style of explacation--but doing so unearthed a few gems. In other words the book is not such a light read, while not a terribly profound one either. No doubt the information in this book will be of assistance to an artist at just that level to need a boost into the next step up.The author is of British origins and her English language is such as to give the impression through-outthat she has written all in the same manner in which she speaks.Lots of examples of her colorful paintings, which seem more Fauvist than Impressionist in style, help her writing along. I have to give her credit for mentioning the names of a few artists I had not known previously, and who's work I now adore (after researching online).This book is very much about the author and how she goes about painting, rather than an art instruction, step-by-step, how-to book. There is information on her materials, technique of layering, her approach to various subject matter, that she sometimes makes and uses her own paper(but nothing on papermaking), and how she prefers private, secluded outdoor locations to paint and will pack-up and leave if people bother her. I have read up to page 91 so far in this book of 126 written pages. Worth reading.

It didn’t provide anything creative or educational. It seemed more of a presentation of the artist’s work. It will give you useful ideas to think up subject matter of your own, or maybe color ideas. I was hoping for demonstrations of different media and technique, like pouring or inks or something.