This project-based guide will introduce you to both the concepts and the techniques of abstract painting

Abstraction is as much a state of mind as it is a way of painting, but getting yourself there is not always a straightforward process. The idea is to induce in the viewer the same feelings that you had when you looked at a subject, and the method is something more than simple description. When it works, that viewer will be able to re-create the original scene in their own mind and, while it may not resemble what was actually there, the emotional response will be broadly similar.

Explaining abstract concepts is always difficult and sometimes the only way to learn is to practise. That’s where this intriguing book comes in. Inevitably, you’re working with someone else’s vision, but Petra is careful to explain the whys as well as the hows and her approach works well.

If you’re interested in abstract painting, but have been unsure how to get going, this is an excellent starting point.