Abstract and Colour Techniques in Painting

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 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-out that 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.

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.

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.

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 technique the author used in their paintings. I think the author does a great job of describing their style and technique so if I wanted to copy or use their style or study them as an artist this would be an informative book. If you are an artist working on your own abstract style and technique this is not the book for you.

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!

Beautiful book, with many beautiful reproductions of the authors art. I clear and generous description of her process and some excellent suggestions for developing your own. I am particularly attracted right now to her style of abstracted but recognizable subjects.

If you are interested in a more expressive approach to painting (particularly wrt to colour) this is a very interesting and helpful book. The artist still bases most of her painting on real things

I enjoyed Harrigan writing and her explanation on her painting that in a certain way gives me a similar feeling as some Matisse paintings . Recommanded for someone looking for a new approach

Bon livre.

birthday presant

I've had my copy of this book for five years now and it has turned out to be one of the most useful teaching guides I own. As a professional painter I've been working in the field of abstraction for more than twenty years; it isn't an easy area of painting to engage in; the pitfalls are many and it`s easy to fool oneself with pretty colours - making work of substance requires some serious aesthetic development. It took me about three years to find approaches and working methods I could use productively (It remains an on-going process). It takes a good deal longer for anyone without a solid training and helpful guidance to find any real direction and discover a working language to underpin their work. This book provides excellent examples of a tried and tested working method of developing an abstract approach from a representational basis; it isn't a spoon-fed, step-by-step how-to book, but a collection of one artist's work providing examples of how she has developed just such a visual language that can remain representational or be pushed into complete abstraction. Most of Harrigan`s advice is sound; her approach reflects a tradition common to many artists from the West Coast of Scotland - mixed-media being a popular means of sketching, development and for finished work. (anyone trained in painting at GSA up to the late 80s will know what I mean). Of course it isn't exclusive to us Scots, anyone can - and has - used mixed-media, which can be a liberating first-step into a looser, freer painting method - ideal for experimenting with abstraction. I've use this book together with my own demonstrations in my art classes to encourage students who wish to go beyond the obvious and the examples have been very helpful; the book loses nothing by being the work of one artist; on the contrary, a consistency in the work presents a clearer example to follow. I suggest you ignore the review that bemoans this as somehow negative - books by Shirley Trevena, Rolina Van Viliet, Ann Blockley and many others which you'll find in the "Customers who bought..." listing above do the same thing - it is a nonsensical point to make and absolutely no reason to give this book such a poor and undeserved rating. This is a worthwhile purchase for the student who has gained some experience in drawing and painting and would like to move in the direction of abstraction; it won't tell you everything - no book can - but it may help set you on a path that will enable your own creativity to find the key into a difficult but rewarding way of painting. Do make use of the "look inside" feature at the top of the page.