Realistic Abstracts: Painting abstracts based on what you see Paperback – March 1, 2011

I am an accomplished painter, using mainly oil and watercolor, and have been trying to find a way to free and loosen my tehcnique and approach, and get away from being too close to reality. This book is exactly what I was looking for.Contracrary to the 2 negative reviews, the book gives extremely helpful, clear, concise, and complete advice on ALL important aspects that would contribute to achieving successful results. Throughout my life as a painter, I have bought many art books (some of them on how to loosen your style and hand), but I find this one to be the most helpful and inspirational. I was negatively surprised by the comments of the reviewer who gave 1 star to the book when she said that all the points and advices covered in the book could be found in other books, as if the author was to invent a new magical formula, pill, or potion in art that could help artists instantly imporve their work!!!!The book also includes an impressive amount of outstanding work by other artists, ranging from almost abstract to almost realistic work. This greatly helps the reader to get a wide spectrum of possible approaches to compare and choose from. I only refgret that the book did not give a brief bio on each of them.Though the book focuses on watercolor and acrylic, the same principles, rules, and approaches it provides could be applied to all other media.Finally, the quality of the reproduction of all paintings is outstanding, making it a great pleasure to admire all the works reproduced.If you are trying to change and loosen your style, this is THE book to buy and read!!

Good

This book presents realistic abstracts in such a way that as a non-abstract painter, I am hooked and really want to try it myself! The book covers the area between the figurative and the abstract. Kees van Aalst is a master of the subject and highlights the loose and impressionistic style of abstract painting by touching on the aspects like principles and elements of a picture, colours and many more.

There is an order to abstract art. It’s not just about throwing paint around. This book outlines the elements of good abstract design in such a way as to encourage a well thought out composition while maintaining spontaneity.

I have some fifty watercolor books, but I am always looking for ideas and techniques that will impove my painting. I had never heard to Kees van Aalst, but I was attracted to the concept of realistic abstracts. This is a direction in which I would like to take my work. I was not disappointed when I received the book. As it says in the Introduction, "it deals with the ...colorful area between the figuratve and the abstract."The subtopics begin with the basic principles of design and painting and go on to the combining of reality and illusion and learning to "lie." The idea is to come up with a good painting rather than depicting what is seen precisely. It's all about interpretation.With any kind of painting, but especially with watercolor, the painter must confront the need to eliminate and simplify the subject matter, and van Aalst shows how to do this by first establishing a basic abstract composition and then adding some "suggestions of reality." Many of the beautiful paintings in the book llustrate just how the artist does this. The accompanying text is clear and instructive, without laying out specific guidelines. Rather, van Aalst shares his own thought processes and gives the reader/painter the sense that he or she will be able to work more loosely, too.I often find myself referring to this book before beginning a new painting.

As with just about every art book I've ever read, this book repeats the basics. And it does not tell you the most important part.... Why would you choose to do x or y in this particular situation.If you've been painting for a while you already know what can be done you just don't recognize where to do it and when to do it.The short checklist says all the important stuff in 1/2 of a page. Page 150

I was skeptical when I ordered this book. Yes, I would really like to "loosen" up my painting style (I DO like realism, but sometimes it is burdensome) but have a love/hate relationship with abstract painting. It seems to me that "abstractism" is often a place for "artists" to hide who can't draw worth beans. And I feel very strongly that drawing is key to good art - in whatever form it takes. Luckily, Mr. van Aalst seems to be of the same mind.This book is a simple guide to moving from realism to abstract - leaving people like me with a clear idea of how you can incorporate the two successfully. Being able to draw is a foundation for this author's roadmap to abstract - thank goodness. I like the exercises he takes you through and the examples given.There are beautiful examples by other abstract realists to help the reader envision what the author is saying...I really like that the author didn't use only his work as example.I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to transition their artistic practice to another level.

Kees van Aalst has written an accessible, understandable and very informative guide to painting watercolor abstracts. Essential principles and elements for successful artwork are fully explained and the book is profusely illustrated with inspirational examples and step-by-step guides. Beginner that I am, I've actually picked up the paint brush and created my first abstract. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.