Painting in Abstract by Carole Robson

This book guides the reader through simple combinations of wet media such as watercolour, gouache, acrylic and Indian inks. It goes on to examine and include other media and techniques; exploring media that combine happily, and those that resist each other to create interesting and unexpected effects.

It offers strategies for developing concepts and improving design, with a chapter devoted to the formal elements line, shape, colour, tone, texture and surface pattern that can be harnessed to produce impactful work. Readers will be provided the tools and inspiration to find their own interpretations.

Carole covers various aspects of the natural landscape, from close-up details to more distant views, celebrating wild flowers, seed heads, berries and leaves. It peers inquisitively into ditches, hedgerows and verges, and soaks up the idyll of flower-rich meadows. It will visit the tranquility of woodland scenes as well as the atmospheric, wild elements of stormy skies and high seas.

Exciting techniques such as washing or spraying off an image, using improvised mark-making tools, preparing a variety of collage papers such as painting through tissue paper are included; alongside printing or stencilling acrylic gel or texture paste to enliven a surface.