Abstract Nature

Austrian artist Waltraud Nawratil shows you how to combine a love for nature with a passion for expressive painting. It is divided into helpful sections to teach the reader how to use acrylics, watercolours or airbrushing, as well as natural materials such as sand, bark and leaves, to create captivating pictures full of colour and vitality.There is a wealth of stunning abstract pieces by Waltraud which will provide inspiration for more experience painters as well as the beginner. The book covers the variations through all seasons, teaching the reader to see the natural world with creativity and a fresh new perspective.

This straightforward and easy-to-follow guide starts by keeping one foot firmly rooted in reality - you'll never be in doubt about what you're looking at. It also provides the tools - including 22 individual projects - to truly create some beautiful abstract work., This is not a new book. In fact, it has been reprinted for the second time. I’m including it because such a lot of people on my Multi-coloured WOW Course have been enjoying the painty parts of the course and I think they’d enjoy this book. Many of the projects in this book work on stretcher frames which can be stitched if the surface is not too thickly encrusted. Also, the multimedia approach lends itself to textiles as well as art-based projects. After a brief dash through inspiration, we arrive at the heart of the book. This comprises step-by-step instructions for completing a series of paintings based on multi-media techniques such as sand, paste, the use of natural materials and much more. Nature provides inspiration and the sections are divided into seasons. It does make you itch to have a go., Feb 2017 This book (translated from German) that demands a one word summing up and the word that comes to mind is visceral. You may also feel that it shouts at you. Both the content and the presentation are so bright and ther is a constant sensation that you (or it) are standing too close, that a step back might allow you to take in the bigger picture. Take time to get used to this, you'll find a novel and interesting approach. The cover blurb refers to '22 stunning projects' and they're certainly stunning. Using the seasons provides a neat frame work and a narrative, though, and Waltraud's style is more interprative than full on abstraction, providing an easier way in. This won't be for everyone, but does make you think., Inside this book is a liberating, freer approach to depicting nature that draws upon abstract styles and makes use of a lot more than just paint.  Using acrylics, watercolors and mixed media the artist shows you how to produce bold, imaginative work that brings the natural world to vibrant life. This is not a book aimed at the beginning artist but to those with experience who want to try something fresh and new.  The artist uses a wide variety of materials beyond just the standard paints and brushes including stencils, pressed bark and found objects.  Not only acrylics and watercolors are used either; airbrush paints, marble powder, pastes, binders and more are made use of so anybody attempting this type of work might be advised to stock up on more than just the basics.  Following on from this is a section on using the various media with plenty of examples and inspiration.  The rest of the book contains twenty-two projects, not the usual Search Press type with lots of photographic stages but briefer.  These are organized in seasons, with each project covering two pages.  There is a page-sized photograph of the finished piece plus a list of what you need and step by step instructions in five to six written stages.  Subjects include flowers such as dandelions, ferns, daisies, poppies (several of these), trees, a pond, meadow scene and more.  Describing them as abstract stretches the term somewhat as it is easy to see what the paintings depict; rather they are a freer, looser style which gives a vigorous outdoor appearance suitable to the subjects.  At the back is a gallery where the author suggests people utilise the pictures as inspiration for their own, concluding a refreshingly different approach to painting nature., Dec 16 Abstract Nature by Austrian artist Waltraud Nawratil looks at how to paint the natural world with acrylics, watercolour and mixed media. But rather than simply painting what she sees, Waltraud show us how to capture emotion you feel when looking at a particular scene and translate it into paint. Painting techniques and media are clearly explained before moving on to finding inspiration in the natural world throughout the year, and through the seasons with flowers and trees. The book includes step-by-step demonstrations and plenty of practical advice on abstracting the essence of what you see in the world around you.

Waltraud has always been inspired by the natural world, choosing subjects from her surroundings with vibrant and attractive colours. She began her artistic career with watercolours before moving on to experiment with other techniques and media. Waltraud has worked as a freelance painter since 1995 and today she offers painting courses combining watercolour and acrylic painting techniques. She encourages her students to attempt variations on ordinary subjects in order to gradually develop their own style. Waltraud works from her own studio near where she lives in Schönering, Upper Austria. Some of her pieces are available via the artists’ platform International Graphics.http://www.waltraud-nawratil.at