Painting Imaginary Flowers: Beautiful Blooms and Abstract Patterns in Mixed Media

by Sandrine Pelissier

Working from imagination is a fun way to create unique art. Kick off your imagination with six chapters and fifteen demonstrations, beginning with abstract backgrounds and followed by guidance on finding outlines and shapes. Apply techniques featuring alcohol drops and negative painting to see flowers emerge and, finally, add unique details with pens and inks to create mixed-media layers and beautiful colors. If you want to be more creative, or you just want to experiment instead of relying on reference photos, try this unique style to create fun, beautiful paintings--no prior artistic experience required!

• ISBN10: 1440351554
• ISBN13: 9781440351556
• Publish Date: 18 September 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: F&W Publications Inc
• Imprint: North Light Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 144
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781440351556

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Painting Imaginary Flowers is a tutorial and technique guide by visual artist Sandrine Pelissier. Released 18th Sept 2018 by F + W Media, it's 144 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

The techniques she describes and the resultant artwork are very organic and flowing. This is not a slavish how-to manual. There's quite a lot of artist philosophy and the author spends a lot of time encouraging the reader to actively feel and experience the process.

Creating in a vacuum can be intimidating and stressful all by itself.. and the author suggests quite early on in the book that there's a facebook community dedicated to her students to share experiences and get feedback.

The book is full of rich photography and gallery shots of finished artworks for inspiration. There are also a number of 'action' shots of the artist at work.

She spends roughly 20% of the content on introduction and materials. There are a number of unusual combinations of materials used in this technique, and she spends a good amount of time explaining where and how they're used.

The following chapter includes a little bit of artistic philosophy. I liked the encouraging tone of the writing and the reassuring message: "Making Art Is Fun, So Enjoy the Process". It -should- be fun and time used without finished results isn't wasted; it's practice! (Everyone needs to hear that).

Roughly the next 10% of the book covers which materials to choose and picking a color scheme. This section also introduces the methods of building up the base (color) layers.

This book is lavishly photographed. The author shows her own work at every stage from beginning color layers to processing, covering the base layers, embellishing, and finishing.

I really think this would make a lovely addition to the painter's library or for would-be artists who are having trouble getting over their intimidation. She's a very exuberant and colorful teacher.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.