Library Journal STARRED REVIEW
“It is clear that innovative artist Betteridge (Watercolour Nature Unleashed) loves painting and mixed media. In this book, she explains that abstract painting wasn’t something she set out to do. Instead, it came as a natural progression of her work. She shares her excitement about abstract painting, its definition, her study of painters known for this technique, and how it’s all enabled her to be open to the limitless possibilities of artistic expression. As do all of her books, this one starts with telling readers the materials they’ll need to begin. The author is honest with her recommendations of material costs and value. The book also notes the required tools and gives instructions on how to use them. There are pictorial step-by-step exercises for creating nature-based, mixed-media abstract art. The first activity is basic, but as readers progress through each one, the work becomes more complex. VERDICT An outstanding instructional art book with pictures that illustrate each step. Creative readers of all skill levels will likely love this title.”
Art Book Review – Jan 2024
Abstraction is a hugely personal thing because it’s not about portraying what you see, but how you see and react to it. The idea is to create a similar emotional response in the eye of the viewer by the use of form and colour. You might think, therefore, that it’s not really possible to write an instructional guide, but that hasn’t stopped quite a few authors from trying and Jane is among the best. While there are plenty of recognisable forms here, she has also moved towards almost pure abstraction where the essence of the subject has been put down, rather than its straightforward appearance. Jane in fact makes this point in her introduction, so we’re definitely on the same page.
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