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.

Book Contents

Introduction 6
Materials and tools 8

Your painting surface 10
Painting tools and accessories 11
Paints 12
Additional materials 14

PAINTING TECHNIQUES 16

Using mixed media 18
Watercolour painting style 19
Using a spatula 20
Collages and structures 21
Applying plant materials directly 21
Stamp-printing with natural materials 22
Working with paste 24
Experimental techniques 26
Working with spray varnish 28

INSPIRATION 30

SOURCES OF INSPIRATION 32

INSPIRATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 34
Flowers 34
Trees 36
In spring 36
In summer 38
In autumn 39
In winter 40

THROUGH THE SEASONS WITH FLOWERS AND TREES 42
Spring 44
Flowering Dandelion 46
Poppy and Wild Cumin 48
Ox-eye Daisy 50
Birch Trees in Spring 52
Spring Mood in the Forest 54
Spring Breeze in the Trees 56
Summer 58
Flowering Suns 60
The Meadow 62
Lily Pond 64
Large Poppies 66
Poppy and Fern 68
Sunny Forest with Fern 70
Summer Tree 72

Autumn 74
Autumn Poppy 76
Abstract Autumn Tree 78
Fiery Autumn Forest 82
Autumn in the Birch Forest 84
Winter 86
Abstract Poppy 88
Poinsettias 90
Winter Abstract 92
Virginia Creeper in Winter 94
Virginia Creeper in a Grey Frame 96

GALLERY AND CLOSING WORDS 100
About the author 110