Paint Alchemy: Exploring Process-Driven Techniques through Design, Pattern, Color, Abstraction, Acrylic and Mixed Media

by Ms. Eva Marie Magill-Oliver M.A.

Experience wonder and excitement as you mindfully take your painting technique to the next It’s Paint Alchemy .

Part of the new Alchemy series,  Paint Alchemy  explores how to build a painting practice. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced painter, you’ll learn how to create freely by combining a foundation in solid techniques and design principles with an open approach that stays focused on the moment , rather than the end result.

You will learn how to prepare your art space, work with intention, and move between action and observation, responding to the work along the way. Paint Alchemy will help you cultivate a full perspective on the process : from developing ideas in a sketchbook to crystalizing your vision.

As you work through the exercises, you’ll gain a better understanding of  color theory , mark making , representational form , abstraction , and composition . Mindfulness, experimentation, and reflection will give way to wonder as your paintings develop. 

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

120 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2018

Reviews

[Ann T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You Quatro - Quarry Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.

I love the author’s philosophy of art being a journey not a destination. I do not feel creative or “good at art” in any shape or form, however this book gave permission to just enjoy the process, something I truly appreciated.

I there was also lots of tips, techniques and good information which would suit a range of abilities.

Thank you for this ARC.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good book for people who want to make original art and don’t know quite where to start. lots of good tips for both conventional and unconventional art materials with tips on how to set up your studio or work area. best for those interested in mixed media arts. the exercises seemed easy to set up. i just prefer step by step projects over exploratory exercises. i enjoyed the promotion of using organic shapes in abstract art.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painting outside of your comfort zone may feel uncomfortable, but is the only way to grow.
Look at it as the advantages of continued education and expanded experience.

Each chapter offers a different perspective and inspiration as well as instruction on the artistic process and design attributes.

Each chapter begins with a quote and finishes with exercises to help you digest the concepts.



Artists can approach painting and creation as many ways as writers experience the process of expressing words. The idea is to begin, to give the idea life, and editing happens later.
From simple pencil sketches to mixed media techniques requiring mixing, taking into consideration of space used and space between, of color choices, and textures, where will the eye focus and how will the mind interpret the work? This gorgeous book is an inspiration and a delight.



This book presents well on a digital monitor. I would also love a print copy to share in my own craft room and to page through at my leisure on a day I can`t be actively creating.

[Trish G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paint Alchemy touches on the basics with some depth of designing using multi-media supplies. The fun, informative exercises inspired me to play and create my own rich, bold patters and works of art using both conventional and unconventional tools. It offers guidance while encouraging the freedom to break some rules, which I love!

I really enjoyed this well written e-book given to me by Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group to review in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Elizabeth Grieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good guide for those wishing to begin abstract painting. It takes the reader through the various steps of preparing the work space, materials to use, colours and paints, and then onto various techniques to 'loosen up' and create abstract works. I love to paint, not abstracts I must confess, but always willing to learn from the examples of others.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.

[Andreea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Paint Alchemy is making abstract art easier for anyone who wants to approach it and the main focus of this book is experiment!

The exercises were a lot of fun and the author always supportive. There are notes on creativity and starting over as well.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pretty book and I want to try some of the techniques mentioned. I find myself unable to paint simple abstracts like this and call it done... I need to learn that less is more.

Or maybe just adding things is my style and I should embrace it—- I haven’t figured that out yet. 😅

Anyway, I am also lending it to my Dad to read since he was interested.

[Scraggledy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging to artists at any and all levels. Just what I needed to inspire me during a slump in my mixed media work. I needed focus, and this book offers just that. Most books are either overly general and leave one feeling as lost as before, or hyper focused on set projects for you to recreate. This felt like the antidote to both.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few new techniques and tools.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Paint Alchemy through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Every now and then you come across an art guide that is so helpful that it takes your breath away. For me, Paint Alchemy was that book. I loved how detailed each of the pages were, more than that though I really appreciated the high quality photos that were taken for this project. Being able to actually see the textures in the paint made all of the difference.
There are eight chapters in total in this book, so it’s all very neatly organized. I love how everything was categorized into easy to find sections – making it easy to quickly reference a technique as needed.
The chapters are: building a practice (all the basics from workspace to workflow); foundations of design; seeking balance; working with intention; exploring mixed-media tools; space, composition, and form; improvising with acrylics; and finally perspectives on color. Each chapter contains an explanation for the concept being covered as well as at least one related project (most of the chapters have two or more actually).
This was a shockingly comprehensive look at paint in all varieties. I can honestly tell you I’ve never seen a guide go through so many different materials that work well with paint. It was inspiring, to put it lightly.

For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I like the author's approach to making art, her style and the lessons are well put together. Each lesson focuses on a new concept or technique. The lessons are approachable for even a beginner. Beautiful book!

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paint Alchemy is a well put together recipe book for the beginning artist. The lessons are useful and organized, and the illustrations are clear.

[Tesha Ham]

This book is one I would highly recommend to new artists, or experienced artists looking for inspiration from new angles. It is thorough in its explanation of tools and mediums that are used for each of the exercises in the book, as well as ones you may use in your own art regularly. This allows for inexperienced artists just starting out to be introduced to a wide range of mediums making it easier for them to get comfortable using them. This book also has easy to follow workshops for people to create a wide range of types of art. It is so useful for inspiration and teaching and I would highly recommend it.

I received a free ARC copy of this title in exchange for a review through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice little book on basics of design, working mainly through abstract modern examples, it covers various aspects of space, composition and form. The book is very colourful and graphically explained, it has a great feel about it - one that makes one want to get straight in.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A selection of innovative techniques that can be used for acrylic or mixed techniques. The tutorials are easy to follow and the results are amazing.

#PaintAlchemy #NetGalley

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting exploration of different techniques and ways to express subjects. The book does a good job explaining techniques for a beginner or a more experienced painter. This is good work for an experienced artist to help break out of a rut or overcome the occasional period of stagnation.