'Painting and Understanding Abstract Art' is a practical book on how to paint abstracts but it also explains how to approach and understand abstract art. It moves the teaching of art from a 'doing' level of painting a certain subject in a particular medium to a 'thinking' level of 'What am I doing when I paint?' and 'What am I trying to say in this painting?'. Using practical exercises with explanatory text, John Lowry develops the thinking and doing processes together and leads the reader to a greater understanding and appreciation of this most exciting art genre.