5 ways to create an abstract painting

How many times have you seen an abstract painting and heard someone say "I can do it"? While abstract painting seems easy to some, it can actually be more challenging than traditional or classical painting. This is because abstract art defines the rules and conventions. It is up to you as an artist to break the rules, be expressive and decide what art is. First of all, get ready to paint. Then decide if you would like to create a random abstract and geometric painting (in the style of Paul Yanko or Thornton Willis), an abstract painting that is minimalist and has geometric shapes (in the style of Piet Mondrian or Paul Klee), or if You prefer to focus more on the painting process (in the style of Jackson Pollock or Mark Rothko).

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Prepare to Paint

Step 1. Find a canvas

You can buy a ready-made canvas of any size at a craft store. It will be ready for immediate use, but there are no rules that say you should use a varnished or stretched one. In fact, abstract artists often use unstressed and unvarnished canvases.

If you prefer to have a colored background, buy a bottle of gesso to varnish the canvas and add a touch of color. The varnish should dry quickly

Step 2. Choose your paintings

Decide if you are going to use acrylics or oil paint. Acrylics are odorless and easy to work with as they dry quickly and can be overpainted in case you make a mistake. On the other hand, oils are not normally used because they take longer to dry, have an odor, and don't allow you to paint over them in case you make a mistake.

Step 3. Gather your brushes and other tools

Choose the brushes that you like to use with the paint you have already chosen. You might also consider using a putty knife to apply the paint, which will give it a textured look. While some artists prefer to use an easel, many abstract artists choose to place their canvases directly on the floor in order to be closer to the work.

If you're not sure which colors will go well together, use a color wheel or chart. This will show you which colors complement each other

Step 4. Put on clothes to paint

Depending on how dirty you plan to get, it is recommended that you put on an old t-shirt and a dust coat to paint. Wearing something that you don't worry about getting dirty will allow you to focus more on painting or the abstract art process.

You could also place newspapers to prevent drips or spills, especially if you plan to paint in quick strokes or lay the canvas on the floor

Method 2 of 5: Learn Color Theory

Step 1. Get a color wheel

Simply put, a color wheel is a circular tool that provides a variety of colors. This is useful for showing the relationship between colors (those that look good together, opposites, etc.).

Get a color wheel at your local paint supply store, arts and crafts store, or paint department

Step 2. Learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors

In its most basic form, a color wheel is divided into three parts: the primary colors (red, blue, and yellow). Secondary colors are created by mixing the primary colors (green, orange, and purple). Tertiary colors can be created by mixing secondary and tertiary colors (yellow with orange, red with orange, red with purple, blue with purple, blue with green, and green with yellow).

To familiarize yourself with creating colors, try making your own color wheel

Step 3. Learn about warm and cool colors

Warm colors, such as red, yellow, orange, tend to create a sense of movement and advancement in space. Cool colors, such as blue, green, purple, recede or express little movement. They are calming colors.

White, black and gray are considered neutral colors

Step 4. Work with harmonic colors

There are several formulas for choosing colors that go well together. Try the following:

• Analogous Colors: Pick two or three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. One of the colors will probably stand out, but all three will look good together.

  

• Complementary Colors - Choose two colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. These colors can stand out.

  

• Triadic Colors - Choose three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. If you drew a line to connect the colors you chose, you would have a triangle. These colors will really pop.

  

Method 3 of 5: Make a Geometric Abstract Painting with Random Shapes

Step 1. Create a textured background

One of the easiest ways to do this is to apply artist-quality gesso, which is a type of gel-like varnish. Apply it like you would paint, or spread it all over the canvas with a putty knife if it's thick enough. This will allow you to control the style of the texture.

You could also leave the canvas smooth and blank. Again, there are no rules in abstract art that say you must have a textured background. Many artists simply begin to paint on a blank canvas

Step 2. Tape lines at the intersection points across the canvas

Use a blue masking tape and lay out several lines, thus creating geometric shapes, such as triangles, squares, and rectangles. The goal is to create images that do not represent reality. Tape lines will help you paint while masking tape will ensure your painting has sharp, clear lines and shapes.

Use rulers and pencil lines instead of masking tape. If you don't want to deal with the gaps left by the masking tape when you remove it, you can mark the canvas with a ruler and pencil. Again, place the ruler along various points to create geometric shapes

Step 3. Mix the paint colors

Decide what colors you will use to complete the painting. Mix them up on the paint palette or tray. You could also blend them directly onto the canvas, but this will take away some control over the final appearance.

Step 4. Paint in the spaces between the tape

Don't worry if you stain the masking tape. Also, don't feel like you have to fill the entire canvas or all of the shapes with color.

Some abstract artists will outline the colors of each shape before beginning to paint. Others will simply paint and decide what colors to use on the fly

Step 5. Remove the masking tape

As soon as you decide the painting is complete, remove the masking tape. If you prefer sharp, clear edges, remove the certain one while the paint is still wet. If you remove the tape from a dry paint, you will likely remove the paint along with it, creating slightly ragged edges.

Step 6. Fill in the blank space on the ribbon (optional)

Once you have removed the tape, you will notice white lines where the tape covered the canvas. While you can leave it like this, you can also paint the lines.

Method 4 of 5: Make a Geometric and Minimalist Abstract Painting

Step 1. Create a textured background

One of the easiest ways to do this is to apply an artist-quality gesso, which is a gel-like varnish. Apply it as you would paint, or spread it all over the canvas with a putty knife if it is thick enough. This will allow you to control the style of the texture.

You could also use heavy paper or cardstock. If you do, you will not need to prepare or varnish the surface

Step 2. Use a ruler and pencil to create lines

You should make multiple horizontal lines with different spaces in between, as well as vertical lines. Mark as many as you like, but keep in mind that fewer lines will mean bigger squares and rectangles.

Step 3. Paint the lines

Use black paint to create bold lines. You can make some lines thicker and others thinner. Now the painting will look like a grid with black lines.

Step 4. Paint just a few squares and rectangles

Use primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) and fill various shapes with paint. While you could fill in all the shapes, this will make your painting look too full and overwhelming. Instead, choose to paint only a few shapes. This way they will stand out more.

Step 5. Leave the space blank

The white space will make the squares with the primary colors pop.

Method 5 of 5: Make an Abstract Gestural Painting

Step 1. Put the canvas on the ground

Many abstract artists claim that this allows them to be closer to work. Also, if you are creating an abstract painting with gestures or action, it will be easier to apply the paint in a variety of ways.

Don't think you can't move the canvas while you paint. In fact, you could create unique designs by starting on the ground and then moving the canvas to an upright position while the paint is still wet

Step 2. Clear your mind

In gestural abstract art, you don't try to represent an image. Instead, focus on the process of applying the paint. Try a variety of apps and see what you like.

Step 3. Mix the paint directly onto the canvas

Since this is more about the painting process, you don't need to worry about creating a specific palette to work with before you start. Instead, work with the colors as you paint.

Step 4. Pour the paint onto the canvas (optional)

Pouring paint on the canvas is just one way to create a completely unique and unforeseen image. Pour as much or as little paint as you like.

You can also vary the distances from which you pour the paint onto the canvas. Pouring the paint from a great height will create splatters, while pouring it from a shorter distance will give you more control and precision

Step 5. Splash or drip the paint onto the canvas (optional)

Use any tool of your choice and apply the paint. Then shake the paint splatter tool or hold it above the canvas, which will cause the paint to drip.

You can use old brushes, straws, spray bottles, or toothbrushes to splatter or drip paint

Step 6. You can also close your eyes and paint

If there is one thing that most abstract artists agree on, it is that an abstract painting should not represent reality. One of the best ways to avoid accidentally painting a recognizable shape is to do it with your eyes closed.

Let the paint brush move across the canvas without worrying about the image you create. This type of painting is more about the experience than the result

Step 7. Stop when the painting looks complete

Don't try to improve or tweak it. Do not work too much on your painting, but learn to finish it the moment you think it is ready.

Advice

• Begin your painting by thinking of an object or a setting. Don't think about the actual drawing, just limit yourself to the idea or the shape of the object. Your imagination and your feelings will create what you paint on the canvas. Remember that it is about interpreting, not drawing.
• Study the principles of composition and determine if you can make an abstract painting based on the idea of one of those principles rather than on a specific subject. This will most likely make for a good abstract painting!