Difference between revisions of "Create an Abstract Painting"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Preparing to Paint === | === Preparing to Paint === | ||
| − | #Find a canvas. You can buy a ready made canvas of any size in a craft store. It will be prepared for immediate use; however, there are no rules saying you have to use a primed and stretched canvas. In fact, abstract artists often use unstretched, unprimed canvases.<ref>http://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/abstract-expressionism/the-processes-and-materials-of-abstract-expressionist-painting</ref> | + | #Find a canvas. You can buy a ready made canvas of any size in a craft store. It will be prepared for immediate use; however, there are no rules saying you have to use a primed and stretched canvas. In fact, abstract artists often use unstretched, unprimed canvases.<ref name="rf16231">http://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/abstract-expressionism/the-processes-and-materials-of-abstract-expressionist-painting</ref> |
#* If you prefer a colored background, buy a jar of Gesso to prime the canvas and give it a touch of color. The primer should dry quickly. | #* If you prefer a colored background, buy a jar of Gesso to prime the canvas and give it a touch of color. The primer should dry quickly. | ||
#Choose your paints. Decide whether to use acrylics or oil paint. Acrylics have no odor and are easy to work with since they dry fast and can be painted over if you make a mistake. Oils, on the other hand, aren't usually used because they take longer to dry, have an odor, and do not allow you to paint over mistakes. | #Choose your paints. Decide whether to use acrylics or oil paint. Acrylics have no odor and are easy to work with since they dry fast and can be painted over if you make a mistake. Oils, on the other hand, aren't usually used because they take longer to dry, have an odor, and do not allow you to paint over mistakes. | ||
| − | #Gather brushes and other tools. Pick whatever brushes you like to use with the paint you've already chosen. You might also consider using a palette knife to apply paint, giving it a textured look. While some artists like to use an easel, many abstract artists choose to place their canvases directly on the floor in order to be closer to the work.<ref | + | #Gather brushes and other tools. Pick whatever brushes you like to use with the paint you've already chosen. You might also consider using a palette knife to apply paint, giving it a textured look. While some artists like to use an easel, many abstract artists choose to place their canvases directly on the floor in order to be closer to the work.<ref name="rf16231" /> |
#* If you're unsure about what colors work well together, think about picking up a color chart/wheel. This will actually show you which colors compliment each other. | #* If you're unsure about what colors work well together, think about picking up a color chart/wheel. This will actually show you which colors compliment each other. | ||
#Change into painting clothes. Depending on how messy you're planning on getting, it's wise to change into an old shirt or painting smock. Wearing something you're not worried about will allow you to focus more on the painting or process of abstract art. | #Change into painting clothes. Depending on how messy you're planning on getting, it's wise to change into an old shirt or painting smock. Wearing something you're not worried about will allow you to focus more on the painting or process of abstract art. | ||
#* You may want to lay down newspapers to prevent drips or spills, especially if you plan on flicking paint or laying the canvas on the ground. | #* You may want to lay down newspapers to prevent drips or spills, especially if you plan on flicking paint or laying the canvas on the ground. | ||
=== Learning Color Theory === | === Learning Color Theory === | ||
| − | #Get a color wheel. Quite simply, a color wheel is a circular tool that features a variety of colors. It's useful for showing the relationship between colors - what looks good together, what clashes, and so on.<ref | + | #Get a color wheel. Quite simply, a color wheel is a circular tool that features a variety of colors. It's useful for showing the relationship between colors - what looks good together, what clashes, and so on.<ref name="rf9274" /> |
#* Find a color wheel at a local artist supply store, craft store, or paint department. | #* Find a color wheel at a local artist supply store, craft store, or paint department. | ||
| − | #Understand primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. At their most basic, a color wheel is divided into three parts: the primary colors (red, blue, yellow). Secondary colors are created by mixing these primary colors together (green, orange, purple). Tertiary colors can me made by mixing the primary and secondary colors (yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green).<ref>http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-theory-intro.htm</ref> | + | #Understand primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. At their most basic, a color wheel is divided into three parts: the primary colors (red, blue, yellow). Secondary colors are created by mixing these primary colors together (green, orange, purple). Tertiary colors can me made by mixing the primary and secondary colors (yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green).<ref name="rf16232">http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-theory-intro.htm</ref> |
#* To become familiar with color creation, try making your own color wheel. | #* To become familiar with color creation, try making your own color wheel. | ||
| − | #Learn about warm and cool colors. Warm colors, such as reds, yellows, oranges, tend to create a sense of movement and advance in space. Cool colors, like blues, greens, purples, recede or show little movement. They are calming colors.<ref | + | #Learn about warm and cool colors. Warm colors, such as reds, yellows, oranges, tend to create a sense of movement and advance in space. Cool colors, like blues, greens, purples, recede or show little movement. They are calming colors.<ref name="rf16232" /> |
#* White, black, and gray are seen as neutral colors. | #* White, black, and gray are seen as neutral colors. | ||
# Work with color harmonies. Several formulas exist for choosing colors that work well together. Try: | # Work with color harmonies. Several formulas exist for choosing colors that work well together. Try: | ||
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#*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 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 stand out. | ||
=== Painting Random Geometric Abstract Art === | === Painting Random Geometric Abstract Art === | ||
| − | #Create a textured background. One of the easiest ways to do this is to apply artist-quality Gesso, a thick gel-like primer.<ref>http://startstudioarts.si.edu/2010/07/gesso-tips-techniques.html</ref> Apply it like paint, or spread it around with a palette knife, if it's thick enough. This will allow you to control the style of the texture. | + | #Create a textured background. One of the easiest ways to do this is to apply artist-quality Gesso, a thick gel-like primer.<ref name="rf16233">http://startstudioarts.si.edu/2010/07/gesso-tips-techniques.html</ref> Apply it like paint, or spread it around with a palette 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 for abstract art saying you must have a textured background. Many artists simply start painting on a blank canvas. | #* You could also leave the canvas smooth and blank. Again, there are no rules for abstract art saying you must have a textured background. Many artists simply start painting on a blank canvas. | ||
#Tape lines at intersecting points across the canvas. Use blue painter's tape and place several lines, creating geometric shapes, such as triangles, squares, and rectangles. The goal is to create images that aren't representative of reality. The taped lines will help you paint Painter's tape will ensure that your painting has crisp, clear lines and shapes. | #Tape lines at intersecting points across the canvas. Use blue painter's tape and place several lines, creating geometric shapes, such as triangles, squares, and rectangles. The goal is to create images that aren't representative of reality. The taped lines will help you paint Painter's tape will ensure that your painting has crisp, clear lines and shapes. | ||
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#Paint in the spaces between the tape. Don't worry if you happen to get paint on the painter's tape. Also, don't feel as though you must fill your entire canvas, or all of the shapes, with color. | #Paint in the spaces between the tape. Don't worry if you happen to get paint on the painter's tape. Also, don't feel as though you must fill your entire canvas, or all of the shapes, with color. | ||
#* Some abstract artists will outline the colors of each shape before they begin painting. Others simply paint and decide which colors to use as they go along. | #* Some abstract artists will outline the colors of each shape before they begin painting. Others simply paint and decide which colors to use as they go along. | ||
| − | #Remove the tape. As soon as you've decided the painting is complete, remove the painter's tape. If you'd like crisp, clear edges, remove the tape while the paint is still wet. If you remove the tape from a dry painting, it's liable to pull paint away with it, creating slightly rough edges.<ref>http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/painting/six-steps-painting-room/outline-blue-tape</ref> | + | #Remove the tape. As soon as you've decided the painting is complete, remove the painter's tape. If you'd like crisp, clear edges, remove the tape while the paint is still wet. If you remove the tape from a dry painting, it's liable to pull paint away with it, creating slightly rough edges.<ref name="rf16234">http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/painting/six-steps-painting-room/outline-blue-tape</ref> |
#Fill in the blank space from the tape, optional. Once you remove the tape, you'll notice white lines from where the tape was covering the canvas. While you can leave it, you could also paint the lines in. | #Fill in the blank space from the tape, optional. Once you remove the tape, you'll notice white lines from where the tape was covering the canvas. While you can leave it, you could also paint the lines in. | ||
=== Painting Minimalist Geometric Abstract Art === | === Painting Minimalist Geometric Abstract Art === | ||
| − | #Create a textured background. One of the easiest ways to do this is to apply artist-quality Gesso, a thick gel-like primer.<ref | + | #Create a textured background. One of the easiest ways to do this is to apply artist-quality Gesso, a thick gel-like primer.<ref name="rf16233" /> Apply it like paint, or spread it around with a palette knife, if it's thick enough. This will allow you to control the style of the texture. |
#* You could also use heavy paper or poster board. If you do this, you won't need to prepare or prime the surface. | #* You could also use heavy paper or poster board. If you do this, you won't need to prepare or prime the surface. | ||
#Use a ruler and pencil to create lines. You should make several horizontal lines with varying spaces in between, as well as vertical lines. Mark as many as you like, but be aware that fewer lines will mean larger squares and rectangles. | #Use a ruler and pencil to create lines. You should make several horizontal lines with varying spaces in between, as well as vertical lines. Mark as many as you like, but be aware that fewer lines will mean larger squares and rectangles. | ||
#Paint the lines. Use black paint to create bold lines. You can make some lines thicker and others thinner. Your painting will now look like a grid with black lines. | #Paint the lines. Use black paint to create bold lines. You can make some lines thicker and others thinner. Your painting will now look like a grid with black lines. | ||
#Paint only a few squares and rectangles. Use primary colors (red, blue, yellow) and fill in several shapes with paint. While you could fill in every shape, this will make your painting look busy and overwhelming. Instead, choose just a few shapes to paint in. They'll stand out more. | #Paint only a few squares and rectangles. Use primary colors (red, blue, yellow) and fill in several shapes with paint. While you could fill in every shape, this will make your painting look busy and overwhelming. Instead, choose just a few shapes to paint in. They'll stand out more. | ||
| − | #Leave the white space. The white space will make your primary colored squares pop.<ref>http://www.kinderart.com/painting/mondrian.shtml</ref> | + | #Leave the white space. The white space will make your primary colored squares pop.<ref name="rf16235">http://www.kinderart.com/painting/mondrian.shtml</ref> |
=== Painting Gestural Abstract Art === | === Painting Gestural Abstract Art === | ||
#Move your canvas to the floor. Many abstract artists say that this allows them to be closer to the work. Also, if you're creating a gestural, or action, abstract painting, it will be easier to apply the paint in a variety of ways. | #Move your canvas to the floor. Many abstract artists say that this allows them to be closer to the work. Also, if you're creating a gestural, or action, abstract painting, it will be easier to apply the paint in a variety of ways. | ||
