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New to painting, doing abstracts. Would appreciate advice
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Message
Posted
Hello Sebastian, I am hardly one to give advice, but I have just started trying out painting abstracts (after a discussion with a friend, it's a long story!). I have painted figuratively for a quite a few years now and have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil though am not trained. Because of this I naturally gravitated towards figurative painting and I won't stop doing that. But I am curious and wanted to see if I could produce nice looking abstracts. Unlike you I have ideas in my mind which I want to convey (so I suppose what i attempt is still 'representational'), but I am hoping that having a go with abstracts will help me improve all of my painting. Anyway, the only advice I would give is to think about composition and colour, as others have said, because some images definitely work better than others when these components are employed. I say this as an observer rather than a practitioner as I am still trying it out!! Good luck and enjoy it, that's the main thing .Thanks Sarah. I do see it's important even with abstract to be aware of colour, composition. Though I often just feel through the painting but I'm definitely looking at these ideas to improve.
Posted
He is not universally popular, but have you taken a look at Jackson Pollok (or is it Pollock?). People look at me strangely when I say I like his work, but I always have - there is form and shape in his paintings, which doesn't mean recognizable shapes but movement, a sense of direction. On another plane altogether, there's Rothko, or Cy Twombly - or Howard (Harold? - this memory is getting worse!) Hodgkin - now, I don't respond positively to some of those, won't say which, but all of them could suggest ways forward; and I would say that all of them have a feeling for colour and apparently random form; Rothko is I think a little different, but that does depend on which works one's thinking about. You won't want to copy these artists, or even to make them your models, but they cover quite a wide range and could provoke ideas in your head that you can then translate into paint. You've already found de Kooning - keep looking, expand your mind's eye, as it were, and remember that you can take your cue and inspiration from the world outside your window as much as, or more than, other artists.
Edited
by Robert Jones, NAPA
Posted
If I'd read some of the other replies more carefully, I could have answered at least one of my own questions.....Haha no problem. Yes I love the abstract expressionists. Thanks for the others, I'll look them up. But I see what you mean. And yes, inspiration from the real world. I think my second one is much too chaotic now. I've tried another more peaceful? one, curious on your thoughts. Sorry photo isn't great. Though for me now I'm not sure there's much to it?
Posted
I’d agree with yourself that there isn’t much to it.
Is it oils or acrylics (or other).
If oils, and still soft, you could rub into areas with a cloth, lifting some of the paint, making other marks, clearing spaces for other additions.
Or it could be a backdrop for something more…
I’ve commented on 5 threads tonight…. More than I normally do in a few months…!
😂
Posted
I’d agree with yourself that there isn’t much to it. Is it oils or acrylics (or other). If oils, and still soft, you could rub into areas with a cloth, lifting some of the paint, making other marks, clearing spaces for other additions. Or it could be a backdrop for something more… I’ve commented on 5 threads tonight…. More than I normally do in a few months…! 😂True. It was oil. Thanks, perhaps it's waiting for more to be added. But I'm seeing the limitations of my abilities and what others are saying, in the sense of seeing what to make it and work it. Haha, that's cool 😅 thanks for commenting!
Posted
Like you, I'm a relative newcomer to painting and aspire to create feeling in abstraction but have come to realise that is difficult without having some ground work. Also, at my time in life, I find formal tuition hard but, as you like De Kooning's work, may I suggest having a look at a short (free) course - "Postwar Abstract Painting." It's run through The Museum of Modern Art, New York. It gives a a great insight into a genre. Whichever direction you choose, I hope to see your work in the gallery.
Posted
Me -again! In reference to your more peaceful work, I agree with Helen's comment and would rub out while thinking of a balanced composition. Whilst in no way wishing to influence the outcome, I see a low horizon and something in the top right that may reference something in a sky. I'm biased though, as I love landscapes which, by their very nature, seem abstract.
Posted
Hi Sebastian, I’m an abstract painter, take a look at my gallery if you want. I always base my work around a theme or a thought in my head and it evolves from there. I get some of my inspiration from Paul Klee and Rothko. Your all blue painting could have a Rothko influence, take a look at some of his work. To avoid a ‘muddy’ look try not putting on heavy layers of paint and adding yet more on top. Try layering the paint so that the underlying colour shows through, this can be achieved by slightly watering down the acrylic to look like single cream, then let that layer dry before applying another colour on top, leaving the odd gaps to let the underlying colour show. I painted this a while ago, but you can see the underlying colours.
This in influenced by Rothko
This is influenced by Jackson Pollock.
This is influenced by Jackson Pollock.Edited
by Ellen Mooney