Abstract art is art that does not represent an accurate depiction of visual reality, communicating instead through lines, shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks. Abstract artists use a variety of techniques to create their work, mixing traditional means with more experimental ideas.

Here is a list of links to help you understand the elements of art and the tools you can use to achieve those elements.

Good to Know

• 6 Things You Should Know as a Novice Abstract Artist

 

Learn the Vocabulary

• Understanding the Basic Elements

 

Composition

• Planning Composition
• The Rule of Thirds
• PDF of 10 Painting Compositions
• Take the Fear Out of Composition

 

Focal Point/Center of Interest

• Ways to Create a Focal Point
• How to Develop the Center of Interest

 

Values

• Understanding Values in Abstract Painting

 

Color

• About Contrasting Colors

 

Shapes

• Examples of Shapes

 

Tools & Techniques

• A to Z of Oil Painting Techniques
• Creating Textures
• Tools & Techniques
• Tools for Acrylic Painting by Adele Sypestewm
• Mark-Making Tools
• Creating Layers
• Painting with Stencils
• Asemic Writing and Collage
• How to Find Creative Inspiration – Mixed Media

 

Start to Finish Videos

• Nick Wilton – Go Big and Bold
• Abstract Art How-to Videos by Adele Sypesteyn
• The Danish Painter – Abstract Landscapes

 

Classes

• Northwind Art School – Port Townsend
• Winslow Art Center – Bainbridge Island
• OPAA – Sequim
• Cole Art School – Edmonds
• Curly Girl Art Studio – Port Townsend

 

Now Paint!

Find an artist you like and copy them for practice, gather your supplies, and PLAY! Sometimes it’s less scary to start by limiting yourself to 4 colors (3 main, 1 contrast), 2-3 mark making tools, and 1 repeated shape (circles, squares, lines, or rectangles). Remember your composition, the rule of threes, and differences while leading your viewer around not out of your painting.

• Substrate – Start out using paper (Canson watercolor) and then invest in canvases. There are two kinds of canvases: student and Gallery. Check out Michaels, Dick Blick, and Amazon for paper and canvases.
• Brushes – Use cheap brushes or palette knives in different widths.
• Paint – Start out using less expensive paint and then invest in more expensive paint as you progress ($: Basic Acrylic, $$: Abstract pouches, Liquitex, $$$: Golden). If you paint multiple layers (dry in between each layer), you’ll be able to uncover lower layers as you use your mark making tools.
• Tools – Go to a dollar store and pick up some tools in the art, cosmetic, hardware, and kitchen/bakery aisles. You can use the following items: sharpened stick, sponge, window squeegee, drywall/cement trowel, cake icing knife, markers, papers for collage, eating  utensils, saran wrap, plastic bag, makeup sponges, and old credit cards.