abstract painting in less than 5 minutes

Here you can learn how to paint abstract.

The article is written for those who would like to enjoy themselves with their very own painting project. And for those who would like to use it as family fun with the kids.

Paint

Tools

painting Technique

painting Process

First, there is a section with a walkthrough of what materials and tools you can use. There are an incredible variety of materials and variants available for purchase. Here I help you narrow down to the basic materials needed to get you started. And then I come up with tips for tools and tools that are useful.

Then I write about what painting techniques you can use. And how to use them to get a good result.

Then there will be little about how to go through the process to get a satisfactory result. How to make a composition for an abstract painting. How to find and choose the designs you want to paint. What colors to use and how to build the painting are also important decisions.

In the end, you will get an example of how I start a new painting myself - what are my thoughts before I start and what my process looks like.

materials

There are countless types of materials you can use to learn how to paint. Only the imagination limits it. The main ones being addressed here are: What reason should you paint on? What types of paint should you use? Are there any other media you need?

Male Plot

It is possible to paint on many different grounds. The most common are paper, wooden board and clamped canvas, but there are also other more exotic basic materials such as old LP sheets, acrylic sheets, cardboard sheets and glass sheets.

I recommend using canvas clamped on frame. Because it is a stable ground that provides many different opportunities for influence without breaking it. And then the paint sticks well to the fine or coarse texture of the weave. It is perfectly okay to buy the cheapest canvases that can be found in the largest supermarkets, construction markets and hobby markets.

I recommend a size of about 60 × 60 cm. Because it offers greater potential for the creative pursuits with colors and motifs, compared to the very small canvases of 30 × 30 cm and 40 × 40 cm, where it all becomes very small and fine.

Paint

There are different types of paints, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages:

acrylic paint

Oil painting

watercolor Painting

Airbrushmaling

Spray paint

I recommend using acrylic paint to start with when you want to paint abstract.

Because it is easy to work with, it dries quickly so you do not have to wait several days before a coat is dry and the painting can be re-worked, it is non-toxic, relatively easy to clean and cheap.

Watercolor paint gives a completely different, more muted look, and adds up to the application of very fine details. And the other types of paints require a fairly large amount of painting ability to apply them successfully. And then they are also harder to clean up, so they are not suitable for cooking at the dining room table.

When it comes to the quality of the colors, three different qualities are generally distinguished: artist quality, student quality and school quality. The difference between the 3 qualities lies in whether real pigments have been used and what proportion there is in their paint.

For newbies, hobby projects and family fun at the dining table, there is no need to buy the one-hundredth quality artist colors. Because they require some practice and knowledge of how paints and colors work together to use them. So do not buy the cheap paint to start with. And upgrade later when you have more practice.

Would you like to learn a little more about the 3 paint qualities and what significance they have for your painting, you can read more about them here:

What does the quality of the paint mean for your painting?

In general, the paint is in good use and keeps well. So there is no need to buy large 500ml bottles. 1-2 people will have enough for a nice project in 20 ml tubes. 3-5 people will have enough in 60 ml tubes.

If you spend a little more on the paint, you can get study-quality paint for 150-200 dkk for 10 tubes with 20 ml each in different colors. Otherwise, the cheap school paint typically costs 12-15 dkk for 60 ml.

colors

Basically, only 3 colors are needed - red, blue and yellow - and then black and white. Using them as a base, you can blend in to any other color using a color wheel.

If you do not think it is fun to mix colors yourself, or do not add value to the family atmosphere, then find 8-10 colors that you would like to use. Red, blue, yellow, white and black, and 3-5More specific colors of your choice The specific color choice depends on your personal preferences and what kind of designs you are based on. Personally, I have enjoyed the following colors:

A lemon

phthalo

Kadmiumrød

magenta

Phthalogrøn

Light blue

Light green

purple

Black

White

With black and white, it is easy to tone the other colors lighter or darker. When you use the colors in multiple tones, it adds more variety and depth to the painting.

Other media and materials

The most important thing here is to have 2 jugs of water standing.

One cup is used for brushes that have paint on them, but that are not being used. The other beaker is for dipping the brushes if you would like the paint to be a little more fluid. It can be an advantage when you make nice color transitions and when the paint has to be transparent.

Ideas for great paintings - learn how to paint abstract

Tools

Basically, there are 3 different tool types that you can greatly benefit from: Brushes, Spartles and other tools.

Again, only the imagination limits what it is to the tools and tools that you can use to create textures and move the paint around the canvas. And it can be fun to use many different remedies to see how they work. But it takes time to experiment, so as a beginner it is better to spend the time to become a better painter.

The tools and tools I have listed here are all some that I have good experiences with and use in my daily work with the paintings.

Brushes

There is a sea of ​​different brushes that have different ways of distributing the paint. They all have their pros and cons. Here are some of them: cat tongue brush, filbert brush, varnish brush, angular brush, flat brush, round brush, line brush, calligraphy brush, fan brush, saber brush, rigger brush and swab brush.

The brushes are available with a variety of hair types: pubic hair, pig hair, synthetic hair, goat hair, wolf hair, squirrel hair, camel hair and horse hair. The hair types have different properties in terms of length, diameter and softness, making them suitable for different paints.

To paint abstractly, the small fine brushes are not necessary. Instead, it is better to choose flat brushes in sizes 6, 8 and 10. Then it is also a good idea to buy some paint brushes in 2-3 cm width to make soft color transitions. Choose brushes made from synthetic fibers, as they are especially well suited for acrylic paints. And avoid buying the cheap brushes with pig hair. They are really poor to paint with, and their hair is so badly trapped that it falls and stays on the painting.

Paintbrushes for painting a painting - learn to paint abstract - paintings to order

Paint knives and paint blades

As with the brushes, there are also a lot of different painting knives and grooves: small metal painting knives, small plastic painting knives, large painting palette knives, rubber spatulas, metal spatulas and plastic spatulas.

The painting knives and grooves are made in all possible shapes and sizes. And as you gain experience in painting, you will find your own color rites. But as a newly started artist, I recommend that you get 3 different kinds of knives and paint knives: 3 metal sizes, plastic 3 pieces with textured edges, and then a standard set of small metal knives in 5-6 different sizes. All of the aforementioned spraters and knives can be bought for cheap money in construction, hobby shops and hypermarkets.

Learn to paint with filler - painting technique

Other tools and tools

In addition to the aforementioned paintbrushes, paint knives, and paint brushes, there are a number of other tools that are useful:

Plastic for covering the table.

Rubber gloves to protect the hands.

Natural sponge for dipping and softening color transitions.

Kitchen towel for drying spilled paint and dipping or removing colors on the painting.

Pencils, toads, pens and oil pastels for drawing and writing.

painting Techniques

The painting techniques I have chosen to mention here are all easy to use. They provide variety, life and depth in your painting.

Dry brush technique

The dry brush technique is about taking a dry brush, and then getting quite a bit of paint on it, and dipping the paint a bit before applying the brush loosely and quickly across the areas to be painted.

It gives a slightly dusty effect on the color as it is applied in a very thin layer. With a little practice it is also possible to use a little more paint on the brush, which gives more lines and more depth.

Lasers and layers upon layer technique

Layer by layer technique is to dilute the colors (if not transparent) with a maximum of 30% water, and then apply them in thin layers on top of each other.

This gives the next transparent effect where there is a great depth and variation in the color shades. The easiest way to perform this painting technique is to use broad brushes with soft hair.

Here is an example of a painting I made using the layer by layer technique:

Ignite I - acrylic paint painting techniquesLing

Dubbing technology

The dubbing technique is to dip the colors on using natural sponge, brushes or paint knives.

It is easiest to use the paint technique with round brushes as it gives a good distribution of the individual colors and it is easy to control.

The natural sponge gives a more random dimming, but at the same time it is also a bit harder to control as the shape is uneven and it is larger than a round brush head.

Grinding knives are the most difficult to use because they have a smooth surface with no structure. And they therefore require some practice before it gives a nice result.

Sgrafitto technique

The Sgrafitto technique is about making marks in the paint with different tools.

It is important to make the marks while the paint is still wet, as it can be difficult to make them once colors have dried up completely.

There are no limits to what you can use to make scratch marks in your painting. Of course, you can use the paint brushes, but there are plenty of other tools that provide intriguing details, such as toothbrush, comb, micadopods, fork and dishbrush.

And after the painting is dry, you can use sandpaper and steel wool.

Be careful about the technique so that you do not make holes in your painting.

Impasto technology

The Impasto technique involves putting the colors on the canvas in thick layers and making a texture in the paint.

It is a technique that can be made both with paint spreader, paint knives and brushes.

Put the colors in clumps around the canvas and use the wide metal partition to distribute the paint. First longitudinally and then from top to bottom. The small metal paint knives make fine details and can be used to make a pattern in the paint. Use brushes with coarser hair as it gives more texture.

Here is an example of a painting I made using a wide spatula that has drawn the paint longitudinally and from top to bottom:

Firestorm I - abstract painting made with impasto technique

Splatter technique

The splatter technique is about making random blobs and lines on your painting by shaking a paint brush.

Typically, either white or black paint is used, and the technique is used as a top finish when your painting is done.

I have best experience using brushes with long hair. Be careful about making it indoors as it may well swell a lot.

Ideas for great paintings

Once you have purchased the materials and tools you need and are ready to embark on your painting, the next important question is where to find ideas for great paintings you can create.

First, start with scenarios you love and enjoy looking at. It can be landscapes, big cities, nature, flowers, animals, people, cars, motorcycles, handball matches, rock concerts or something else entirely. And if the kids or grandchildren are going to be there, find motivations for them based on what interests them. It can be a motif with their favorite person, for example Messi in battle, or Anna and Elsa in the snow.

Second, use a photo as the basis for your subject. It may be a photo you have taken yourself, or a photo from a book or magazine. And if you don't have a photo to use, go online and find a good photo through Google or one of the many photo agencies.

Third, use the photo to make a rough sketch of your subject on the canvas.

Fourth, try changing or changing colors. It is abstract art and therefore it is allowed to play with shapes and colors that you like. And it often produces surprising effects.

Fifth, choose colors that are very different. If you choose gray tones and black and white, the result will not be particularly exciting to look at. In contrast, colors with great contrasts are exciting.

Considerations before I even start a new work

Before I start with the painting process itself. Then I have some thoughts on what the work should look like in terms of motif, colors and composition.

The next step is to clarify the various remedies I want to apply. These may be the tools I want to use, as well as what types of paints and which colors are the primary ones.

Then comes the preparation of the blank canvas. Here, an extra time gesso is often needed to ensure that the paint is completely adhered to. This is especially important in large paintings. And then it may be that the surface of the canvas is treated with water or various media. So I can make the effects I want.

After that, the canvas goes through the process I have planned. Often it starts with the creation of a structure, after which a basic paint on and other planned effects are long.

Now the canvas is ready for the next step in the process of creating motif, colors and composition.

The fear of the empty canvas

Many artists encounter the empty canvas with great fear. They have trouble getting the process started with a new painting. Determine what they would like to paint motifs, what colors they will use and how the composition should be settogether. And then get started on the canvas by applying the first paint and the initial strokes.

I've never had any problems with it myself. My head is constantly working on new ideas. The biggest challenge for me lies more in getting the ideas sorted, so I spend only the best of them. And get them developed into a good foundation for a - hopefully - nice end result.

Basically, I don't expect the process to go perfectly all the way through. There are always unforeseen challenges that must be addressed. And if I'm not entirely happy with the way the artwork is evolving. Then I can always make the necessary adjustments that will get me back on track.

What's the worst that can happen?

That I do not move forward in the process and have to paint a new motif from scratch. Then I have used quite a bit of paint, but at the same time learned a lot about what does NOT work and what works.

Do you have challenges in getting started with the creative development and a blank canvas. Then you will find many places on the web where you can be inspired to get started.

It always makes sense to study one or more artists moving in the same artistic universe as yourself. And then follow them on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram to see how they are doing.

I find inspiration for my works all around nature - it can be colors, color combinations, symbols, structures and shapes. Whether at home in the garden, traveling or cycling.

Here you can see some of the places I have been and taken photos that were later used in connection with the creation of a painting. In the upper one has used a combination of colors. And in the bottom, I have used the lines and perspective with the depth to position the elements.

Make a painting - inspiration in the garden

Make a painting - inspiration travels

Here's how to start on a blank canvas

Here I started with two cotton canvases in 40 × 120 cm, both of which have a narrow 20 mm blind frame.

So far, I have not considered what the final motive should be. The starting point is an idea of ​​how I can put together different colors, textures and contrasts in an abstract world.

How do you make a painting?

Elements such as symbols, forms or action and movement have not been considered yet. And it is an open question to what extent they are added at a later date.

Creating a painting is a continuous process. The idea and the thoughts behind it do not always hold, so there is always the possibility that I will end up in a completely different place than intended from the start.

The actual start of an empty canvas can vary greatly, depending on what I want with the artwork. But most often, the process starts in one of these 5 ways, alone or in combination:

I paint one or more primary colors.

I draw the motifs with pencil, ink, pastels or chalk.

I use neutral or colored structural paste.

i use paint media, i.a. soft and liquid gel.

I'll start by wet the canvases and add some color.

How do I make a structure on the canvas?

On these 2 canvases I have used two types of structural paste.

One type on the outer edge with large grains of sand which gives a rustic appearance. And one in the middle with a paper-like mass that gives a coherent slightly tattered ground.

Overall, this means that the surface has a great variety. And later can form the basis for the development of many different intriguing details and contrasts.

The basic structure of the painting

I have not colored the two pastas before they are placed on the canvas. I need a white background because I use some transparent colors here.

If my background is not completely white, the transparent colors do not show the variation I want in the color tones. Of course, it is possible to paint with transparent colors on an opaque colored background. But the final result can easily get a bit muddy, and the colors and shades become difficult to distinguish.

On the other hand, creating transparent colors in several layers is a good idea. It gives an incredibly wide variation in color tones and adds great depth to the image.

The 2 texture pastes are applied with putty and brush - with a loose slightly random hand - until I have a structure with good variety.

How do I apply primer?

Now it's time to apply the paint that makes up the bottom:

Initially, I make a coat of paint with black color, on the outer edge on all four sides.

I work the paint well into the canvas and structure so that they are completely saturated. This is important, as thin layers of other colors are added on top of the black color. The purpose is to get the transparent rustic look that I would like to form the foundation.

Learn how to apply primer to your paintings

Then I apply different colors in the upper part of the two canvases: one is painted off-white and the other petrol.

Spray paint has been used because it allowsa large variation in the transparency of the paint. And at the same time I have sprayed with a contrasting color through a fine mesh, as it adds slightly different patterns.

Now the two colors of petrol and off-white get a dusty antique look when placed on top of a dark color - like black in this case.

Comparison of details in the painting with colors and textures

With structure and primer I have created a good starting point for the further process of creating a beautiful work of art.

So the next step in the process is now to start with the motif, the colors in the intermediate layers and the composition.

And finally, the final finish as well as finishing, before the work is fully ready for publication.

I hope the article here - how do you make a painting? - has provided some insight into how I approach the process. And I hope you got some inspiration for how you work with your art yourself.