Essence of Abstract Art: Elements That Create Remarkable Art
Essence of Abstract Art:
Elements That Create Remarkable Art & The Steps
Welcome back everyone! This blog today is inspired by an abstract workshop I did the other day, held by Eli and Dimitra Milan. I was really drawn to taking part in this workshop because of the techniques and style of their art, and the curiosity surrounding the world of abstract. I’m very drawn and captivated by these two artists and their process and story of their artistic journey. I have for a long time wanted to pursue and learn more of this form of art to incorporate it in my own techniques.
I have painted abstract very scarcely throughout my own art journey. Abstract was mostly something I just didn’t understand fully how to start, or achieve properly. Understanding this form of art is something I’m getting more educated about interpreting properly. Learning different mediums, techniques and forms of art is always beneficial for your own art technique and journey. Incorporating other forms of art and other mediums has already really helped my art tremendously thus far. I start most of my paintings with spray paint, I use molding paste, gold leaf, and recently started to incorporate dried flowers on some of my pieces. Learning the skills of abstract is something I’m going to start incorporating in future pieces more. I love the idea of using different materials and mediums, and now more than ever it’s very accepting in the art world to blend different forms of art into one.
Abstract art has attracted many art enthusiasts with its unique beauty and open-ended interpretations. It’s a unique genre that challenges traditional notions of representation and evokes powerful emotions through its use of shapes, colors, and forms. In this blog post, we’ll dive into some of the basics of abstract art, exploring the key elements that make up exceptional abstract pieces and hopefully enhance your appreciation into this captivating art form.
Elements of Great Abstract Art
Color Palette & Composition
Color is a fundamental element in abstract art, it has the power to convey emotions, moods, and even narratives without relying on recognizable forms. Artists skillfully select and collaborate colors to create visual contrast, depth and harmony within their compositions. The balance and arrangement of colors can guide the viewer's gaze and also provoke an emotional response or feeling.
Shapes and Forms
Abstract art often features unconventional shapes and forms that help viewers interpret and connect with the artwork on a personal level. This is achieved by geometric shapes, organic forms, and expressive lines. These shapes and forms can all contribute to the creation of dynamic visual experiences that challenges the traditional representations of art. The beauty in this element lies within other people’s ways of interpreting the visual experience.
Texture and Layers
The use of texture and layers adds a tactile quality to abstract art. Which is one of my favorite elements. Texture can be created through techniques like impasto which is a thick paint application similar to molding paste. Collage, organic materials, and visual texture are used as well. Visual texture can be created by the different use of brushes and techniques. Texture and layers gives artwork a three-dimensional feel and invites viewers to explore their intricacies more closely.
Movement and Gesture
Dynamic brushwork and dramatic marks help abstract art have a sense of movement and energy. These expressive elements can capture the artist's emotions at the moment of creation and resonate with the audience's own feelings. Movement is also important because it guides the interpretation of the piece. Leaving areas for visual resting throughout the experience gives importance to the necessary focal points.
Subjective Interpretation
One of the most intriguing aspects of abstract art is its openness to interpretation. Something I’ve struggled with personally, is how I used to view abstract art. I honestly thought there wasn’t much skill to the form itself. It was simple, too modern, didn’t think it took much to create. As I learn more about this form in the next generation of artists, their work it’s increasingly becoming more dynamic. Connecting with someone visually through forms can be seen simple, from an abstract artists point of view. When the reader or interpreter sees an animal or figure they recognize, it’s easy to connect with that because it’s sparks something familiar. Abstract is so opposite to this, in the way that the viewer makes their own thoughts and opin the forms of what THEY see. Making it a very personal experience, that otherwise wouldn’t be able to be achieved the same way through figurative art. This makes it very challenging in producing a good abstract piece. Using all the elements in a way that it does make for an experience is the challenge.
Artistic Process
The artistic process in creating an abstract probably is different for everyone and very personal. There might be a way that’s recommended to start a piece, which is very helpful. The process however is so organic that it’s just as personal as the interpretation of it. This is my way of going through the steps and insight from what Ive learned.
Start with a base
Start by being very free and organic at this starting point, no detail, just laying things out. Maybe a color or two. Big expressive strokes.
Adding your colors
Secondly start bringing in more colors, figure out the shape of what the piece will be. Remember the rules of thirds on this step. Try to apply it to where you’re starting to add darker and lighter hues of color. Still avoid doing any small details but start to make movement and forms on this step, that will later be visual things you can add to.
*The rule of thirds is a guideline for both artists and photographers. It says that if you divide your composition into thirds, either vertically or horizontally, and then place focal areas of your scene at the meeting points of them, you will get a more pleasing arrangement and layout for your compositions.
(Let it dry before adding texture and layers) Make some tea, give your kitty a cuddle.
Adding texture & layers
In this step start to add your texture and layers. Applying molding paste, gold leaf, start applying collage materials, cut outs, newspapers, flowers, organic materials etc. In this step think about your focal point, and where you want the attention to be drawn to in your piece. Start to layer your paint, fill spaces in. Make sure you allow for your molding paste or glues to dry before adding paint on top.
Composition step
Start to bring the piece together now. Start to make everything come together in a harmonious way by adding some layers over the texture you made. Lay out where there will be visual breaks in your art and where attention and contrast will go. Decide on this step where you want the attention in your piece to be most dominant.
Details
This is where you should start adding shapes and gestures to the piece. Small details such as paint splatters and details that can invoke depth. Words, strokes, or refinements of past layers that you want to come to the surface or you feel need to stand out.
(Take a break for the day)
If you used acrylic materials up to this point you wanna let everything dry before applying an oil layer. Make sure you’re fairly confident with your piece at this point. The next layer/ step can be optional if you wanna add and see more depth or make for a more refined and smooth finished painting.
Oil layer
Bring oils into the painting to pull forward or pull back different areas of the art. This layer can really add to areas of the painting that needed more depth or detail. This can help it visually come alive and become smooth. (or ruff) depending on what you’re going for. Make sure you wait for your piece to fully dry before varnishing.
Take a step back and see what you’ve created!
Deciding when to be finished can be challenging no doubt. Just experiment with the form of art, mediums, and have fun. Try to make sure the elements are there and you will start to create something you may start to fall in love with. Abstract art continues to capture and inspire generations of all kinds of artists with its creativity and evocative power. By understanding the key elements that define exceptional abstract art and applying them to your own interpretation can deepen our appreciation for this dynamic genre of art. If you’re starting a new piece remember colors, shapes, textures, and emotions all play a part to intertwine and create a truly remarkable work of art.
I invite anyone who is an abstract artist please leave comments and give their knowledge on what they feel they have learned that works best in creating a really remarkable abstract piece of art. I am myself just learning how to create this type of art, and would love other feedback as well. I hope this was enlightening and can help you on your journey to producing this type of work, or incorporating it in your own.
Keep creating!
