Today someone asked me what the process is for how to make your own abstract artwork. So, I thought maybe there are others who are not sure where to start.
How to Make Your Own Abstract Artwork: The Starting Point
I know art evokes different responses in different people. It’s up to the viewer to see and interpret the deeper meaning. For me, deeper meanings in artwork go right over my head, lol. I look at colors! The colors either work for me and inspire me or they don’t.
This makes abstract art – perfect for me. But I don’t want to spend a lot of money on abstract art when my taste changes so frequently. Here’s my latest piece. I did this one because I’m currently into shades of pink and coral 😉.
So you might say the starting point is need/desire. What do I need/want in my space?
This Is How I Make My Own Abstract Artwork
INSPIRATION: I Google for specific images. For example, I looked up “Abstract artwork with pink and coral”. I save images to Pinterest. This helps give me direction.
Then I decide on a color palette. For me, I make artwork (or adjust existing artwork) to match the colors in my home. These flowers, that I recently put together for my dining table, were my color inspiration for this particular abstract.
CANVAS: Right now, I’m going through a “modernization phase”. In my opinion, unframed canvases appear a bit more modern than framed canvases. First, I decide on a size.
I believe bigger artwork is better in ANY space. Even small spaces appear larger if you use large-scale artwork.
Once I know what size I’m looking for I start hunting around on Facebook Marketplace. Not that I’m expecting to find something I like. I simply want to paint over what already exists out there. Why buy a new canvas if you don’t have to?
Let me insert a big pet peeve just in case this might help someone else make better Marketplace posts. When the seller shows photos and description of whatever they’re selling but does NOT include the dimensions. ARGH! So annoying!
I did not take a before picture. Out of respect for the original artist maybe that’s a good thing to not show it here, lol.
PRIMER: Depending on what you’re covering over, you might need 1 or more coats. I use a “high hide”, water-based primer that dries fast. My favorite primer is listed below. (In the photo below, ignore that lumber on the right, I usually have two or more projects going at the same time 🙂
PAINTS: I have all sorts of samples of latex paints left over from past projects. You can sometimes find these samples in the “Oops” section of your big box stores. I also have “official” tubes of acrylic paints. And lots of 2 oz bottles of craft paints (which are also acrylic).
Don’t get hung up on what types of paint to use. In this case, you’re only concerned about achieving the colors you want.
In this example, I poured on a little latex paint and squirted on some lighter tubed paint. By putting both colors down at the same time, this allowed me to blend the colors. I was going for a warm neutral background as my base.
TOOLS: I rarely use paintbrushes. I typically use palette knives and trowels. But you can use whatever you’re comfortable with. Practice with different tools on cardboard.
Here’s the basecoat right after I spread out the paint with a trowel. I tend to work up and down. (I did however, break this up with a sideways motion when I finished this piece with gold paint.)
PAINT PALETTE BOARD: I have not invested in anything fancy. I use foam paper plates, lol. And after the paint dries, I put them away to use again and again. (It takes a very long time for foam to break down in our landfills.)
Depending on the range of colors, I might use 4 or 5 plates at the same time. And each plate might have 3 or 4 variations of color.
PROCESS: After the base coat dries I start adding colors. There is no wrong to make your own abstract artwork. Just add paint and mix the colors till it feels right to you. And be sure to bring the colors around to the sides of your canvas.
Sometimes I mix the colors on the plate before applying to the canvas. And sometimes I mix the colors while they’re still wet on the canvas.
You can make all sorts of variations when you mix white/beige with a color. And countless variations when you mix colors together.
If you like a certain color that you’ve created, try to keep a “journal of paint recipes”. It’s amazing how soon I forget what colors I’ve mixed together.
I think this will all make more sense when you try it for yourself. It’s pretty addictive 😊 The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll hate it. You just start over with primer!
I was about to add the gold (its my favorite color). Then I realized I didn’t like that all my “strokes” were moving up and down. So I made the bold decision to break it up by moving from side to side with the palette knife. I ended up loving it!
Speaking of loving it. No one else has to like your artwork. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Others may even hate it. That’s OK. What matters is how YOUR artwork makes YOU feel!
Lastly, make sure you date and sign your work. One day when you’re famous, your early works will be worth a lot of money, lol.
Here’s another look with the area styled out. Notice I updated the floral piece from the first photo.
Materials Used to Make Your Own Abstract Artwork
40” x 60” Used Canvas
Kilz 3 premium heavy-duty high hide water-based primer
Various tubes of acrylic paints
Various craft paints
Foam paper plates
Tools Used
Paint brush to apply primer
Palette knives to spread paints
Trowel to spread paints
Gold pen to sign it
Take Away
There’s an “artist” inside all of us. Some will take steps to let that artist be seen and known. And it’s very possible that when you do express yourself, it won’t be exactly how you want it to be. Because you don’t have the skills yet.
I’ve heard that there are layers and layers under the works of some of the greatest artists out there.
So keep learning and keep expanding. You can always adjust, add to or start over and make it better as you grow 😊
Here’s to Making it Fabulous!
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