A methodology for painting abstracts

First of all, let me calm your fears, I am not suggesting that abstracts should be mechanically created. But I have found that many of my amateur artist colleagues have a mental block when it comes to abstract art.

When I have been painting an abstract, I always get the same questions; why are you putting that colour there? whats that supposed to be? what does it mean? All the sort of questions that are associated with the statement, a child/chimp/elephant could do better than that! Some of them do say they like abstracts or wished they could do them but there still remains that mental block. By the way, it has been proved that humans can tell the difference between abstracts by professional artists and those by the previously mentioned groups.

Being used to realism and the realistic depiction of subjects, they seem to find difficulty in tackling abstract paintings. Following research for the workshop I devised a simplistic methodology which enables the artist to overcome this mental block and with a little use can provide practice in creating non-representaional art works.

One simple example I painted for the lens was based on a solid colour background, Two large rectangles, three triangles. lines and deformed rectangular grid shapes. It looks something like this:-

Now whilst you are probably never going to get a masterpiece from this method, it does enable a certain measure of ability to create paintingsin this gendre. Read the full article in my Squidoo lens, How to paint abstract art.

a few "how to paint" abstract books from Amazon

What subjects and styles sell the most paintings?

I realise that I have not been posting for a little while but I have had a total knee replacement. The procedure was considered necessary because the cartilage had worn down to zilch on one side causing me massive problems.

I thought that to get going again I would promote one of my Squidoo lenses ( a lens is a single page web-site focusing in on a niche area)which discusses the best selling subjects for art that sells. The most popular subject is traditional landscapes followed by local views and then surprisingly perhaps modern semi-abstract landscapes.

Not surprisingly, prints of various types are the most popular media. Presumably because they are relatively inexpensive. But oils and acrylics sell better than watercolours and this does not reflect the ratio of costs.

As far as prints of deceased artists go, Lowry and Monet are the top two best sellers.

If yopu would like to read more details then surf over to "Popular subjects for art that sells". 

As I say in the lens, it is an  interesting read, but most artists will paint what they like or are best at, painting simply to sell can be soul destroying although it may pay the bills - sometimes.

Hope to be back more regularly now things are getting back to normal.

New Zazzle Store Opened

I have done it! Started a zazzle store that is.

And I have made my first sale, A small step for a man artist but here's hoping for many more.


Many more images and products will be appearing soon, why not take a peek, you may find something that you like. Or even decide to start your own store

A new media, acrylics

http://www.carolebaker.com/gallery_one_abstract.htmlI have tried and generally met my expectations with a number of different media. I don't expect to be able to be a master of all media and generally stick to either watercolours or soft pastels. However, all the art group members were knowcked out by a demonstration given to us by Carol Baker, using acrylics to create wonderful landscapes and abstract paintings. A very talented artist and a very capable demonstrator she had the audience wanting to see more. One thing we were all amazed at was the way she tackled a subject which was not something she had practised or done before so that we saw how she sorted out the problems as she went along. Many demonstrators know exactly what they are going to do having used the same demonstration over and over again. Very refreshing and very informative.

I was particularly knocked out by the abstract paintings on her web-site gallery. This was something that I felt would fit my style and raison d'etre for painting.

I settled down the following week, to try to emulate the method she had shown us, which really consisted of putting on an overall wash, and then outlining the subject areas with an under coat (complementary) colour. She went on to use a scumbling technique which allowed the previous colours to show through. Leaving each layer to dry, she went on to put down several layers. This was very similar to a technique I had developed for myself with soft pastels, so I thought it would be a doddle. Thimk again! Layering by scumbling with paint is a very different procedure to pastels, at least as far as I am concerned.

Here is my first attempt at a background to the painting:-

At first I was very pleased with progress but at this stage after three layers, I began to consider the little details and found the acrylic paint a very different kettle of fish to my pastels ( or even watercolour). The undercoat shows thru well especially in the foreground but I was not keen on the hills or the water and rather than fiddling with these I decided to completely paint out the image and start again, After all it was simply a learning experience.

I was even more unhappy with the second attempt, The colours just did not seem right. So another coat of white to cover it all and another fresh start. Not something that you can easily do in my usual media. Although you can overpaint a pastel to correct something but too much pastel soon clogs up the tooth of the ground.

My third attempt left me much happier. But I stopped before I went too far so that I could consider what comes next. I even considered using pastel to complete the painting. At this stage I was unsure of spoiling the start.

This one shows much more light in the landscape and the hills seem further away; much better snse of depth and perspective. Anyway it will be completed next week, when I shall post the final image however it turns out, wish me luck!

A new pastel painting on Flickr

I found this painting whilst searching for a suitable frame for my up-coming exhibition. It is quite an old painting but somehow it never got posted on Flickr which I use as a sort of archive. It is not the only one but one that I believe should be on that site.

You can see a larger image of this pastel painting on my Flickr photostream. Someone said I should do more of these but I think I have outgrown portraits. When I first started painting, I wanted to be able to draw and for the drawing to be recognised. However I now find that I want to get my feelings about a subject down onto the ground. I love using colours, which is why I do so many sunsets, etc. I also love the great outdoors which is why I do so many landscapes. I also find that theses latter subjetcs allow me lots of freedom and I don't need to spend time fiddling to get things "just right". Does anyone find the same or am I just being lazy?

2010 Exhibition with the Knowle Art Group

I have been spending a little time preparing for my group's yearly exhibition. and the main work is framing the paintings. This is now done, just the labels to be printed.

Those of you who read my other blogs will know that I am also submitting a number of framed ATC collages this year hoping to bring my "craft" artworks to the attention of some of the members of the group and also to the public. I did lead a workshop last year where I introduced the group to Collage but have not seen any inclination on the part of the members to widen their horizons to-date. Who knows what will happen if I keep plugging away.

As I mentioned on the Artyfax blog setting prices at these small loacl exhibitions is very difficult. Too many outlets where people can bu cheap and colourful prints. A Kandinsky or a Klee anyone? Real art does not seem to have a place anymore on the walls of the art lovers home. There are so many sites on the web selling art for home decor what chance for a poor starving artist?

blue pastel with sailing boats

It seems like ages since I posted here. Must be the holiday season. And here is a pastel to keep you in the mood. It is one I actually did a little while ago but have only just posted it on the internet.

 

I have always liked it, especially for the sunlight on the top of the sail and on the wave crests. Hope you like it.