Abstract Art for Beginners

Art by Sundus E.

To transform a blank canvas into a vibrant, expressive work of art:

Seeking Inspiration

Be prepared to be inspired by some great artists' work. Picasso is well-known for using the cubist technique. However, a beginner can seek inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh, a renowned artist.   

Vincent van Gogh - Van Gogh Museum   

The only limit in the inventive world of art is our imagination. Creating art that matters involves some basic steps: 

1. The inventive and skilled use of our imagination. 

2. Observing certain incidents, images, or objects in the real world. 

3. Merging our Collective Unconscious with our personal unconscious to convey deep feelings, emotions, and truths that define and shape us as humans. 

4. Trying to create a feast for the eyes, senses, and mind. 

5. Art that conveys universal feelings in an innovative, inventive, and creative manner brings humanity closer, not only in its appreciation but also in its winning global acclaim.

Surrealism

A born artist can create only by observation. He visualizes ordinary objects to create extraordinary art. The unconscious is set at work creating imaginative, inventive, and playful art. Inspiration for him comes from within. An art genre inspired by the unconscious is surrealism, which is often defined as automated art. 

“Knowing how to look is a way of inventing.” Salvador Dalí

"I am painting pictures that make me die for joy, I am creating with an absolute naturalness, without the slightest aesthetic concern, I am making things that inspire me with a profound emotion and I am trying to paint them honestly. Salvador Dalí in Dalí and Surrealism, Dawn Ades, Icon (Harpe), 1983." Salvador Dalí

The painting by Salvador Dalí expresses
the horrific, dehumanizing nature of war. 

Expressionism

Expressionist Artists

Expressionism is a modernist movement. As the name implies, it expresses the mind's inner feelings, emotions, and thought processes. Such art is created by artists by "distorting perspective" using certain techniques for creating expressionist art. They communicate their inner feelings and the workings of the mind in a veiled manner, using colors and creating patterns that symbolize deeper meanings. 

Exponents of the Expressionist Movement 

The origins of the Expressionism movement can be linked to artists such as Edvard Munch, Emil Nolde, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Matisse. 

Your Artistic Journey

    Embarking on your artistic journey necessitates a solid understanding of the foundational colors: red, yellow, and blue. By skillfully blending these primary colors you can generate an extensive palette of secondary hues. Selecting the appropriate medium is crucial; options may include watercolors, crayons, colored pencils, acrylic paints, or poster colors. Engaging in experimentation, with various color combinations will enable you to discover which best conveys your artistic vision. The choice of colors and techniques will also be influenced by the specific genre of art you aim to pursue.

    For novices, employing straightforward techniques such as the color wash method with acrylics—diluted with water for a fluid application—can yield impressive results. When delving into abstract art, the creative possibilities are virtually endless. Utilizing vibrant, contrasting colors on a single canvas can result in striking compositions. Pattern creation serves as an excellent exercise for beginners, as layering colors enhances the richness and depth of your artwork. A palette knife can prove invaluable for achieving these textured effects. Additionally, the drip painting technique offers an accessible avenue for producing captivating visual outcomes.

a- An expressionist art

b- Surreal Art   

c- Art by Sundus Ejaz