3 Simple Abstract Paintings Anyone Can Do

By Nicole Tinkham

Do you want to create something personal for your home but have never painted on canvas in your life? Or are you an artist who never dabbled in abstract art and don’t know where to begin? We’ve come up with a few fool-proof ways to create incredible abstract art that any newbie can accomplish. They’re simple to do, require little supplies, and don’t take up much of your time. The only thing you need to do is have an eye for is color. Pick an accent color in your home and use that as inspiration to get you started. Play around, have fun, and create real art you can be proud of. Here are 3 simple abstract paintings anyone can do.

THE PAINT BLOB METHOD

Materials:
Acrylic paint in at least 3 colors
Blank white canvas (any size)
Paintbrush
Cup of water

Directions:
1.    Create little blobs of paint all over your canvas. Make some larger, some smaller, use all of your colors and make them totally random.
2.    Now using your paint brush, begin to blend your blobs of paint and move the paint around on the canvas.
3.    Clean your brush in the water periodically as you work across your canvas so the colors don’t get muddy.
4.    You can always add some more paint where needed.
5.    Once you’re happy with it, you’re done!

THE STRING METHOD

Materials:
Blank white canvas (any size)
String (enough to wrap around your canvas several times)
Spray paint in a few colors
Gloves to protect your hands

Directions:
1.    Take your string and wrap it around your canvas from top to bottom. Keep wrapping it around and around, overlapping and crisscrossing to make a unique pattern. Make it fun and make it random.
2.    Following the spray can instructions (shake it up and spray at a distance), spray right over your canvas and strings. You can use different color spray paint for different patterns and get creative with it. *Make sure you have your gloves on for this part.
3.    If you don’t like the way a color came out, just spray right over it.
4.    When finished spraying the entire canvas, remove the strings which will leave the white canvas exposed and admire your abstract artwork!

THE OMBRE METHOD

Materials:
Acrylic paint: One darker color and white
Blank white canvas (any size)
Wide paint brush
Palette for mixing colors
Cup of water for cleaning your brush

Directions:
1.    Start with your main darker color. Load your paintbrush up and paint a straight line (or as straight as possible) down the left side of your canvas. It does not have to be perfect. Your line doesn’t have to reach the edge of the canvas unless you want it to. You may notice your brush running out of paint towards the end of the line and that’s totally fine. We love the way that effect looks!
2.    Mix just a dab of white paint to your darker main color and paint a line down your canvas right next to the one you just made. Make the lines touch and they can even overlap a little.
3.    Mix yet another dab of white paint to the mixture to make the color even lighter and create another line next to the previous. Keep doing this until you reach the other side of the canvas and complete your painting.

You don’t have to be a professional artist to create incredible artwork. We believe that every single person has a creative side whether they think they do or not. Use these 3 ideas for abstract art anyone can do to get your feet wet in the world of art and then explore and find out what you enjoy doing. Of course, we always want to see what you’ve been up to so please head over to our Facebook page and share your abstract art creations!

How to Tell Good Abstract Art from Bad

By Nicole Tinkham

When looking at a famous abstract painting do you ever think “I could do that”? If you’re wondering how something so simple can be considered a masterpiece, you’re not alone. Is it really as easy as we think or is there true artistic talent behind these works of art? Believe it or not, there’s science proving that there is in fact a difference between a painting done by a professional and random splatters on a canvas. Before trying to re-create a masterpiece hoping to make millions, pay attention to this blog and see what the experts have to say as well as what to look for in a professionally done piece.

The Research

A study done by two psychologists shows that statistically people CAN tell an abstract painting done by a professional artist vs a child, chimp, gorilla, elephant, or monkey. Which is surprising considering those monkeys aren’t half bad 🙂 In the study, 72 undergrads (40 psychology and 32 art majors) were asked to determine which painting (shown side by side) was done by an adult artist. Paintings were grouped together by similar attributes such as color and medium. Non-art majors chose the professional painting 65.5% of the time and art majors chose them 67.5% of the time. Researchers concluded, “ people can recognize that a work is good, but still not like it.”

What to look for in “good” abstract art

Just because this research tells us we can distinguish an abstract painting done by a professional vs a non-artist, that doesn’t mean it’s easier for us pick out certain paintings from others. Here’s how to tell good abstract art from bad.

1. Consistency
This refers to the consistency within a painting as well as the consistency of an artist’s portfolio. If a portfolio is all over the place with a few stunning pieces mixed with low quality work, the artist is either still developing or doesn’t quite know what they’re doing. Same goes for within a single painting. The flow must be consistent from one side of the painting to the other with planned and precise strokes.

2. Color
Colors that don’t mesh well together are a dead giveaway that the artist isn’t a professional unless of course it’s done deliberately in which case it has to be obvious.

3. Texture
Most of the time, good abstract art is compiled of layers. There’s typically and underpainting and these layers often create texture.

4. Meaning
All great art has some sort of meaning behind it. Some type of emotion, whether positive or negative gets thrown onto the canvas. There’s thought and planning put into it. You’ll know when an abstract piece is done at random. It lacks personality.

5. Complexity
As an artist completes more and more pieces, they grow and learn new techniques, which is evident in their work. In contrast to what you may think about abstract art, the techniques used in this style (by a professional) cannot be easily replicated.

6. Comfort
Uncomfortable paint strokes will tell you right away that the artist is an amateur. Experienced artists are confident and produce every mark with intention. Paint splatters may look random but they’re put there for a reason.

There are so many different feelings toward abstract art. There are many people that simply don’t understand it, others that think they can replicate it, and of course the abstract artists themselves who put much more time and thought into it than many non-artists realize. Tell us, what do YOU think? Does this research and qualities of good abstract art change your mind about it?

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