Breaking Into Abstract Painting

Posted by artmentor on Apr-7-2010

Defining Expansion #3
©2010 Wendy Froshay

Abstracts are Easy - Anyone Can Do an Abstract!

Many people mistakenly believe that abstract painting is the easiest type of painting to create. Just slap some paint on the canvas and you’re good to go, right?

Wrong.

It’s ALL About the Composition. . .
The Elements of Design
For an abstract to be successful, or any piece of art, whether it’s contemporary, photo realism, abstract or sculpture - it must utilize good elements of design.

Do You Know These Basic Components of Design?

  • Center of Interest
  • Emphasis
  • Color Harmony
  • Value
  • Rhythm
  • Unity
  • Balance
  • Repetition
  • Variety
  • Movement
  • Format
  • Texture

And Then There are Those Darn Rules!

  • Rule of Odds
  • Rule of Space
  • Rule of Thirds
  • Rule of Opposites
  • The Interval Rule
  • The Eye Path Rule

Do you know how to use these elements and rules? Do you know how and when to break the rules? Do you understand sweetspots, leads, pointers, blocks and exits? If not, then yup, you are just throwing paint on the canvas.

Posted in: ArtTIPS
  1. Debi Said,

    Well, this doesn’t have to do with abstracts, or rules, but it’s about a Wacom tablet. Huh? Yup, it’s a graphic tablet, think etch-a-sketch on steroids. See, I was trying to decide if I needed or wanted one. So, I asked Wendy. She said that I didn’t need a large working area, and that Wacom is an excellent brand. I researched for 2 weeks, and finally ended up with exactly the one Wendy recommended. I just got it and it’s AMAZING!!!!! Course, it doesn’t take the place of “real” painting or drawing, but if you are interested in learning how to draw on your computer, or want to fine tune some of your scanned drawings, don’t take my word for it, trust Wendy!!! She’s never steered me wrong on any advice when it comes to art - be it painting, drawing, illustrating, graphic design, etc. You ROCK, Wendy!
    Your #1 Admirer - Seattle (Pop Surrealist) Girl

  2. Masako Said,

    Thank you Wendy! These points you mentioned are what I can work on. These paintings are amazing, by the way… I love them.

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