2015 Topic 21 Abstract Art {Challenge}

 2015 Topic 21: Abstract Art

by Amy Longcope, "Virtue"

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 20: Triptychs Challenge...

Hi, Darcy here. Well '3 is the magic number' or so it seems. I love things in 3's myself and the triptychs produced have been wonderful. We've had Autumn colours, quirky faces and even some Christmas creeping in. These 3somes really don't look like craft projects but definitely pieces of art. I hope you have them all displayed proudly. 

The winner of Triptychs is: Christine from Craftyfield Blog

Please get in touch with Darcy to claim your prize. darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

Well done to this week's winner, it's Leandra back to get you fired up with ideas you might like to try over the next 2 weeks.

Dare I say it, November is here, and that means that the year is nearly over! Although if you think that there is still 1/6th of the year left to go, then it sounds a lot longer.

This fantastic abstract topic is for those of you who love random, and having a play. You might need to think a bit about composition, simple use of colour, layers of texture, more than you normally do, and finishing touches are often all about a touch of bling, metallic shine or a glint; Gold or silver leaf sheets, Treasure Gold, Twinkling sparkles from Glitter glues or embossing powders, metal embellishments etc, This is certainly a great opportunity to go back to the gels, mediums, texture pastes, crackles and have some random fun!

by Diana Mulder

In fact, I find the hard part is restricting yourself to work with just a few products and a limited palette until you get the hang of it. With abstract, often simple is best. But, that is just a matter of personal opinion, and for this topic in particular there are no rules, just jump in and have a go and see what happens. If you are a 50 layer kind of creative, then do that! If not, then don't! There are some great videos at the end of this post that might give you a sense of where to start.

by in art therapy 

My challenge to you is to go LARGE! Pull out those big canvases, choose a colour palette that works in a room of your home, and do something massive to hang o the wall! Come on give it a go! I know you've got this!! Work on the floor with some newspaper down if you have to,work outside...just have a go! It'll be fun.

Here is another piece by Erin Ashley. I adore this kind of abstract with contrasting colours top and bottom, gorgeous texture and subtle depth of shadow and texture. It can't be that hard to do if you start with some grunge paste, layer on some colours, and add more layers on top. Perhaps working with a palette knife too, and I'm thinking some watery washes of colour to accent textures too, perhaps with water soluble crayons. I've been meaning to give this kind of thing a go for some time, and I think its a nice place to start with abstract. You can see at the top of the post I pinned a few others in the same vein.

This next artist, Belinda Fireman has an awesome website with all kinds of bright gorgeous layers to her work. She seems to use the blocking technique a lot, and I love how colourful here pieces are. Here is an example from her 2013 paintings - there are loads more examples here.

You can see the rectangle shapes are selected with black pen from the background, then she blocks with contrasting colours the surrounding areas, and adds white and red accents for contrast. Here is another with a circles theme, and again, black, red and white accents on the top layer. This looks so vibrant, and so much fun, but where to start?

Maybe make a painted random background in colours of your choice using paints, stamps etc. Pick a shape for your theme, and then go for it singling out areas of the background with various sizes of your chosen shape. Block out with opaque paints areas of the background, blending into other colours as you go, then start doodling some details on the top in white, black and red.

What about this concept, lots of small pieces of art making up a larger one? Found here.

Here are a couple found on a blog post here, but no credit links to the artists which is a bit frustrating.Again, simple layers of paint done with a spatula/ palette knife. I think this might be by MaryAnn Wakeley.

Not sure who this is but it looks fun to make and less challenging!

And I adore this with the stunning use of gold by Makoto Fujimura. Opulent.

And what about Jodi Ohl? 

Gorgeous website here, online classes galore. Beautifully bright use of colour from her podtastic concept. Again, colour blocking, I seem to be seeing this technique a lot lately. But Jodi does so many different things you really should check her out!

Ok so how about this for an idea? 

And going along similar lines this balloon printing idea found here along with lots of other DIY canvas ideas...

Ok here's another with a touch of bling with gold leaf from Jen Meador who has a gorgeous, delicate colour palette. 

Have all those photos whet your appetite? Maybe you still don't know where to start though. Check out this video from Paul Bozzo, all about starting with texture into a plaster compound. Of course, you could use Grunge Paste for this too, which dries like a plaster and is also sandable. Take note how water is used to release all the items from the plaster (same thing with GP), and how much thought has gone into the composition. You will never view your grandmothers doilies the same way again!

In this video Paul Bozzo shows how he sands and seals the plaster before adding colour with layers of acrylic paint. He seals each layer so he can wipe back thus revealing the earlier layers. It's very cool, and you can see how the paint falls into the textures so beautifully. So cool how he shares his techniques.

Michael Lang is an amazing Abstract artist, his videos are so mesmerising. This one is fabulous. Brilliant how he paints with both hands, one brush to apply the colour, and another to blend out.

Glazing liquid, gels all allow layers to be built gradually. He is using simple shapes and lines, then building shadows and highlights with dark and light. At the latter stages he adds warmth and depth with brighter colours. Also note the use of white  to highlight accents to key shapes and design lines. These are all things that you guys do on smaller compositions, or journalling backgrounds, so upsize and go large! Loved the spots, flecks and drips that as we all know as great additions to any background. Did you spot the bubble wrap? This video highlights so well how working layers builds amazing depth.

Here is another video from Michael, look carefully at what he is using; palette knives of all shapes and sizes, a bin lid, set squares, lots of gel medium and squeegee bottles with different size nozzles. It must have taken days to dry before the colour could be added on top! Awesome use of interference and metallic paint layers. 

Don't forget to follow my 'Abstract' Pinterest board if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples there! 

I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

Leandra

Topic 21: Abstract Art PaperArtsy Blog Challenge

We'd love you to share your ideas and link up your creativity to this page. Please familiarise yourself with the challenge guidelines below before entering.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Abstract Art link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Nov 22nd , winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

1. The challenge is a chance for you to show how you have been inspired by a particular technique of the fortnight. Your entry should contain:

- a mention of which post inspired you and why, and 

- a link in your blog post to that original post on the PA blog.

The whole concept of this challenge is 'play along with us'. You are encouraged to put your own twist on ideas you see on our blog. We love to see how you are inspired and your twist!

2. The link you put on our linky page must lead directly to the specific post on your blog where you have explored the technique/ idea mentioned in point 1 above. Don't link to the home page of your blog, or we will be unable to find the post to leave you comments.

3. Spam links will be deleted.

4. We prefer your challenge post is created exclusive to our challenge, but if our topic fits perfectly with another challenge, then of course your post may link to both if you feel it is appropriate.

5. You are most welcome to use stamps/ products/ substrates you have to hand from a variety of companies, we do not expect you to exclusively use PA products - it's lovely when you do though!

6. You can enter as many times as you like in the fortnight. We don't want to restrict your creativity or participation! Link closes at 17:00 Sunday Nov 22nd   (London Time)

7. The winner of the random draw will receive a £50 credit to be redeemed on the PaperArtsy Website, the credit includes VAT and postage. We request that one of your purchases is an A5 rubber stamp. You can add any other items to your basket, but the final total should not exceed £50

8. Each Sunday fortnight the winner will be announced at 19:00, also, in the same post, the link for the next fortnight will be posted. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy: email her darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!