2017 #10 Dark to Light: Monochromatic Abstract {by Nikki Acton}

2017 Topic 10: Dark to Light: Contrasts & Layers

We have Nikki back with a masterclass in contrast and composition. When you see the end result, she certainly makes it look easy, but I sense she took her time getting the balance just perfect! Looks brilliant! Such a really striking piece.

Hi everyone, it's Nikki from Addicted to Art here with you today to share my second creation for this theme. This one is a little different to my Seth Apter style canvas from Saturday (you can find details here if you missed it.)

I decided to focus on the contrast element this time and what simpler way than to use black and white - at least that is where I started, although I introduced a little grey and silver too. I am a lover of abstract paintings and have used PaperArtsy paints, stencils and stamps to create my own little abstract today.

I am also a fan of geometric shapes in art (think Mondrian and Malevich!) and often resort to squares and circles. Sometimes the simplest idea can create a few problems though as I found out here - the composition wasn't quite as easy as I hoped!

My start point was to use photocopy paper and stencil tape to dissect my 6x6 inch piece of grey board and paint with Little Black Dress and Chalk Fresco Chalk Paints. Using the rule of thirds I introduced this line at approximately 2 inches across from the edge. 

I used some circle framelits to cut various circle sizes out of photocopy paper - the circles themselves to build the composition and the negative space to use as stencils. I always try to remember a tip I learnt about 'no two items being the same' for good composition - this can be the same size, the same distance apart etc. This is also why we try to use odd numbers, so the eye and brain cannot pair things.

Having added black circles to the white side and white ones on the black, I also added some arrows from Emma Godfrey's stencil - PS016.

The largest of the circles contained three colours - grey, white and black (overlay the photocopy paper stencils to achieve this) - but I felt it needed more so I stamped the grid circle from Lin Brown's stamp set - ELB34 in versamark and heat embossed with white embossing powder.

One of Alison's quotes from EAB02 (Darkness and Light) seemed appropriate! Again I used my black and white contrasts again and heat embossed the text for impact. EAB02

In Darcy's introduction to this theme she showed how contrast can be used in so many ways and with so many colours. In the end I wished I had used more colour - but this was a great experiment in using a limited palette and a challenging composition!

See you next time,
Nikki

Blog: Addicted to Art
Pinterest: NikActon

I love how the striking contrast has really made you think more about the composition and balance. The 'thirds' composition really looks fantastic! So striking! Thanks Nikki, it's so good to see the wide variety of ways this topic is being interpreted!! ~Leandra

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