Abstract by artist SondraC
Painting an abstract on canvas is an activity limited only by the artist's imagination and the size of the canvas. The abstract artist does not paint what he sees, but how he ''perceives'' reality to be. An abstract painting can include lines, curves or both. It can employ colors that blend, twist and turn, or that merely add a light tint to the canvas.
Instructions
1. Choose the basic colors for your painting. Use the color chart to determine which colors complement each other. Prime the canvas with Gesso to make it smooth.
2. Paint what you feel at that moment. Look at any image: a tree, a flower or even a wall. Squint at the object and paint what you ''think'' you see. Blend contrasting colors; make them move by creating curves, lines or dots.
3. Use a variety of brushes to add shading. A fan brush will thin and widen the painted area, while a more rounded brush can add highlights. Add yellow to red to blend and create shadings of orange. Some areas might be darker and some lighter according to your brush strokes. Step back and look at the canvas to get another prospective on what has been created and/or needs changing.
4. Understand that not all abstracts painted on canvas need to "look 'like'' something. Create an illusion by adding colors that contrast, then add lines or color shadings. Look at the yellow in the center of this painting. Does it appear to stand out above the other colors? Now look only at the red and green. Do they seem to stand out over the yellow?.
5. For future projects, experiment with the size of the canvas. A small canvas can be constricting, but the painting will not take as long to finish and will look great hanging next to a large painting. A large canvas allows for more freedom of painting, and a larger span of space in which to create what you envision as the canvas leans against a wall or lies on the floor.
