The Magic of Abstract Art

Written by Guest Author: Tien Frogget

Bolts in Teal and Indigo ©Tien Frogget

I absolutely love abstract art. There is something magical about a really good abstract that makes you stop, regard, question, and contemplate. Each person will see different forms, messages, and stories within the lines and shapes and colors. And each person will interpret them differently. No other type of art gives the viewer as much permission to explore and imagine and create within a finished piece in the way the abstract does.

Although it is one of the most free-flowing types of art that exists, it is actually one of the most difficult to create. True artists do not just splash random paint across a canvas and call it art – they have a deep well of knowledge about composition, values, color, and much more. To create something great, they must use this knowledge with their talent to compose an abstract that draws the viewer in and makes their eyes want to continue to wander the canvas, soaking in the details and absorbing beauty.

Song Wisp ©Wendy Froshay

I also want to clarify something. A lot of people seem to mix up impressionism and abstract. More people than I can count use the words interchangeably as if they are the same thing, but they are two completely different types of art. Impressionism is painting something that the viewer can tell what it is: a landscape, a still life, a person – but making it somewhat messier, less perfect than photorealistic. Their goal is to give the impression of their subject, so that you know what it is, and yet it is clear that this is a painting, and the painter took liberties to add their own perspective into the art.

Abstract, on the other hand, takes the idea much further. Often times, you cannot tell what the subject might be (if there is one at all.) Forms and shapes intermingle and merge together in a dance that makes you wonder what the artist is trying to say. You may be able to see objects in the image, but they are often half-formed or changed to look like something else. In the case of abstract photography, the image is often a close-up of something, making it difficult to tell what the subject is, or tiny details in a subject, or elements of the photo have been blurred or colorized to create something new.

DIY: Handy Travel Art Kit

Keep this DIY Art Kit Handy:

Whatever your favorite medium, keep some bare essentials in a case that you can grab and run with. It can be a great way to practice drawing on the run or while on vacation. If you already have it handy, you can just grab it whenever you need without having to plan.

When you create a sketch, add written notes and a color as key reminders. The sketches can become visual notes for later final images in your studio or can be created just for practice and fun. It's always nice to add a date and location underneath or on the back of sketches to remind yourself when and where you made them.

These sketches can be just that - sketches - observational notes rather than finished drawings.

If you've got a small digital camera, be sure to bring it along. Photos of what you've sketched are great - but those closely observed sketches you create will store more information and memory than any photo.

Your Travel Art Kit should include:

1. Small Sketch Pad

2. Pencils (I also like to include a water soluble graphite pencil)

Avoid Artist's Loft or General Brand -- both are poor quality and a waste of money.

3. Pen/Marker

4. Eraser

5. Colored Pencils (water soluble are nice)

6. A Pencil Sharpener

7. Small Travel Watercolor Set with Brush
Avoid Newton Cotman Brand -- the paint is terrible quality and is a waste of money. If you buy Winsor watercolors (a great brand) make sure it is not Newton Cotman (student grade.)

8. Small Water Container

9. Travel Tissues

10. A Small Bag or Carrying Case (to hold everything)

The type/size of the case will depend on your materials.

So tell me....

What do you like to take with you in your travel art kit?

Watercolor Palette: How to Tell Which Color is Which?

Are you having trouble telling one color from another on your Watercolor Palette?
Use a fine point permanent marker to write the name of each color on the outside edge of the well. You will no longer have to guess whether you are dipping your brush into ultramarine blue or cobalt blue, cadmium red or vermilion.

Want to change your palette around later and eliminate colors or rearrange the order?
The marker can be removed with cotton and acetone (nail polish remover). Once dry, you can rewrite on the edge again. I've seen artists who place scotch tape on the edges and write on the tape, The tape eventually gets gooey and peels - but hey, it's up to you!

What's my favorite palette?
I like to use a nice big white palette with lots of wells and a large area for mixing in the middle (I also use the lid to mix colors on as well).... and of course, I have several palettes.... I admit it, I'm an Art Supply Junkie!

This is A Good Palette on Amazon: