Abstract Thumbnail Painting Sketches | Practice Exercise
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- čas přidán 31. 03. 2023
- In this video demonstration, we will explore the technique of using thumbnail painting sketches as a warm-up exercise to prepare for creating an abstract painting. This technique involves creating small, quick sketches of different abstract shapes and forms to help generate ideas, test colors, and develop a composition.
Before starting a painting project, it is important to engage in a practice exercise to help loosen up the mind and the body. The use of thumbnail sketches is an excellent way to get the creative juices flowing and allow for experimentation without the pressure of creating a final piece.
Throughout the video, I’ll demonstrate how to create thumbnail sketches using a variety of mediums and techniques, such as charcoal and paint. We will also explore different compositions and test a color palette of Prussian blue, green gold, light blue permanent, and titanium white and look for inspiration and ideas for an upcoming abstract painting.
By the end of this video, you will have learned the importance of using thumbnail painting sketches as a warm-up practice exercise and how to use this technique to create an abstract painting that is uniquely yours. So join me on this journey of exploration and creativity, and let's get started!
#practicepainting #thumbnailtutorial #paintingtutorial
Acrylic paint colors used in this video:
Prussian blue - amzn.to/3FMokA4
Light blue permanent - amzn.to/40FXDFe
Green gold - amzn.to/40r4UJ5
Titanium white
Other materials used:
Grumbacher Sketchbook - amzn.to/3n2yiXx
Charcoal
GAC 100 (or acrylic gel medium works even better) - amzn.to/3MdedbP
*The product links above are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
To see more abstract paintings and art by Chris Loud check out / chrisloudart (@chrisloudart) on Instagram - Jak na to + styl
Like second top sketch ...
Thanks, I think mine is upper right.
Thank you for sharing these fun and easy ways to unlock creativity. I tried one of your videos and just created a piece without any pressure and had fun and it came out good looking. Maybe this can help me find my artstyle 🙏
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Emely! It's wonderful to hear that you had fun and created something you’re proud of. Keep experimenting-your unique art style will shine through!😊
Love the way you use few colors and they come out great. I have done two challenges since I started following you. I usually use more than twenty on an intuitive abstract painting.
Thank you, Nilda! Sometimes I get lost playing with too many colors on these intuitive paintings, so I've found giving myself fewer colors helps me focus on mixing and composition. But you should go with what works for you.😊
Top right is my favorite
That was my favorite as well
This is a great way of getting to know how colours will work together, and how they blend etc. I'm completely new to painting and sometimes feel a bit scared of putting paint on the paper, this will really help me get over that and I will definitely be trying tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Jayne! When I started out, I struggled with color combinations and composition. These thumbnails helped tremendously! There's something about the blank page or canvas that can be a bit scary. But doing small thumbnails feels more accessible and less frightening.😊
I really love the top right (spiral at bottom) love the colours.
I make grid journals as pieces in their own right, just a different piece of art. But I'm not precious about them. I enjoy the way it takes a different sort of approach than working on my large A2 (UK) pages.
I often add other things such as collage and stamping to my grids. I love to play and experiment.
Thank you so much! I was really please with this color palette.
I find grid journals to be so inspiring and they usually fill me with ideas for larger pieces. I try and do a grid of just small collage as well each morning. It's a wonderful way to play and quickly get creative with composition.
All of these would be striking, each in maybe a 10x10” mat.
Thanks, Martha! Great suggestion❤️ I've been toying with that same idea for some of my small collage pieces.
Thumbnails are a good way for me to experiment and play without the fear of a big blank canvas
I agree! I'm starting to use them more often and find my compositions are benefiting from the practice.
I found this video very helpful. I get stuck because I think I “think” too much and forget to play more. I love colour and am working with oils. Your approach helps me work with acrylics.
Thumbnail sketches - sometimes and they do give me some direction
Thanks, Dorothy! I'm currently taking a 10 minute break because I'm overthinking the painting I'm working on. Trying to reset so I come back and with a more playful mindset.
I haven't tried GAC 100 over charcoal, great idea. I've been needing this. Thank you!
Gel medium is good to use as well, but I didn't have any at the time. Glad this helped!😊
These are great - love the colors. Since I'm a novice, I have several hundred thumbnail paintings. I love painting them and it helps me explore color combos and mark making.
Thanks, Peggy! They're definitely helpful. I've inserted them into my morning routine over the last week and I'm really enjoying finding them beneficial.
love your work
Thanks, Shelly!
Your videos are not only educational but also non threatening and fun to watch. Thanks!
Thanks, Bonnie!
Another Thumbs up!!! I like the color combination on this one, I´ll try the excercise as well. Thank you for sharing.🙃
Thank you! I find these quite helpful😊
I do thumbnails to plan out very large abstracts I would someday like to paint.
That's a great practice, Charles! Do you focus on the color palette or composition or both?
Like the idea of low stake colour combination testing along with some quick warm up ideas... like you, i feel i do too many "big" projects and don't enjoy the small scale enough. 😂
I'd forgotten how much fun these are to play with! They're small enough you can do many in a short amount of time. I'm finding some interesting color combinations as well.
Just had a thought (shocking) - I will first try this w/black & white only. Had completely forgotten the value of thumbs. One big one up, for you.
That makes two of us. I've really enjoyed doing more of these over the last week!
Love the colors and your process. Haven't done thumbnails for quite some time, need to again. So many benefits and worthwhile as an exercise, for me, mainly in composition and color selection. I find your videos inspiring. Thanks!
Thanks, Luken! I hadn't either, but started doing some over the last week or so. Definitely helpful for both composition and color selection. 😊
Just started watching your videos yesterday and I really like your technique.. I just started doing abstract about 2 weeks ago so your videos are a huge help I will try this thank you ❤😊
Thank you so much, Dove! 😊
Colors are great together!
Thanks, Sue! They worked together better than I expected.😊
I've been doing these for a while and also adding collage in to satisfy my daily urge to paint. I love how each day shows me something new. This color combo is really striking 😊
Thanks, Laurie! I'm going to try some collage thumbnails this morning. Thanks for sharing!
I am taking your advice re collage thumbnail abstracts and thoroughly enjoy it but straight painting is not my forte. After seeing this, I will start using thumbnails to explore using paints only also. I know my art will benefit from it. Thanks from Down Under!
I think thumbnails are such a great way to generate and explore ideas no matter what medium you choose to go with. I typically do paint, collage or mixed media. Greetings from Colorado!
Love this exercise and your color choices
!
Thanks, Sharon!
I didn't but will start to do. Thanks
❤️
I like all of them!👍
Thanks, Vivian!😊
Personally quite like top right in final stages
Thanks, Emmanuel! That's probably my favorite as well.
I haven't ever tried this, but definitely will now. Love the color choices and the results 👌
Thanks, Starla!
Hi Chris, nice work. Loved the top right most. I haven’t dine these thumbnails for quite some time, need to do it again. Thanks for the inspiration 😊
Hey Aishwarya! Thank you, that's my favorite as well.
Love what you do...
Thanks, Grozda!
I have never done painting on a sketch book.
I find painting in sketchbooks to be an inexpensive and stress free way to practice, experiment, and play.
Did you make the template you drew around or can you buy? Also the viewfinder is it just an empty card frame?
Hey Daniela! I took a piece of cardboard and cut out the 3x3" squares. I couldn't find one to buy, so I just made one. It's pretty easy to make.
Hi Chris! I really like them all but especially like the far right, #3 on the top row. The green/gold appears very yellow on my computer so I would love to see the actual hue you are using here. I mix up a pretty awesome green/gold with Liquitex Sap Green and Liquitex Gold, very pretty, FYI.
Also, yes, I do create thumbnails in my book but usually only in pencil because I use them strictly for composition. I enjoyed this video!
Hey Susie! Thank you, #3 on the top is my favorite as well. It's not your computer, when mixed with water or applied in a thin layer the green gold shows more on the yellow side. The thicker it is, the more olive it looks. I'll have to try your mix sometime, I bet it's quite lovely. I was the same - pencil for composition - and still do that as well now and then.
@@chrisloudart Oh, now I get it. I will post an example of my green gold on Instagram so you can see if you like it. I have a set of mini’s I used it on, so pretty.