Build a Dynamic Abstract Painting: Vivid Intuitive Layering & Easy Mark Making Demo
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- čas přidán 8. 03. 2024
- In this painting tutorial, I demonstrate how to build a dynamic abstract painting with vivid intuitive layering & easy mark-making. I embark on a creative journey that begins with a simple art prompt from "50 Abstract Warm-Up Painting Prompts" (www.etsy.com/listing/16615441.... However, the process quickly evolves as the intuitive abstract layers and marks I lay down inspire a new direction that I eagerly follow.
-LINKS-
➡️ Fine Tip Applicator Bottle - amzn.to/3S8C39I
➡️ 2.5 Inch Rubber Roller, Paint Brayer - amzn.to/3Hshgcq
➡️ Silicone Bowl Scraper - amzn.to/3I1UrMP
➡️ Silicone painting brushes (Color shapers) amzn.to/3oMpd6w
➡️ Pentel S20P Pointliner - amzn.to/48s1NUZ
*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.
➡️Find me on Instagram: / chrisloudart
Throughout this acrylic painting demo, I show how the layering of vivid colors and easy mark-making continue to build up to a final intuitive abstract painting that is dynamic. Initially, I make use of a fine-tip applicator and markers to add easy marks to my paper, setting the stage with colors like Naples yellow, light olive green, Alizarin crimson, and magenta. Once these initial layers dry, I introduce additional colors to the mix, including bright aqua green and lime green, further building upon the foundation with overlapping layers that add depth and complexity.
This painting tutorial isn't just about following steps; it's about embracing the unpredictability and freedom of intuitive abstract art. As you watch the layering unfold, you'll see how the dynamic abstract painting comes to life, with each layer and mark adding to the story. The overlap of colors and textures, paired with the vivid shades of acrylic paint, creates a piece that's as engaging to view as it was to create.
Join me in this acrylic painting demo as I guide you through the process of building your own dynamic abstract painting. Whether you're new to intuitive abstract art or looking to expand your skills in layering and mark-making, this video offers insights and inspiration at every turn. Let's explore the possibilities together and see where our intuition takes us.
And remember, keep on painting!
#abstractpainting #intuitivepainting #paintingtutorial #acrylicpainting #paintingdemo #intuitiveart #painting #paintingprocess #creativity
Acrylic paint colors used in this painting demo:
Prussian Blue
Bright Aqua Green
Lime Green
Naples Yellow
Light Olive Green
Alizarin Crimson
Permanent Magenta
Titanium White
Oil Pastels
Alcohol Markers - Jak na to + styl
I loved the underpainting and was stunned watching you cover it up. 😂 Turned out lovely.
Thanks, Kathleen! I was a little stunned myself at first.😂 I definitely had an "oops, what did I just do?" moment, but that's typically my reaction when I take risks.😊
I gasped when you suddenly covered the beautiful initial layers with broad strokes of white….. so… yes, I struggle to cover my earlier layers. It’s why i watched this video.. to learn to be brave, and let go.. so that more ‘magic’ can happen.
Hey Jen! It doesn't come easy at first, but I've found that my paintings have much more character by layering like this. And...I gasped when I first started covering the initial laver as well. It can be scary and risky to do, but you have to trust yourself. The 'magic' is out there, you just have to open yourself up to it.❤️
Such a simple move by changing the orientation, but wow... it changed the movement of the piece. I enjoy watching you create!
Thank you! Yeah, this one really looked quite different and had more energy when I turned it.
Covering up my underpainting is SO hard for me. I’m really trying to become more brave and experiment in sketchbooks and on paper so it feels less precious. I would love to hear you address this topic more. I feel like it’s my biggest challenge in getting myself to the next level in my painting. I LOVE your channel and watching you work! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and talent!!
Thank you so much, SuZen! I appreciate your feedback! I think of covering the underpainting a little like public speaking-no matter how many times you do it, you always have a little nervousness and apprehension every time you do it. ❤️
SAME HERE--- I can't cover up something I love or like!! Just can't do it! I'm feeling a little bit better knowing I'm not the only one.
@@user-um8lq4gh6h I know, right?! I wish there was a course just about this specific challenge! 😆
Hey Jana! This is just one technique. Unless your specific goal is to create an underpainting to build layers and add character through those layers, there's no need to cover up what you love. The way I see it, your painting is for you, so create the way you want to create.😊 Best, Chris
Using the brayer over the thinly squeezed out painted drawing was such an effective way to get some random textured dark down. So many ways to use just that method, alone! I always forget to use my poor, lonely brayer.
Hey RaeRae! I've used that technique many times and always get an interesting design. It also works really well with a silicone wedge in place of the brayer. I'm right there with you, I need to use mine a little more often.
I'm trying to become more comfortable covering up the under-painting, except for when I don't like what I've started. I love getting some gesso and maybe a color to tint it with and covering it all up and beginning with a fresh attitude. I actually liked where this was going in the beginning and held my breadth as you showed us how you brought new life into the piece which looks great in all orientations. Truth is... the under-painting brings texture, and life to a final product, getting there just takes more painting! Your time to share your work inspires and encourages us all, thank you!
Hey Laurie! It's definitely not always easy to paint over the underpainting. Much easier when a painting isn't going the way you want it to. I still have times when I get precious about some area and am too afraid to paint over it. That's usually about the time I start overthinking and the piece goes off the rails. I admit I was a little nervous about painting over what I had, but I kept thinking how adding a touch of blue would change yet enhance the painting. Thank you for your kind words and for watching!❤️
lovely!!!! thank you.:)
Thanks so much, Shirley!
Wow! Fantastic!
Thank you, Fernanda!
Love your process, would love to see more. Thx for sharing your talent Chris
Thanks so much, Ruth! I'll be sure to add more like this to my list. ❤️
Love your style! I do find it hard to cover up what I’ve done that I like.
Thanks, Mary Ann!
I am only six months in to art (mixed media). Yes, it is hard to cover up an under layer, but I am learning there are so many possibilities to explore in additional layers. I liked yours before the blue - yelped when you added blue. But of course the finished piece is great, full of energy!
Hey Dawn! You're going to have such a great time as you continue. What type of mixed media are you doing? Collage? I was a little nervous about the blue, and adding such a large amount right off the bat didn't help, but I felt it would enhance the piece once I tamed it a little. Thank you for your feedback and for watching!
Yes, collage but feeling through how much collage versus paint- some artist paint more with paper; for others the collage seems incidental. I am all over the place!
Well, we're in the same boat. I bounce around as well. I've done some with one small piece of paper and paint and some where I've covered the whole canvas with paper and a little paint.I guess being open to it all gives us more options when we create😊
Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Sigrun!
Good energetic painting, Chris. I especially liked watching your mark making. I am going to investigate where this might expose my own intuitive marks. I will call it "Loud Doodling".
Haha...I love it! Thanks so much Ann!❤️
you trully inspire not only me im sure about this. i will start the 50 warm-up prompts from tomorrow. many thanks.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. Let me know how it goes.
Dear Chris, thank you for this inspiring video. I have problems with how to even start! But seeing your step by step approach was very helpful. Again thank you
Thanks, Fonny! I'm so glad that you found this video to be helpful😊
@@chrisloudart I have subscribed and I'm looking forward to your next videos 🤗
The painting looked entirely different when you changed the orientation at the end. Amazing!
Thanks, Andrew! It's wild how changing the orientation can show such a different painting.
Wow. Just WOW!!!! ❤
Thanks so much, Syl!😊
That question was aimed straight at me. You KNOW i am terrified of covering up my underpainting, and yet when I see how yours came out, it all makes sense. This is such an exciting picture and i think that one approach is taking risks. I think how we aporoach Abstract reveals a lot about ourselves. 🎉😊🎉
Thank you, Emmanuel! I totally agree with "how we approach abstract reveals a lot about ourselves." I think that is what is so fun about watching other people paint. Many times, I'm watching and I think "ooh, I'm not sure I would have done that" but then you see how their painting transforms from what seems like a few random brushstrokes. I learn so much from watching others paint. The way I approach painting is definitely in taking risks and letting a painting reveal itself.
I love watching how your paintings progress! Tfs
Thanks very much, Yolande! Thanks for watching 😊
Wow, effortlessly creates amazing art 🖼
Thank you so much, Dolores!❤️
love to see more.❤
Thanks, I will do some more!
Great result!
Thank you, Denise! Cheers!
❤ wow that bold move made all colors pop
Thanks so much, Crystal!😊
Fascinating to see. Thank you
Thank you so much, Roberta!
Exciting image, Chris.
Thanks so much, Martha!❤️
Turned out great. Love the colors!
Thank you! Cheers!
Gorgeous!! Love your choice of colours!! Thank you for sharing this ❤️
Hey LM! Thank you so much!😊
Beautiful and surprising.
Just shy of a year into my painting journey.
It's taken me working in collage to understand the power of covering up under "work"...the idea of "knocking paint back" is now understood...
Perhaps the gift, as the artist is, we know all the layers...and hidden secrets🤗
Thank you so much! 😊 I will say that is one of my favorite things about layers-knowing what lies beneath the surface. We always know the backstory to each of our pieces like no one else.
Everytime I watch your videos I get inspired. Thank you!!!
Thanks, Terry! I'm so glad to hear that 😊
I like this wauuuw 😊
Thanks so much, Doris!
Yes I usually don't cover up my "underpainting" (?)--it's a painting! Seriously though, watching you is very encouraging! I just downloaded your 50 art prompts so I'm excited about getting started on those to get me out of the same old, same old. Thx for another great little video.
Thanks so much, Becky! I hope you enjoy playing with the prompts. They are good at pulling me out of my comfort zone and sparking my creativity. Cheers!
I do have trouble covering up but recently ive been brave and experimented. Its all a learning curve. If we dont try we gain nothing. Im fascinated by this video. Thanks Chris. love what you created.😊
Thanks so much, Andrea! I couldn't have said it better-it's all a learning curve, so we might as well play and try new things.❤️
Now that's a real WOW Chris...thank you for sharing your talent. Love it.
Thanks so much, Ruth! It's truly my pleasure!
You’ve become a true master of abstraction, Chris! Beautiful work!
Thank you so much, Susie!❤️
Please do more.. would love to see you doing a huge piece!
Thanks, Susie! I'll do my best to record myself doing a larger painting. I have a 36"x48" coming up that I need to paint
Главное - вовремя остановиться! ) (поговорка)
Отличный момент! Очень верно. 😊
Great work. This piece is so lively.
Thank you, Richard! I appreciate it😊
Nice. I like your paintings.
Thanks so much, Diane!
Loved this video! I’m subscribing!
Thank you very much, Jill! I'm so glad you enjoyed it❤️
Thank you for another interested video with a lot of inspiration😍 I love to work with a lot of differential layers, like the transparent colors so the layers can show with different sharpness, and sometimes cover it up partly with colors that are not transparent.
Hey Ann! I'm so happy you enjoyed this one❤️ It sounds like you are well into layering with your artwork😊
so nice ❤😍👍
Thank you so much!❤️
Oh my! I certainly would have trouble covering YOUR underpainting! That was beautiful, and it also ENDED beautiful. I used to have trouble covering my underpaintings because I did not UNDERSTAND the reason of covering something I worked hard to achieve, 😊 however, I learned the purpose and the process and use it constantly on canvas and paper. I think some times leaving the supposed underpainting completely alone is good too... especially if they shine all by themselves. 🎨🖌️
Thank you! ❤️I totally agree-if you love it as it is, leave it alone. I have paintings that I stopped working on after 5-10 minutes because I loved what I saw so much. They're simple, but exactly what they needed to be.
@@chrisloudart😊
Nice one again. Got in just at the right time to ease up my long train ride home from vacation. 😉
So thanks Chris. 👍🏼🙏🏼
Think I like the third orientiertation best. (the big blue part on the right) 😊
Followed by my second favorite, orientation number four. (the big blue part at the top) 👍🏼
Thanks, Thomas! I hope you had a nice trip⛷️. I think my two favorites at the moment are the big blue on top and then on the bottom.😊
I really enjoy your prompts and learned a lot as someone who is fairly new to intuitive painting . I am ok with painting over the first marks; what I am struggling with is allowing myself to use more layering . But I see much interest (energy ) or life in your paintings as you add many layers. I'm working on it.
Thanks Tisha! I'm happy these are helpful to you😊 Its definitely not easy sometimes to add more layering especially when you have something down that you like. Almost every time I put down the first couple of brush strokes, I think "oh, maybe that was a mistake", but you just have to trust yourself and keep going. Cheers!
I love the end result! I wasn´t sure either when you put the white but it turned out very nice. I like the prompts, they are great guides, I´ll download your book ☺
Hey Priscilla! Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. I was a little nervous, as always, when I put the white and blue down, but it seemed like the painting knew where it was headed.
@@chrisloudart exactly, it feels like the painting knows... 😊
I use to have a hard time painting over part I got attached to - but now I try not to do that and listen to what the painting is telling me :)
I watched this video twice - I love your layering process and the depth you give in your work
Thank you for sharing and teaching 👏👏👏
Hey Kelly! Thank you so much❤️ We are much alike in our thought process. It always fun to see where the painting leads us. Have a wonderful weekend!
I love the colours and textures in this!
The initial underpainting is easier for me now to go over, it has become part of my process to know that it will be painted over and I've become less precious about it.
Where I get stuck is the middle-ish part where I like some areas but it's far from being a finished painting, especially compositionally. I have a few in my sketchbook at this stage, and a few canvas boards with many layers/restarts! I feel a bit locked in when there's certain areas I don't want to lose, so I'm working on gently pushing myself through that. I feel I have a good visual sense of what makes a good composition, but actually producing that is challenging.
Thanks for the inspirations!
P.s. I feel that leaving them a while and coming back to it helps me with being less precious and to be a bit more bold and brave on the next stage/layer, as well as taking photos so I know I don't lose it forever!
Thanks so much, Lena! It's great to hear how painting over the initial underpainting has become a comforting step in your process, and I completely understand the challenge of navigating through the middle stages without wanting to lose the parts you love. I also find it helpful to walk away and also take photos for inspiring future pieces. It's a great way to preserve your progress and approach your work with fresh eyes. Keep experimenting and pushing through those challenging moments. Thanks for sharing your creative experience😊
@@chrisloudart Thank you Chris!
The Secret Lives of Colour...Kassia St. Clair😊 Ann
This looks incredibly interesting! Thanks, Ann!❤️
i was happy at stopping at 0:47
Thanks, Sobano! I really liked that design as well. I was just thinking about starting with a basic underpainting and then creating some shapes with the same technique and then stopping. I'm going to give that a try.
Great little video. Love the outcome. I HATE covering up my underpainting! And I always feel like "I ruined it".....have to FORCE myself to keep on going. Thanks
Thank you so much! It can definitely be a challenge 😊
I wish you could come to my house to teach me 😂 I do so much better with instruction in person. Thank you for the videos and discussing your techniques. Your artwork is very beautiful.
Thank you very much, Rhonda! 😂 I'm the same way-I like in person instruction as well.
Thanks Chris!! The next in spanish too please
Hey Sabel! I'll try to at least get subtitles on the next one.😊
Weirdly, when you turned the painting round, it felt unsettling because I had been enjoying the development in the other orientation! I guess its good to challenge your perception in this way. I've saved this to my 'have a go' list. I'm trying very hard to paint more intuitively....
Hey Anne! I have that reaction now and then when I change the orientation. Usually, it helps me see something I hadn't noticed before and stimulates my creativity. Painting intuitively is not always easy at first and do expect some 'bad' paintings. I make quite a few. I do my best to not overthink what I'm doing, have fun and realize if the painting doesn't work out, oh well, at least I painted. Cheers!
I have a difficulty feeling comfortable covering over what I’ve drawn. I always wonder why you do that, as I watch you. It seems like a waste of paint. I guess it’s helpful if you don’t like what you’ve just drawn. Thanks for the videos.
Hey Cheryl! It's definitely not for everyone, but I find it gives more character and depth to my final paintings when I let some of the underpainting show through. I need to do a better job of showing some close ups where sections of the underpainting is showing through at the end of the video. Thanks for your feedback! I really do appreciate it ❤️
Awesome video! What substrate did you use in that work?
Thanks, Diane! I was using 140lb (300gsm) watercolor paper with one coat of gesso.
Hi Chris! You always inspire me to keep discovering creative ways to express myself! I just ordered some fine-tip applicators, as I love what they bring to the canvas. Any tips or suggestions about to use them properly? Thanks!
Pam from France
Thanks, Pam! I'm so glad to hear these videos are helpful😊 I'm still not sure I'm using the fine-tip applicators correctly🤣. My advice would be to grab a piece of scrap paper and play with it before you use it on a painting. I learned the hard way by having my first go on a painting I was working on. I found out very quickly that I was squeezing a little too hard.😮
@@chrisloudart good advice! I have so many paintings in the “ not quite finished “ stage and I feel like this will provide the final touch for most of them. Can’t wait to get practicing! Thanks again!
Loved the results..I have hard time covering an under painting that I like. Do you ever use acrylic ink?
Thanks, Bonne! I haven't used acrylic ink...yet. I was just looking at ordering some to play with. Do you have any that you recommend?
About a month ago I started exploring the world of abstract art with acrylics. I purchased a starter kit of Liquitex inks and now I'm trying to apply them. I really like the effects you can create. I would love to see what you could come up with!!
Thanks, Bonne! I'll grab some acrylic inks and do a video when I get my bearings.
After painting many, many years I still struggle withe overpainting the individual layers. Sometimes I am literally gritting my teeth when doing it. Well, most of the time it is worth it, not always though.
Hey Margret! I'm right there with you. I sweat a little every time I begin the next layer. I've been trying to take a few photos before I move on, just in case I botch it completely.😊
I love your videos … thanks so much for doing them. May I ask what paper you used in this video ?
Thank you, Jason! This was 300 gsm watercolor paper with one coat of gesso.
Like liquid gesso or the gel stuff ?
Its basically like a thinner white acrylic paint. This is what I use - amzn.to/4c8dRgS
Hi Chris..do you dry the layers?? Really beautiful 🤩
Hey Leila! Thank you so much! ❤️ Yes, I use a hair dryer. Since the layers are so thin it usually takes less than a minute to dry.
@@chrisloudart Thanks Chris.. much appreciated 👍🥰
I really have problems covering the under paint. Usually have to use titanium white with the color I want to apply
Hey Nilda! I've done the same-adding white to the color. I've really enjoyed painting over the underpainting and then wiping some of the paint off to see what shows through.
, it took color to compliment depth in this on paper. Do U paint on canvas? Do U sell ur work anywhere? Do U make prints to sell? Ann, Florida fan
Thanks, Ann! I do paint on canvas, but I usually do most of my warm-ups and a few pieces like this on paper. I do sell my artwork, but honestly I'm not very aggressive with trying to sell them. I've sold some in galleries, coffee shop galleries, and have a few in a store in Napa. I have a few older warm-ups for sale on Etsy. I'll list this one on Etsy on Sunday. I have several set aside for an exhibit I have scheduled in a gallery next year and a juried show in August. I don't have prints yet, but my goal is to start selling them in April. Best, Chris
Still watching... 6min03secs... The OhNo! moment.😅
Haha, I know those moments all too well. The moments when I think "oh, maybe I shouldn't have gone there". I just done say them out loud.😂
what is the commercial aspect of this kind of work? asking this because normally people are interested in canvas paintings, whether it is oil or acrylic based.
I sold this one in a white mat to a family friend for $60 (US). Otherwise I probably would have sold this particular one unframed for $96. Typically, I offer my smaller paper paintings like this in a mat, frame or both. There is definitely a market for artwork like this on paper. I sold an 8"x10" painting in a frame (from an earlier video) for $225. It might depend on the art market where you live if you are selling local. Hope that helps.
@@chrisloudart Thank you so much for your help. If you could make a tutorial on framing that would also be much appreciated.
You're quite welcome! Framing is definitely on my list for future videos.
What’s a prompt?
A prompt in this case is just an idea or loose guidelines to give you some direction. Hope that helps 😊
Are you painting on paper……..what kind?
I'm painting on paper from and in/out sketchbook. Grumbacher 9" x 12" Watercolor Paper Pad 140 lb./300 GSM - amzn.to/3pPFgkI
Thank you so much!
There R so many frames in each video that U've produced that can Bcome prints. Many of these R works of art under "works of art." 😂 just 1 video can give multiple stages of the final addition... figuring out how to capture these and sell as a single print would B a unique opportunity. OK, so now mayB U can hire a film editor. Ann
It's funny you mentioned that. I've been looking into getting a new camera and that is something I would like to do with it-take good pictures at different points in the painting process. I love the idea of making prints from some of those, hadn't thought of that before. Thanks, Ann!
Bartletts are my favorite fruit. But it's almost impossible to find one that isn't mishandled or bruised. They are delicate in taste and skin.
I have a question 🤔 I don't understand this obsession with covering underpaintings.
I use watercolors and you put layers but watercolors are translucent so it's part of the painting.
Too many layers and it becomes opaque and muddy, there's a sweet spot, where you stop or you loose the translucent quality that is their charm.
The acrylic paint, it disappears so it's pointless? This is where I'm not understanding. When I watch often what is called an underpainting is as good as the finished piece.
Hey Nicole! I agree with you when it comes to layering with watercolor. Much like handling pears, there is such a fine balance and delicacy to maintaining that beauty and charm when painting with watercolors. Layering, the way I do it, just doesn't work well with this medium.
Acrylics are much more forgiving in that you can come back form a muddy painting by simply painting over it. While I don't paint all of my acrylic paintings with layers, when I do it's because I want to create depth, character, and richness in the final piece. Although, it might not be as visible in the videos, there are many places where the underpainting shows through in the final painting. I need to do a better job of showing close ups at the end to show those areas.😊
@@chrisloudart so parts of the underpainting show through ok that makes a bit more sense, a bit like one artist I saw, she painted every canvas bright red, then she painted over it but left the red showing through, similar to a toned paper with pastels.
I've never used acrylics but I do like the vibrant colors.
@@nicoleperron3315 Exactly! I kind of think of the underpainting as a more elaborate toning of the surface. I haven't done a whole lot of watercolor painting but I really want to get more into that this year.
@@chrisloudart I love watercolors but if you go the traditional route it's sort of counterintuitive because you reserve your whites and work darker and darker lots of fun if you don't use masking fluid.
Make sure you use the best cotton paper it saves you from a lot of blooms and backruns in your washes.
I've been playing with a more mixed media approach recently, it feels like cheating 😂 but fun.
Thanks for the advice! I felt like mixed media was cheating for a while, then I gave in and now I love adding anything and everything I want.
❤️