If you prefer a colored background, buy a jar of Gesso to prime the canvas and give it a touch of color. The primer should dry quickly. [2] X Expert Source Kelly MedfordProfessional Artist Expert Interview. 2 July 2019.
If you’re unsure about what colors work well together, think about picking up a color chart/wheel. This will actually show you which colors compliment each other.
You may want to lay down newspapers to prevent drips or spills, especially if you plan on flicking paint or laying the canvas on the ground.
Find a color wheel at a local artist supply store, craft store, or paint department.
To become familiar with color creation, try making your own color wheel.
White, black, and gray are seen as neutral colors.
Analogous colors: Choose two or three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. One of the colors will probably stand out, but all three will look great together. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/1/1f/Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet1-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/1/1f/Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/aid60079-v4-728px-Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet1-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Complementary colors: Choose two colors that are directly opposite of each other on the color wheel. These colors can really pop out. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/0/01/Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet2-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet2-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/0/01/Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet2-Version-3. jpg/aid60079-v4-728px-Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet2-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Triadic colors: Choose three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. If you drew a line to connect the colors you chose, you would have a triangle. These colors will really stand out. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/9/92/Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet3-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet3-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/9/92/Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet3-Version-3. jpg/aid60079-v4-728px-Create-an-Abstract-Painting-Step-8Bullet3-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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You could also leave the canvas smooth and blank. Again, there are no rules for abstract art saying you must have a textured background. Many artists simply start painting on a blank canvas.
Use rulers and pencil lines instead of tape. If you don’t want to deal with the gaps that the painter’s tape will cause when you remove it, try marking your canvas using a ruler and pencil. Again, lay your ruler down across several points to create geometric shapes.
Some abstract artists will outline the colors of each shape before they begin painting. Others simply paint and decide which colors to use as they go along.
You could also use heavy paper or poster board. If you do this, you won’t need to prepare or prime the surface.
Don’t feel as though you can’t move the canvas while you’re painting. In fact, you may create unique designs by starting on the floor and then moving the canvas upright while the paint is still wet.
You can also vary the distances from which your pour paint onto your canvas. Pouring from a great height will most likely create splatters, while pouring closer will offer more control and precision.
You can use brushes, straws, squirt bottles, or old toothbrushes to splatter or drip the paint.
Allow the brush and paint to move over the canvas without worrying about the image you’re creating. This type of painting is more about the experience than the outcome.
