Please ignore me if I am outta line..I’m only new to rb and not a very experienced painter. However, I can see that there are lots of great abstract artists in this group so here is my question -
I am working on my very FIRST ever abstract painting – I got the idea to do it when I was eating something the other day and I looked at all the lovely food colours swirling around on my plate and thought mmmm yummy colours…I’d like to paint that…....now I didn;t really want to do a painting of an empty place with sauce left on it…so I decided to do my first abstract.

At the time it seemd like a great idea and I laid colour on with great abandon and it seemed it was going woonderfully -even though I had no idea WHERE it was actually going.

Now I’m stuck. Haven’t got a clue what to do next. Looks like a dumb idea to me now…but the idea started off with such promise and enthusiasm. I just dont know where to put the paintbrush next. Doing a non abstract painting is easy – you just look at whatever you are painting. But I’ve long since done the washing up!

Is this like writer’s block? Do all abstract paintings go through this or do real abstract artists have a plan before they start a work? I know these are simplistic, maybe stupid questions, but I am quite untrained and thought maybe someone could offer me some advice?

I’m replying to my own topic…ooooooo…... I just read the Abstraction topic discussion. Naturally, most of it was over my head, not being educated in Art.

Now I feel even stupider….however, I wish to learn..so my question stands.

I find that when I paint abstract ideas just flow… I add a little here, a little there, try this shape, that shape… once I make my next mark on the canvas I have another idea… I generally don’t have an image in mind when I paint. I allow the painting to create itself.

I don’t know if that’s any help to you.. but I would suggest you stop trying to create a finished picture and enjoy the process. Can you just start somewhere on the painting… is there a piece that doesn’t look smooth enough?.. a piece that would look good in a more vibrant colour? Can you stand back from the painting and look at the colours, do they feel balanced with each other?

I’m not trained either, I create my abstract from the flow.. feeling what I think will look best next..

Remember it’s the journey that’s important.

I hope this helps :-)

remember.. the plate with the colours may have been the start of thepainting, but it’s not necessarily the destination..

Hi Estelle : ) I’m not an experienced abstract artist either…but you have the most important quality to begin with….enthusiasm! I’m like you.. I kind of have an idea in my head before I start… but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take a few back roads..and a few dead ends before you get to where you’re going! And not all paintings are fantastic the first time round… I’m sure you’ve experienced this before being a painter…god knows I have. Sometimes it’s the ones that you just go with the flow with that turn out the best…like Claire said let the paint flow.. and if it isn’t flowing.. stop for alittle while and go back to it later. Sure we have “blocks” like everyone else. Can you arrange some foods on a plate and re-arrange them until the balance of colour looks right..? Or try it on paintshop before you start if you want to get an idea of what it may look like? Just some suggestions…hope they help : ) let me know how you go! warm wishes, Wendy

Hi Estelle, being a photographer and even less than a novice in understanding artwork and paintings, I had a look at your portfolio and find it to be outstanding. As Claire says, “Go with the Flow”

Totally agree with the others.
I’ve never yet arrived at where I set off to reach.
At some point you always seem to have to face three choices.
[1] Refuse to accept defeat and press on trying to achieve your idea – the option that never seems to work
[2] Let the work take you in another direction and forget the original idea – my preferred option
[3] Accept that an image is finished and move on to the next one, either trying once more to achieve the idea [or more likely you have a new idea by then]

This is great for me to see others work like me too! :-)

I like Mufa’s options, mostly I take 2 and also 3! sometimes… if you just can’t come up with that idea of what to do next.. then it’s finished. No more is needed! :-)

I love the way the painting tells you what to do… if it’s stopped talking to you.. perhaps it’s just finished, it’s likes it the way it is ! :-)

I have to admit that I use Mufa’s preferred option : ) and sometimes I will abandon an idea… ( less relunctantly as I get older) and go on to the next idea as Mufa said… number 3 option : ). Now I’m going back to check out your stuff Estelle! : ) Wendy

Wow, thank you all for such great ideas and encouragement. After reading the intellectual discussion about abstract art on the topic entitled Abstraction..I felt like a bit of a dodo and was nervous about asking advice…but now I’m so glad I did. I also learned considerably from reading the discussion. Although I am educated in the subjects of life, political science, international relations, philosopshy and psychology – I had never studied art from an academic point of view, except books that I borrow from the library and the ocassional exhibition. My dad (who painted for a hobby) always told me “If you like it – it’s good art”

I have taken a little bit of what each of you have said and applied it to my painting. Boy, I learn so much every day! Painting sort of followings the twists and turns of life’s journey, doesn’t it?

With this painting, I feel (and I mean feel – not know) that it is not finished, that I have not achieved the expression that I felt was brewing in me when I got the idea. But because I can’t really articulate the idea, it’s hard for a control freak like me to go with it! Amazing how painting teaches you about yourself. The comments above have helped me to see, however, that the original idea doesn’t have to be the end destination. And you’ll probably all laugh when I tell you the humble and commonplace idea that got me so excited in the first place. It was the swirling mixing of colour left over from a plate of baked beans and runny poached egg! Nothing high brow or esoteric here! So thanks so much to each of you who took the time to help me along my journey. If the painting turns out to be something I feel I can show anyone…you’ll know it by its Title “Baked Beans and Egg” so you’ll know you each had a hand in its creation!!!

lol!! Delighted to see our comments helped!!

I personally think your Dad got it right, there is so many famous highly renouned artists and pieces of art that I just don’t like, but lots of other people do. It’s all a question of taste, if you can produce something you like, then that’s the key!

I can’t wait to see “Baked Beans and Egg”! :-D

Thanks Claire,
Another thing my Dad used to say when he would take me to Art galleries as a child, when I’d look at a painting and ask him “What is it Dad?”....he’s say…..”its’ whatever you want it to be”. He never studied art academically but he was a very wise old man! I miss him a lot..he would be thrilled to know I am painting.

Dad’s are cool! :-D