This abstract painted hear was made using a palette knife. The palette knife helps create a textured mix of colors. I used this wooden heart. This is another great wooden heart option. See the full step-by-step tutorial for this palette knife heart here.
Abstract Painting for Beginners
This abstract painting for beginners tutorial is for those who are taking baby steps in painting like myself. I’m no pro, so this is probably the easiest step by step acrylic painting DIY tutorial out there. Enjoy!
Acrylic Abstract Painting for Beginners
At the beginning of 2019, I decided to learn one new art and craft skill each month and this month it’s ‘painting’! I wanted to share my first abstract painting, hence this post! I won’t be giving any tips or suggestions in this post, but surely in the next posts as I’ll learn and practice more. Surely, this abstract painting for beginners is pretty easy, and if you’re inspired enough, you can do it too!
Looks magical, doesn’t it! In this tutorial I’ll show you how I did (and learned) my first ever acrylic abstract painting. Follow my tutorial and try recreating one yourself and keep in touch for more fun and crafty ideas! Meanwhile, if you’re looking for some beginner-friendly tips, make sure to check out this article on How To Get Started With Acrylic Abstract Painting by Wandering Aimfully.
How to Paint an Abstract Acrylic Painting
List of Supplies
- Acrylic paint
- Canvas (any size you want)
- Paintbrush (flat brushes)
- Pencil
- Art paper
- X-acto knife
- Craft glue
Step by Step Acrylic Painting instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Colors and Applying the First Layer
Grab your canvas and paintbrushes, prepare the paints on the tray, and get started. Prepare 4 or more different shades of blue acrylic paint on the tray. Each shade should be deeper than the other. Starting your paint from the top side of the canvas; use the darkest shade for the first layer.
Step 2: Continue Painting to Create Blue Ombre
Continue the painting towards the bottom side of the canvas. Once you’re done with the first dark blue layer, wash your brush by simply dipping it into the water cup and then go for the next deeper shade of blue. Overlap both coats by a cm or so.
Step 3: Complete the Base Ombre
Keep adding different deeper shades of blue while painting towards the bottom end of the canvas. If you’re a beginner (I am as well!), don’t worry if the blue ombre doesn’t turn out as good; you’ll get better eventually, this only the first time! This blue ombre is the base of our abstract painting.
Step 4: Paint Scattered Clouds
Grab the white acrylic paint (Size 3) and use a flat brush to paint a scattered cloud pattern along the top side of the blue canvas. Paint the cloud from and moving downwards diagonally.
Step 5: Add Shades to the Clouds
Prepare a really deep mint acrylic shade (mix white: blue: green – 50:30:20) and once again use the flat brush to paint a scattered cloud pattern below the white cloud pattern. Overlap with the previous cloud pattern.
Step 6: Add 3rd Shade to the Clouds
I’ve prepared a really deep peachy-pink paint to add another layer of scattered clouds. Paint these clouds randomly, overlapping with and beside the previous clouds.
Step 7: Add More Shades to the Clouds
Continue to add different deep shades of peach, pink, and mint acrylic paints to the clouds. Don’t worry about it at all and get creative!
Step 8: Add Orange-Peachy Shades to the Cloud
Now that we’re done applying all the light shades, now let’s apply a darker shade. I prepared an orange-peachy shade using (orange: pink: white – 40:30:30).
Step 9: Smudge the Overlapped Parts
Use a sponge to smudge the overlapped parts of the painting to give them a smooth look. Just tap gently on the overlapped painting and keep smudging them until you’re happy with the shades.
Step 10: Allow the Paint to Dry
Happy with the abstract painting? Allow the paint to dry completely. As we have applied quite some numbers of layers, it might take a few hours for the paint to dry completely.
Step 11: Splatter Golden Paint
Pour a small amount of golden paint on a toothbrush and then splatter the golden paint from the toothbrush on the painted canvas. Try keeping the golden splattered pattern mild, don’t add too much golden paint.
And we’re done! Allow the paint to dry completely before framing it.
If you liked our step by step abstract acrylic painting tutorial then please do share this with the people who may like it too. And as it is my first try, I would really appreciate your feedback in the comments below. Share pictures of your version of the painting with us if you do give them a try. You can share your picture with hashtag #craftaholicwitch on Instagram or Facebook or just DM your picture to us on Instagram or Facebook page.
Create some easy abstract art paintings by using recycled card boards as canvas
Abstract art is one of the easiest form of art to do. It is fun, flexible and expressive- suitable for all ages to enjoy. But first, what exactly is abstract art? If you were to google abstract art, by definition according to TATE, it describes abstract art as “art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality, but instead use shapes, colors, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect.” Now, that sounds like fun being able to freely express yourself creatively through a combination of colourful shapes and patterns.
Abstract Art for Beginners
How to get started in abstract art? It is simple.
All you need to prepare are:
Acrylic paints
Paint brushes
Card boards (to replace canvas)
Optional, but you can include additional supplies like watercolour, oil pastel or even posca markers if you have any. More recycled items like jar lids, toothpicks, old credit cards, for example, for mark makings.
Why I Used Card boards?
I suggested card boards to replace canvases because, personally, I have been exploring abstract art painting on recycled card boards. During the COVID-19 lock down, I look through my house to see what I could find to paint on and recycled card boards were one of the things that you can reuse as canvases. This way, as a beginner, you can explore and experiment with abstract painting as much as you want to without worrying if you are wasting a good canvas.
On a side note, you can also cut the card boards into smaller A5 pieces for a quick daily exploration. It always seem more fun to paint on smaller art pieces, don’t you agree?
Tips on Easy Abstract Art Painting
Colours
To begin, start off with colour combinations for your abstract artwork. Have an idea of what sort of colours you would like to use. If you are clueless, one of the easiest way to do so is to observe attractive colour combinations from Pinterest or Instagram, or you can start off with your favourite colours. Pick 2 to 3 colour combinations and paint the background. As for me, I started off by painting random white shapes and shades on the card board pieces while leaving some unpainted areas.
After a quick dry with the hair dryer, I layered all kinds of other shapes on top of the white with other favourite colours. The idea is to basically fill up the unpainted areas or create colourful shapes while making sure that you do not paint over the white entirely. Remember, as free and easy abstract art can be, you still need to maintain a sense of balance in art making to create a harmonious layout.
Lines, Shapes and Patterns
This is where the actual fun begins! It is when you start adding on lines, shapes and patterns. There are two things you need to take note of:
1. Trust your intuition
Pay attention to the small details and areas that allow you to create an attractive pattern. This is how you engage with your canvas (card board in this case) and let it show you where to paint. Generally, people think that abstract is all about splashing colours and create messy unplanned streaks of paints. Yes and no, but personally, I think it about paying attention to the little details on your canvas to let it show you where you can fill in the spaces and further elaborate the painting as you go along.
2. Start Small
Start with easy ones like, wavy lines, circles, zig zags etc. If you need to look at reference, go ahead, and if you need to test it a separate piece of paper, why not. Give yourself permission to experiment!
As I added on lines, shapes and patterns, noticed that the colour that I am using is black. Personally, I find that black highlights the background colour especially if the background colours are light or bright ones. It sort of matches well together. You can also do the same with white or other colours on different background tones.
You don’t have to necessarily start with bright or darker colours, it is not specific but depends on your preference and how you feel. My advice is just to mix and match to find out what you like and don’t like. In fact, this is when the card board is useful because you will be able to experiment with variety of abstract art designs as much as you want.
There you go! Easy abstract art ideas for abstract art beginners and abstract for kids.
Bonus! If you want to see the entire process, featuring three different abstract art painting process, click to watch the video on our YouTube channel.
The Artsy Craftsy by Shia Lynn documents her journey on exploring life through art, crafts, creativity and creative mindful living. She also covers mainly creative arts and handmade community related stories. We welcome content collaboration with creatives, creative lifestyle event invites, including sponsored content and brand partnerships. Request for our rate card or speak to us about our creative service. Email [email protected]
Easy Abstract Art Painting Techniques for Beginners
I absolutely love painting abstract designs on wooden cut-outs with different art materials. These easy abstract painting ideas are great for all artistic abilities and ages. The best part is that when you’re done you’ll have beautiful DIY abstract wall art to display in your home. See below for a variety of ways to create easy DIY abstract art using several different painting techniques and learn the best supplies to use and directions for making your own painted abstract designs.
Best Supplies for Easy Abstract Painting Ideas
- Wooden Cutouts
- Heart – I used this wooden heart. This is another great wooden heart option.
- This Etsy shop has wooden cut-outs in just about every shape: turtle, eggs, trees, rainbows, clouds, words, ice cream, etc.
- Mont Marte Acrylic Paint
- Arteza Acrylic Paint
- Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint
- Artist’s Loft Acrylic Paint
Abstract Art Tutorials
See below for the step by step process for creating your DIY own abstract painting using of the abstract painting techniques shown.
Paint Scraper Abstract Painting
The paint scraping technique is create for creating texture and layers with you paint. This is a wonderful option for beginners. For this technique it’s great to choose many different colors and different shades within each color family.
- For this technique I started with acrylic paint directly on the heart. I put a variety of rainbow colors along the left side of the heart and then used white paint lines poured directly from the paint tube on the right.
- I used a paint scraper that I picked up at the dollar store. (You could also use an old credit card).
- After each swipe across I wiped the paint off the paint scraper and repeated the step for the next set of colors.
4. After most of the heart was covered I went back and filled in the areas that were uncovered by just moving the wet paint around with the scraper.
I also used this same abstract art technique on a wooden egg cutout.
Rainbow DIY Abstract Painting with a Paint Brush
This is a great technique for beginners and younger artists who are looking for a fun and easy abstract art idea.
- I started with the acrylic paint in rainbow colors across the entire top of this painted heart. I used this wooden heart. This is another great wooden heart option.
- Using these paint brushes I swiped down each section with a different paintbrush for each section.
- Instead of washing off the brushes I left the paint on them to dry and them hung them up in my craft room as decor.
Palette Knife Abstract Painting
This abstract painted hear was made using a palette knife. The palette knife helps create a textured mix of colors. I used this wooden heart. This is another great wooden heart option. See the full step-by-step tutorial for this palette knife heart here.
Color Wheel Abstract Painting
You don’t have to overthink abstract art. Put some colors on your canvas or a wooden heart like this project and blend them together to create a beautiful color wheel effect. Get tips and the exact steps to recreate this project here.
Abstracting Painting FAQs
What else could I use these abstract techniques on?
Wood isn’t the only surface I’ve used these abstract painting techniques on. I’ve also used them on Christmas ornaments, painted rocks, eggs and on canvases. They would also be great to use on fabric bags or fabric pouches. Even items from the thrift store like old mirrors and wooden objects are great for abstract art.
How do I get ideas for DIY abstract artwork?
This is probably the easiest part about creating. Don’t overthink your art. Sometimes the best way to create abstract art is to just put a bunch of paint on a canvas and start painting. Play around with different tools. You don’t always have to use a paintbrush. Tryout paint rollers or sponges to create a different texture look. Have fun with the process and just enjoy the time you spend creating.
See how many ways you can create easy abstract art. Make sure you are following along with me on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to see more colorful and crafty projects. And be sure to come share your finished craft. I love sharing pictures of my tutorials that have been made.
