Looking for this same balancing act right now in my collage painting. How far can abstract painting go and how little do you need for a sense of place to emerge. Currently reading up on Hitchens work and have to get that book!
I loved reading this, Ingrid. I too, find abstract painting a real challenge. Every time I attempt it I end up inserting something representational in it, often birds. I'm always searching for something I recognize in my marks. Like William said below, I look forward to seeing if this changes your work going forward, even though I love your work just the way it is.
I think you need something to anchor the painting, to give it an identity. The smallest hint at something representational will often give the viewer something to ponder on. The rest is up to their own experience of your work.
I started learning Abstract Painting using acrylics and mixed media about 2 years ago. I had been painting representational with oil for years. I have to say it has been the hardest to learn, but the most fun and the most challenging. I found that if I paint on larger canvases (like 48 inches to 72 inches), it is even more satisfying. The smaller the surface, the harder it is for me with abstracts. I now buy unrolled canvas and cut it myself, and have been learning how to stretch them. I now love painting abstracts, and now really enjoy acrylics. I have also learned how to respond to my marks, lines, and shapes, and when I no longer have a response, I sign it.
I think tackling this IS challenging because, generally, the forms I see I want to paint. Abstraction makes me feel that I have not finished. But I sense I would learn to loosen up if "forced" to try abstraction. Can't wait to see what you'll do Ingrid, and how, or if, what you learn carries over into your current, impressionistic style.
Looking for this same balancing act right now in my collage painting. How far can abstract painting go and how little do you need for a sense of place to emerge. Currently reading up on Hitchens work and have to get that book!
I loved reading this, Ingrid. I too, find abstract painting a real challenge. Every time I attempt it I end up inserting something representational in it, often birds. I'm always searching for something I recognize in my marks. Like William said below, I look forward to seeing if this changes your work going forward, even though I love your work just the way it is.
I think you need something to anchor the painting, to give it an identity. The smallest hint at something representational will often give the viewer something to ponder on. The rest is up to their own experience of your work.
Yes, I do that, too: ooh, that looks like a tree, or a hill...
I'm hoping to kick that mindset!
I started learning Abstract Painting using acrylics and mixed media about 2 years ago. I had been painting representational with oil for years. I have to say it has been the hardest to learn, but the most fun and the most challenging. I found that if I paint on larger canvases (like 48 inches to 72 inches), it is even more satisfying. The smaller the surface, the harder it is for me with abstracts. I now buy unrolled canvas and cut it myself, and have been learning how to stretch them. I now love painting abstracts, and now really enjoy acrylics. I have also learned how to respond to my marks, lines, and shapes, and when I no longer have a response, I sign it.
I'm at the beginning of that journey, Karen. Here's hoping that I can cross the representational divide now and again:)
I think tackling this IS challenging because, generally, the forms I see I want to paint. Abstraction makes me feel that I have not finished. But I sense I would learn to loosen up if "forced" to try abstraction. Can't wait to see what you'll do Ingrid, and how, or if, what you learn carries over into your current, impressionistic style.
I'm excited by this course, Bill. It feels like the next step that my work needs!
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