Abstract Paintings

Since my last paintings a few weeks ago I have continued to practice working in this abstract style, experimenting with brush strokes, use of pallet knives, colour combinations and the effect that canvas size can have on my work.

22 x 18" acrylic on canvas.

Although the shapes I created were mostly spontaneous, the majority of my colour choices were inspired by my visit to London Aquarium this summer.

30 x 20" acrylic on canvas.

Brushtrokes and Pallet Knives

Continuing with my experimental abstract-style painting, I decided that for my next few paintings I should focus on the different ways I can apply paint to canvas. In my next two paintings I experimented with rough, "choppy" brush strokes and pallet knives, which proved to be rather entertaining. 

Working in this way allowed me to have fun with the paint, applying it spontaneously to the canvas without fear of going too far, like trying to draw inside the lines of a colouring book as a child. Experimenting with different language within art has always been something I have enjoyed, however, I feel that working in an abstract style has changed my approach to painting and released any fears I had about the media previously.

22 x 18" acrylic on canvas.

This painting - shown above - I found harder to work with even though I felt I applied the same brush strokes and techniques involving the pallet knife. However, I managed to get around what I felt was a creative block by turning the canvas 90 degrees every time I began to find it difficult. In some respect, it also created a challenge as it cause me to look at the compositions I was creating from a different a angle, which ultimately enabled me to create lots of different dimensions within the piece.

Close up image.

Though I haven't deployed this tactic with my other recent paintings, on reflection it seems to be something I would like to explore further.

Finger Painting

After collecting lots of ideas over the summer for my upcoming projects, I thought a lot about the ways in which I'd like to execute them, but mostly considering the media I would use. In previous projects I have worked on a small scale; throughout my foundation degree I confined myself to working with collage and drawing in pencil, only allowing myself to incorporate other two-dimensional media occasionally. However, with the start of my BA fine art studies fast approaching, I decided it would be a good idea to break my previous habits and allow myself to create art more freely, without the need to think too much about what it is I am creating.

That was when I considered working in an abstract style - a risky move as I have never particularly practised working in such a way. (I'm assuming that a brief project at A-Level does not quite count.) But to my surprise I was able to completely throw myself into the piece. Without thinking too much about what I was painting, I was able to free my previously tightly controlled ways of working to play with the paint. I say play as I painted the entire piece with my fingers.

It was a complete experiment - I had no intention of liking what I had painted once it was finished, yet I did. But most of all I actually enjoyed the process, which hasn't always been the case when I've previously worked in acrylics. Furthermore, after I had finished this piece I had an urge to carry on, to experiment with different ways of applying paint (which ended up involving pallet knives and experimental brush strokes).

Above: the final outcome. Roughly A3 sized.