MTM Feb 15 - 28 - Abstracts - Stretch your Creativity!

[AMuse]

MTM Classroom Schedule

Welcome to the Member to Member Classroom

My name is Kathy and for the next two weeks I'll be talking with you about Abstract painting and how you can use it in your work, even your highly representational work.

I'm not an expert, but I have taken classes and done a lot of experimenting on my own. I hope that if you have ideas and suggestions you will jump right in and help me out!

First I'll show you some examples of some of my abstract work, and then talk a little about abstraction, and how it can help inspire you, and add some unexpected inventiveness to your work.

[AMuse]

Here are a few examples of my purely abstract work:


Mandala: Hope



Mandala: After Jacob

And here are some works that I used a reference for but focused on specific elements and made them an "abstraction" of the original reference:


Cherry Blossom Quilt


In Thought


Iris

[AMuse]

As you can see, using abstraction for your painting doesn't mean that you have to stay completely away from being representational. The subjects in the last three paintings are obvious, but they aren't conveyed in a strictly representational way. Abstract is a lot about the feeling you can put into your work. Where that leads you is up to you, you can stay more in the representational arena, or you can let loose and try to present your thoughts in shapes and colour.

For the first exercise in this classroom I'll be showing you how to create the texture and effects for the more abstract mandalas I make. You will need an absorbent surface like watercolour paper, or illustration board, masking tape, plastic wrap, and masking fluid if you have it. If you don't have masking fluid, don't run out and get some! you can use white crayon to mask off areas as well - but the results will be different. Of course the whole thing can be a big surprise at the end anyway - which is part of the fun!

I'll be back later to show you the example exercise. Meanwhile if you have anything to say, (or ask) about abstract painting, or chocolate, or cookies (can you sense a theme) feel free to chime in.

[Charlie's Mum]

Thanks Kathy - we're now glued - and this will keep you out of mischief for the next couple of weeks ........... hmmm, or maybe lead others into in

[sveldstra]

Did someone say cookies? I'm listening.

[AMuse]

I hope I can lead others into it Maureen! LOL

At least this will help occupy my time (and keep me distracted) until I leave to go to New York in March to see my paintings exhibited..

[AMuse]

I figured the cookies would get you in Sharon!

[noodle1]

Hi Kathy....you got my attention! Now to find some masking tape, got everything else tho... cookies..lol sounds good already!

Elaine

[AMuse]

Excellent Elaine. Delighted your coming along for the trip!

I'm going to be doing this exercise in real time with you guys so we'll all be working together. (so I have to dash off and get my supplies! LOL)

[AMuse]

Just a word before we get started about mandalas. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, mandala means sacred circle in sanskrit and the circle is used in many cultures to as a symbol of hope and peace, balance and the circle of life (think of the Tao symbol for example).

When I start a mandala I meditate on a thought or emotion, like Peace, or Hope... something simple. I try to keep that thought in mind while I work on my painting. I know it sounds odd, but I really do believe that when I keep my central thought in mind (and I often repeat it to myself while I work) I really does work it's way into my painting.

My emotion for this piece is going to be Joy.

[AMuse]

So - here is my set up.

Pick three or four colours that you want to use for your theme. remember to choose carefully because these colours are going to blend together. You may want to choose colours beside each other on the colour wheel (yellow, green, blue) I am choosing the three primaries and using Hansa Yellow, Quin. Magenta, and Pthalo Blue because the pure primaries are joyful to me.



Generallly I try to pick more transparent colours, but in reality we are going to be thinning them so much that they will still be pretty transparent even at the later layers.

As you can see I use very little paint...



And a lot of water! We will be using these paints much like watercolour so they will be OVERdilute when we first start with them. so just a little dab and a lot of water to start with. I use reusable containers that I can put a lid on so I can keep using through the layers.

Put your paper or illustration board on a flat surface where you won't have to move it for a while.

Next, wet your surface completely with water (a spray bottle will help this.) you want the paint to be able to run around!

then drop your paint onto the surface and enjoy how it mixes on the paper.







*this is why you need colours that will mix well! LOL*

This is a light application and don't worry about white spaces and DON'T mix the colour on your surface with your brush - let it mix on its own.



Then while it is still really wet and running around... take your plastic wrap and scrunch it up all over the surface and leave it there. (really!) let it dry with the plastic wrap pressed in to the wet watery paint. the more scrunchy and wrinkly the more texture your final piece will have.



now leave it alone and we'll come back later when it's dry and see how it looks. (try not to peek for at least an hour.. if you lift a corner and it's still wet put it back and go get a cookie)

Any questions????

[~~Kathleen]

This looks wonderful Kathy, and you can be sure that I will be trying to do some of this along with you.
I have always marveled at the backgrounds of your art.
Thanks for doing this for us.
~~Kathleen
Who hopes to come away with a better understanding of Abstract Art.

[AMuse]

I only did this because you asked Kathleen so you better try it out lol

if you have any questions about abstract art I can try to answer some of them.

[susme48]

Gonna try Kathy...but I will at least be watching!

[RPut]

Oh, this looks fun!