Abstract Art is a very famous form of art widely used in the modern world. Let's walk through it's origins, meaning and famous techniques!
What is Abstract Art?
Abstract art is a style of art that doesn't attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality. Instead it uses shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve it's effect. It can be completely no representational or based on real objects but distorted or simplified. The word 'abstract' literally means existing as an idea, feeling or quantity, not as a material object. So in other words, Abstract art is the art of expressing emotions through colors, shapes and forms.
Abstract art has many different branches as it is such a vast art form. The most widely discussed branches of Abstract Art include
- Cubism : Which consists mostly of geometric shapes and depicts multiple perspectives.
- Abstract Expressionism : It focuses on subconscious creation
- Geometric Abstraction : Uses geometric forms without recognizable subject matter
- Lyrical Abstraction : Prioritizes personal expression and the lyrical quality of the forms
- Minimalism : It is the most simplest form of art made with the use of minimal elements
- Suprematism : This is created based on geometric forms and pure artistic feeling
- Futurism : Emphasizes dynamic movement and the energy of modern technology
The main characteristics of Abstract art that remain so despite the branches are :
- It doesn't depict recognizable subjects
- It focuses on color and form
- It emphasizes on conveying emotions and/or a concept
- It has freedom of interpretation and can never be defined by a single interpretation
Techniques Widely Used in Abstract Art
1. Drip Painting
This technique involves the artist dripping paint onto a canvas, rather than using traditional brushwork. The paint splatters, flows, and forms unique, dynamic patterns. Jackson Pollock is an artist famous for this method, which allows for a quick and unpredictable application of paint, creating a sense of movement and rhythm.
2. Geometric Abstraction
This technique makes the use of geometric shapes- such as squares, rectangles, and circles- to create images that are abstract. The emphasis on the arrangement and interaction of these shapes and colors. Artists like Piet Mondrian used this method to explore balance, harmony and the relationship between different elements in their work.
3. Color Field Painting
This technique is to paint large areas of a single color or a simple combinations of colors spread across the canvas. This is to evoke an emotional response through the use of color alone, without any representational elements. To make people feel something with just color and nothing else. Sounds fascinating, doesn't it? We all have personal experiences with colors and every person will interpret these painting differently.
4. Collage
In this technique artists cut and assemble different materials- such as paper, fabric, photographs, and other found objects- onto a canvas or board. The finished work often has a textured, layered appearance. This method allows for a diverse range of textures and visual elements, creating a rich and multifaceted work.
5. Assemblage
Similar to collage but in three dimensions! This technique involves combining various objects into a sculpture form. Artists use commonly found objects, and other materials to make works that have depth and texture.
6. Sgraffito
This technique involves scratching or scraping away a top layer of paint to reveal the layers beneath. Artists can use various tools and sharp objects to create intricate designs and textures. Sgraffito is often used to add a sense of history and complexity to the piece.
7. Impasto
In this method artists apply thick layers of paint to the canvas, often using a palette knife or brush. The paint is layered to create texture and depth, with visible brushstrokes and a three-dimensional surface. This method can make it seem as if it's coming out from the canvas. It really has a stunning effect and makes the viewer more engaged with the artwork.
8. Blotted Line Technique
This method involves creating symmetrical patterns by folding paper or another material and transferring ink or paint from one side to the other. When the paper is unfolded, it reveals a symmetrical drawing. It is often used to explore symmetry and balance in Abstract art.
9. Spray Painting
Artists use spray paint cans to apply paint to a surface, either freehand or with stencils. This technique allows for quick application and blending of colors, resulting in smooth gradients and sharp, crisp lines. Spray painting is often associated with street art and graffiti, but is also used in studio settings. Spray painting is another branch of art that can also be non-abstract and abstract. If you're interested to know more about Spray Painting, be sure to check out my upcoming blog on just that!
10. Pouring
In this technique artists pour paint onto a canvas and let it flow naturally, creating organic shapes and patterns. The paint can be controlled by tilting the canvas or using tools to move it around. Pouring is often used in fluid art and resin art to create mesmerizing, marbled patterns and abstract images. Acrylic pouring is quite a widely used form of art due to it's easy application and elegant finished pieces.
History of Abstract Art
Abstract art emerged in as early as the 19th Century, but was officially considered a form of art in the early 20th Century. In the 19th Century it was influenced by other famous painting styles such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Symbolism. Artists back then began to emphasize colors, light, and atmosphere over realistic representation. In the early 20th Century, artists like Wassily Kandinsky contributed to Abstract art by creating only abstract works around 1910. He wrote a book "Concerning the Spiritual in Art" which outlined his thoughts on abstraction and the spiritual value of art.
Spread of Abstract Art
Abstract art extended throughout Europe, influencing movements such as Constructivism in Russia and the Bauhaus in Germany. Walter Gropius developed the Bauhaus school, which adopted abstract art concepts into design, architecture, and education while stressing the practical and minimalist aesthetic. Abstract Expressionism, which emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, helped to popularize abstract art in the United States. Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Willem de Kooning were notable figures. They tried out new techniques such as drip painting, color field painting, and expressive brushwork. Abstract art continued to evolve and expand around the globe. Minimalism, Op Art, and Lyrical Abstraction were all movements that arose in the 1960s and 70s. Artists worldwide began combining local and traditional elements into abstract forms, resulting in a diversified and global abstract art scene.
Evolution of Mediums used in Abstract Art
Early Abstract artists used traditional mediums such as oil paint on canvas, but later experimented with uncommon methods and materials. Kandinsky and Mondrian experimented with oil paint and watercolor to create abstract forms. Pollock used enamel and household paint to create his drip paintings. Collage and assemblage techniques included nontraditional materials such as paper, cloth, and found objects into abstract art. Contemporary abstract painters use a variety of materials, including acrylic, mixed media, digital art, and installations. As technology has advanced, new tools and settings for creating and experiencing abstract art have emerged, such as digital painting and virtual reality.
Conclusion
Abstract art is personally not my kind of thing, but I do find it fascinating at times. It breaks away from traditional norms of painting and allows more freedom and creativity to the artist. It's like a visual language that's open to interpretation, making it a unique experience for each viewer.
How do you feel about it? Would you consider your own style of painting to be closer to abstract or more structured? I'd be glad to know!
Thank you for Reading!
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