Abstract painting is art that does not offer a realistic depiction of reality, but instead communicates or represents something through abstract elements. While you can learn some abstract painting concepts in a matter of days or weeks, and get fairly confident within months, it takes most artists years to master this form of art. Of course, this depends on several factors. Keep reading to learn about how you can learn abstract painting and some resources to help speed the process along.
What is Abstract Painting?
For much of early history, painters focused on creating artwork that accurately represented the world that they saw. Abstract painting emerged in the early twentieth century, and marked a turning point in art history because it encouraged artists to look at painting in a new way, and to feel free to communicate through abstract elements like colors, shapes, and lines. This style of painting is generally credited to German artist Wassily Kandinsky, who believed that color affected his viewers’ emotions in different ways, and used color to convey certain messages. Abstract painting has continued to evolve since the time of Kandinsky, and has become a very popular form of art.
Benefits of Learning Abstract Painting?
One benefit of learning abstract painting is that you will be pushed to think in different ways and to learn new techniques, which can feel very rewarding. For example, when you learn to paint in an abstract style you need to learn about different brushstrokes, how to use colors, and how to layer paints. You’ll also need to learn how to use abstract elements to express your ideas. This can be challenging if you’ve never done abstract art before, but also very rewarding when you learn to master these new techniques and ways of thinking.
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Abstract painting can also be a lot of fun. When you use an abstract style, you don’t have to conform to an external reality, instead, you have a lot of freedom to express your ideas and emotions in creative ways. Many people love abstract painting because of this high level of artistic freedom.
Average Time It Takes to Learn Abstract Painting
Most people can start doing some type of abstract painting fairly quickly. At the most basic level, all you need is a brush, some paint, and a canvas, so it’s possible to start painting as soon as you have those supplies. You can learn some specific abstract painting skills in a few days or weeks.
However, in most cases, mastering this type of art takes years. Writer Amy Wright explains that to create good abstract art, you need to go beyond just putting paint on the canvas, and actually learn a lot of things about art and painting. She says, “Visual art is a complex interplay of a ton of different factors: color, size, scale, proportion, juxtaposition, framing, composition…the list goes on and on. Producing good art, including good abstract art, requires knowledge of all of this. An expert hand knows how to use these elements to create artwork that pulses with life and movement—artwork that leaps off the canvas.” She goes on to explain that an inexperienced artist just can’t create the same kind of work. She says, “Bad abstract art simply doesn’t have the same quality. An inexperienced or uninspired artist can put paint on canvas but they can’t infuse it with meaning and they can’t bring the kind of intention and control that is required to create a meaningful and memorable work of art.”
Other Factors
There are many different factors that will influence how long it takes you to become an abstract painter. Your existing artistic skills will play a role, and so will the amount of time you spend learning about abstract painting and practicing your skills. Overall, the process is different for everyone.
How Much You Already Know About Painting
If you already have some experience with painting, you’ll probably be able to learn abstract painting more quickly. While people often mistakenly think that abstract painting is just a matter of throwing paint at a canvas, abstract painters actually need to learn many different fundamental skills such as how to work with color, and how to create different textures. You can speed up this process by enrolling in an abstract painting class. For instance, Beginner’s Intro to Acrylic Painting is an online class offered by The Art Studio NY, and covers some basic painting techniques, including abstract techniques/
The Amount of Time You Devote to Learning and Practice
Another thing that influences the learning process is how much time you devote to learning your new skill. If you invest a lot of time in learning and practicing, you are likely to learn much more quickly. Abstract painter Caryl Pomales stresses that constant practice and learning are important, even as a more experienced artist. She says, “I continue to experiment, learn more from fellow accomplished artists, and incorporate new exciting techniques into my painting practice.” According to Pomales, the more time she spends practicing, the better her painting goes. She says, “I try to paint every day and I find the more often I paint, the more in tune or ‘in the flow’ I am with my work.” Abstract painter Gaw Jones Jr. Also says that he spends a lot of time painting in his studio. He says, “An average day in the studio can be anywhere from 3—10 hours depending on the piece I’m doing. Sometimes I tend to get lost in my work and skip meals.”
Your Willingness to Experiment
A big part of abstract painting is experimenting with different elements, so if you are open to that, your learning is likely to be quicker and easier. Abstract painter Kathleen Jacobs stresses, “Don’t be afraid to try different things.” She insists that you need to forget about what you think you should be doing, and open yourself up creatively. She says, “We think we have the parameters, but there is always room to move the boundaries.”
What to Know Before Learning Abstract Painting
In most cases, there are no prerequisites for learning abstract painting, unless you take a more advanced class. The cost of learning this skill can vary considerably. Some people teach themselves, using free online resources like YouTube tutorials, or just experimenting and doing what feels natural to them. With this method, you only need to pay for your supplies such as paint, brushes, and canvases, and while these can often cost more than you think, this is still a relatively inexpensive way to learn abstract painting. Another way to learn is to take an abstract painting class. You can find single painting classes for under a hundred dollars, and more expensive classes or courses where you take multiple classes, can range from hundreds of dollars to over a thousand. Some people opt for a comprehensive art education by enrolling in a fine arts degree at a university. This is the most expensive way to learn painting, and often costs tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Can I Learn Abstract Painting for Free / on My Own?
The internet contains a wealth of free information about abstract painting, including hundreds of free tutorials on websites like YouTube. As a result, it is definitely possible to learn a lot about this type of painting for free. However, unfortunately, not all of the free resources out there are accurate or reliable. As a result, many beginning painters decide to start out with a class, where they know that they are getting accurate direction from an experienced artist.
Key Takeaways
- You can start abstract painting as soon as you have the necessary supplies, but it is likely to take weeks or months to learn the techniques, and years to really master this type of art.
- If you already know how to paint, the learning process is likely to be quicker.
- Spending a lot of time practicing your skills can also help you learn more quickly.
- Painters who are willing to experiment often learn more easily.
- The costs of learning abstract painting vary considerably; you can teach yourself for free, enroll in a paid class, or get a comprehensive education at a university.
- Learning by yourself is the cheapest option, but is likely to be more time-consuming. It can also involve more frustration.
- If you’d like to learn more about abstract painting classes, including private group sessions, contact CourseHorse.