To Make (Abstract) Art, Do This
To Make Abstract Art, Do This
Today's featured artist is Jo Toye, author of the new book, Abstract Explorations in Acrylic Painting: Fun, Creative and Innovative Techniques. Stay tuned at ArtistsNetwork--Jo will be joining our team of expert artists as a guest blogger!
Above: Unspoken (acrylic and ink on Yupo, 24x12) by Jo Toye
How to Make Abstract Art: A Tip for Beginners by Jo Toye
As an experimental artist, it is easy to take off in some exciting new direction every time a new inspiration comes my way. For the first few years that I painted, this was exactly what I did and in many ways it served me well. I explored a wide variety of materials, experimented with many exciting techniques and taught myself quite a bit about what did and did not work. Yet, it seemed that although I had a lot of good starts, and some decent middles, I consistently found my paintings lacking by the time I reached the end.
Experimentation by its very nature implies a degree of failure. Think of Thomas Edison and his legendary thousands of tries at a light bulb. Yet, even before he had succeeded, he is quoted as saying, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Failure in this sense has great value as it is a means of instruction and learning. Still, as artists we tend to get discouraged if, after hours at a painting, we have only discovered what doesn't work. This got me to thinking, if I'm always experimenting, how can I increase my chances of reaching successful finishes in my paintings? Yes, we all know that painting is a process and we shouldn't be tied to outcomes--but really, who doesn't want to finish a day or week (or even a year) in the studio and have at least one painting that has us saying to ourselves, "Oh wow, I painted that!"
So here's my little secret: Each time you start a new painting, make yourself change one and only one thing. You see, our brain is a predictable creature, and the little guy is really into the "familiar." When you want to coax him into doing something new, he responds best if you lure him with a bit of the familiar that he likes so much. If you change only one thing in your next painting, you are building on something you have already learned--whether it does or doesn't work.
In working this way, you are increasing your chances of success because you're going to move only one step away from something you have already done--the familiar. On the other hand, if every time you paint, you brave new territories where no one has gone before, you most likely will meet some pretty steep challenges along the way. Not that challenges aren't useful, but if you want to increase your learning and your chances of successful completions, making one change at a time will serve you well.
In addition, when you work this way, you slowly build a cohesive body of work without getting bored or falling into the rut of repeating your past successes. Building on the familiar while changing one thing will allow you to develop a personal style that will be identifiable from one painting to the next, even as your work evolves. Every technique in my new book, Abstract Explorations in Acrylic Painting, was developed as I followed this practice of "changing only one thing." ~Jo
Award-winning acrylic artist Jo Toye provides you with exciting paintings, in-depth instruction, and playful new concepts so you will never tire of abstract art making. Jo also shares with you the "why" of playing with paints, and throughout the book, explains the follow-up question of "how." From picking different materials you will use to deciding what techniques to employ, your art will have your inspiration and style shine through!
This Book Features:
- Introduction to concepts and materials
- Tool kit instruction manual
- 17 step-by-step demonstrations
- 8 in-depth projects that cover stenciling, sponging, masking and more
- Advice on how to achieve productive results from experimentation
The book is full of explosive paintings, innovative ideas, and fresh perspectives that will have you trying new ways of applying found objects and paint to your art projects. Lace, glue guns, and sheet protectors quickly become unique and fun stencils - resist the urge to go back to your normal ways of approaching abstract art! You don't need to have an end result in mind to create stunning pieces, but you do need to consider different techniques that maybe you haven't tried before. Jo guides you on this journey of expression so your pieces will become refined and dignified.
The most vital part to any painting, however, is the attitude you hold while diving into your work. Jo stresses that abstract painting is concerned with playfulness, and that any mistake can quickly turn into a masterpiece, as long as you allow the painting to speak for itself. By working through small and detailed stages of painting, you can document your growth and cultivate your own specific taste and style. With Jo's tips and advice, final touches on your abstract art will reward your experimental journey!