In the March/April 2018 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, Jodi Ohl shares a plethora of information for getting started in abstract art, including basic design principles and step-by-step instructions for creating an abstract painting on watercolor paper. Here are some of her favorite tools and great ideas for editing your abstract art.
Typical tools & products Jodi loves
• Acrylic paints in fluid, soft body, and heavy body
• Assorted mediums: matte medium, glazing medium, modeling paste, crackle medium
• Scrapers and palette knives
• Drawing tools: assorted pencils, water soluble crayons, and compressed charcoal
• Stencils and mark-making tools, either commercial or handmade
Editing ideas for abstract painting
• Spray water droplets on tacky paint to lift paint from the layers. Let the water sit for about 30 seconds, then gently remove the paint with a paper towel or a dry, soft brush. You can do this at any stage of your painting, but it works best when there are at least 2–3 layers of paint and the top layer is still tacky.
• Add color around the work to create balance. For instance, while you have paint on your brush, be sure to add it to at least 3 other areas in your work before moving on to the next color. You want to triangulate colors so that the viewer’s eye travels around the painting and doesn’t stop in one area (unless that is your purpose as the artist). The goal is to guide the viewer to the focal point. Using the rule of threes helps reign in the balance for your composition. You don’t have to use paint colors in even amounts, but working in this manner will make it easier to create a sense of movement, balance, and variety in your work. Repeat as desired.
• Take it further: Mix matte medium with your paint approximately 2 parts matte medium to 1 part paint. Play with this recipe to create a desired veil or frosty layer of color, adding a sense of mystery to your painting.
• Use glazing medium in place of matte medium (See above), and create a translucent look.
See the March/April issue for more from Jodi, as well as plenty of information and inspiration to get started in abstract art.