Abstract art is, arguably, some of the most interesting and unique art to look at. As the experts at Tate explain, abstract art does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality. Rather, abstract art is all about using shapes, colors, forms and gestural marks to make something visually appealing.
If you’ve ever wanted to create abstract art in your own time, we have some tips and techniques to try. Read on to learn more about some abstract art acrylic painting techniques that can get you started on your journey.
Elements of Abstract Art
Before learning about the best acrylic paint abstract techniques, it’s important to know a little more about this art style. Many people think that abstract art is effortless or easy to create. But this simply isn’t true.
Abstract art is still very intentional. While large swipe gestures and shapes may appear random, it still takes practice and time to learn how to master composition, color mixing, and more techniques. The creatives at Artist Network said it best, "If abstract art emerges from vision and intuition, it’s still grounded in discipline.”
That being said, most artists agree there are a few key elements involved in creating abstract art. These include:
- Lines
- Texture
- Shape
- Form
- Color
When learning about abstract acrylic painting techniques, you will realize that these elements are always included in some way. Some techniques are more focused on line work while others on texture, but they’re often incorporated in some way or another in an abstract piece.
Best Abstract Art Techniques with Acrylic
There are dozens of painting techniques for acrylic abstract style to try. That’s because acrylic paint is a great medium to create abstract art with. The variety of colors and additives means acrylics are perfect for creating different textures. Plus, it dries quickly so you can easily layer colors and lines to create stunning abstract pieces.
Here are a handful of the most common abstract acrylic painting techniques to try if you’re just starting out.
Dry Brush
This easy technique is great for adding texture to your abstract painting. As the name suggests, dry brushing is using a clean brush with no water to apply a little bit of paint. This technique can make your acrylic paint appear feathery or textured and can also be great for creating a color gradient.
When it comes to abstract painting, using a dry brush is great for creating both lines and shapes. Experiment with a variety of different brush sizes and shapes to make your vision come to life.
Smooth Blended
Of course, not all abstract art has to be texture-heavy. If you want to create a more whimsical, softer abstract piece you will like this abstract acrylic painting technique on canvas.
After choosing your color palette, place dots of different colors on your canvas. Then, use a dry, hard brush in circular motions to blend the colors together. This is a great way to create interesting color combinations and see where your piece takes you. The smooth blending of colors can make a great backdrop for your abstract piece.
Then, layer on graphic lines, shapes, or splatters - whatever your intuition tells you!
Impasto
This technique involves using a stiff brush or palette knife to move around larger amounts of paint to create texture. Adding a medium to acrylic paint to make it stiffer is ideal for creating art with this technique.
Get creative with how you move the paint to create textures, dips, and valleys on your canvas.
Washing
Acrylic washes can make your vibrant colors stand out in a different way. This abstract acrylic painting technique requires you to thin your acrylic paint with a medium or water to lower its viscosity.
From there, you can use a wide brush to effortlessly swipe it on your canvas. Since this makes your paint more transparent, you can layer colors to create eye-catching lines and shapes that are perfect for abstract artwork.
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Pouring
This fluid acrylic painting technique can also create beautiful abstract art. By strategically layering colors and letting them pour onto the canvas, you can create truly abstract shapes and lines.
A fluid painting can make for an eye-catching piece of abstract art on its own, or serve as the backdrop for your artwork. Let the fluid shapes and lines inspire your art.
Splatter
Of course, we can’t forget about this popular abstract art technique with acrylic paint. This fun technique has you let loose and flick, fling, or splatter paint onto your canvas. There’s really no rhyme or reason to this technique, but you can definitely get creative with your color combinations and application.
Ready to try some of these abstract acrylic painting techniques for yourself? Explore 94 brilliant colors of professional acrylic paint from Nova Color today.