Painting abstract in watercolor is something that attracts me and scares me at the same time. But the more i try this exercise the more i like it ! So how i do that ?
Maybe it’s best if i start by defining abstract painting. So abstract is playins with colors and shapes in order to paint an emotion, a feeling… but without making a representation of reality. In fact, it’s just speak out on the paper without painting something we know. Well, yet I’m using a reference image. But i’m not using it as “i want to paint this”. I’m using it like a support to my imagination. Maybe there is in the picture a color i like or a shape i want to reproduce or just an energy…
For this abstract painting, i’ve used this picture as a support. Yes, it’s the same as last week. But you’ll see that my outcome is totally different, and doesn’t have much in common with the picture. My path was : i want to reproduce the white shape inside a colorful shape with using only vertical and horizontal marks. And then… well, i let myself go and i just followed what’s was emerging on the paper.
In my video (just below), i explain that i’m using this time a very peculiar paper. It’s a sketchbook from Sennelier which has the particularity of opening like an accordion. The advantage is that there isn’t any binding. And one could totally paint a very long panoramique sketch. The paper inside is 100% cotton and it’s a real pleasure to paint on it !
Watercolor abstract in video
SUPPLIES :
Brushes : Raphaël petit gris le “803” nº2, Silver Brush Black velvet 1/4″ in a dagger shape.
Paper : Urban Sketch Book Sennelier
Colors : Quinacridone gold (Daniel Smith), Quinacridone burnt scarlet (Daniel Smith), Lavander (Daniel Smith).
And here you have the finished painting (click to enlarge) :
