I work with both acrylic and watercolour, selecting the medium that best captures the essence of each subject. The way these two different mediums work can be likened to the art of writing in the following way:

The use of Acrylic paint to create art can be like writing an essay or a novel because it allows me to deviate from my first intention when alternative outcomes reveal themselves. Acrylic painting also allows me to edit, to build texture, to rearrange and extend. The same applies when novel writing because the author will consider editing, rearranging the chapters, introducing new characters and adding or removing dialogue.

On the other hand, watercolour painting is much more immediate; like a signature. Once I have committed paint to paper, I have to work with the result because there are few ways to edit or remove paint once it has soaked into the paper. Just like making the decision to sign a contract, it feels intrepid.”

Whatever mediums you choose to employ for Abstract creations, the development of your piece is more like poetry. The poet knows what needs to be expressed and may even know the form (e.g. a sonnet or a haiku) but the words, the rhythm and the shape develop as they write, edit, re-edit and re-shape. Abstract art is an interactive creative process between the eye, the brain and the hand. Each mark plays a part in determining the next mark, It is an intellectual and emotional experience in which the outcome is largely unpredictable. Abstract art is to figurative art as Jazz is to classical music.

I recently delivered a short workshop to share the principles of abstract painting with some beginners and created some reference notes to help them experiment with the materials and techniques at home.

Use this link to access and download the file Basic principles of abstract pinting