Abstract Artwork
Learning Context:
You will be introduced to abstract art and the Abstract Expressionist movement. You will use a process to create non-representational art. The aim is to learn a new method of making that takes away some of the control of the outcome.
Purpose:
(What is being assessed)
- Exploration to acquire technical skills and use media, materials, and technologies. (Evidenced through practical work) PA2
- Documentation of creative visual thinking and/or problem-solving processes. (Evidenced through the folio – exploration of compositions) PA3
- Use of visual arts language to interpret and respond to works and their contexts. (Evidenced through evaluation) AR2
- Analysis and interpretation of works of art or design from different contexts. AR1
Process:
- Explore compositions for your abstract painting through sketches, quick painting exercises and tests.
- Create a painting by:
- Painting a base coat.
- Once dry, taping a pattern on top with masking tape.
- Paint another layer of paint paying attention to the colour scheme.
- Once dry, taping another pattern on top with masking tape.
- Paint a third layer of paint again paying attention to colour scheme.
- Evaluate your painting using art terms discussing the composition and its visual effectiveness.
Abstract Art
Abstract art seeks to break away from traditional representation of physical objects. It explores the relationships of forms and colors, whereas more traditional art represents the world in recognizable images.
Jackson Pollock: “Blue Poles: Number 11, 1952
Jackson Pollock was an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement. He was well known for his unique style of drip painting. His style of painting is called 'action painting' because of the energy and movement he puts into the creation of his artworks. He lays the canvas on the floor and moves about with energy, flicking, dabbing and dripping the paint, almost like a performance.
Mark Rothko, Brown, Orange, Blue on Maroon
Rothko tried to find meaning through his art. He wanted to provide a transcendent experience for viewers. A way to awaken ones awareness of one’s own existence.
Wassily Kandinsky, Squares with Concentric Circles, 1913
One of the pioneers of abstract modern art, Wassily Kandinsky exploited the evocative interrelation between color and form to create an aesthetic experience that engaged the sight, sound, and emotions of the public. He believed that total abstraction offered the possibility for profound, transcendental expression and that copying from nature only interfered with this process. Highly inspired to create art that communicated a universal sense of spirituality, he innovated a pictorial language that only loosely related to the outside world, but expressed volumes about the artist's inner experience.
Kandinsky viewed music as the most transcendent form of non-objective art - musicians could evoke images in listeners' minds merely with sounds. He strove to produce similarly object-free, spiritually rich paintings that alluded to sounds and emotions through a unity of sensation.
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-kandinsky-wassily.htm
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-kandinsky-wassily.htm
Your Task:
You will be creating a layered painting where areas are masked off between each coat. Masking tape is used to create geometric designs on each layer. At the end the masking tape is peeled off to reveal the colours and patterns from the layering process.
With these artworks above, the first layer is the pink (above) and dark blue/black (second image). You can see how important a role this first layer plays. Both create a simple arrow like geometrical pattern.
How would you describe these artworks above?
How would you describe these artworks above?
Key words:
- Colour
- Abstract
- Emotion or experience
- Rhythm and movement
- Space - positive and negative
Masking layers
The first layer is the most important. This 'sets the scene' for the rest of the artwork, The main geometric pattern seen in the examples at the bottom of the page are created with the first layer of masking tape. My suggestion is to experiment with geometric shapes before deciding on a layout for your artwork.
Each layer recedes further into the background as the shapes become smaller and begin to overlap each other. This creates depth and intricacy.
Consider the different patterns you can make with masking tape. Be creative and experiment!
Some examples: You could lay the tape all the way across the canvas to create line patterns. You could create a central point and radiate the tape in lines. You could cut the tape with a scalpel to achieve different line effects. etc.
To create your layers, each layer will have a theme. You may change the order of the themes if you wish.
The first layer is the most important. This 'sets the scene' for the rest of the artwork, The main geometric pattern seen in the examples at the bottom of the page are created with the first layer of masking tape. My suggestion is to experiment with geometric shapes before deciding on a layout for your artwork.
Each layer recedes further into the background as the shapes become smaller and begin to overlap each other. This creates depth and intricacy.
Consider the different patterns you can make with masking tape. Be creative and experiment!
Some examples: You could lay the tape all the way across the canvas to create line patterns. You could create a central point and radiate the tape in lines. You could cut the tape with a scalpel to achieve different line effects. etc.
To create your layers, each layer will have a theme. You may change the order of the themes if you wish.
The theme for each layer:
Layer 1: Monochromatic
Layer 2: Music, play the song below.
Use the colours, shapes and patterns you feel from the music to compose your artwork.
Layer 2: Music, play the song below.
Use the colours, shapes and patterns you feel from the music to compose your artwork.
Below is an example as inspiration for this layer. This can be created using watercolour or thinned acrylic paint. Dampen the area you wish to paint, then dab colours onto the damp surface. Use a few colours, but don't over complicate. Try not to mix too much or the colours will become 'muddied.'
Layer 3: Texture
The texture can be implied through pattern or it can be real. Try mixing saw dust or any gritty material to create an interesting texture.
Layer 4: Free Choice or Song No. 2
The texture can be implied through pattern or it can be real. Try mixing saw dust or any gritty material to create an interesting texture.
Layer 4: Free Choice or Song No. 2