Abstract art using a gel print, composition and elements of art

#artjournal #gelliplate #abstractart
I created abstract art using the elements of art to create a composition, using a gel print as my starting point.
This could be done from a blank page or an unwanted painting.
I created various shapes, colours, texture, edges in what I hope is a cohesive and engaging composition.
I discuss elements of art, decisions and techniques used.
I used soft pastels, gesso, gloss medium, paintbrushes, inktense blocks.
I particularly love colours and shapes that create movement, balance and tells a story.
I hope you enjoy.
Kirsten 🌻

[@KathyBrooksArt]

This is great Kirsten, you are so creative. Love the soft pastel you used. Beautiful!!

[@quirkyqueens]

I’m in love with the soft pastels. I bought some inktense pencils too (even though I have the blocks), they enable me to make sharp lines..which I do like.

[@judithspicker1262]

Very interesting, my dear Kirsten. Fearless and playful. Never thought about overworking my gel prints in that way. Like your sharing thoughts and that beautiful outcome. Have a nice evening! 😍

[@brittahansen8688]

You are so right! Kirsten seems to be absolutely fearless and seems to dance where I would get stuck in heavy shoes 🤔.

[@quirkyqueens]

Hi Judith and Britta, I’m not gonna lie…it’s probably a bit like colouring in or paint by numbers…but I’m loving the results. I can actually imagine recreating some on a large canvas, although it’s difficult to imagine recreating a gel print. 😍🥰😍🥰❤️❤️

[@kokoslores9666]

I love those "Quirky-forms"! 😊 The distressing was a good idea as it shows some great effects. Looking forward to your next video.

[@brittahansen8688]

"Quirky-forms" .... I totally agree

[@quirkyqueens]

Hi kokos and Britta. Quirky forms…I love it!!!! It’s like balancing the solid with the distressed. I kind of want to colour solid shapes at the moment, but I know it’s just a sort of progressing forward phase. It’s so relaxing too. I’ve done a lot of it watching tv too (although I was watching a brilliant Dutch programme called prisoner, which had subtitles….a lot of rewinding 😂🤣).

[@brittahansen8688]

Hi Kirsten, that was quite an adventure watching you changing the quality of the shapes, making them dance between forground and background in a constant movement . It was a bit like magic, when I closed my eyes and opened them again, having the feeling the shapes had secretly changed their places, mocking me . So again: I love your work and hope you go on and on and... XO Britta

[@quirkyqueens]

These are MacBook emojis….maybe? I’ve seen these in some live streams. I do love Saturn. I felt it was a bit dr Seuss (without the professionalism or pay packet 😂). I’m in love with your emojis, they actually suit this picture so well too. If it’s any consolation, my art mocks me everyday 🙄🤣❤️❤️❤️

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from Beautiful British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦

[@quirkyqueens]

Hi marguerite, I hope you’re well 🥰

[@DarcysMixedMedia]

Love seeing and hearing the process. Love it! ❤

[@quirkyqueens]

Thanks Darcy. Do you remember your first room destash about summer last year (first since I knew you anyway)? That’s the zone I’m in with these gel prints. I’ve bought inktense pencils to do some sharper lines.

[@DarcysMixedMedia]

@@quirkyqueens cool!

[@apple369]

Hi Kirsten. This is such a fun and informative video. I adore your abstracts and they're what initially led me to your channel (your humour and authenticity keep me here). It's interesting witnessing the progression of your abstracts and it helps me in developing my own artwork. Thank you.

[@apple369]

me again... yes, please for a silent art book flip-through. that would be lovely

[@quirkyqueens]

I am so in the zone with these. I’ve always been pulled towards the more blurry landscape because I think that’s more popular and mature, but I love this crazy shapes style. I want more depth and texture but definitely feel level of control over my choices which is very new. I do think it’s progress, which I’m very happy about!! I got some inktense pencils and water soluble oil paints so there will definitely be some more happening in the next 24 hours. I’ll probably put it out tomorrow about this time as it’ll be an easy video to make apple ❤️

[@trdewey]

Love this! Very interesting technique!

[@quirkyqueens]

Thanks Tricia, I’m in a bind currently as I’d rather do this than the gel plate…it’ll pass 😂

[@trdewey]

@@quirkyqueens as artists we do get "sidetracked" quite easily, but that's what makes it fun!

[@BlackshadowE-6]

👁👁👍

[@quirkyqueens]

To be honest, I was hoping for a more concise description of my painting…

[@BlackshadowE-6]

​@@quirkyqueens 👁👁👉 I like your structure and overall composition. Your tixtures, overlapping layers, and color composition are well executed. Finally, your skill in this Medium seems to be steadly improving and evolving.

[@quirkyqueens]

@@BlackshadowE-6 aw thank you. I genuinely thought the emojis were an imitation of the picture 🫣 I thought you were being dry humour as it does look like 2 eyes and a yellow thumbs up!!!!! 😂🤣😂 Im glad I thought that as your feedback here is invaluable, thank you, it means a lot. 😁😁😁

[@BlackshadowE-6]

@@quirkyqueens 👁👁👉The eye balls mean that I'm watching you, And that you have my attention love. Keep creating , and have a great day. 👍

[@quirkyqueens]

@BlackshadowE-6 and you too!!!!! 👀😁

[@lisa7981]

Hi Kirsten, Love this pastel technique, cant wait to try it! Have you tried it with acryilc medium instead of the gesso with the pastels? Also can you tell me what brand of pastels you are using?

[@quirkyqueens]

Hi Lisa, thank you!!!! I tried mod podge, like a gloss medium. It was a bit streaky. I need to try some heavy gel medium that I just purchased. Rembrandt. It was about £45, but colours seem rich. I especially like there soft to use easily, but not crumbly. I’ve only broken 1 in half and chipped a couple so far, and I use them a lot. I would’ve liked more reds, maybe a couple more blues, but aside from that it’s very good choice of colours. A lot of earthy colours.

[@lisa7981]

Thank you for all that info. Do you think you will do a vid of the gel medium with the pastels?