Abstract Painting Demo - Part 3: Recap & Finale

Hi everyone. This week I'm finishing the painting demo! But before I get into that, I wanted to recap everything I've done on camera (and off) so you're up to speed.
I also go over what I've done off camera to get the painting to where it is right now. After that, it's straight finishing this piece that has had a few challenges along the way (but that's art). Finally, I included some close-ups of the finished painting at the end.
I hope seeing my process with this painting helps to inspire you to try one of your own. If it did, let me know in the comments. As always, if you have any questions, topics you'd like me to discuss, or anything else, please reach out. Don't forget to like and subscribe and ring the bell to be notified whenever I post a new video.
Hugs,
Gwen

[@raerae6422]

"You can't ruin what is not working" Powerful quote!Thanks, Gwen, for your informative videos!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

I also love that quote and I use it daily. It is one I wrote many years ago because of my love for a painting that was "almost done" but I couldn't bring myself to change anything because I was afraid I would "ruin" the painting. Then it dawned on me the painting isn't working so why am I being fearful of ruining something that isn't working. Thank you for your comment as it means a lot to me.

[@joanpowell5653]

I want to be just like you, when I grow up ( I am 75 )! I have just discovered painting 1 month ago and this fabulous painting blew me away! You are outstanding as a person and a painter! The colors are so great and I love the glamour. I love you Gwen. There is no one else (painter) like you! Thank you for all your heartfelt wisdom! i could go on and on...

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Oh Joan....how kind of you to write this comment....you are a doll!!! Painting is something we can do until the day we die. We are the luckiest people in the world to be artists....welcome to the club of wonderment.

[@arlierichards9438]

I've really enjoyed watching and hearing your process. I've been away from my painting for quite awhile and this is helping me to 'jumpstart' my artistic passion again. Without the passion there is no joy!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

You are so right...."without passion there is no joy"....love that!!!

[@Samahra01]

I love your style, Gwen❤

[@theresabaic9150]

I very much enjoyed and learned something important from your video. I am a watercolorist but your use of Color here is very beautiful. Thank you. I will follow and learn.

[@tendr247]

I love that as is and you’ve helped me be ok with my love of abstract painting though most ppl want me to paint a tree.

[@Poetcreek]

I’m changing my usual bob ross style paintings and trying abstract this year, so inspiring to see your process and hopefully I can do more art this year

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Go for it....you will love it!

[@mariakapatos9545]

I does look more together now, you have changed the top❤

[@debrathain]

I’m so glad I found you. I can’t stop watching. Learning so much! Thank you!!! Love you too!❤️🤗

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Deb....thank you so much for your lovely comment. Sorry it has taken me so long to comment back.....

[@suev6198]

Thanks Gwen. Your tutorials were presented to my classroom last week. The entire class enjoyed it. I came back to it today to watch it again. Lovely presentation and thanks for sharing your skills and knowledge. Look forward to other videos from you.

[@anninpt4398]

The rose violet just sings with the oranges!! Love it

[@madhavmankar1898]

Nice and Beautifully Different types uses Creative thinking about you and your Deom preacatical effects Also Creative painting with the Entire life and Interesting Vizlistion video thanks 🙏❤🎉😮😊

[@jennylyrhagen7910]

I love what you do and the way you teach! I learned so much with just these 3 videos- thank you, Gwen! 😊

[@louiselegare3780]

I loved it when you added the oil stick, it gave it such glow and also I love the way you make the light shine through. It is gorgeous. Thank you. It is my discovery.

[@noreenkillian9853]

Love this painting as it is ❤

[@britahousez5947]

I just discovered you and I'm so happy that this three-part demo is in real time! It makes such a difference to actually be able to see the whole process. Thanks so much!

[@HelenSpringer]

Demos are great! Seeing the process helps me not give up when things go awry…

[@carolmessage5832]

You are a very inspirational teacher - thank you for sharing your methods and showing all the stages! Beautiful.

[@carolejameson4238]

Love it !,,,!❤

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thank you!!

[@glorywood9300]

Love it so far. Anxious to see when completed. Love your work. Great talent!

[@nancyhershey252]

Fabulous!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thank you....

[@mariakapatos9545]

You are the best, I eagerly watched you do and change as you painted bringing in harmony as the painting’s voice spoke to you and you brought it together, in balance. I so hope to find my way too in all you so freely give…love you Gwen🌹❤️

[@margarethogan7440]

I have just watched this wonderful demo. Thank you so much! It is wonderful!

[@marykinzelberg253]

Love the piece by piece of how you paint. It Really helps me.

[@ArtFlyer01]

I really enjoyed the three part tutorial, thank you : )

[@lisafletcher1868]

Fantastic! I agree with all your choices. 😁 It has definitely helped me to see you power through until you achieved what you wanted.

[@suziegresham2730]

Love your work !

[@grozdavranic6972]

Great painting...Thank you for sharing Gwen...

[@alinanaeem6003]

great tips. I am surprised how beautiful the marks look beneath all paint layers😍

[@nitafaught-JoyfulheART-]

Bless your heart! I love your process! I will be binge watching your videos! ♥️

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Yay! Thank you! So happy to hear from you Nita...

[@ahotms]

Oh what I would give to have a mentor like you. Thank you so much. Really. ✨🙌🏻🧡

[@lorettasart3870]

Lovely

[@dianecharest8365]

Its looking nice.

[@marymoore3625]

Gosh! You are a fantastic artist. Thank you for these videos.

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Mary....thank you so much....there are times I wonder as we all do so thank you for your comment.

[@cindymacphee1268]

love this, I think it's perfect!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thanks Cindy....I will work on it a bit more and let you know how it goes.

[@vesnaduval2003]

Helped, thank you.

[@saraquattlebaum7519]

Your abstract sense is wonderful. Thank you so much!!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Wow, thank you!

[@giliarmson7293]

Great stuff Gwen. All the demos made sense and overall inspiring. Well done and thank you….now off to try it !

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Gili....thanks for your comment....let me know how you do!

[@fcruz2012]

Love it!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thanks Fernanda!!!

[@tracythomas-jy9pm]

love your work, and very helpful thank you immensely

[@GwenFoxArtist]

You're very welcome!

[@debbiebarnett2812]

Really nice painting very interesting too watch you ,enjoyed!!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@zombie99999999999]

i love your demos

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thank you so much Deniz....

[@anikindarji875]

Lovely works keep up girl....like your madness & the gut you have!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Ani....thanks for your comment ....my madness keeps me sane....

[@valeriebarnett7956]

Dear Gwen have just invested in watching your 3 Abstract demo's. Thank you, whenI see you its like seeing an old friend, a happy place. Hope you have , kept well and had a special Easter. Wishing you many blessings. Off to make lunch..cheers 🙂❤

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thank you for such a caring and beautiful comment....I did have a fantastic Easter and I hope you did as well.

[@dietzdesigndetails413]

Your demo is so great. I just love this!!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thank you so much!

[@ismetavresk1986]

Thank you for shar8ng your videos! This is my first time I'm watching it and I watched all e parts and your explanation how and why you're doing what you're doing and how you're solving problems! Please keep posting! Love it,Ivy

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. There are times I wonder what to post so if you have any suggestions just let me know what you want me to talk about.

[@marie51349]

I have watched this one 4 times each time I learn more love Marie

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Marie....thank you so much for really learning from this video....you are AWESOME!!!

[@janhannah9444]

Wonderful, keep them coming and I’d love to see some acrylic demos too. Thank you

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Jan....I love acrylics but darn it I just can't get them to work like I do oils and therefore I use them for under paintings instead of the entire painting.

[@user-ni6cx8jp6z]

It’s beautiful

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Thanks so much....

[@PIXARTRA]

I think you are amazing. You are so passionate and that has inspired me to have another go at abstract painting. I always try to balance colours out and seeing how you just allowed the red to dominate made me think I need to let go.

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Don't worry about the rules as they are to be broken....just paint from your heart and at the end of the painting see how the composition works....I bet you do great!!!

[@marie51349]

I watch this so many times this is what I want to paint

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Marie mee....thank you so much for your comment....it means the world to me.

[@shelley3520]

I love love love this and learned so much from your talent and enthusiasm Gwen. Could you tell me how you achieved ‘drips’ with oil paint on this painting? Thanks so much!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Shelly....thank you so much for your lovely comment....it means the world to me. As to the drips....I just add gamsol to the paint and do the drips that way. It takes some practice but you will get the hang of it as I bet you are one beautiful painter. The more gamsol you add the lighter the color of the drip will be. Let me know how it goes.

[@fatimagrocki386]

I'm so happy you are back. I have been watching all previous videos. Love your work and the way you explain everything. I have a question What do you dissolve the oil paint with galkid gel and cold wax? Thank you!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Fatima....I use Gamsol to thin my paint. This painting is only oil paint and doesn't have any cold wax in it. I hope this is what you meant....if not let me know.

[@SharonLynnWilliams]

HI Gwen: thanks for part 3 -i hope there will be a part 4. There are a lot of cool parts in this painting, but I don't feel it has the sophistication of your body of work. Maybe there are just too many accidental drips and things that look left rather than resolved. To pull together this into a finished piece takes a LOT of work, knowledge and skill, which you have in spades, so I know you will bring it to a marvelous finish. Looking at the small pieces beside your painting, demonstrates what I am talking about. Well done for putting yourself out there! You mentioned in the last video that you would show us the steps in the piece that didn't work out and how you resolved that, but I didn't catch it, did I miss something???

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Sharon....you are absolutely right....it isn't pulled together as of yet. I plan on sitting with it and listening. Paintings do talk but one has to be ready to hear and this quiet listening takes time. I am so glad you noticed this. I will find the painting that didn't' work out....there are several to be honest...and do an entire video on it. I think it is important to show the ups and downs as that is a true artist life.

[@SharonLynnWilliams]

@@GwenFoxArtist amen!!

[@cheryldobbinson1994]

Loved watching this 3 part demo 😊 you are so right about a painting talking and we have to be quiet and listen ❤

[@philmoriarity4600]

I loved this. This was my first time watching any of your stuff. I am wondering wondering what it is that you sprayed onto the charcoal so it wouldn’t run? Thank you for this video.

[@Anadiaz-br1jr]

You mentioned asphalt ?? Can you explain please thank you

[@nadinemercader3209]

I loved the changes tht you made to this! I felt like i was painting along! What kind of board are you using and how are you prepping it? I just prepped a large masonite piece that I was recycling. I made my own gesso and also texture paste today. The texture paste was perfect for smoothing it to a paintable surface.

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Nadine....the board is a Ampersand gessobord and I don't do anything to it before I start painting. Congratulations on making your own gesso and texture paste. Also love that you are recycling...great job.

[@edyerae1000]

What is the amount of Gamsol are u mixing into your oils? Do you set out your colors before you start or decided as you get into the ptg? I am new to your videos and found them very helpful. You fabulous personality adds something very special to your videos.

[@karenc.williams1939]

what red did you use, or how did you make it? Loving this demo!!

[@John-rb3yv]

Hmmm An outline first eyy? This will help

[@dianehansma1725]

I discovered your channel and I love your work! Do you use mostly oils and wax?

[@charlynnthrockmorton9546]

How did you get the black lines? Cool painting!

[@natestarot]

Hi-Just found your channel. I enjoyed this demo and seeing how this evolved. I think it would help me to paint big and expressive like this. Can you tell me where I could get a cool big easel like that one? Thank you for your videos🙂💥

[@GwenFoxArtist]

I am sure they are available at Blicks or Jerrys Artarama......they are a bit expensive but worth every penny. I have had mine for 20 years.

[@laurienye7514]

That looks pretty good to me. I think I would put a pink in it, sorry I just love pink. I think every painting need pink and blk. in it. LOL. Really I love your painting, I think it is gorgeous and the colors are magnificent.. What do you do with that board, frame it and do you have to put glass over it?

[@GwenFoxArtist]

I love pink as well.....it is gorgeous!!! I don't put glass over an acrylic or oil ever.....frame it as an oil which means no glass.

[@carolclay7082]

Gwen - Do you find it is useful to focus on one area, especially if it's the focal point, and get that right first....then work on the rest of the painting to bring it together? Great colors on this!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Carol....what a great question...I may do a whole talk on this as it is a good one. To answer your question I work all over the canvas. I don't focus on any one area but try to get the flow of the painting to work along with the colors and value. I always know where my center of interest will be so I usually start there but with only a few strokes. My next video ....out on Thursday....will be a demo from beginning to end which should help you on how I work the canvas.

[@nataliebarat1186]

I am enjoying your 3 part video just found you...I have a question how do you clean your massive brush? I avoid using my bigger brushes because I think it'll take too much gamsol to clean it.

[@GwenFoxArtist]

I wash them in Gamsol but when the Gamsol is really dirty I pour it into a jar to reuse later. I then store the "slug" in another jar is i like the color and use it as a background color.

[@barb5393]

I don’t use oils, so do you think I could still do your process but in Acrylics and add an extender to the paints so they don’t dry so quickly?

[@barbarageis1728]

Hi Gwen, what color is asphaltum. Is it grey oil color? Or is it something like a mix with bitumen? Like this piece of artwork!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Barbara....asphaltum is a transparent warm brown....you will LOVE it!

[@barbarageis1728]

@@GwenFoxArtist Thank you Gwen! Be blessed!

[@dickyji]

I’m glad you enjoyed the process of creating. I really don’t like the finished item at all, but thanks for sharing.

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Richard....there are many times I don't like the finished painting either....that is when I paint over it....as I did this one...

[@nooraali150]

I learned a lot from you and I paint just like you, but people ask me what this painting means. I don't know what to answer? What is the ideal answer?

[@GwenFoxArtist]

People don't understand abstraction as they feel the need to "see" something in the painting they recognize. When people ask you what the painting means this is when you ask them.....what do YOU feel when you look at the painting? This gets them thinking and they go home with a new world to love.

[@susanjohncritchfield9494]

You know this looks like brilliant seductive bougainvillea spilling over an ancient wall somewhere close to paradise!,!

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Love your imagination...I may call on you to help me give a description to one of my paintings...thanks

[@AliBaba-ke5jn]

Hi. Can this be done with acrylics? It was finished at 12:28 Gwen!🙂 Finally a proper demo on utube.

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Ali...yes, this can be done with acrylics and thank you for letting me know it was done at 12:28.....actually I have painted over it and will show you the final piece as soon as it finally lets me know it is happy. Thank you so much for your comment.

[@susanjohncritchfield9494]

I personally don’t think it needs anything else and no more black.

[@tendr247]

Yummy rose violet

[@karlabritfeld7104]

What do you artists do with all of your old abstract art that nobody wants to buy?

[@GwenFoxArtist]

We either paint over it or throw it away...

[@MrNyuntshwe]

I'm not only a complete beginner, but also a dummy in any painting medium. However, I regarded that the abstract painting is a truly serious subject and not a painting to look good in design and colours. Your finished painting is a lot better than from the one that capped with a heavy black a while ago. I believe that you said the creativity comes from SILENCE. However, this painting had been done through a kind of narrative of process of practical painting. I would earnestly suggest that you should change it into a masterpiece by giving a few more minutes of hours without the accompany of any soul and create it a little further. I also like to know what is your personal meaning or idea of this painting. I just want to learn how to look at and understand the abstract paintings. Sorry, English is a very difficult foreign language for me so that my comment could be a rude and inappropriate one. If that is turn out like that, please accept my sincerely apology. I'd like to say that I like you as you're so lively and sweet, and very friendly.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Have you ever had a client ask you to replicate one of your abstract art pieces? I recently had someone ask me to recreate one of my pieces but in a smaller size. They didn't want my 60 inch painting so asked if I would do a 30 inch painting of 5 same subject. As it is abstract, I'm finding it impossible to replicate exactly. Help! Should I have refused to do this and give up a commission? It's almost impossible to make it look the same.

[@GwenFoxArtist]

Karla.....it is impossible to replicate a painting....or at least I think so. I hardly know what I did to get the original version let alone do it again. I would ask the people what they loved about your original and then work from that. I would also explain to them that your work is original and you can never do it again so it looks like the first one. They should be thrilled to know you are true to your craft and if they are not then explain it is an impossible task to make it like the one they saw. You can do one that uses the same colors but that is about it.

[@teresawirtz762]

You didn’t show the steps in between the part 2 video:(

[@GwenFoxArtist]

upps.....sorry....