Abstract Painting Demo - Working with Ink and Mixed Media

In this video, I share my approach to creating original semi-abstract landscapes using ink, collage and mixed media. This is one of my favourite ways to develop new ideas or just to relax when I need a break from larger paintings.
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[@TheDabshear]

I have watched this video several times over the years and repeat it to refresh my mind… it gives me courage to start without overthinking the process…to give myself a problem to resolve…to challenge my brain. Almost like a puzzle. Brilliant strategy for me! Thank you.

[@archerandthemouse]

I love the ones you don't much like, I love how bold, vibrant and "messy" they are. All of them are wonderful.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you for your kind words!

[@lisengel2498]

I love the method of improvising, like a happy conversation with a good friend where you jump freely from one thought to the next and everything relates and opens into new possibilities - and you will find out that you do not know what you say untill you hear yourself saying it.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

perfect description!

[@judithclendenning4146]

This is the third time I have watched this video..love the way you just kind of ‘go at it’ but having a limited palette along with collage.. and no agenda, no “thinky thinky”.. love it

[@dianecharest8365]

Yes it was very helpful. All of your videos are very helpful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@susanlhebden3491]

Hi Louise, I am so pleased I have found your art courses on You Tube. I found videos on youtube a few years ago but they were like something out of Blue Peter. I live in Bergen , Norway and have been painting for quite a few years. To begin with I went to courses, I was desperate to start painting again and to do something just for me. No doubt I learnt something, but I wanted to paint abstracts. I know exactly what you meant when you said people put you off. I have ruined quite a few good paintings because of people's remarks. , The last course I took was many years ago now. After paying , what was for me in those days, as a more than full time working single mother, with four teenage sons was a lot of money. The teacher asked us if we had brought a picture we could copy. I explained I wanted to paint abstracts. I had painted enough landscapes and still life. She just told me to get on with it. After that I gave up going to courses. I have taught myself as I have gone along, mainly by looking at art books and going to exhibitions , But after watching your videos I thought of all the time and energy I could have saved if I had seen them a few years ago. They have been really inspirational. Thank you. Susan Hebden ( born in Keighley)

[@siglintkessler8606]

Thank you, so generous of you to share and try to tell your thoughts while working - which isn't easy, as part of it happens intuitively...

[@elizabethmarples1737]

Time is precious, so appreciate you taking time to share. I love working with acrylic inks, watching them randomly run over the paper.. I make mistakes which then get turned into a new piece of art... it is all a wonderful learning curve. To see your process is inspiring. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

you are so welcome xx

[@ashd8432]

That light green really made the pieces sing!! 🎶

[@sylviabishop2992]

I learned so much from this video. Your "out loud" thinking as you make decisions in the moment about where to mark next and with what was really helpful. There are as many choices to make in abstract as in figurative painting it seems. I watch you in the morning with my cuppa. You and my coffee kick start my date to get my marks down. Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoy my videos Sylvia. ☺

[@dawnsmart9444]

I love the freedom to allow yourself with these works... something I need to embrace in my work! Thank you and keep up the amazing work!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Freedom is key!

[@ilovetobemom]

Thank you for the verbal explanation to go with the play of marks and color

[@nicolabishop996]

Thank you very much. I enjoyed this and was inspired. Your generosity to share is most needed these days.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@fionapatonart5686]

So interesting to watch your technique in motion. I really get a sense of how important it is to just let the inspiration flow, and to try new things to see what surprises may eventuate.

[@dienekevugts5572]

I am gratefull for your videos. They help me very much to go on with my work.

[@Rita-nj3qo]

Ich könnte Dir stundenlang zusehen👍👍👍 einfach eine tolle Künstlerin !👏👏👏🎨🏆

[@KittehNow]

A lovely way to play, experiment and create...great video

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much 😀

[@kristiinasakai9957]

Thanks so very much for this video. I loved hearing your thoughts and reasoning with each piece, and how with your limited palette you created such beautiful and interesting little sketches, paintings, studies, whatever you want to call them. You have really inspired me to get out of my own head! My tendency is to be neat and clean and organized to the point of being boring. Thank you for this and I really look forward to seeing more from you! Be well, safe and happy!👩🏻‍🎨🎨❤️

[@ronaldandpauline]

wow ... your ability to think out loud is wonderful ... and we get to hear whatever we need to learn ... you have such a natural gift .. thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much 😊

[@heatherstubbs6646]

I happened on you completely by accident, and how glad I am! I love how you share your thinking process as you go along. “ I’ll just stick it there, what the hell.” Delightful! You’ve inspired me to play with ink and collage. The pieces look fabulous! Thanks so much!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

have fun!

[@beebrodie6463]

I love love love this video - it's just the inspiration I needed - and I am so looking forward to the next course with Louise :) :) :)

[@natural09100]

Great fun I love using tape that's been randomly covered in colours . Some of them look great upside down Thank you for sharing 🙂

[@jharr781]

This was an absolute joy to watch, and I could listen to you all day. Thank you for your videos! I'm inspired to jump up and go straight to my loft to paint, right now.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's great!

[@My_Secret_ArtSketchbook]

Reading your comment was a Joy my dear dear.

[@margarethogan7440]

Thank you for this. Your process is very inspiring, and I love these small pieces.

[@ingridcoke1360]

I absolutely enjoyed watching your process.. I loved them all. Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏽🤗💖💖💖

[@deborahh3019]

Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I made time to sit and watch and was so mesmerized that I forgot about the scone I'd brought over to the computer to enjoy while viewing!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

haha - so it's a diet of sorts !!

[@evelyne7071]

Thank you. There is nothing specific that I want to do right now, so this free flowing demonstration is encouraging me to “cut loose”.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's good - all the best ideas come that way x

[@mariakapatos9545]

Thank you so much Louise enjoyed the lesson so much it was comforting to know that it can be fun to just let the composition flow and then have another look at further putting it all together to what you want it to be.

[@aschane1]

Enjoyed watching your painting and thinking process. Learned so much. Beautiful results.

[@aliceberloni210]

I have seen only two of your videos and I feel already inspired by your approach to abstract landscape🙏🏻🙂

[@zmermaid3]

Louise thank you so much for sharing your process. This was a very encouraging and inspiring session. I have never been fond of acrylic paints until just now watching your process. I love what you do with paint and collage materials. My medium is watercolor....I am just imagining the fun I will have playing around similar to what you just demonstrated. Thank you For your teaching.

[@galewhiteman2047]

Loved watching the creativity. I couldn’t see everything that was being seen, but it gave me suggestions. I subscribed. I’ll watch some more to try and get inspired. Thank you.

[@dawnmillett4875]

Valuable demonstration. Thank you for this.

[@janetdowda7296]

Very nice! Really like your technique and the idea of keeping it clean. Thanks for sharing.

[@angiebrown2326]

Love, love, love this idea. Thank you so much, Louise for sharing your process!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@melaniebettridge8943]

Thanks Louise, I so enjoyed watching your progress. 🖌🎨🥳

[@annamartin6683]

Thanks Louse for this very helpful video it brings my back to years ago on my foundation course and reminds me how to enjoy the freedom of painting and trusting the process.

[@kayhight7837]

Just an idea: When I travel, especially international, I grab a newspaper or flyer. Bring them home and love adding bits and pieces to my work as well as reminding me of some memories of delightful trips. Love your works and thoughts Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's a great idea!

[@michelehoben456]

Well done Louise! Thank you! I love watching your process and hearing your thoughts.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Michele

[@AinoShperber]

These turned out beautifully! Love to listen to how you think while you work. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks!

[@ellywright8868]

Loved seeing you work. It all makes such sense, the initial abandonment and the more considered adding of collage and bringing in the green. I let put a big sigh of satisfaction and I didn’t even paint them! Thank you.

[@RitaShurmerArt]

I love this so much! Thank you for sharing!

[@vevette70]

Ahhhhh I feel ,,,I feel, so peaceful having watched you Louise,,, like a child having received the Holy Communion,,,,, I have to travel for the next few days. But I will visit this nugget of BONHEUR while driving. A la prochaine

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@alrenefischer4481]

I can not get enough of your work , always something that I look at all your work can not get enough I am I love with your lessons

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Arlene!

[@DocRocket144]

I really enjoy these video's watching you work and sharing your thoughts. I have grown quite fond of your work. Thank you!

[@Lisa-qt7pw]

so inspiring! I can really see Nicolar Wilton's techniques in your thinking. Thanks for your you-ness

[@victorialaight5952]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. It was so interesting and helpful.

[@daledellario8621]

Thanks so much Louise for your articulate sharing of process. It was truly delightful to watch the evolution of the pieces.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks!

[@tjakkahify]

Splatter with ink, then slip after slip as if you were cycling on ice, and then draw some sort of bus route and paste poetry into it and finally find balance in this maze, it's a real balancing act. Well done:)

[@JoyGeorgeBryden]

Thank you, Louise! So helpful and interesting watching you solve problems and work on your work! Very inspiring.

[@gillbawden]

I love these Louise.

[@deedoyle397]

Oooh, I am SO glad I happened across this video! I am still in quarantine, and frustrated with my same old, same old. This is dragging me out of it! I am doing almost a step-by-step of your process, and now have a comfort level I can do some more on my own! Thanks! I subscribed as well, so looking forward to more from you! :-)

[@cindylabare960]

Great tips, thank you for sharing!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@fergiemax1829]

Love listening to your process

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thank you!

[@rebecca4910]

You are awesome and inspiring -- thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge and process. I'm in the process of watching each and every one of your brilliant videos!

[@MixedMediaArtByTrina]

Love watching you work. Experimenting is so important. Thanks for sharing. 😍

[@catherineparmenter1602]

Love these Louise ... makes me want to have a go .... thanks

[@annrubino6252]

Hello Louise, I recently found you through a friend and I am ever so grateful for your video. You demonstrate an ease which I strive to achieve, and I love your work. Will revisit frequently and practice working more expediently, trusting instinct and experience - yes? Thank you for your generous sharing, from the Canadian Rockies.

[@SuperAthiel]

loved that...very inspiring

[@brigitteshantieaglemeare4350]

Thats was a great session, very helpful

[@robertwebber8672]

Just so useful both to watch your process, but to hear you thinking things thru. Best R

[@diannedonnelly6278]

I have loved watching this, so much so that I have watched it three times (with a few weeks in between viewings). Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@newworld244]

Love the way you talk about what you are thinking. I found that incredibly helpful. Love your work!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robinbrennan4561]

Love to hear your thought pattern for each piece. It is very educational deciding the composition. 🙏 Thank you.

[@lindahowe4159]

Art should be fun and this was - I love making a mess to see what happens. Perhaps mine will look like your one day! Thank you.

[@elsatroubetzkoy7467]

I like so much these kind of landscapes, how you construct them from loose ink brushstrokes, then collage and acrylique peint... I tried it recently but I got stuck and went further again. It is very relaxing... Thank you !

[@jneigler]

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy watching your videos. I learn something new every time.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I appreciate that!

[@tubeyou126226]

Loved watching this, thank you! Makes me want to go into the studio and play! Wonderful abstracted results and great ideas for other creations. I "think too much" and work too hard on the traditional realistic approach, and I really want to just let go and enjoy the process of creation and acting on ideas that come to mind spontaneously as I'm working... to be loose and free like you were!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It takes a little practice but you can get there!

[@tannaorr4133]

Very fun!

[@gailflynn443]

Thank you Louise. I appreciate your sensitivity and generosity

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@louisegolder3276]

Fascinating Louise to hear your process out loud. Thank you so much for sharing so generously. Its very inspirational

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danielalondongirl933]

Watching and rewatching as I love your style and way of thinking-your process. Im learning lots. Would be good to see you just paint different abstracts sped up. Youre fabulous-as an artist and teacher!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

My process really doesn't work that way - I sometimes take months to finish things and I work on many at the same time x

[@michelenishikatsu4273]

Isn’t she?🌿

[@carolkothmann6074]

Your videos are so helpful.I plan to watch this several times as there are so many tidbits of information that you throw out there. These tidbits are little golden nuggets to me. Thank you so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rodicacretu1030]

I recommended your videos to my niece. Exceptional creativity. It take a lot of training, education, and imagination to do such beautiful images. Thank you.

[@SetGozo]

Love it thanks.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@melissamercado8981]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I have just recently unearthed my paints and brushes and papers... I love how you teach the process so well.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@Valkyriepedersen]

Very cool to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@carolerobidoux2087]

Very interesting process that seems kinda fun and liberating. Thank you so much for sharing. 🌻🌻🌻

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It really is!

[@rosaelenasamar]

Love it!!!! Thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@angieroyall1516]

Yes! I enjoyed that very much!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cristobalalicea8457]

Thank you for sharing your process.of painting.

[@margarethogan7440]

Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@hayleysutcliffe1721]

This is so helpful and inspiring! Thanks for sharing - lovely work x

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are welcome Hayley

[@alisonking3641]

I live in a similar area to your landscape in Central Victoria, Australia. Lots of grasses, rocks, fences etc. So I'm excited to try this. Thanks Louise.

[@monikalenander2902]

I am so glad that you shared this!! I have learned o lot and got so much inspiration 😍

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisabruchert3676]

Thank you, I really love your process. And I thought the pieces turned out beautifully.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@paintingzoneart4026]

Thanks so much for this Louise. I really love your videos, and your approach is so rich and inspiring.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@cydnelabonte2984]

Hello Louise! I have just recently discover you on the journey to discover "me". I have been absent from painting for quite a while, so it really is scary to getting back into it. I really like what Alice Sheridan said about thinking of that fear as just adrenaline. I do remember how great that adrenaline felt when working on a painting -- I want to go there again! You are a brilliant coach, interviewer and artist. Keep it up!

[@PB-mq6hu]

Excellent inspiration! Thank you. ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@christinamoynihan4021]

Your words of wisdom are empowering to me. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@ceeswallow]

Loved this approach, so much inspiration, thanks

[@ceeswallow]

I think I may well try out the sectioning off thing, it will really help me not be too precious, and may even help me learn when to stop adding too.

[@ghazalafarheen9430]

Thank you very much just love the way you express your thoughts in the process. Very helpful!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@patfros5902]

Hi Louise, this is so inspiring! My experience is, when start doing this kind of exercise my 'world' expanse. Lately more and more my paintings turn to 'landscapes'! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@mirtapareno78]

Hermoso trabajo, me gusta mucho !!!!!! Gracias por la muestra. Desde Argentina !!

[@taliagreenberg5228]

I really liked your palette as an abstract project!

[@stinar37]

I so enjoyed this. Thank you! 🙏

[@michellespohrer6395]

Just watched this a second time. Watching your "whys" about composition is so helpful!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I am so happy to hear this!

[@jennywhisconier7777]

I LOVE the ones you call, 'too messy.' (love the other ones, too)

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thanks!

[@SoulscapeFineArt]

Beautiful artwork. Great job. Thankd for sharing n see u again.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ellenvd5543]

Thanks very much Louise! I learned a lot from it......I hope you can do more videos like this! It came out beautiful!!

[@Louisebova]

Ellen vd I agree! More videos like this!

[@dorothyatchison1825]

This vid is great ... thanks so much for sharing 💕