Art demo: Abstract art using shapes and acrylic paint in a sketchbook

In today’s video I demonstrate a way to build up an abstract painting using layers of acrylic paint and shapes. In a previous video I shared a drawing exercise which created a grid of shapes. Today I take some of the shapes from that drawing exercise and use them to develop striking abstract painted pages in a sketchbook. It is a method you may want to explore as a way to progress your original ideas and use your repertoire of shapes in a painting. You can watch the original drawing video here if you’d like to:
• Creating interesting s...
In this painting demonstration I am using heavy body acrylic paint from Sennelier in a Daler Rowney A3 Sketchbook which has 160gsm paper, this paint has quite a matte finish (although I think it is technically described as satin) so doesn’t tend to result in sketchbook pages which stick together, some heavy body paint can be quite glossy and it is this shine that results in finished pages sticking together, despite them being dry when you close the book.
This demo and exercise is messy and playful and it can create interesting and surprising results…(if you enjoy a pristine sketchbook or are at all concerned about pages possibly sticking together you may want to try this on a piece of paper instead of a sketchbook). I hope you enjoy it.
Music Credit: Supine by Peter Sandberg via Epidemic Music.
FREE MIXED MEDIA ART CLASS, Fall in love with your sketchbook, loosen up and play with mixed media: helenwellsarti...
👀 Helen Wells’s art blog:helenwellsarti...
❤️ Online classes: helenwellsarti...
💌 Email newsletter sign up:helenwellsarti...

[@HelenWellsArtist]

FREE MIXED MEDIA ART CLASS, Fall in love with your sketchbook, loosen up and play with mixed media: helenwellsartist.com/signup

[@colorexplained]

The 50 shapes exercise from the first class is something I have repeated several times and it is incredibly useful for creating interesting shapes in my art. Thanks for another great video. 🌻🌻🌻

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Great to hear! I'm so pleased you found it helpful. Thank you so much. Love Helen x

[@rachelleandrichard]

I have been wondering how to create backgrounds and this will be fun. Up til now, my drawings have been floating in space. I love how random it is to begin with and how you simplify the process. Still, I'm also aware that the decision making is a big part of it all and your approach to keeping it low key and fun is a helpful reminder. Thank you for generously sharing. Rachelle, Australia 🦘

[@rachelleandrichard]

Also, the shapes exercises were fun last week. I did quite a few different illustrations. The grid was a bit mind bending and took a while but the other abstract exercise that we split in half with a wiggle and a squiggle 😂 created some lovely results. I hope you show us the final touches next time. And I heartily recommend your courses. I revisit them and see how over time my own practice has grown and how much quicker and easy it is to create my own work. You're a real inspiration xo

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh thank you so much. You're just so right, art creating is just a series of small decisions one after the other... xx

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh wow what a lovely thing to say... Thank you Rachelle

[@charlotte3033]

The Idea development, and the final result of this page. Loved it all, fantastic!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Ah I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Love Helen x

[@bonniemiller3587]

Your classes are all of what you hope they are Helen…and even more! It’s so good to see how you proceed and continue. Such confidence! I’m slowly getting more but it is a process isn’t it ? Thank you as ever xxx

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wow Bonnie what a lovely and generous soul you are. I so appreciate your kind words about my classes. Thank you. And i think confidence comes with experience and also less attachment to how something will turn out but you are so right it is a process... I always think if I'm messing about in my sketchbook it doesn't really matted how it turns out.. I think cultivating this attitude has helped me greatly. xx.

[@Cathy7816-u4v]

Thank you Helen.I love your work. You have taught me to keep going with a piece. Analysing as I go along, what do I like/not like. I used to throw away work if it wasn’t my idea of perfect and now I surprise myself and enjoy creating so much more.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

That is so wonderful! I'm super pleased about that... there can be briliiant surprises and developments on the other side of perfect...

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Thank you for a lovely video, truly enjoy your process.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome! thank you so much for watching and commenting x

[@fannydantilenrando]

I looooove working with layers. The process is very satisfying ! Thank you Helen for your lovely sketchnotes and energy. 😍

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome! Thank you for your lovely comment and enthusiam. Love Helen x

[@pamzavada5269]

I really really LOVE how you've kind of "carved out" these shapes, and your colour pallettes are magnificent. Thanks for posting this!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much Pam! What a lovely reaction xx

[@Cathy7816-u4v]

I can’t wait to get❤home from work to try this. I have already laid down some Colour this morning. Thanks Helen for inspiring me.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Ah that’s so super kind of you x

[@mandybridger4630]

Thank you Helen, I’m no artist, but your videos make me feel I should have a go ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Well that's so lovely to hear. Thank you so much... xx

[@magdalenachytkova2899]

So pleasantly spent nap time of my fourth child :) Thank you! I'm looking forward to the evening to pull out the colors. Putting colors on the pages and playing sounds so casual that I could have the energy to do it even at a late hour.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Have fun! Oh my goodness i'm super impressed with you finding time for anything with four children. Happy creating x

[@whyducks1]

What a joyful video, you really are an inspiration. Thank you.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wow, thank you! You are very kind. Love Helen x

[@dianesorota838]

Lovely start to the morning. Here's to shape searching and building an activated surface.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

yes thats right and a lovely way to phrase it x

[@nmickey100]

Perfect follow up to the previous video, will be trying it out!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Hope you enjoy it! Thank you so much x

[@junemaguire5053]

Will definitely give this a try tomorrow morning first thing. Thank you Helen.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Hope you like it! Thank you for your enthusiasm. Love Helen x

[@jdevereux9155]

🎉 Fun 🤩 xx

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh good thank you so much. Helen x

[@vanessahanley264]

Another brilliant video. I can't wait to give this a go. I must say...I love your outfit & style...You even look like a work of art. Keep shining bright! ⭐

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh gosh that's lovely of you... Thank you Vanessa x

[@Karibee61]

I am so grateful for your tutorials. You and your style is just fab. ❤ much love and peace from Greenwich London 🎉

[@HelenWellsArtist]

How kind and encouraging you are. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@LittleFrenchHen]

Its true when they say its all about the process, not the end result. (Although the end result can be pretty amazing - especially when it's unexpected) Great video, thanks - oh and I enjoyed the background music too, very soothing :)

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Absolutely! Thank you so much for your kind comments... glad you enjoyed the video. Love Helen x

[@lucybanta7311]

Fascinating to watch your process!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh thats very kind of you Lucy. Thank you for watching x

[@janetdowns9533]

Thanks Helen. Another fab video full of inspiration.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You’re so welcome Janet😊 thank you for your lovely kindness...

[@Tullyontheterrace]

Another great video Helen. I had lots of fun doing the shapes exercise. Looking forward to making a painting.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Have fun! And thank you so much for your lovely reaction. Love Helen x

[@annickcottom5500]

I just love watching your videos, they're so inspirational and spark off so many ideas. 🤩

[@HelenWellsArtist]

I'm so glad! What a lovely reaction. Thank you so much x

[@GaeandHerArt]

Thank you for the art demo, Helen. I just started abstract painting and this video helps me a lot in taking the direction I want to take in abstract art 🥰

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with all your art adventure. Love Helen x

[@yvettegarcia6858]

That view is amazing! Thankyou for your videos, you really do inspire me to be more creative 💜!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh that’s such wonderful feedback! Thank you so much x

[@cola6986]

As a beginner, this video was super helpful and really clear how to achieve something interesting without getting overwhelmed with what step to take next. It really helped me understand how to decide on composition which I have been struggling with. Also..TP TIP! regarding using matt acrylic in sketchbook so as not to get stuck together pages. I have watched lots of videos and no one has mentioned that.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for your lovely comment and kind enthusiasm. Happy creating x

[@vanessarobinson1080]

I love a bit of negative painting! Last summer we had a family reunion in Ireland for a week. I got them all(men too) trying it...very successfully I might add!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

What a brilliant thing to do as a family! Just lovely x

[@nickiwinkworth4834]

I really enjoyed this demo. Thank you for sharing 😀

[@HelenWellsArtist]

I'm so glad! Thank you so much for your encouragement. Helen x

[@LMAbstractArt]

Love this video! So full of inspiration and joy of creating💜

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much!! That's a really lovely thing for you to say. Love Helen x

[@krissy2321]

Thanks for sharing your process and thoughts. I really enjoyed watching and I’m going to get out my paints today 💛

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome! I love it when something I share encourages the paints to come out! Yay. Love Helen x

[@alison64able]

I love the unpredictability

[@HelenWellsArtist]

I think thats half the fun for me too. Thank you so much xx

[@andreatorraca8755]

Love the black and white…….art

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh that's great. Thank you x

[@katisugarbaker7349]

You are brilliant. Thanks for sharing with us. I needed this.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome. Glad it was useful x

[@BlueLotusLife]

Great video! And I liked the up close views!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

oh that's good to know, thank you so much x

[@alison64able]

Thank you Helen, you have inspired me so much ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome and I am happy to hear that. Love H x

[@amivbg]

I looove this video❤❤❤ Thank you🥰

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh that’s such a lovely reaction. Thank you so much x

[@DianneKaroly]

Love everything about this!!❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh that’s so lovely of you…Helen x

[@SimoneWhippArtist]

I love it Helen! x

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh you are super lovely Simone. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@marybarnaby6162]

Loved this. Thank you. Inspiring and liberating.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

So glad! Thank you so much for your lovely positivity xx

[@johannawoodhouse4666]

Thank you Helen. I found that very inspiring

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are so welcome 🙏🏼 and I’m so glad. Thank you Johanna x

[@patriciawinders8827]

Inspirational as always Helen a huge thank you. ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much Patricia. Thats very generous of you x

[@daisyandthecowboy2544]

Lovely fun experiment!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you 🤗 Helen x

[@immocosmanimmo2818]

WOW!❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

that's a nice reaction... thank you x

[@elizabethrudi9887]

Will be trying it out,thank you 😍

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Hope you enjoy it Elizabeth x

[@angelinamichelle8474]

Very inspiring. Thankyou!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh I’m so glad you found it useful Angelina! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@willywonka1854]

love

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you x

[@genevievegagnon4654]

Hi Helen, I have such a fun time to watch your videos. You are a true inspiration and a phenomenal teacher. Would you be able to tell me, in the underpinting in this composition, which red is this? It looks so rich, dark and also transparent? I am on the hunt for something like that. Thank you so much.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh his wonderfully kind. Thank you so much. In terms of the red I think mixed it by combining a chocolate brown with a bright pink x

[@graindesand2562]

j'adore votre travail. Je regrette de ne pas maîtriser l'anglais pour pouvoir suivre vos cours et m'offrir votre livre "expressive sketchbooks" peut-être un jour, une traduction en français...

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you for your kind words! Xx

[@Cathy7816-u4v]

Do you have a video showing the process for the painting at 2:08. I would love to watch it.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

No I’m afraid I don’t have a video on this and don’t plan to do one… sorry x

[@Cathy7816-u4v]

Oh well plenty more inspiration on your channel. Thankyou.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much… there are just a few very specific processes which are part of my signature style and which I have taken years to work out that I don’t teach folk how to do…but most of my art processes I’m super happy to share x

[@Cathy7816-u4v]

Thank you Helen.