Enhance the Impact of Abstract Paintings (8 Techniques for Better Art)

[@chrisloudart]

👉Want a prompt to help you start your next painting? Click here etsy.me/49utFsk (50 Abstract Warm-Up Painting Prompts)

[@viviandibrell849]

The second painting I see a dog bursting through! So dynamic. Great info!

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Vivian! ♥️🐾

[@Jane_H]

Love the first one. It really came alive when you added the white dots.

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Jane! I enjoyed painting all three of these. 😊

[@xraygeeoff]

It has a sci-fi vibe. If you titled the first piece, “Diver” it’s very representational.

[@jaedo71]

Just subscribed! I am a texture fanatic

[@chrisloudart]

Welcome, Joe! Do you have any particular techniques you like for creating texture?

[@jaedo71]

@chrisloudart I use a variety of objects and even make my own tools out of cardboard, etc.

[@chrisloudart]

@jaedo71 Nice! I love using homemade tools. 👍

[@annfrodeberg6658]

Thank you for this video and all the inspiration! In nr 2 I saw a dog face... My favoriter is nr 1. Looking forward to The next video!

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Ann! I completely missed the dog in the 2nd one, but I finally found it. Now it jumps right off the page when I look at that painting.😊

[@HeleneKaut]

This is a great video for instruction, ideas and your advise! Thanks Chris, I really look forward to your content❤️🇨🇦

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you, Helene! So glad you like this♥️

[@RileyQuinnSutton]

Intriguing technique, wonderful result. Power is work divided by time, and you might have mastered the best ratio. Thank you for sharing!

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Riley! I’m glad you enjoyed the technique and the result. I love the way you put that-finding the right balance is key!

[@RileyQuinnSutton]

@@chrisloudart You are very welcome! Balance makes all the difference! Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[@kathrynsmith3460]

Liked 2 a bunch with the addition of wax soluble pastel warm color bits. Composition/ focus my overall fav ar that pt. 🎉Reminded me how much I love painting with pastels which was so what I needed now

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Kathryn! ❤️I love playing with pastels!

[@Guammaine]

The third one with the acrylic skins was my favorite. It's small but the way you use the white frame from time to time to kinda see where you're at is genius! I really want to try that. I learn so much from your videos and your painting style is so engaging and your painting is SO GOOD!

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you so much! I love using precut mats to gauge how the painting is coming along. It can be extremely helpful! I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying these videos and the paintings.😊

[@deanweyer4205]

Thankyou for your time and sharing

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks for watching, Dean!

[@HelenaValentine-ff8xv]

Good to see how you rotate your work as you go along. I think it is so important but few people do this and just stick to one view. Luv the prompts and tips! Good work 👍❤️

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you, Helena! I agree-its always good to look at our work with a different perspective.♥️

[@gailzaranek6958]

Something good getting better is worth learning. Really informative. I believe I saw your ghost face.

[@chrisloudart]

I'm happy you liked this one, Gail! The ghost face upside down really looks like a dog running.

[@kathrynsmith3460]

The fly indeed! Love it in final version, thx

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you! The fly is all I see now.🪰😆

[@debbiereed8341]

Those are so interesting. Really enjoy watching you create.

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Debbie!

[@peggylee5021]

I saw figures in the 1st & 2nd. Love the colors & love your art.

[@chrisloudart]

@@peggylee5021 Thanks so much, Peggy! I'll have to look closer at the first one.

[@FarinaReinprecht]

Thank you.

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks for watching, Farina!

[@devonrex4]

Awesome session Chris! I saw faces at different times in the different pieces. At one point I even saw a mountain lion face (I think in the third one)

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Yolande! Thanks so much! I'm going to go see if I can find that mountain lion face.

[@zoomerellazoomerella2947]

The first one is my favorite!

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you so much!

[@devorahstone4865]

Enjoying this

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you! I'm so glad to hear that.😊

[@gailierunninglynx7310]

I'm going to go back and take another look! I did see a creepy creature face in the second one tho! Love all of these!! Thanks Chris! ~❤~ 😊

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Gailie! I just found the dog in the second one that everyone is seeing.

[@neusamargarida4865]

Adorei esses ensinamentos e seus resultados ❤❤❤❤❤

[@chrisloudart]

Obrigada, Neusa! Estou tão feliz que você gosta desses vídeos de arte

[@patriciagiovannoni7684]

I saw the ghost and a dog!! Love your work and these videos.

[@chrisloudart]

Awesome! Thanks, Patricia. I'm going to have to see if I can find the dog.

[@DDartlover8888]

I thought I saw the face, then when Chris turned it to a other orientation it looked like a dog to me

[@judylongcore5076]

​@@chrisloudartJust before 6:02, You flipped a yellow lab onto his back in the middle. He is curved through the middle of the picture,

[@chrisloudart]

​@@judylongcore5076Hey Judy! I see the dog now every time I look at this one.😊

[@texturenshimmer8339]

Love it!!!

[@chrisloudart]

@@texturenshimmer8339 Thank you so much!

[@kellybeale1895]

You are really setting the bar high!! Bogo last week - 3 this week - all I can say is Ty Ty Ty (one for each painting) 😊 And a love the Saturday videos - I have been able to make it to work on time since then 😂 May have seen the ghost face top right quadrant??? But love the sweeping composition it has!

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Kelly! I'm not sure I can keep up this pace. This one took me a little longer than usual. But of course, I had a blast doing it. My whole goal with these Saturday videos is to make sure you get to work on time😂 So far so good! The face is just off center slightly to the right.

[@kellybeale1895]

@@chrisloudart 😂 #goals You’re the best!

[@jonathanwilliams4149]

Chris - you’re such a talented artist and great teacher! You do an excellent job at explaining things in a way that everyone can understand. Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge with us! I have 2 questions if you don’t mind: 1) Can you please tell me what kind of brush that is that used in the video to put down the first black marks? I have seen other artist use this same brush and have tried to find it several places and can’t. Can you please tell me what kind of brush and if you know the brand? The way that it’s designed looks unique to me, but I can’t find this type of brush anywhere and just wanna know what kind it is and if you know the brand that would be great? 2) You’re so talented that I’m just curious if you studied or in school or took lessons? And Have you been painting your whole life just trying to figure out if there’s any hope for me as a adult artist wanna be. Lol. Thanks so much, Chris!

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Jonathan! I don't mind your questions at all. 1) The brush I used was a #8 filbert by Royal & Langnickel (amzn.to/3X2visu). Filbert brushes are probably my favorite type of brush because they are so versatile. 2) There is definitely hope for you, no matter my answer. You go this! I did not go to art school and have not taken any classes (other than an intro to drawing class I took in the late 80's). After visiting galleries for a few month, I was inspired to give painting a try and started painting in January of 2020. I've learned many fundamental skills from watching artists on KZbin and Skillshare and painting as much as I can. With that said, I still watch at least one art related video as part of my daily routine every morning.

[@jonathanwilliams4149]

@@chrisloudart Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my questions. You’ve definitely given me hope and I appreciate more than you know! Thanks again!!

[@chrisloudart]

It was my pleasure, Jonathan! Keep on painting!🎨🖌️

[@jonathanwilliams4149]

Chris… Please don’t shoot me for asking you another question. Lol. And please don’t go digging around looking for this, but if by chance you know which R & L line/series that Filbert is, will you please let me know I didn’t realize how many different lines of brushes they have until I went to their site. But again, only if you happen to know off the top your head which line you typically buy that would be helpful, but please don’t spend any time trying to identify if you don’t know. Again, sorry to ask you another question but I appreciate your time. Thank you, Chris!

[@chrisloudart]

@jonathanwilliams4149 It's never a problem! This is the Zen series. I believe the Zen series is fairly inexpensive which is a bonus😊

[@foreveryoung4980]

I saw the body and the head of the laying dog in number 3 painting. Tnx for your instructions.

[@chrisloudart]

I'm so curious about the dog in the third one. Can you give me some direction to the head of the dog?

[@danielolivier1463]

I really like your videos Chris. I find them all very inspiring. I try to do these exercises several times a week and the results are sometimes amazing. I have a question: when I remove the painter's tape, the paper on the canvas tends to peel off. Does this happen to you too? Do you have any suggestions to prevent this from happening? Btw, I did not see a face …

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Daniel! Occasionally I have some paper peel up. It happens more with the blue painters tape I use sometimes. I typically don't have many issues with the yellow frog tape. The one thing I always do right before peeling the tape off is to run a hair dryer over the tape to warm it up so it comes up smoothly. Since I've been doing that I haven't had many issues. I hope that helps.

[@danielolivier1463]

@@chrisloudart Many thanks Chris for taking the time to answer me. I appreciate it very much. I will sure try that.👍🏼

[@chrisloudart]

Any time!

[@beckypearson6236]

I see the face! The eye on the right caught me first, then the nose and then the hint of another eye. :)

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Becky! You described it perfectly.😊

[@laurienix4121]

I voted for my favorite on IG, did the results surprise you? It was quite informative to see the full You Tube on the process for each painting. Abstract art is harder than many people realize. I hope you had success at the show where everything was $300.

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Laurie! I was a little surprised that the first one didn't do as well, but overall about what I expected. I sold one of the two pieces and had interest in the other, so I'm feeling pretty good about it.😊

[@thinkfirstt]

Yup, the ghostly face appeared, but the fish shape was very strong and beautiful first before any rotation.

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Leslie! So far its a toss up as to whether people see the fish, the ghost, and/or the dog.😊

[@howlingwind1937]

I think my favourite is the first one, it would look great being enlarged. I saw a woman's face in the second one and it was nice too. The third one I could see an abstract still life with fruit.

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Howling! The first one would definitely look striking on a larger scale. I love hearing the different things you spotted in the other pieces-I can definitely see an abstract still life, but I'll have to see if I can find the woman’s face!

[@howlingwind1937]

@@chrisloudart the woman's face was quite noticeable especially when it was verticle. I really liked it, it would look great in a bigger format as well. Cheers!

[@chrisloudart]

@@howlingwind1937 Thanks, Howling! I plan on similar paintings on larger canvases soon. 😊

[@howlingwind1937]

@@chrisloudart that's great!

[@lesleykendall6120]

Would you be able to say what paper you are using and is this fluid paint? I find I can't get Posca pens to go on top of acrylics. LOVE this video, my thanks. I did get your painting prompts e book. So that's good. Lesley Bribie Island Qld Oz.

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Leslie! I'm using 160gsm mixed media paper. I'm technically not using fluid paint, but the Nova Color paint is thinner than the other paints I typically use. It's closer to a high flow acrylic. I usually have to shake my Posca markers really well so they'll work over top acrylic paint. How are you enjoying the prompts download?

[@patticriss2238]

Love💙💙💙💙💙

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Patti!

[@puresunrays80]

Didn't see the face. When you threw down the acrylic skins it gave me an idea I'm going to try - get a handful or a few pieces of small collage scraps, hold them above the page and drop them. Then glue them where they land. It's interesting to see how the same prompt can create 3 very different pieces.

[@chrisloudart]

I love dropping collage or acrylic skins on my surface and running with it. I've also filled a brush with paint and let it drop on my canvas then closed my eyes scraped across the surface. You get a lot of really interesting and unpredictable patterns to start the painting with. As a note, you do have to be careful of paint splattering everywhere. 😲🖌️🎨

[@CarolBuie-e3v]

Do you gesso or add medium to paper Before you start adding acrylic? thanks

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Carol! I don't add anything if it's in my sketchbook, but if I'm using loose paper I will typically gesso it.

[@Tawadeb]

I like #3

[@chrisloudart]

Thank you, Debbie!

[@sunsong6850]

What tool did you use in the first pic ? It’s a like scraper?

[@chrisloudart]

It's a silicone bowl scraper - amzn.to/3I1UrMP . I use it quite often.

[@sunsong6850]

What size and kind is this sketch book? Beautiful!

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Sun! This is a 9"x12" mixed media notebook with 98lb (160 gsm) paper.

[@Venessa03-m2c]

What goes in your mind when you're creating these pieces?

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Venessa! Great question! I often ask myself that after I'm done painting. Usually I'm just reacting to what I'm seeing on the surface and trying to create something interesting.

[@wonderwend1]

I didn't see a face but I did see a jumping fish 😂

[@chrisloudart]

I think I know exactly what you're seeing. Seems like its a toss up between the face, dog, and fish as to what most people see. 😊

[@taketimetoseait396]

Found Nicholas Wilton ... Art2life😊

[@chrisloudart]

I'm a big fan of Art2Life!

[@michellecole4763]

It’s a head and face morphing in 4 captions. I saw a smoky skeletal looking back in a mirror to the subject looking in the mirror. Pic 1 I saw an alien with an astronaut’s helmet on. Plus

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Michelle! That’s such a cool interpretation! I love hearing what you see in the piece-it really adds another layer of intrigue. Thanks for sharing your perspective!

[@Karibee61]

FUCK A DUCK! These are fabulous and inspiring! I saw something creepy very ghostly. Love and peace from a very wet London UK ❤

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks, Kari! 😂 That's the way to grab some attention with a comment! Love it! Our weather patterns are always opposite of each other. It's very hot 🔥and dry in Colorado right now. Sending some your way!

[@Karibee61]

@@chrisloudart I get enthralled and excited by brilliant artists you see. BTW, that ghostly image looked like it was in several film frames shaking it's head. I still haven't recovered from the new Alien film Romulus 🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisloudart]

It definitely looks like these are film frames. What did you think of Alien: Romulus?

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

I see a "face" profile before he turned it around. It was still there when he turned a 2nd time (with spine on the right). The face I see isn't a ghost and it's probably not where he saw his ghost... I do see a figure in the far right yellow "square" with the eye. The figure is not a ghost, just a figure in a yellowish-white robe...

[@chrisloudart]

I don't think we're seeing the same face, but I'll go look and see if I can find the face and figure that you found.

[@karenavery3672]

Abstract painting is the hardest type to do. I do fluid art and alcohol ink but can’t seem to get started with abstract art😢

[@chrisloudart]

@@karenavery3672 Hey Karen! It can be challenging, but once it clicks it's so much fun. Fluid art is pretty abstract, just a different method.😊 You got this!

[@UNKUHNOODLES]

OOO ERRR!!!! The face kinda looka like the infamous actress "Linda Blair"!!!!😲

[@chrisloudart]

Oh yeah, it really does look like Linda Blair!!!

[@bonnieacurl]

So with the second one, did you let the blue dry before you added the yellow? Tx

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Bonnie! Yes, I dried it with a hair dryer for about 30 seconds. These were fairly thin layers of paint so they didn't take very long to dry.

[@helenowen5006]

i can't see the face! Great painting ideas. Thank you

[@chrisloudart]

Thanks so much, Helen! When I pull the tape off it's just right of center😊

[@nathanmaber1276]

I see faces everywhere 😂

[@chrisloudart]

😂😂

[@denises9455]

❤I see a dog face ❤

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Denise! I believe the dog face is the same area as the other face, just turned in a different orientation 😊 The dog face is what I see now whenever I look at this painting.

[@colormeabstract3981]

What type of paint I do love on a limited income but please share Type & equivalent to Thank You Be so ever blessed.

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Jayson! I'm mainly using Liquitex Basics and Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic paints. Liquitex Basics are relatively inexpensive and you can usually find deals on them. I hope that helps.

[@colormeabstract3981]

@chrisloudart Ok thank you I am on retired very fixed income I buy from Walmart & hope it is equal to Thank you Love your work

[@chrisloudart]

@colormeabstract3981 Create with whatever tools and paints are at your disposal. I've bought a few paints, markers and sketchbooks from Walmart. I'm not sure if they still sell them, but they used to sell Grumbacher paints that are decent and fairly inexpensive.

[@christinewebster3384]

Is that acrylic paint

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Christine! Yes, I'm using acrylics. That's primarily what I paint with now.

[@devorahstone4865]

Hi

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Devorah!

[@carolyncooper]

I saw two faces, one human, one a dog profile.

[@chrisloudart]

I think we're seeing the same thing, Carolyn!

[@cindywine4660]

It’s so hard to know when to quit

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Cindy! I totally get that! Knowing when to stop can be tricky, but sometimes it’s just about trusting your instincts. Keep practicing, and it’ll get easier!😊

[@karlapeterson9670]

No face for me 😊

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Karla! How about a dog or a fish? Those are the other two figures being seen in that painting.

[@karlapeterson9670]

@ , I don’t recall seeing either. I enjoyed your video and it inspired me to try a few of your prompts. That’s something I’ve never done before. Fun!

[@chrisloudart]

@karlapeterson9670 Thanks, Karla! I'm glad you're having fun trying the prompts. 😊

[@kathandterry2]

No faces for me

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Kathy! How about a dog or a fish? Those are the two other figures that people are seeing.

[@WPMaine]

saw the face

[@chrisloudart]

Glad it's not just me! Thanks.

[@LivingLifeInOttawa]

I saw a tiny face

[@chrisloudart]

Hey Sherry! The face I see is pretty small as well.😊