How to Create Abstract Art Using an Intuitive Painting Process | Watercolors and Mixed Media

A big part of my painting process is all about play and experimentation. The best way to experiment is to take risks and try new things every chance I get. Of course, this also means I might give myself some challenges to overcome. And in this weeks video, I show you just how I do that. It's important for me to approach creativity in a way that allows for learning, stretching my skills and not always creating the same thing. When I do this with self-compassion, I give myself everything I need to be successful.
#intuitive_watercolor_painting #mixed_media #abstract_watercolor
Here’s a list of the materials I used for this painting: (***I now have the ability to monetize my site. This means I can include links to the products I use and when you make a purchase using these links, I will get a small commission. You won't pay extra for doing this and you will help me earn a little bit of money along the way, so I can continue doing this work. Please note that I will only ever add links to products that I actually like and use. Thanks in advance!***)
* Watercolor paper (Stratmore, cold pressed - amzn.to/43sb0L9)
* Artist tape - amzn.to/3oMMaGT
* Water
* Paper towel (I like to reuse mine and then use the colored ones for backgrounds)
* Wooden skewer
* Piñata Brass Alcohol Ink - amzn.to/42qapYV
* Daniel Smith watercolors in Quinacridone Burnt Orange and Phtalo Turquoise - amzn.to/43s5lVf
* Kremer Pigmente watercolor in Star Gold
* Round brushes in size 8 and 14 and a flat brush - amzn.to/3MW1dWD
* Micro mini brush - amzn.to/3J0zfaU
* Black fountain pen by Pilot - amzn.to/3P2nXGZ
* Namiki ink - amzn.to/43ObLOh
* Pentel Slicci fine tip pen - amzn.to/3N0O7Y6
* Brush tip pen - amzn.to/3p1wDCV
The music for this video was provided by the You Tube Audio library:
Thank you Jesse Gallagher for your wonderfully zen creations!
I recorded my video using my iPhone 12 and edited my video using iMovie.
My thumbnail was created using Canva.com. Many of its features are free and so easy to use!
** You can also find me on Instagram under gabrielle_anna_cormier_art **
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or post comments. One of the things that brings me the most joy in being here on KZbin is connecting with you all every week. Thank you for that!
And most of all, thank you for watching! Have a great week and happy creating!
Gabrielle :)

[@Miastrong930]

There is a song that has a line in it that I did not understand. It puzzled me. The line is: "You gotta get in to get out." Years later, suddenly I understood. The only way out is to out is through it. Now, I always smile when I am reminded of it. It helps me when things get tough. I still have to dive in, but with an ironic smile on my face, I can't help but be optimistic about coming out at the other end. 😊

[@Love2Create62]

Song by Genesis?

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

YES YES YES to all of this!!! ❤️❤️❤️ The way through IS the way out in just about most situations in life. 🥰 Thank you so much for making the time to connect and share this with me (with us)! There is something hopeful and optimistic about knowing that at some point, we will get through and we will have learned so much along the way. Now I want to find this song and add it to my motivational songs list 😁

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

I'm going to be deep diving into Genesis albums to find it ☺️

[@Love2Create62]

Gabrielle it is called "Carpet Crawlers" I haven't watched your video yet, but I will tonight!

[@Miastrong930]

Yes, it is Carpet Crawlers. I'm so happy you all found it.

[@cheriew1428]

Never give up! You persevered and produced a beautiful painting ❤ Take care of you.❤❤❤ Thank you for sharing this process with us.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much! ❤️☺️ It means a lot!

[@dw2759]

That was just what I needed - beautiful colours and so very relaxing! Thank you.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

💕☺️ I'm so happy you enjoyed this video! Thank you for making the time to watch and connect ❤️

[@martinelindemann481]

Hey Gabrielle, you are ammmazing , it's not only about painting 😊 It's also about enjoying and feel good .... ♥️🙏♥️🙂

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Martine ❤️🤗 Thank you so much for being so kind to me, for making time to watch my video and for reaching out to connect! It means a lot 💕☺️

[@Blue-rd5lq]

Gorgeous colours, and they blend so beautifully. I love the finished painting, it reminds me of layered landscapes as if looking out of a window at different times. As it went through several metamorphoses I admired your trust in your intuition and your willingness to make changes. Thank you for taking the time despite not feeling at your best. You are right about listening to what our bodies and minds need. It is too easy to be negative with ourselves. I wish you a peaceful, pain free week 💙 🦅 💫

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you for your kind words Bernice ☺️❤️ Your comment touches me like a big warm hug! What a gift 💝 I appreciate you and your compassion soul 🤗

[@TinyFreya59]

Today I was drawn to watch your video. I was enjoying it and was very interested in your process but wasn’t quite sure why I was being called to watch this… then you started talking about your pain and how it had adversely affected your work. That hit me between the eyes. I’ve been struggling with a pretty severe rheumatoid arthritis flare up for about a month now..lots of pain, just feeling tired and dull. I haven’t liked much of anything I’ve painted in this time and had started some really negative self talk around the lines of “you really suck at this, why are you wasting your time” mini meltdown over my own watercolor work. Your struggle and honest talk about how pain has affected you and how you worked your way through it and out of it was JUST what I needed to hear. So please know that your work and your videos are helping and touching others in ways that I’m sure you never expected. Thank you for being the light I needed to illuminate the path to get out of my own way.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

❤️💕❤️ your words mean more to me than you could ever know! Thank you for making the time to reach out and share your experience 🤗 I’m sorry to see you’re struggling with so much pain and at the same time I appreciate how much I too can relate to your experience. Creativity helps me so much, as long as I can be gentle with myself along the way. I am so thankful you are here and again, thank you for making the time to connect with me 💕🤗

[@conniejenskindsfather979]

So happy to have found you. Enjoyed your honesty as well as technique. Great colors and design along with courage to try new things. Beautiful painting. I learned a lot. Patience is a gift we give ourselves.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Oh how I love that!!! ❤️ ''Patience is a gift we give ourselves.'' YES!!! Thank you for making the time to watch and connect with me! I appreciate you being here 💕

[@maureenshaw1587]

Dear Gabrielle, so glad you stuck with your piece, it's gorgeous, as usual! Hope you feel well again very soon, thank you for sharing your art with us. 🥰🥰🥰

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Maureen ❤️🤗 Your kindness and compassion are such a nice gift! Thank you so much 💕

[@maureenshaw1587]

@@gabrielleannacormierart 🥰🥰🥰

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Thank you for sharing the process. It's encouraging to watch you work through this painting!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Joyce ❤️🤗 It's a pleasure to share! I'm so appreciative that you make time to watch and connect 🥰

[@CHARUL814]

Thank you for sharing how you feeling and the process. The result of sticking with your painting is absolutely gorgeous landscape. Love it. Sending you healing light and positive energy. Hope you feel better soon. You are amazing as always ❤

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much for being a beacon of love and light ❤️☺️ Your kindness and compassion are always such a gift and I appreciate you! 🤗

[@CHARUL814]

@@gabrielleannacormierart thank you 🙏

[@gabydavis10]

So funny you were about to give up on this painting because to me it’s one of the prettiest ones - then again I feel like this every time I see your finished product. 😂. Love those colors together I guess. Hope your neck is getting better soon !! ❤

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Gaby ❤️🤗 Stepping away from it for a little while and giving my neck a chance to relax helped ☺️ I love these colors too and I'm so happy I was able to turn things around both mentally and creatively. I appreciate that you made the time to watch and I appreciate your kindness, always 🤗

[@julieboyle170]

Your intuition and persistence paid off in the end. Thank you for sharing your feelings and patience with yourself.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Julie ❤️🤗 Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate that you not only made the time to watch, but it's always so lovely to connect 🤗

[@tuckerdinnes2132]

Thank you for sharing your process...those colours are stunning together! I love the final painting! ✨

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much for your kind words! ❤️☺️

[@jcyr360]

L'ajout de l'encre dorée crée un très bel effet. Merci de partager ton processus intérieur c'est inspirant. Enfin, que la médecine de l'aigle qui a passé dans ton tableau t'apporte sa sagesse. Bonne semaine créative🙂

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Merci mille fois ❤☺ J'apprécie beaucoup tes mots encourageants et ta gentillesse 🥰 Bonne semaine créative à toi aussi!

[@sarahmalm9684]

Would you ever consider zooming in on the area where you are doing the mark making? I would love to see it closer. When is zoom in the video it reduces the quality of the video. I love watching your work. Thanks!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you for reminding me to do this more often! I’ve done it in other videos, but I don’t always do it and it seems that it could be helpful ☺️ I appreciate you making the time to reach out and your kind words mean a lot to me. ❤️

[@donnamorina7846]

First off, good for you taking self care, that is most important. The colors in this painting are wonderful together and the process you shared in completing it was valuable for the insight about having patience. I am still learning and it’s easy to get frustrated and give up. Walking away from what I’m doing and coming back to it gives me perspective. I did have an oops moment once when I got impatient for my salt to dry and used a hairdryer. The result was the salt became permanently stuck to the paper but I loved the texture! Part of creating for me has been about letting go and perseverance. I give you credit for helping me discover what I love and for your kind words of encouragement. Stay well 😊

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Aww ❤️ Donna, this means so much to me! I appreciate your kind words and I love reading about your perspective on learning to paint. And, I just love the oops moments that lead to something we really like - isn't it so much fun to learn like this?! I am so happy you're having fun learning and creating 🥰 I applaud you for your own perseverance! Thank you also for your compassion and for making time to connect 🤗

[@MsMoniqueWilson]

I really love how this turned out. Great lesson here. Thank you!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Monique ❤️☺️ I'm so glad it worked out and that you enjoyed it! It was a journey for sure and I'm happy I stuck with it. Thank you for your kindness 🤗

[@KarenPScott]

Chronic pain has been hard for me too. I have all but stopped painting for a few months. Pain surely interferes with my creativity. But am coming out of it now hopefully. Your beautiful colors definitely gave me a little lift this evening. You are inspiring!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Karen ❤️🤗 Thank you for sharing part of your journey with and thank you for your kindness and compassion 🥰 Pain can be so consuming and I understand how it can interfere with creativity. I hope you can get a break from it and get back to creating soon even if it needs to happen with lots of body wellness pauses. Sending lots of love and light your way 🤗✨💕

[@jlesliejournals]

This is gorgeous. I love the colors.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much ❤️🤗

[@beautyforashesisaiah6137]

Hello Gabrielle just seeing you for the first time, I love this painting. Want to try one. I'm sorry if it's already been asked but are you related to CreationsCeCe? Your accent, mannerisms, laugh, approach to painting are very similar to her. Just wondering. Thanks

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hello and thank you for making the time to watch my video! ❤️ No, CeeCee and I are not related. But, we are both French Canadian (she is from Quebec and I am from New-Brunswick) and I LOVE her work! She was one of the first artists I connected with on KZbin and I can safely say she is my favorite watercolor teacher. So, I am sure I have been influenced by her approach to creating. Thank you for the lovely compliment - she is a lovely person to be compared to! 💕

[@dotmorton4540]

Dot from the UK Hi Gabrielle, this painting turned out just great, perhaps somewhat experimental but you got there in the end. It's so good to watch artists like yourself taking risks, you may want to try things yourself but are reluctant to do so, you show that you can and should try new things for the sake of your art. It's the only way to improve and progress. It was interesting to hear you say you had not used alcoholic ink before, Froyle from Froyle Art uses mixed media with amazing results. Denise Love also uses various makes of mediums. I was watching her earlier and she was testing a comparison of 16 different gold paints. One of which was Golden's mica flakes which are flakes suspended in a glue type substance, I thought it resembled golden grains of sand on the beach. I thought you could use that instead of leaving salt on your painting for texture as you mentioned in your commentary. Overall, very enjoyable. I was wondering if there was a special name for the type of art you did in this video, I have seen it before, horizontal lines of colour and embellished with some kind of pattern, I want to try it myself? Well, I'll get off my soapbox now, until next time happy painting, lots of love from the UK, Dot x.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Dot ❤️☺️ Thank you for your kind words and for sharing this information with me! I had used alcohol inks before, just never with watercolors. I loved the effects they created so I’ll definitely use them in this way again. ☺️ I love Denise Love’s channel too - I’ll have to check out more of her content! I have yet to discover Froyle’s channel though and now I’m curious. I would call this mixed media abstract (and experimental) artwork. I really didn’t have a plan in mind for the painting. I just wanted to experiment with the alcohol ink combined with the watercolors and then also experiment with my marks. For me this is primarily a great way to learn and if the results happen to turn out nicely, that’s just a bonus. ☺️ Thank you so much for making the time to share and connect! ❤️ Sending you well wishes and great big hugs from New England USA 🤗

[@brendacollinsdeeks7268]

I learned so much from watching you work through this project and loved your final piece. 🥰

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much Brenda ❤️☺️ I appreciate your kindness and presence here!

[@allisonjames2923]

In case anyone is interested, the metallic alcohol inks are the least movable inks. If you want more movement within your watercolour, use a drop of alcohol or blending solution first before you add the metallic, or use a transparent colour instead of a metallic. It does dry super fast still due to the absorbency of paper & evaporation, but you’ll get more effect

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Yes, I agree! They dry very fast and don't move much. Still, it's fun to experiment ☺️ Thank you for sharing this interesting tip! I will give it a try too ❤️

[@allisonjames2923]

I often wonder if abstract art provides a window to the spirit world, as it’s amazing how we can have an idea in mind, but the painting doesn’t agree. And how many times faces & animals appear in completely abstract pieces

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

I love what you say here Allison ❤️ I believe everything is connected energetically and so it does not surprise me when recognizable beings appear in my artwork and paint. Eagles appeared in two of my favorite fluid paintings and birds show up for me often. ✨💕✨

[@suemahoney5431]

Thank you so much for your channel, I’ve had a creative block for a couple of years due to changes in my life but you have helped me to get back to painting again, I love your abstract work and your explanations thanks again

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Sue ❤️☺️ Thank you so much for making the time to connect and share part of your journey with me! I’m so happy to see you’re feeling motivated and inspired to paint again. It has been so healing for me and I hope it can bring more joy and zen into your life. Thank you for your kindness 🤗

[@nancyweisser3910]

Intuitive using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious seasoning. You must be trying to tell yourself something♥️♥️♥️

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

So much love for you Nancy ❤️🤗 Thank you for being here "with" me!

[@deannamunro8148]

speaking of salt, have you ever mixed some watercolour paint on your palet with salted water? and if so, does it change the way it reacts on your paper?

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Deanna ☺️ I have actually not tried this (not knowingly anyway!) I’m curious about this too now, but I would probably prefer to mix the paint on a different surface just in case it does something I don’t want to do again 😂 In my mind, I think it might not have any effect because I think the salt doesn’t really dissolve on the paper when I sprinkle it, but more so, it think it reacts with the paper to repel the paint. BUT, I really don’t know any of this as a fact so why not give it a try and see what happens ☺️ thanks for making the time to connect ❤️

[@sarahstevenson2384]

I really love this, a favourite colour combination of mine and all the doodles bring it all together … gorgeous!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kindness and I'm so happy you enjoyed it ❤️☺️

[@xkini07]

This was a bit of a nail biter but you got through it with nice results. I love your perseverance.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hehe!! It was a nail biter for me too, Cynthia 😂 Thank you for sticking it out with me! I appreciate your kindness ❤️

[@jlm517rocks]

each make here is so much than paper & paint.. you are the eagle...

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Aww, Judy ❤️🤗 Your kindness always shines through in your comments! Thank you so much for being you 🥰

[@patvalenzuela5105]

It worked out ok. I like it. The colors are beautiful.

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you!! ❤️☺️ I love these colors too!

[@susanhamilton1822]

You just earned yourself a new subbie. :)

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

💝 Yay!!!! Thank you so much for joining us, Susan! ☺️ I appreciate you watching and making the time to connect!

[@DeAzul7902]

How funny....we see it in our own ways & I love it!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

❤️☺️ thank you so much for your kindness!

[@zoedj]

I love the way it turned out!!!!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much!! ❤️ In the end, I really ended up loving it too ☺️

[@lindavandevel6975]

Verry beautiful done❤❤❤❤❤

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you so much for your kindness ❤️

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much Gabrielle I really really enjoyed watching you painting and I really really appreciate it when you took us all through the bit’s that didn’t work for you, and it’s always so helpful to see when and how you corrected it too. And I really really love ❤️ the end result too. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags ❤❤❤

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Ah yes! This was a fun process and one that also challenged me ☺️ It’s neat to be able to work through a challenge and come out on the other end with a result I loved. ☺️ Thank you for watching and for being so kind Mags ❤️🤗

[@Love2Create62]

Oh wow, that one turned out to be so pretty after you used the flat brush! You're always so good at knowing what kind of changes need to be made, to make a painting come together! I'm sorry you are in such pain. I live with chronic pain and it can be depressing. It's ok for you to have a pity party!! If I get real down about something, I give myself grace and allow myself to be down for the day. I hope you start feeling better my friend! Have a good week! 🫶

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Hi Lori ❤️🤗 That flat brush has saved a number of paintings 😁 Thank you for your kind and compassionate words 💕 Sometimes it feels like I wake up to a new pain every day (ah the joys of menopause and aging 😂). Thankfully, wisdom, patience and self-compassion seem to also grow with age so I guess I can't complain too much, but some days are definitely easier than others. I'm sorry you also deal with chronic pain and at the same time I'm glad to see you know how to offer yourself the TLC you need when you need it. Sending you lots of love and great big hugs along with wishes for a wonderful week my friend 🤗💕

[@alineroberts]

J'adore ce tableau. 💕

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Merci beaucoup Aline 🤗💕

[@DrJones-nh4my]

I loved the first version also. It only goes to show that an artist must push herself and be satisfied with her own work, too. Both versions were beautiful but the second one was slightly better. :)

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and for sticking it out to the end! ❤️☺️

[@deannamunro8148]

love your art!

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Thank you Deanna ❤️🤗

[@Diane-cv7jb]

💛💛💖

[@gabrielleannacormierart]

Merci beaucoup ma tante Diane ❤️🤗 Je t'envoie beaucoup d'amour! xoxo

[@Diane-cv7jb]

@@gabrielleannacormierart XO