Stages of Birthing an Abstract Painting: (the first three layers)

Exploring the layers of the painting are in fact building what we call the history of a painting, though I’d refer to it as her-story. This is a mini-view into a few of the stages I experience through my process of painting (on my way to completion) which can take a day, a week, a month and sometimes more than a year!

Abstract Painting First Layer

This layer is called the ‘playful stage’ or even just “the throw paint” ..on the paper.. stage. It is an instinctual stage where you pull in colors you are intuitively attracted to and draw, mark or make shapes with no particular purpose. It is playful in that you don’t yet have a purpose or even focal point per-say. It is more to just experience joy or a quiet meditation.

Abstract Painting Second Layer

This stage for me is about playing with color, changing the vibe or the feeling of the piece via using warm or cool tones and also starting to think about the shapes and how they interact with each other, and what they are expressing in the piece.

Abstract Painting the Third Layer

At this stage I am into more of an exploration, starting to think about things in terms of what ideas I am exploring during the process. Here is where I scratch in shapes, explore different hues and start to isolate areas of potential for me.

These are a few of the layers, I will be sharing more during my journey of completing the painting as well as show you the finished piece. Let me know what you think, if you have any questions, please let me know, comment or email me.