How to Paint Abstracts from a Photo

Shapes and Patterns from Negative Space

Forget the original photo, concentrate on the negative space shapes.

Image: © 2006 Marion Boddy-Evans. Licensed to About.com, Inc.

With the photo removed, the shapes and patterns that negative space create are more obvious. Without the flowers there the brain doesn't insist on interpreting the shapes as 'flower', though it's likely you'll still find yourself trying to recognise objects. (A bit like when clouds look like things.)

• Using a Reference Photo as a Starting Point for Abstracts
• Look at the Negative Space for an Abstract
• Shapes and Patterns from Negative Space
• Filling Negative Space Shapes With Color
• Another Way to Start at an Abstract: Follow the Contours of the Shapes
• Don't Forget Tone (Lights and Darks)
• Another Way to Start an Abstract: Look at the Lines
• Repeat with Other Colors
• Keep Going and Build On What Went Before
• The Final Painting, with the Power of the Dark