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How to Paint Abstracts from a Photo

By , About.com Guide

6 of 10

Don't Forget Tone (Lights and Darks)

How to Paint Abstracts

Consider the tones of the colors you use.

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

Don't neglect tone when painting an abstract, the lights and darks. If you squint at the photo, you'll see that the tonal range in this abstract at this stage is narrow.

Having such similar tones makes the painting very flat, despite the brightness of the colors. Making some areas darker and some lighter will give the painting more vibrancy.

And that gives the next direction to go with the painting... Continue working with the painting in this way, letting it evolve until you got to something that satisfied you. (I certainly wouldn't stop at where the painting in the photo is at the moment!)

And if it never does? Well, you've used up some paint and a canvas, that's not crucial. More important is that you've gained some experience, which will be with you when you work on your next painting.

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