1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Painting

How to Paint Abstracts from a Photo

By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com

9 of 10

Keep Going and Build On What Went Before

How to Paint Abstracts

Let the painting go where it wants to.

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

Keep going, building on what's already done. But resist the temptation to use too many colors, that easily looks garish.

Consider using different size brushes, different consistency paints, and transparent as well as opaque colors. Don't think and intellectualise the process. Go with your instinct. Let the painting evolve.

And if your instinct isn't telling you anything? Well, just start somewhere, put some paint down anywhere. Then some next to it. Then some over both of these. Try a wider brush. Try a narrower brush. Experiment. See what happens.

If you don't like it, paint over it (or scrape it off) and start again. The lower layers of paint will add texture to the new ones.

Explore Painting

About.com Special Features

Scrapbook Technique Gallery

Use these ideas to inspire your own uniquely beautiful pages. More >

Price Your Collectibles

Find out how much your treasured collection is worth. More >

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Painting
  4. Abstract Art
  5. Abstract Art : How to Paint Abstracts from a Photo : Keep Going and Build On What Went Before

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.