It is only someone’s opinion as to what makes good abstract art. However, it can be taken for granted that there will be certain aspects of a painting that will appeal to the majority of viewers. Experts who study paintings will have there own opinion concerning whether a painting can be classified as good abstract art. The vast number of art viewers will either accept the experts opinion or not. For example, a Jackson Pollock abstract drip painting will have experts drooling over it. A large number of the public will probably struggle to see what all the fuss is about!
We have tried a Jackson Pollock style painting and it was difficult to paint, believe it or not. Your mind has to be in a certain zone to do it. It is not easy. Once you start the painting all sorts of thoughts go through your mind and decisions have to be made all through to the completed painting. Then doubts creep in. Is it complete? Is it conveying a message? Does it require more colour? Etc. etc.
Basically, all paintings need the following – colour, line, shape, value and texture. Within these are a list of other things each painting needs to make it a good abstract art piece. Experts long ago decided that there were certain parts of the canvas that should have for example, a focal point. The rule of thirds was used to identify where these focal points should occur.
The above painting is from David M Kessler, who was my tutor when I was learning abstract art. This painting shows the focal points on the thirds – areas of contrasting colour; areas of differing value; accent areas and parts of sharp ,hard changes of colour.
Good abstract art needs a combination of a range of colours together with interesting shapes. These shapes need to be of various sizes, large, small and anything in between. Lines can be horizontal – to represent the horizon; vertical for tall trees or buildings or diagonal to represent movement or speed. Value is the difference between light and dark areas. It is important in a painting to have these areas to view because they draw the eye to particular parts of interest in the painting. Areas known as Accent areas. Normally these accent areas are light coloured parts situated on the thirds. Mainly because experts have discovered that is where people look when viewing a painting.
Texture is another aspect that good abstract art requires. Smooth paintings can be interesting but a painting with raised areas and indented lines can also be even more interesting. Marks as they are known can be interesting for the viewer. Quite often painters will intentionally make areas of texture to add an area they want the viewer to focus their eye. The skill is to make this texture just enough but not too much within the painting. In other words, don’t cover the entire canvas with texture as it will prove too much for the viewer to take in. Be selective is the key.
Patterns are another interesting feature that the viewer likes to see in a painting. We like patterns. More and more of our recent paintings use patterns within the area of the canvas. The difficulty is to also convey the message we want to sent to the viewer. Colours can influence the way you feel and it is important to also convey this within the patterns.
Good abstract art needs a considerable amount within the painting. Colours are not enough. All the different aspects we have mentioned and loads more need to be in the painting to make it good. Hopefully, we can produce good abstract art that you would like on your wall.
Please browse our art and chose an art work that you like.