How to start an Abstract painting
Especially for the novice painter, commencing an abstract painting can be intimidating. There are no visual clues or subject references which realistic painting offers. I will briefly describe the process I often use – the ‘drag painting’ technique. Gerhardt Richter is probably most noted for this method. I recommend using hardboard or primed plywood panels, preferably large and reinforced to keep them straight. Using the board instead of canvas takes more setup but helps immensely with the process when it comes time to literally drag paint across the surface. This drag technique is an excellent way to start an abstract painting.
It is best to work flat. Squeeze out the colors you want across the board, with a liberal use of white. These might appear as semi-planned globs on the hard panel. Take a squeegee and pressing hard go from one side to the other in a firm, deliberate pass across the board. Keep working yourself down the panel in this manner,dragging the pigment horizontally. Try to be quite firm to leave a minimum of paint on the surface. Stand back and admire the accidents and surprises that will come from this effort. I am always surprised at the affects that are created. It is necessary to wipe and clean off the squeegee through the process so that each swipe is fairly clean.
This can be done in one sitting. I rarely consider this the final step in developing an abstract painting but this provides an excellent background or base to work from. I set this aside to dry for about two weeks. If I am anxious to work on it, setting it out in the sun speeds up the drying. I try to have a couple of these laying around to work on after they dry. The purpose of this brief article is to give you an idea how to start an abstract painting. This drag technique will give you an excellent way to get paint on the surface. It is certainly possible to make it tonally very deep or very light depending on the colors you use. White will quickly be absorbed. You will quickly discover the best locations to apply the ‘gobs’ of pigment. Admittedly this does tend to waste expensive oil paint. What you do get, as a beginner or a novice is an very creative way to create a base for your painting. It already has the look of an oil painting.
Canvas of course can be used though the effect is not as dramatic. If you use store bought canvas, I suggest at least two coats of gesso first to fill the exposed pattern of canvas — in other words the smoother surface, the better. I intend in the near future to do a demo video which will quickly explain this process more completely.