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5 abstract art ideas to try today

Do you admire abstract art but find the idea of creating it intimidating?

As an artist, shifting from representational to abstract art marks a new step in your artistic evolution, but it can be challenging to get started when you’re used to drawing from life. 

This genre rejects realistic representation to explore expression, mood, and emotional resonance through shapes, patterns, tones, and the spontaneity of improvisation. 

Therefore, the transition demands a radical rethink and intensifies the reliance on your imagination. 

The good news? All you need to do to create abstract art is try — with practice, you’ll find you have all you need to express yourself in this artistic style. 

So grab some paints and a canvas (either physical or digital) and get started with one of these five techniques!

5 abstract art ideas to inspire you

1. Acrylic pour painting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdphzazNjt4 

Acrylic pour painting is a playful and captivating approach to abstract art. It involves pouring vibrant acrylic fluids onto a canvas and then blending and swirling them to create spontaneous patterns and designs. 

With this method, you can find joy in the process of letting colors flow and mingle in unexpected ways, experiment with the type of fluid, angle, and height from which you pour, and tailor each piece to your unique vision. 

While you might be tempted to tweak the patterns as they form, there’s something magical about letting them evolve naturally, preserving the raw beauty of your creation. 

Acrylic pour painting invites you to let go of control, embrace unpredictability, and see where the journey takes you. 

So, why not give it a try? The canvas is your playground, and the only limit is your imagination.

2. Watercolor art

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10_L-nyklfA 

Watercolors offer a delightful avenue into abstract art, allowing you to manipulate the consistency of the paint to create captivating visuals that blossom before your eyes. 

If you find the concept of ‘abstractness’ a bit daunting, start with a more structured approach. Dip your brush into a watercolor paint, and let your intuition guide you to move it across the canvas — you might be amazed by where it takes you.

Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, go straight for the watercolor splatter technique. Start by flicking your wrist to release droplets of color onto wet watercolor paper, and watch as they spread, merge, and form patterns that seem to tell their own stories. 

Then, dive deeper into your creative exploration by blending colors directly on the paper or playing with the balance between the painted areas and white space.

Watercolor art invites you to embrace the unpredictable, find beauty in imperfection, and discover the boundless possibilities that lie within a single drop of paint. 

3. Textured abstract painting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_7PGKj17kE 

Unleash your creativity with textured abstract painting, a technique that adds a three-dimensional quality to your work and makes it jump off the page, inviting a deeper engagement.

An easy way to start is with impasto — a technique whose name comes from Italian and means “mixture”. It involves layering the paint on thickly so that the paintbrush or painting knife marks are clearly visible, adding depth, body, and intensity to your piece. 

Impasto art makes a bold statement that celebrates the physicality of the paint itself, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow on the canvas.

By experimenting with texture in abstract art, you can learn to see beyond the visual to the tactile and create art that the viewer can both see and feel.

4. Doodling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGm1CLY2tb4 

Doodling is a delightful corner of abstract drawing where your pen or pencil becomes an extension of your wandering thoughts. 

There’s no big secret to doodling — it’s all about freeing your mind and letting the patterns flow with no particular destination. 

The beauty of doodling lies in its simplicity and the freedom it offers. It’s an artistic expression that encourages you to let go and see where your imagination takes you.

Beyond its creative benefits, doodling has therapeutic applications — studies show that it reduces stress, helps you process emotions, and can even improve your memory. 

Doodling reminds us that art can also be an act of self-care, so give yourself permission to explore the vast landscapes of your mind with this technique.

5. Geometric Abstraction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvheWqwIFuo 

In the mesmerizing world of geometric abstraction, art breaks down into its most basic shapes and lines — yet speaks volumes. 

This form of abstract art invites you to see the world through a prism of geometric or linear forms that interlock, overlap, and play off one another in fascinating ways. 

Squares, circles, triangles, and lines converge to create compositions that are as intellectually engaging as they are visually stunning.

Through geometric abstraction, you can explore artistic movements like Cubism, which revolutionized the way we perceive form and space. 

By adopting this technique, you align with a tradition that challenges the norms, push the boundaries of expression and interpretation, and join a dialogue with the pioneers of modern art. 

It’s an invitation to experiment with structure and symmetry, find balance and tension within the canvas, and express complex ideas through form.

Explore, connect, thrive: join Playbook’s creative circle

Abstract art opens up a world of endless creativity and expression, and the journey can be even more rewarding when you’re part of a community that fosters growth, inspiration, and support. 

That’s where the Playbook Community comes in — a place where artists of all levels share resources, engage in uplifting discussions, and empower each other to explore the possibilities of abstract art. 

Here, you’ll find giveaways, competitions, and gifts that aim to help you push the boundaries of your work in a supportive environment. 

Join the Playbook Community today, and let’s create, explore, and inspire together.