Abstract #17

Abstract #17

Gouache and Ink, 4x4 on Paper

When I started this series of abstract paintings in gouache, I had initially thrown my first painting aside.  After taking another look I added some pen-work to the painting, and it came alive.  So I had to renumber my series, and in doing so, I realized that the original #3, this painting, needed the same kind of revision.  That allowed me to renumber the "old #3" as the "new #17."

The original concept here was to use blue and its complement orange to create composition around the colors yellow, red, and purple. The later addition of more lines and separation keeps the composition from becoming lost in its own complexity.

Abstract #1

Abstract #1

Gouache and Ink, 4x4 on paper

This is the first painting I had done as a purely abstract painting.  It was inspired by the work of Japanese artist, Hiroshi Matsumoto - check his Facebook page.  

I was not really pleased with the result, but I liked it enough to continue.  After doing 16 other paintings in the series of 20, I took another look at this original piece.  The basic color was good, but it lacked definition and separation, so I added ink lines which made a huge difference!

I had initially set my goal to use primary colors in gouache, and I continued with that standard through the rest of the paintings.

Abstract #16

Abstract #16

Gouache and Ink, 4x4 on Paper

This is number 16 of 20 in this series or exercises in abstract painting.  My goal was to use the warm corner of the color wheel for my primaries in this painting - red, cadmium yellow, a little quinacridone violet, and an old favorite, burnt sienna (which is not a primary, but....).  I worked with smooth textures on the top and broken textures on the bottom.  I placed the focal area in the center of the composition to see if it would work in a square format - I think it does.
 

Abstract #15

Abstract #15

 Gouache and Ink, 4x4 on Paper

This is number 15 in the series of small, 4x4 abstract paintings.  For this painting, my goal was to use just ultramarine blue, lemon yellow, and cadmium yellow and let the green develop from that combination.  I started with blue in the upper left corner and yellow in the lower right.  I set 3 white areas on the "horizon line" for architectural structure and let the painting grow organically.

Abstract #14

Abstract #14

Ink and Gouache, 4x4 on Paper

This is number 14 in my series with a goal of 20 abstract paintings using gouache and ink line.  I set a challenge on this painting to use just 2 main colors, blue and yellow with their near complements purple and green. My goal was to create a composition that demonstrated the contrasts between value, color intensity, and hue to show which contrasts captured and held they eye best.  In my opinion, value wins hands, down.
 

Abstract 13

Abstract #13

Ink and Gouache, 4x4 on paper

This is number 13 in the series of 4x4 abstract paintings using primarily primaries.  My goal on this painting was to use only organic areas and ink lines to create interesting forms with mainly yellow and its interaction with the other primaries and secondaries.
 

Abstract #12

Abstract #12

 Gouache and Ink, 4x4 on paper

For this painting - number 12 in the series - I set my goal to use primary colors to create contrast in form, value, color, line, and placement. My goal was for the white rectangle on a stable "plinth" to be the balance for the organic nature of the rest of the composition.