How to Make Your Own Art: 3 DIY Abstract Painting Ideas
We are going to make three DIY abstract paintings. I found three beautiful pieces when browsing through Pinterest. I’ll walk you through the process I use when recreating abstract art, the materials I use, and how I cut costs in the process of creating easy DIY abstract paintings.
Painting 1
Here’s a print that used to be sold by Studio Somee. It’s a super simple design with big blocky shapes and just two colors. Here’s how to make your own abstract art look like this one.
1. Prep your workspace
Hang a canvas directly on the wall.
2. Sketch the outline
With a soft pencil, create the design of the original piece of art on the canvas. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
3. Add base layers
I’m adding the first layer of paint on the canvas. I use acrylic paints. It’s kind of splotchy now, but it’s the first layer that will be covered up by the final color. I added a blue and a reddish-orange. Just fill in all the white and let your base dry, which shouldn’t take too long–about half an hour or so.
4. Add the next layers of paint
I went darker with cerulean blue and black paint. I matched the color in the picture the best I could. I also went darker on the orange. Let everything dry overnight.
5. Final layer and touch up
As a tip, if you are painting large canvases, I suggest heading to a paint department or paint store and buying sample pots of acrylic paint. Those are cheaper than buying tubes of paint. So, don’t skimp the third and final layer. But if you are in doubt, add more layers of paint for a professional look.
After the final layer, go in and touch up any ragged edges on your pattern using a smaller brush. Here’s the final result!
Painting 2
I’m going to recreate a painting by a Scandinavian artist and architect named Ludwig Holtenas.
We’re going to go through the exact same steps as the previous painting. I’ll sketch it out as best I can, adding base layers, and using the same colors as I used in the first painting.
Rotate your canvas
It’s okay to turn your canvas as you paint so you can paint awkward areas easily.
Mixing paint
If you can’t figure out how to mix the same color as the original piece of art, just start small and try tiny bits of paint mixed in until you get a color you like.
It looks pretty convincing as the original!
Painting 3
The last painting comes from a home tour on Apt. 34. In the article, they don’t credit the artist, so I don’t have the source. But here’s what I did to replicate it.
1. Repurpose a used canvas
Someone left a canvas with a painting on it in our lobby so I thought it would be great to repurpose it for this project. I painted over the canvas with a couple of coats of latex house paint using a roller.
2. Draw lines
I drew vertical lines down the canvas after the paint was dry. Then I masked off the parts I wanted to paint white. I used painter's tape and I eyeballed the section instead of measuring it.
3. Fill in with paint
I painted the masked-off area with three layers of cheap white acrylic craft paint. After the paint was dry, I removed the tape.
Here’s the result! It was super easy.
How to make DIY abstract paintings
Did you think it was easy to do these DIY abstract paintings? Have you made your own abstract artwork? Let me know in the comments if you think you can make your own abstract art for your home, even if you don’t consider yourself an artist!
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