Solo: Painting an Abstract

I was so jazzed after the workshop last week, that I wanted to try an abstract in my own studio using what I learned plus adding a few tricks of my own.

On this painting I wanted to try more organic shapes and suggest a subject matter. Oddly, I went for a floral, which is wierd since I hardly ever paint flowers. However, on this abstract I am only suggesting, not painting representationally.

 

Here is my start. I had so many fellow painters interested in the method used at the workshop that I decided to add more detail to the process this time.

At this point I have light and mid-values, so the next step is adding darks. I threw in some patterns, too.

 

The next step is adding some collage, so I went to my failed painting pile and found one with similar colors.

 

I cut shapes out of the painting above and collaged them on the peice to add texture, pattern and added detail.

 

Next I used the atomizer (a John Salminen trick) to soften and diminish some of the white. As he suggests, I made one corner cool, by using a blue mist and one corner warm by mixing a yellow with burnt sienna.

 

Here is a closeup of the atomizer effect.

 

Next I looked for areas to paint black. I cut out shapes using construction paper. When I was hppy with the placement, I used masking tape to cover the area, cut gently with a utility knife, peel off the cut shapes. Next I applied black acrylic to the negative shapes. The black paint makes a consistant, void which is hard to get with watercolor paints.

 

Here's the painting with the first bits of added black.

 

I came into the house with my images and used a technique fellow watercolorist, Linda Rothchild-Ollis shared. I put the image into Paintshop Pro and messed around with added black shapes and decided I like the drama more black created.

 

At this point I added a few lines and touched up a detail or two.

 

Untitled (as of yet) 22 x 30

Title suggestions?

Does it seem finished?