Fancy making colourful, feel-good art with zero rules? Discover how to create abstract paintings the easy, joyful way, perfect for beginners. This fun guide shares simple techniques, supplies, and tips to help you start splashing paint and loving every messy minute.
How to Create Abstract Paintings
Ever looked at an abstract painting and thought, “I could do that… couldn’t I?” Well, yes, you absolutely can, and it’s going to feel brilliant. Abstract art is all about freedom: no need to draw perfectly, no pressure to make it “look like something”, just pure colour, shape, feeling and fun. Today we’re chatting through how to create abstract paintings in the most laid-back, beginner-friendly way possible. Grab a brew, put some music on, and let’s make a mess together. Promise you’ll walk away excited to start your first piece!
Why Bother Learning How to Create Abstract Paintings?
Because it’s one of the kindest things you can do for your brain and your heart. Abstract painting lets you express whatever mood you’re in, angry red slashes when life feels chaotic, soft blue swirls when you need calm, joyful yellow splatters when everything’s going right. It’s brilliant for stress-busting, building confidence, and discovering what colours and marks make you happy. Once you know how to create abstract paintings, you’ve got a lifelong creative outlet that costs very little and gives back so much. Plus there’s that magic moment when you step back and think, “I actually made that!”
What You’ll Need to Get Started
No need to spend a fortune. Here’s a simple, happy shopping list:
- Acrylic paints (start with a basic set plus white and black)
- Canvas boards or stretched canvas (cheap and ready to go)
- Brushes in different sizes (big flats for sweeping, smaller ones for detail)
- Palette knife (great for thick texture and scraping)
- Old plate or plastic palette Water pot, kitchen roll or rags
- Optional extras: pouring medium, impasto gel, spray bottle, old credit card for scraping
hat’s it! You’re ready to explore how to create abstract paintings right now.
Step-by-Step: How to Create Abstract Paintings (No Rules Version)
Here is a simple plan to follow when learning how to paint with acrylics:
- Protect everything and play your favourite playlist: Cover the table, wear old clothes, and choose music that matches the mood you want to paint.
- Start with a background: Pick 1–3 colours that feel good today. Brush, pour, or sponge them on. Let them blend wet or dry in patches, whatever looks nice.
- Make your first marks: Grab a big brush or palette knife and add big, bold shapes, circles, lines, zigzags. Don’t think too hard; just move.
- Build layers: Wait for bits to dry (acrylics are quick!), then add more. Try lighter colours over dark, or thin glazes for glow. Scrape back with a knife or card to reveal hidden colours underneath.
- Add texture and interest: Squeeze thick paint straight from the tube, flick with a brush, drip from a height, or spritz water to make blooms. Messy is good!
- Step back and decide: Walk away for five minutes, then look again. Add a pop of bright colour, soften an edge, or leave it exactly as it is. Trust your gut.
- Finish and celebrate: Sign it (bottom right or wherever feels right), let it dry fully, and stand back proudly. You just learned how to create abstract paintings!
Extra Tips to Make It Even More Fun
- Limit your colours to three or four so it stays harmonious.
- Turn the canvas round halfway through, fresh eyes see new possibilities.
- Try painting with your non-dominant hand for looser marks.
- Keep a “play canvas” for experiments, no masterpiece pressure.
- Embrace drips, blobs and “mistakes”, they often become the best bits.
- Photograph each stage, it’s lovely to see the journey.
Conclusion
There you have it, a big, warm hug of a guide on how to create abstract paintings! No rules, no judgement, just you and the paint having a lovely time together. The best bit? Every single piece is completely yours, full of your mood, your energy, your story. So go on, squeeze some colour, make a mark, and see what happens. I’d love to know what feeling or colour you’re going to start with. Drop it in the comments below (and if you make something, share a photo. I’ll be cheering you on!).
FAQ
Q: Do I need to be artistic to learn how to create abstract paintings?
A: Not at all! It’s more about feeling than skill.
Q: What’s the easiest paint for abstract paintings?
A: Acrylics, quick-drying, affordable, and very forgiving.
Q: How do I know when my painting is finished?
A: When it feels complete to you. There’s no wrong answer.
Q: Can I sell my abstract paintings?
A: Lots of people do! Start small and see what people love.
Q: How messy is creating abstract paintings?
A: Delightfully messy, wear old clothes and protect surfaces!
