How To Produce An Abstract Image II - From Anarchy To
Abstraction
I want to go into a little more detail of the different ways you
can approach the enigmatic task of producing an abstract. In
this article we will look at the Anarchist and the Abstractist.
If you have an anarchistic attitude within you then abstract art
is for you. You will never run out of ideas - in fact even if
you had NO ideas then your temperament alone would find a most
fundermental mood swing or dark (and maybe on more rarer
occasions - light) moment to enrap you within its aggressive
drama and painful colours. Willem de Kooning's "Gotham News" is
a good example of anarchistic abstraction - just look at this
picture - http://ww
w.albrightknox.org/ArtStart/sKooning.html. Wild movement
mixed with such vigorous aggression.
Anarchists tend to be wildly demonstrative in their approach to
... everything! They have the potential to be able to utilize
almost anything at hand that might provide them with
contradictory ideas and totally original materials.
However, there is a big "down" side to what might be seen as the
almost perfect abstract artist. An Anarchistic attitude tends to
come from a tremendous sense of lacking in many areas. So things
like confidence can be a very fearful barrier to the power of a
creative flow. Therefore I believe that by working on some of
the practical ideas written below obstacles like shyness and
fear can slowly be weakened until finally the real artist begins
to rise out from the depths of darkness or light in an
increasingly "louder" manner.
The Abstractist is in many ways similar to the Anarchist. The
difference here is that the Abstractist mind has a colder
capability of "seeing" completely non-representative imaginings.
And although both the Abstractist and the Anarchist generally
produce work from deep within. The Anarchist cultivates a more
physical "anti" approach, whereas the Abstractist appears to
have the knack of actually visualizing dots, lines, and shapes
when looking at every day objects.
Notice the similarities between de Kooning's "Gotham News" and
Peter Lanyan's "Wreck" - http://www.ablot.com/wreck.ht
m Then take another look and seek to find any differences.
"Wreck" is very anarchistic, but there are at least two
variants. First the colours of "Wreck" give off an almost
tangible "landscape" feel. And secondly, Lanyan seems to have
made decisions when placing of lines and shapes. This is a
classical abstract attitude. Another fine Abstractist example
would be Howard Hodgkin.
OK lets practice. Get yourself a large piece of paper - any
paper ... even newspaper will do. You will need plenty of Red,
Blue, and Yellow (remember the practicals in Part I) acrylics or
cheap powder paints will be fine. A one fairly thin paint brush,
and one fairly thick. With the first attempt do not "think" of
anything other then lines. Place the paints in easy reach for
you to work quickly. Ready? Thin brush first - dip it deep into
any colour then quickly bring the brush into contact with the
paper - do not stop moving. Move in any direction. Paint faster.
Paint one continual line. As soon as the brush starts to run dry
dip it into paint - any of the colours. Keep doing this until
you have filled the paper with a mass of scribbles. Try this
about five or six times - not caring what is produced (you can
throw it away - no one needs to see it ... or you might want to
frame it!).
Now repeat the above practical only this time try using what is
sometimes called "short stroke" - which is precisely that.
Rather than one continual line, produce lots of short lines -
you decide on the length. But make sure you are still acting as
though it is one continual line - you are just lifting the brush
at the appropriate time. Repeat this a few times.
Next decide which you felt more at home with. Produce another
image in that way only this time look for shapes. When you see
one, load your brush and paint the outline of the shape - very
quickly. Finally get the thick brush and load it with a colour
and roughly fill in the shape. Carry on mark making - even if it
runs over any painted shapes.
Finally try again with line and shapes, and this time adding
something else - you decide. If you really cannot think of
anything try choosing any of the following: Screwing up the
whole paper, then unfolding it and carrying on painting; rip or
cut holes into the paper - and carry on painting; spatter (a
well used favourite) paint onto the paper; find rice, spagetti,
sand, earth, dust ... anything - pour it or sprinkle it - then
carry on painting ... the list is endless.
Of course you might not be at home with this ... too messy you
might say. Then, perhaps you might be a Surrealist - or maybe a
Visionary ... that will be the next article.