Master Thick, Abstract Strokes: Tips And Tricks

Creating thick and abstract brushstrokes can be achieved through a variety of techniques, tools, and mediums. Whether you're working with acrylic paint, watercolours, or digital art tools, there are numerous ways to achieve the desired effect. In this article, we will explore the different methods and provide step-by-step guides to help you master the art of abstract brushstrokes. From choosing the right brushes and palette knives to experimenting with various textures and shapes, the world of abstract art is both intriguing and accessible. So, get ready to unleash your creativity and dive into the world of bold and expressive brushstrokes!

Use a wide brush to apply acrylic washes

Creating thicker, more abstract strokes with acrylic paint involves using a variety of techniques, tools, and mediums. One effective way to achieve this is by applying acrylic washes using a wide brush. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a wide brush to apply acrylic washes for thicker and more abstract strokes:

Prepare Your Materials:

• Gather your acrylic paint, a wide brush (such as a 1" oval wash brush), water, and a palette or container for mixing. Wide brushes with soft, flexible bristles are ideal for creating fluid and expressive marks.
• Choose a suitable surface to paint on, such as canvas, paper, or board. You can use raw or primed canvas, but keep in mind that absorbent surfaces will interact differently with the paint.

Mix Your Acrylic Wash:

• Squeeze out a small amount of acrylic paint onto your palette. You can use any colour of your choice.
• Add a generous amount of water to the paint and mix them together. The ratio of paint to water can vary depending on your desired consistency and transparency. Typically, a ratio of 1 part paint to 90 parts water is a good starting point.
• Mix the paint and water thoroughly until you achieve a fluid and translucent consistency. You can adjust the ratio as needed to create thicker or thinner washes.

Apply the Acrylic Wash to Your Surface:

• Load your wide brush with the acrylic wash by dipping it into the mixture. Ensure the brush is fully saturated with paint.
• Starting at the top or bottom edge of your surface, apply the paint using a "down-up" brushstroke. This foundational brushstroke will create fluid and expressive marks.
• As you get comfortable with the motion, you can adjust the speed and pressure to create variations in your strokes. Slower and smoother strokes will result in more fluid lines, while faster and bolder strokes will produce thicker and more abstract marks.
• Continue applying the wash across your surface, varying the direction of your brushstrokes to create interesting textures and compositions. You can go in one direction to draw the eye towards the centre of the piece or experiment with different directions to create unique effects.
• If your strokes start to look too dry, add a small amount of water to your brush to smooth them out. This can create a watercolour effect, especially on the first layer of your painting.

Experiment and Layer:

• Acrylic washes are versatile and can be used in multiple layers, similar to watercolour. You can create interesting effects by layering washes of different colours or values.
• Try using different types of brushes or tools, such as sponges or palette knives, to apply the washes and explore a range of textures and marks.
• Feel free to play with the amount of paint and water on your brush, the pressure you apply, and the speed of your brushstrokes. Abstract art is a personal and intuitive form of expression, so don't be afraid to experiment and find your unique style.

Remember to clean your brushes promptly after use to prevent the paint from drying and ensure their longevity.

Try dry brushing

Dry brushing is a painting technique that can be used to create abstract art with thick strokes. This technique involves using a paintbrush that is relatively dry but still holds paint to create a drawing or painting. The resulting brush strokes have a scratchy and textured look, lacking the smooth appearance of washes or blended paint.

To achieve this technique, start by loading your brush with a small amount of paint. For water-based media, such as acrylic paints, ensure your brush is dry before loading it with paint. You can also squeeze out the excess water from the brush if needed. When using oil-based media, such as oil paint, remove any oil or solvent from the brush before loading it with paint.

Once your brush is prepared, apply the paint to a dry surface such as paper or a primed canvas. Use brisk but firm strokes, and you will notice the translucent quality of the strokes with the texture of the canvas underneath. This technique is excellent for creating textures like grass, wood, bushes, or clouds in your artwork.

Dry brushing can be used to add interesting details and textures to your abstract painting. It is particularly useful for recreating the swirly patterns of wood or the grainy texture of stones. With this technique, you can create lighter details such as hair, fur, and feathers, as it uses little to no water. Additionally, dry brush strokes create a lovely contrast with more smoothly blended areas in your composition.

Another benefit of dry brushing is its ability to highlight miniatures in model painting. You can also use oil-based dry brushing to scrub onto paper, canvas, or absorbent gesso with stiff bristle brushes to achieve smooth airbrushed or pastel-style effects. This technique provides a unique look to your artwork, with specific transitions of light and shadow and gossamer tones.

Use a palette knife to create texture

Using a palette knife is a great way to create texture in your paintings. The flexibility of the blade allows you to move it in all directions, making it perfect for creating curved lines and shapes. You can also use it to apply paint in thick or thin layers, depending on the effect you want to create.

Techniques for Creating Texture with a Palette Knife

• Impasto: Load your palette knife with paint and apply it to the canvas in thick layers. Use different strokes to create different effects. For example, use a stabbing motion to create short peaks of paint, or a dragging motion to create furrows. You can also build up layers of paint to add even more texture.
• Sgraffito: Apply a layer of paint to your canvas and let it dry. Then, apply a second layer of a different colour. While the second layer is still wet, use your palette knife to scratch through the paint and reveal the layer underneath. You can create different patterns and designs by varying the pressure and direction of your strokes.
• Mixing paint on the canvas: Load your knife with two or more colours and apply them to the canvas to watch the colours swirl together.
• Blending with a palette knife: Drag the edges of different colours together on the canvas until they overlap to soften the edges between them. To create a smooth gradient, mix transitional shades of colours before blending.
• Scraping thin layers: Add paint to the edge of the knife, hold it at a 45-degree angle, and scrape the paint across the surface. This technique only works on flat surfaces.
• Creating a textured ground: Mix acrylic paints with modelling paste and apply them to the canvas using a palette knife to create a textured ground. Then, let it dry and paint over it with regular thin acrylics and a brush.

Tips for Using a Palette Knife

• Choose the right type of palette knife for your needs. The most common type is the standard palette knife, which has a flexible blade and a blunt end. Other types include the filbert palette knife, which has a long handle and a narrow, flexible blade, making it good for blending and sculpting.
• Use light strokes and only apply pressure when necessary.
• Keep your hand loose so you can move the knife easily.
• Experiment with different techniques until you find what works for you.
• Clean your palette knife regularly to keep it free from paint residue.

Flick, fling, or splatter paint

Flicking, flinging, or splattering paint onto a canvas is a fun and expressive way to create abstract art. There is no right or wrong way to do this, but there are some tips and techniques that can help you achieve different effects and stand-out results.

Firstly, it is important to prepare your space. Splattering paint can get very messy, so wear old clothes and consider wearing an apron and protective gloves. Find a large open area to work in, ideally outside, and cover the floor with drop cloths or newspaper. If your canvas is upright, make sure to protect the area around it, as paint will likely get on the walls and floor.

Next, you need to prepare your materials. Acrylic paint is a good option for beginners as it is affordable and accessible, but you can also use oil paint. Water down your paint a little to get the best splatter patterns, and have a different paintbrush for each colour to prevent them from mixing.

Now you are ready to start splattering! There are several different techniques you can try:

• Flicking with paintbrushes: Load one brush with paint and gently tap the handle with another brush while over the canvas. This will create enough force to splatter the paint without getting your hands messy.
• Wrist flicking: Load paint onto a brush and use your wrist to flick the brush towards the canvas. This will create harsh, concentrated splatters.
• Straw blowing: Dip one end of a straw into the paint and the other end into your mouth. Hover the straw over the canvas and blow through the straw to transfer the paint.
• Dripping: Let the paint drip down the canvas to create a splatter effect. You can also drip paint from an eyedropper or a spoon.
• Toothbrush splattering: Dip an old toothbrush into the paint and hold it over the canvas. Pull back the bristles to create a fine mist of paint. The faster you flick the bristles, the more splatter you will create.

Remember, there is no wrong way to do this, so experiment with different techniques, colours, and brushes to create unique and expressive abstract art.

Use a tapered stroke

Using tapered strokes is a great way to create interesting animations and add a smooth, polished look to your abstract artwork. Tapered strokes allow you to adjust the thickness of your brush strokes at any point along the path, giving you more control over the shape and appearance of your strokes.

To create tapered strokes, you can use the Taper feature in programs such as After Effects. This feature lets you adjust the width of the stroke along the path, creating a gradual increase or decrease in thickness. You can also use the Length Units option to select between Percentage and Pixels, depending on whether you want the length to be relative to the path length or invariant to it.

Additionally, you can adjust the start and end lengths of the taper to control the length of the taper from the beginning and end of the stroke. Playing with the start and end widths will also allow you to control the thickness of the tapering along the path.

If you want to soften the sharp edges of your taper, you can use the Start Ease and End Ease properties. Negative values will give you pointy tapering, a value of 0 will result in linear tapering, and positive values will create a rounder tapering effect.

For more complex tapered strokes, you can add waves to create an experimental look. By adjusting the intensity and number of waves, as well as the spacing between them, you can create unique and interesting stroke patterns.

If you're looking for even more customization, you can combine tapering with other stroke modifications such as dashes or trim paths. This allows you to create a variety of looks, such as write-on text animations or abstract shapes with varying thicknesses throughout.

Overall, using tapered strokes is a great way to add depth and interest to your abstract artwork. With the ability to adjust thickness, roundness, and wave patterns, you can create unique and visually appealing strokes that enhance the overall composition of your piece.

Frequently asked questions