Trust the Process: An Intermediate Guide for Abstract Painting by Abby Houston

Intermediate | 1 hour 7 min

Trust the Process: An Intermediate Guide for Abstract Painting
Overview01:20
Materials and preparation02:28
Building a canvas12:03
Underpainting and establishing intention07:15
Working with color13:32
Lines, shapes, and blocking out space14:06
Process, process, process12:38
When is a piece finished?04:00

Taught by Abby Houston

Elevate your abstract painting practice with fine artist Abby Houston. Before diving into this intermediate course, we recommend exploring Abby's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice, where you'll build a solid foundation of techniques. In this class, Abby guides you through the creation of two finished abstract artworks. You’ll begin by learning how to stretch your own canvas, then follow her as she works on two paintings side by side—one in warm tones and one in cool tones. She leads you through building layers of color, intention, and decision-making to achieve your desired result. This practice-based approach encourages curiosity and risk-taking while staying grounded, embracing mistakes, and trusting the creative process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

12" x 12" canvas stretcher bars, staple gun, unprimed canvas fabric, or pre-stretched canvas
Liquitex or Golden brand gesso (white)
Heavy body acrylic paint, Abby uses Amsterdam brand
Fluid and High Fluid acrylics, Abby uses Golden brand
Various wall paints / sample paints
Variety of paint pens in various sizes and colors, Abby recommends Posca and Molotow brand
Prismacolor Pencils / Posca Color Pencils
Stablio wooden crayon sticks and wax crayons
Cold press watercolor paper
Fineliner syringe pen / diluted fluid acrylic paint applicator
Flexible wedge tool / various styles of Catalyst wedges
Various synthetic and foam brushes
Jars for water
Cardboard & found objects for circle stencils (can, game boards, tape rounds)
Masking tape or washi tape
Pencil
Unconventional materials: lids, netting from produce bags, collage pieces