Abstract Art Making: A Daily Practice by Abby Houston

All levels | 3 hours 1 min

Abstract Art Making: A Daily Practice
Overview00:58
Day 1 - Materials06:06
Day 2 - First layers04:49
Day 3 - Color schemes09:23
Day 4 - Centering yourself03:12
Day 5 - Tonal arches07:28
Day 6 - Big lines04:55
Day 7 - Unconventional materials11:48
Day 8 - Organic lines05:57
Day 9 - Transparent layers04:11
Day 10 - Repetition06:14
Day 11 - Scale07:53
Day 12 - Messy mark making06:12
Day 13 - Texture part one06:50
Day 14 - Texture part two06:47
Day 15 - Tiny details09:43
Day 16 - Line work05:12
Day 17 - Color blocking03:39
Day 18 - Personal motifs06:05
Day 19 - Diagonals07:16
Day 20 - Negative space / positive space06:32
Day 21 - Paper painting05:25
Day 22 - Collage03:55
Day 23 - Collage leftovers07:03
Day 24 - Gesso over your creation02:27
Day 25 - Organic Shapes07:49
Day 26 - Angles04:59
Day 27 - Find The Story05:16
Day 28 - Gratitude02:24
Day 29 - Perspective04:03
Day 30 - Pulling it all together04:42
Day 31 - Show and tell02:35

Taught by Abby Houston

Restore your creative energy with Portland, Oregon artist and educator Abby Houston! This daily practice leads you on an abstract painting journey that offers a beautiful reset for all creative practices. One of the tricky parts of art making can be knowing where to start, so Abby takes you through her toolbox of techniques: layering messy marks, adding fine details and personal motifs, all while exploring emerging themes. Working in several sketchbook spreads simultaneously, this daily exploration exposes the magic of being open to transforming mistakes into thoughtfully layered creativity.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Arteza or Pentalic 4x4 OR 8x8 bound sketchbook or watercolor weight paper
Variety of Posca paint pens in various sizes and colors
Variety of Molotow paint pens in various sizes and colors
Liquitex or Golden brand gesso (white)
Canson acrylic painting paper
Canson cold press watercolor paper pad - 9x12 preferred
Color pencils - Abby prefers Prismacolor or Posca brands
Golden high fluid acrylics and fluid acrylics
Amsterdam heavy body tube acrylics
Sennelier Abstract 3D Liners
Fineliner syringe pen or diluted fluid acrylic paint applicator
Uniball Signo white ink gel pen and black ink gel pen
Scissors
Scrap cardboard in various sizes and weights - cereal boxes work well
Flexible wedge tool or various styles of Catalyst wedges
Various synthetic and foam brushes
Jar for water
Various found objects to use for circle stencils, such as cans, game boards, or tape rounds
Pencils and ball point pens
Stabilo wooden crayon sticks and/or wax crayons
Mod Podge in matte finish
Natural items such as dried flowers, house plants, or sticks and rocks
Various wall paints or sample paints
Washi or painter's tape
Binder clips
Unconventional materials such as lids, netting from produce bags, collage pieces
Wax paper to prevent pages sticking