Drawing 101

Lesson 6: Abstract methods:

There will be some fun ideas like elongation, abstraction and comic creation. These will be incorporated into the sessions where appropriate.

What Is Abstraction?

Abstract painting and drawing are generally regarded as being non-representational. For the purposes of these drawing exercises - representation is okay, but would not usually be the focal point of, or the reason why the drawings are done.

Artists venture into the abstract for a variety of reasons. Much of the time (but not always) they are looking to create affect. They are wishing to talk to the emotions or to be emotive. Abstraction in this sense can swing between two extremes. It can be a subtle attempt on the part of the artist to dialogue with others on an emotional or spiritual level ...or... on the other hand... it can be an attempt to manipulate emotions and to contrive to produce an artificial emotional response which bears little connection with reality. (The later is a complex topic and I won't even begin to venture into that area of artistic endeavour here.)

Much of the time the abstract artist is wittingly or unwittingly appealing to the ideal. So he/she will be examining notions such as beauty, purity, honesty, truth, justice and others. This is not done by presenting a specific example of the idea such as an image of a beautiful woman representing BEAUTY. Rather it would be a refined presentation of the elements that make up beauty presented in a harmonious way. For example the artist trying to communicate about harmony may present a harmonious colour combination with no subject matter and no images present. This is pure composition.

Abstract art can be contrived scientifically. The elements of design can be manipulated mathematically and scientifically to create optical effects. Colour theory can also be contrived to artificially influence emotions. Line and shape can also be manipulated in this way. These elements of design can be combined to form persuasive representations/non-representations for different reasons.

Optical Art for example seeks to lie to the viewer (with the viewers collusion.) Example. These kinds of illusions are regarded as tricks that had been staged just for fun. They are done much in the way that the conjurer magician stages a performance to keep us amused over the Christmas Holidays. Sometimes these tricks serve a scientific purpose, but usually they are harmless manipulations meant to entertain. The lesson learned of course can be applied in all artistic endeavours they can be pursued as a means to an end or the end in itself.

Trompe L'oeil techniques are scientifically formulated methods of achieving illusion that are meant to trick the eye. However unlike the Optical Illusion movement there are other reasons underlying the choice of adopting this technique. Often the Trompe l'oeil Mural is intended to create an atmosphere and can often be used to create spiritual spaces. Read Absolutely Feng Shui

Read- Trompe-l'oeil - To Deceive the Eye. "In French Trompe-l'oeil means to deceive the eye. It is a technique used in painting that is intended to deceive the spectator into thinking that the object perceived is real and exists in three dimension rather than being a two dimensional representation of it. (1) The intention is often to create humour and curiosity. People like to become involved in public art. The audience enjoys being tricked.

Speaking of the spirit. Abstract art is often pursued for spiritual reasons. It can often be part of a meditative undertaking and may be combined with other stimulus such as music and Haiku so that the artwork is gently used as a gateway to the soul. Colour Therapy - Mandalas.

And so another aspect of abstract painting is that it can be likened to music. Some say (source of quote unknown) that abstraction is to painting as music is to poetry. It is therefore one means of contacting and revealing sub-conscious processes and journaling these processes can be an enlightening process to say the least.

Abstract Art can be formulaic and approached in a fun manner. The artist or their tutor can decide on a recipe before the abstract exercises begin. This method of reaching into the unknown is merely a beginner's tool or a strengthening and warming up exercise. It is not meant to be a technique that an artist would use forever. However these kinds of exercises can be fun and you will find many of them in the drawing exercises section. They are very good tools to help us strengthen and inform our sense of design.

Abstract can also be seen as a way of summarising visual and sensory experience. Almost like shorthand it can be a means of quick expression and the simplicity can become very Zen like in its form and appearance. Read Drawing Notebook by N. F. Karlins.

At times we may be concentrating on just one effect. If the effect we are after causes our art to become distorted and exaggerated then our art may for a while become very comic book like. That is okay. When drawing it is often enlightening to focus on one aspect of the subject matter and to draw that aspect at the expense of any other. This can help you create a style of your own and perhaps help you to tap into aspects of your personality of which you had not previously been aware.