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Emily A. Clark

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My Latest Attempt at Painting

May 23, 2013

How to Paint Abstracts for the Non-Painter

 

Since I wanted to bring more blue into the girls’ room, I decided to take matters into my own hands and attempt some abstract art.  I had two of these ugly (to me) canvases in our attic (that I had always intended to paint over anyway) and started by spraying them white.

 

Paint over an ugly canvas

 

 

I grabbed the blue paint that I used on their little desk and a few other colors that I already had going on in the room.

 

paints

 

The general method to my madness was this: dab some, dilute color with water and dab some more, mix in some white paint, followed by more dabbing, working my way down the canvas.   Is “dab” an artistic term?   I think it should be.

 

This is how it went:

abstract painting

 

 

canvas painting

 

 

acrylic paint

 

 

How to create an abstract

 

 

abstract artwork

 

 

Creating abstract art

 

 

mixing paints

 

 

abstract art

 

 

Creating abstract artwork

 

 

Abstract art in the girls' bedroom

 

I showed my older kids when they got home from school, and they didn’t believe that I had painted them. I think I’ll take that as a huge compliment. . .

 

Teal & coral kids bedroom with abstract paintings

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Filed Under: artwork, girls bedroom

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Up to Date Interiors says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:40 am

    Looks great! I actually can paint but when I try something abstract like this it turns out awful. =)

    Reply
  2. mom23 says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:45 am

    Great job! You really are SUPERMOM…how you do “it all” I’ll never know ;)

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      May 23, 2013 at 11:50 am

      I promise I don’t do it all. Not even close :)

      Reply
    • jidgede says

      May 23, 2013 at 4:01 pm

      and humble….. I love it!!! you are precious…..

      Reply
  3. BaileyWife says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:57 am

    Love it…Homemade by Mommy! ~Kim

    Reply
  4. Beth of designPOST Interiors says

    May 23, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    Great attempt and, yes, “dab” is absolutely an artistic term in my book!

    Reply
  5. loveolympiajune says

    May 23, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I actually really love them! You did a great job, Emily!!

    ~Stephanie

    Reply
  6. Amber B (Simple Dwellings) says

    May 23, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    Wow, amazing job! I love the way you added in different colors. Etsy shop, here you come! We are on the same wavelength, because I just bought a canvas board to make my own art for our bathroom. If mine only comes out half as good as this, I will be happy!

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    May 23, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    I think they look great! The splash of coral is just perfect!

    Reply
  8. Elizabeth says

    May 23, 2013 at 1:28 pm

    I like them, they look great in a little girls’ room. Hmm, maybe I can find some canvases while I’m out garage saling this weekend. :)

    Reply
  9. Kimber says

    May 23, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    Emily I really really like these! I think they turned out great! You’re awesome!

    Reply
  10. Abby M. Interiors says

    May 23, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    I love them! Keep painting, Emily. You know, in your spare time. ;-)

    Reply
  11. Karen Albert says

    May 23, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    Emily I think that great minds think alike as I have been doing a similar technique!
    I love the colors you have used, perfect!
    Xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Reply
  12. Colleen Stevens says

    May 23, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Great use for coffee filters! I have a whole package of them that remain unused since we brought home the Keurig.

    Reply
  13. Mother Henn says

    May 23, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    You’re the bravest woman I know to paint on a bare table! I would’ve spent half the day just laying down newpapers, old sheets, towels…you know, a barrier for the mess I would inevitably make.

    Reply
  14. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    May 23, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    What a sweet personal touch to the girls’ room! You had some good helpers there!

    Reply
  15. [email protected] Nest says

    May 23, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    Awesome…handmade art is always the best! Although, I am sure you will miss those red abstract paintings one day…NOT! :)

    Reply
  16. Morgan S. says

    May 23, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    As an artist, I can confirm “dab” is a legit artist term. LOL. These look really great! xoxo http://www.styleoyster.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      May 23, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Great, thanks :)

      Reply
  17. creativelifeantics.com says

    May 23, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Nice job! I love that you flipped the canvases so they kinda are ying and yang on the wall.

    //justynn

    Reply
  18. Alexa says

    May 23, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Oh dude Emily. You’ve inspired me to get out my paintbrush! Love the casual/abstract look!

    Reply
  19. Kelly @ JAX does design says

    May 23, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    Your paintings came out great! Abstract painting is so much fun :-)

    They look great in your daughters’ bedroom, and I LOVE the painted ceiling!

    Reply
  20. SHERRY HART says

    May 23, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Girl…you can do it all in my book……and they are pretty darn good! I mean is there a right or wrong with abstract art??? I think not…..love how thy look in the room!

    Reply
  21. Simply LKJ says

    May 23, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    They turned out amazing Emily! Perfect for their room.

    Reply
  22. Megan Vaughn says

    May 23, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    They turned out beautiful! I love your daughter’s comment…lol. :)

    Reply
  23. [email protected] says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    It looks so good! You did an excellent job!

    Reply
  24. marshallhousematters.com says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    Well done! They look great

    Reply
  25. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:46 pm

    Wow – they look fantastic! So perfect for the room.

    Reply
  26. Nancy says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:24 am

    I love that you can do anything you put your mind to. That is truly a successful woman in my book! Bravo friend! Another personal touch that makes your home fantastic!
    Xo Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

    Reply
  27. Jeanna Sanchez says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:37 am

    I love those paintings! They look awesome, isn’t it great when your kids give you a compliment without them knowing it those are the most precious to me…Hey maybe your next talent is painting, I would totally buy those!

    Reply
  28. Perry Mama says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Love the red ceiling! And the abstracts turned out great!

    Reply
  29. Amanda says

    May 24, 2013 at 1:47 am

    oh my gosh! I love it! And why have I never seen this red ceiling?? Its beautiful!!!

    Reply
  30. Cccam Server says

    May 24, 2013 at 3:02 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    Reply
  31. Cheryl Luckett says

    May 24, 2013 at 3:24 am

    Amanda is right! Nice art, but that ceiling….love!

    Reply
  32. Carrie @ Cosy Carolina Interiors says

    May 24, 2013 at 5:40 pm

    Great job! I love how they turned out! :)

    Reply
  33. traci zeller designs says

    May 24, 2013 at 11:31 pm

    My favorite part is totally seeing your cutie patooties with their sippy cups in the background!! Oh, and the room is adorbs!!

    Reply
  34. Jemsmom says

    May 25, 2013 at 2:24 am

    So cute!!! How tall are those ceilings or do they just look super tall because of the paint?!?

    Reply
  35. Sandy, Sisters of Season says

    May 25, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    Those painted pics are amazing . . looks great!

    Reply
  36. Susan says

    May 28, 2013 at 1:00 am

    I would call these decor-not really art. They certainly looks better than what they were covering, though! LOL

    Reply
  37. Lynford Rozario says

    May 28, 2013 at 6:38 am

    These paintings looks so wonderful on wall.It adds grace to the room.
    Twitter manager Australia

    Reply
  38. [email protected] says

    May 28, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    This has been on my to-do list forever! I used to love to paint and draw. My college art classes are such a thing of the past…a marriage, kids, and now you are inspiring me to take some time this summer and pull out the paint brushes again :) xo Kristin

    Reply

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