Abstract Art

New Abstract Drawing in Colored Inks

After making two minimalist drawings in black on white earlier this week, today I added more color after beginning with a black calligraphy marker.  First I tried adding some gray, but quickly switched to tan and brown, as I wasn't happy with my choice of gray markers.

One problem with markers is that they are always drying up just when you decide you want to use that particular color.  I haven't found a good source to replace individual colors that have the broad range of tones I like to use.  Eventually I'll have to order a whole new set.

In any case, once I went to the browns and tans, they led me to orange and even red.  I had fun with this one, filling in some shapes with a tan brush pen, and adding texture with a fine point black pen.

  2012 Abstract Drawing #21, 11" x 8.5" permanent inks on acid-free paper.

Minimalist Drawings

Ok, it's been a minimalist week for me so I made a couple of minimalist drawings this morning.  That means I made very few marks and left a lot of white space--called negative space in art speak. 

My art is usually the opposite of minimalism--canvases filled from top to bottom and corner to corner with color, shapes and lines.

I always admire artists who can make a few simple brushstrokes on canvas or ink marks on paper, and voila--they've made a statement.  It's not as easy as it looks, folks!  But it does take confidence.

I am not bragging about these, just showing them to you. They were made with permanent black inks using a calligraphy pen and a fine point pen.

  2012 Drawing #19, ink on paper.

  2012 Drawing #20, ink on paper.

Abstract Drawing in Colored Ink

In this abstract drawing I started with a few colors using the thick nib of my calligraphy markers. The blue and orange came out boldly, but the green and yellow markers were beginning to dry out, so those marks are faint. 

I find that the thick nibs dry out more quickly then the small thin nibs, even in the same pen.  This makes me feel I shouldn't throw them away, even though it is frustrating when I attempt to make a line and it barely shows. 

I know what you're thinking--why don't I try them out first on a piece of scrap paper?  I actually keep scrap paper handy for just that--to test a color before I use it.  The problem is, I rarely test anything before I use it.  It's only in hindsight that I realize I should have done that.

But when something goes wrong, that often sets up a problem to solve.  I ended up outlining some of the pale yellow marks, which gave them a different look altogether.

I finished this drawing with a fine point red pen, adding detail and focus.

  2012 Drawing #13, 11.5" x 9" archival ink on paper.

New Abstract Drawing in Black and White

I abandoned color today in my abstract drawing, using only black and gray inks.  I started with a black calligraphy pen, drawing bold swirling lines to form an abstract image.  Then I used a fine line black pen to draw detailed patterns within those lines.  I let my imagination take me where it wanted to go, in a loose free-form style.

I also used a fine point gray pen to fill in some areas with detail, and then filled in some of the small shapes with pure black.  This was an exercise in whimsy and fun.

  2012 Drawing #12, 11.5" x 9" archival ink on paper.

Abstract Drawing with Calligraphy Pens

While taking a break from painting, I've been working on some abstract drawings with calligraphy pens.  I love the way the line varies from thick to thin as you change the angle of the pen nib on the page.  I have the pens in many shades of color as well, so they are great fun to use.

I began this drawing with blues, drawing swirling lines with the thick end of the pens.  These Zig memory pens have a thick nib on one end and a thin nib on the other.  This makes them very versatile.

After the blues, I moved to blue-green and yellow-green for variation.  Then with a thin nib end, I outlined some of the negative spaces in dark blue.  After that, I filled some of the spaces in with brush pens.

Finally, I used a fine point Koh-i-noor pen to draw thin repetitive red lines to emphasize two circles in the center of the drawing.

  2012 Drawing #11 11.5" x 9" archival inks on paper.

New Abstraction: A Musical Piece?

I started taking piano lessons recently, and I think my new musical awareness shows through in this recent abstract drawing.  See if you agree.

I began with calligraphy pens, creating the sweeping wave-like lines first in blues, greens and magenta.  Then I drew finer lines with a Koh-i-noor fine point pen in black and red.  The horizontal lines and small circles suggest the lines of musical notation.  The opposing shapes and colors suggest a dance.

What do you think?

  2012 Drawing #9, 11.5" x 9" ink on paper.

New Abstract Drawing

While preparing more canvases for painting, I worked on an abstract drawing today using calligraphy pens, brush pens, and a fine point Koh-i-noor pen.  I started by making broad sweeps with the thick end of the calligraphy pens, using brown, orange and burgundy. 

I had been using spring colors in my recent paintings, but a couple days ago I woke up to find 6 inches of snow on the ground! I've seen snow here in Ithaca in early April, but this one was a big surprise.  It's mostly melted now and beginning to warm up a bit.  Some upstate orchard crops have been damaged, especially cherries.

  2012 Drawing #8, 11.5" x 9" ink on paper.

 

Seeing Insect or Flower in New Abstract Drawing?

I began this abstract drawing with some quick lines radiating from the center, using magenta and red calligraphy pens.  The lines created shapes that spread out in a floral pattern.

Then I got busy with fine line black and red pens, creating more shapes and filling in some of the original shapes with texture.  Finally, I filled in some of the spaces with lavender and peach brush pens. 

When I hold this drawing up, it feels insect-like to me.  What do you think?

I hope it's not a spider.  I have a spider phobia.

  2012 Drawing #4, 11.5" x 9" ink on paper.

Focus on Color and Line in New Abstract Drawing

As I mentioned in previous blogs, I've been working with a new Pentel Aquash Brush, but not very happily.  I think, for the kind of drawing I do, I need something that makes a more solid line. 

I began this drawing with the Aquash Brush, but after a few lines, picked up my calligraphy pens again.  I drew some bold shapes in black and magenta, then added orange and purple.  Next I used fine line Nexus pens in red and black to add texture to the shapes.  Finally, I filled in some of the shapes with gray, peach and purple brush pens. 

  2012 Drawing #3, 11.5" x 9" ink on paper.

Drawing on Paper with a Pentel Aquash Brush

I continued working with my new Pentel Arts Aquash Brush to make another drawing on paper.  Once again, as I squeezed the pen, a large amount of the ink came out, forming a puddle.  I dipped the brush in it and created lines spreading out from the central spot. 

After I made the basic design with the Aquash Brush, I outlined the inner shapes of the central image with a fine tipped black pen.  Then I shaded in some of the outer shapes with a gray brush pen.  The main effect of this drawing is that it highlights the negative spaces.

  2012 Drawing #2, 11.5" x 9" ink on paper.