Nature's Influence in Abstract Art
(And why we like to start our drawing classes with abstract art)
Often we start our Beginning Drawing and Painting classes with an abstract project. This is because often beginner artists can be intimidated by the prospect of depicting something "realistic," such as an animal, landscape, or portrait. So, we start out by teaching basic techniques and composition theories through abstract art, which takes away the pressure to depict anything realistic and gives our artists a chance to enjoy exploring their medium for the first time.
Sometimes our artist are excited to jump into depicting realism. Starting with abstract art can actually start our artists off on the right foot for drawing or painting anything from real life by teaching them to break complex images down into basic shapes and lines. Abstract art can be reminiscent of nature, objects, animals, or even portraits through the use of organic or geometric lines and shapes. Our students' first project is an abstract "forest" themed drawing or painting, where they will learn to break down forest imagery into basic shapes and lines. This "Fav's Friday" post will explore more of the influence of nature in abstract art.
Nature has long been a source of inspiration for artists, and this is particularly true in the world of abstract art. Many abstract artists have looked to the natural world as a way to express their ideas and emotions, and the influence of nature can be seen in a wide range of abstract artworks.
One way in which nature has influenced abstract art is through the use of organic forms. Many abstract artists have looked to the shapes, patterns, and textures found in nature as a way to create dynamic and interesting compositions. From the swirling patterns of a spiral shell to the delicate branches of a tree, these organic forms provide a sense of movement and energy that is often lacking in more geometric abstract art.
Another way in which nature has influenced abstract art is through the use of color. The natural world is full of vibrant and varied colors, and many abstract artists have looked to nature as a way to find inspiration for their color palettes. From the deep blues of the ocean to the warm oranges of a sunset, the colors found in nature can be used to create powerful emotional responses in the viewer.
(Our Pochade boxes are an easy way to paint or draw while exploring nature. Find out more in the buy now link)
The use of light and shadow is also a significant influence of nature in abstract art. Many abstract artists have looked to the way light interacts with the natural world as a way to create interesting and dynamic compositions. From the dappled light of a forest to the sharp shadows of a desert landscape, the play of light and shadow can be used to create a sense of depth and movement in an abstract artwork.
In addition to these visual influences, the spiritual and emotional connection with nature is something that resonates with many abstract artists. Nature has the power to evoke feelings of calm, wonder, and awe, and many abstract artists have used this connection to express their own emotions and ideas in their work.
Overall, the influence of nature in abstract art is a powerful and enduring one. From the use of organic forms and color to the play of light and shadow, nature has provided abstract artists with a wealth of inspiration and has played an important role in the development of this art form. We are super excited to see how our students' abstract artwork develops over the next couple of weeks!
