Abstract Studio Prompt Series: No. 1 -Abstracted Reality Photos
I made this photo by zooming into the fibers of a colorful blanket.
Welcome to my series of blog posts demystifying the process of making abstract art. Abstraction doesn’t have to be intimidating or confusing. In this series, I will encourage you to explore your everyday surroundings in unexpected ways, allowing you to use your daily life as rich subject matter for your art.
Here are step-by-step instructions for creating abstractions from photos you take on your phone, or photos you already have.
Some artists you might consider looking at include Thomas Ruff, Aaron Siskind, Barbara Kasten, and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Steps:
With your camera, zoom in so close to an everyday object that you reveal abstract patterns and shapes.
Decide whether you want to totally abstract the reference, or leave some elements of it for the viewer to recognize.
Think about the objects and surfaces around you that will yield the most dynamic results. Textured fabrics in bright colors work well.
Experiment with different ways of presenting your abstraction. Maybe the photograph is a work of art on its own, or maybe you use the photo as a reference for a painting or drawing. The possibilities are endless. Take lots and lots of photographs from slightly different angles and with different lighting until you create a composition you find exciting.
Share your work with your community. Don’t forget this step. We make art for other people to see.