5 Tips for Creating Captivating Abstract Art Featuring People

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 5 min read

Creating captivating abstract art featuring people can be an exciting and rewarding journey. With the right techniques, you can produce stunning pieces that capture the essence of humanity in an abstract form. In this blog, we'll explore five helpful tips to guide you in your artistic endeavors, starting with a focus on colors and shapes.

Tip 1: Focus on Colors and Shapes

Utilizing colors and shapes is a fundamental aspect of creating abstract art people. By experimenting with different color palettes and forms, you can convey emotions, movement, and depth within your artwork.

Choosing a Color Palette

When selecting a color palette, consider the following:

Emotions: Determine the mood you want to evoke in your piece. For example, using cool colors like blues and greens can create a calming effect, while warm colors like red and orange can create energy and excitement.
Contrast: Contrasting colors, such as complementary colors on the color wheel, can help your abstract art people stand out and create visual interest.
Harmony: Consider using analogous colors, which sit next to each other on the color wheel, for a harmonious look.

Experimenting with Shapes and Forms

There are no limits when it comes to shapes and forms in abstract art. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Geometric shapes: Incorporate circles, squares, triangles, or other geometric shapes to represent different aspects of the human form.
Organic shapes: Use free-flowing, curvy lines to convey a more natural and fluid representation of abstract art people.
Distortion: Alter traditional human shapes by stretching, twisting, or merging them to create a unique and captivating piece.

With a strong foundation in colors and shapes, you're well on your way to creating compelling abstract art people. Next, let's dive into how you can use expression to bring your artwork to life.

Tip 2: Emotion through Expression

One of the most powerful aspects of abstract art people is the ability to convey emotion through artistic expression. By playing with facial features and body language, you can create a strong emotional connection with your audience.

Playing with Facial Features

Even in abstract art, facial features can communicate a wide range of emotions. Here are some ideas to consider:

Eyes: Experiment with the size, shape, and position of the eyes to convey different emotions, such as happiness, sadness, or surprise.
Mouth: Manipulate the curvature of the mouth to express joy, anger, or confusion.
Nose: Use the shape and length of the nose to create a sense of character and personality within your abstract art people.

Capturing Body Language

Body language is another powerful tool for conveying emotion in abstract art people. Consider these elements:

Posture: Use the position of the body to imply emotions such as confidence, submission, or relaxation.
Movement: Incorporate dynamic lines and gestures to suggest motion and energy within your piece.
Interaction: Depict multiple abstract figures interacting with each other to create a sense of connection and emotion between them.

Now that we've explored ways to convey emotion in our abstract art people, let's move on to tip 3, which focuses on contrast and composition.

Tip 3: Contrast and Composition

Contrast and composition are key elements to consider when creating captivating abstract art people. By using various contrast techniques and exploring different composition ideas, you can make your artwork truly stand out.

Using Contrast Techniques

Contrast can greatly enhance the visual impact of your abstract art people. Here are some techniques to consider:

Color contrast: Use contrasting colors to create a sense of depth and to emphasize specific elements of your artwork.
Value contrast: Play with light and dark values to add dimension and make certain aspects of your piece more prominent.
Texture contrast: Incorporate different textures to create visual interest and to differentiate between various elements in your art.

Exploring Composition Ideas

Experimenting with composition can add visual interest and harmony to your abstract art people. Here are some ideas to try:

Rule of thirds: Divide your canvas into nine equal sections and place your abstract figures along the intersecting lines for a balanced composition.
Radial balance: Arrange your abstract figures around a central point to create a sense of movement and harmony.
Asymmetry: Embrace the unexpected by creating an intentionally off-balance composition to evoke curiosity and intrigue.

With a strong grasp on contrast techniques and composition ideas, you're well on your way to creating captivating abstract art people. Let's continue to tip 4, where we'll discuss the human form and abstraction.

Tip 4: The Human Form and Abstraction

Understanding the human form can help you create unique and engaging abstract art people. By exploring various abstract styles and using figure drawing as a base, you can develop your own creative approach to portraying people in your artwork.

Abstract Styles to Consider

There are many abstract styles that can inspire your art. Here are a few to consider when creating abstract art people:

Cubism: Break down the human form into geometric shapes to create an interesting, fragmented look.
Expressionism: Emphasize emotion by using bold colors, exaggerated proportions, and expressive brushstrokes.
Surrealism: Combine elements of reality with fantasy to create dream-like images of people and their surroundings.

Using Figure Drawing as a Base

Figure drawing can be an excellent starting point for your abstract art people. Begin by sketching the human form, focusing on proportions and anatomy. Once you have a solid foundation, you can start to experiment with abstraction by altering shapes, colors, and textures. This process allows you to maintain a connection to the human form while adding your own creative twist to your abstract art people.

Now that you have a better understanding of the human form and abstraction, let's move on to tip 5, where we'll discuss experimenting with different materials to further enhance your artwork.

Tip 5: Experiment with Materials

Experimenting with various materials can add depth, texture, and a unique touch to your abstract art people. From traditional materials like paint and charcoal to mixed media, using different materials can help you find your artistic voice and make your work stand out.

Traditional Materials

There's a wide variety of traditional materials you can use for your abstract art people. Here are some popular options:

Paint: Acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints offer different effects and textures to create your desired look.
Charcoal: Charcoal is great for shading, adding depth, and creating bold lines in your artwork.
Pastels: Soft and oil pastels provide a unique texture and can be blended easily, resulting in smooth color transitions.
Pencils: Graphite and colored pencils allow for precise lines and details, which can be used to create intricate abstract art people.

Incorporating Mixed Media

Mixed media is an excellent way to add interest and variety to your abstract art people. By combining different materials and techniques, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece that truly reflects your artistic vision. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Collage: Incorporate cutouts from magazines, newspapers, or other printed materials to add dimension and contrast to your artwork.
Textiles: Use fabric, yarn, or thread to create texture and depth in your abstract art people.
Found objects: Incorporate everyday items, such as buttons, bottle caps, or pieces of metal, to create interesting and unexpected elements in your art.

By experimenting with different materials, you can create captivating abstract art people that showcase your unique style and vision. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and try new techniques — you never know what you might discover!

If you're passionate about classical painting and want to explore its relevance in today's world, don't miss the workshop 'Classical Painting in the Modern Day' by Eric Drummond. This insightful workshop will provide you with valuable techniques and perspectives on how to adapt classical painting styles to modern contexts and create timeless masterpieces.