I was never a fan of “abstract” art. However after retiring I volunteered in the local art gallery to hang and do stuff. One exhibition, masterly curated by the staff consisted of large panels of colour, all “abstracts”. I found every time I went into that gallery, I had to smile. I asked other viewers what emotions it evoked and they all said it made them smile. So from that point on, a few years ago, I’m hooked. Great series of vlogs, thanks.
very interesting. Just today I tried to focus on 'loose' in two small studies, trying to forget all other 'rules'. Looking at them when done I liked them and next thought "they look abstract". This painting process is forever unfolding. At 85 it's great to be 'excited'. Thank you for your generous sharing! Fran NM USA
Thank you Ian for creating this forum that has become part of my life. Such a rich art conversation that I have been longing for.
I really enjoy the bite-sized episodes. It's so much easier to fit them into a busy day. Thank you
Such a pleasure to watch this. Thank you.
Being Canadian I like to reference Emily Carr and Lawren Harris whose paintings moved to greater abstraction. Your presentation of abstraction helped greatly to focus on the continuum rather than make the subject foreign to me. Thank you.
Thanks again Ian. My Tuesdays are special because I can take a bit of time and devote it to learning more about art and composition. You are doing us all a great service. We appreciate you.
Ian - you've lit up my art life. Thank you for being so generous with your time, reflections and expertise.
Thank you Ian for your insight & clarification. As artists we sometimes get lost within our work & not seeing the bigger picture of the process of master artists in the past. Thankyou .
Every time I Paint I have your voice in my mind now. Like “where are the verticals?”, “where is the point of interest?” Now I will aim for abstraction😊
Thank you for the series. I'm a watercolor artist and am inspired to keep pushing myself to learn new ways to paint in my medium. I'm learning about composition, light, the historical artists and their works and so much more that I can apply to my vision.
Really loving your videos. I'd love you to dive a bit deeper on abstraction. It's easy to understand what it is but not as easy to understand how to use it in my paintings.
You're really a good teacher. You make your points in a memorable yet concise way. You clearly care about what you do and your insights are valuable. I look forward to each episode. I am a novice painter and I learn things from you even though I work on still lifes. Thank you.
I have had your book, Mastering Composition for a bout a decade and found it extremely useful. So happy to have discovered these short and very well done videos- so succinct and clear. Great work- I look forward to the next one.
Thanks Ian. Wow, this is a really big subject! Appreciate the information and look forward to next week.
I love this. Although it’s only a short video, it helped clarify what abstract painting is. I like the way you showed us the transition from stylised paintings to abstract paintings. Thank you, Ian 🙏 Anna
Nailed it nicely in under 8 mins.A lesson in how to condense a book into an 8 min video. Brilliant. Thank You.
Great video (videos). I am a choreographer and my dad was a designer/painter. I so deeply appreciate your teaching, it takes me back to precious memories of my dad explaining to me (a seven yr old at the time) how to decipher the 'pushes and pulls' of energy and tensions of an abstraction by Motherwell. I think learning how to see compositionally (in any style) is good life lessons. Thanks much!
Just found you totally by accident. I dabble in watercolor, more a crafter than a painter but eager to learn. I am learning ALOT about composition from your videos... and I am learning art history from you too! So thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
@georgeedward1226