Cuckoo4Design

DIY Abstract Artwork Tutorial

art· Craft Projects· Wall Art

This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Being creative and creating art for your own home is a lot of fun and can add a special personal touch to your home. With this DIY Abstract Artwork Tutorial I’m trying to show you how to make an easy, pretty and unique pice of art. It’s something that beginners can do for sure.

{This page might take longer to load because I have lots of photos and even an animated gif to show you how to make one of these abstract paintings from my gallery post last week (click HERE if you missed it).}

DIY Abstract Artwork Tutorial

beautiful cream, turquoise and gold abstract art piece

DIY Abstract Artwork Tutorial

Here is what you will need:

• a canvas
• gold leaf and sealer(usually gets sold together)
• artist spatula(my secret weapon)
• acrylic artist paint of your choice (brand doesn’t really matter)
• (sometimes I use a hard bristle artist brush but usually I don’t)

gold foil, spatulas, brushes and canvas needed for easy abstract art
Then I just randomly distribute globs of paint on the canvas:
paint squirted randomly on canvas
That’s where the spatula comes in place. It’s like applying a messy coat of cake icing.
spreading random paint on canvas with spatula
Randomness is key here:
creating textured with spatula and acrylic paint on canvas
I spread out the white first and then slowly work in the color.
mixing a second color into white acrylic paint on canvas
mixing more blue into white acrylic paint with spatula
mixing in more blue with spatula on paint canvas
random patterns of white and blue acrylic paint on canvas
mixing in some black acrylic paint with white and blue on canvas
mixing in some dark green with white, blue and black acrylic paint on canvas
You can add as many colors as you would like.
Then I add the gold foil randomly into the wet paint:
tearing off small pieces of gold foil to apply to wet acrylic paint on canvas
pushing gold foil into wet paint with fingers on canvas
randomly apply gold foil to acrylic paint on canvas
final step of using spatula over paint and gold foil
When the gold foil is pressed into the paint, I lightly go over the edges with the spatula and a little bit of paint to make the edges look more random.
random strokes over gold foil with spatula
Then I let the paint dry and apply some gold leaf sealer to the golden areas.
You can also paint the side of the canvas gold or add a frame.
That’s it all done!
EASY RIGHT?
A slow demonstration for you, just watch the below photo:
And here is another video tutorial of a different painting I made for beginners:

 

 

thin_line
easy to paint blue, green, turquoise and gold abstract art
how to paint beautiful cream, turquoise and gold abstract art piece
colorful abstract art gallery
Also check out my DIY top knot print that anyone with a smartphone can make (click HERE):

Also see how to paint this brushstroke art by clicking HERE.

colorful DIY brushstroke painting

Or if you are into abstract black and white art then check out this post HERE:

Easy black and white abstract art tutorial - Cuckoo4Design

And did you know you can download and print affordable art from Etsy? (click HERE)
10 Etsy shops with great downloadable art for under $6 - Cuckoo4Design

Favorite abstract Etsy art

DIY Abstract Artwork Tutorial
You should give it a try. It really is very easy.
I hope you liked the tutorial and let me know if you have any questions.
Talk to you on Wednesday.

Tschüß

(Youleeya)

more of my art blog posts:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Sheryll And Critters. says

    Wow, I love everything you do …… I will have to wait on this one…. well a lot of stuff. I just don’t have a penny now that o put his work into play this January 01. Oh well, I am wishing to save money for a Kreg Mini Jig, in order to make a Pup/End Table/Window seat for my very tiny bedroom. Long story, but I just can not take having the metal crate in my dining/living room for any longer… it is horrible and way too large and I have such tiny space.

    Wish me luck on saving money. I have decided….. no eating, save money….. works. Good way to diet and I know for a fact that if you do not eat, you do lose weight. Of course it is not so healthy, but sometimes necessary.

  21. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    You make it look so easy! I’m definitely going to have to try making some abstract art of my own one of these days. I have too many blank walls haha Also, congrats on making it into the Homie Awards finals! Best of luck to you! 🙂

  31. Scott Kinney says

    This is a really neat idea. I’m always painting on canvas and I’m going to dabble in this. Your work is very nice by the way.

  38. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    Okay YES now I know what kind of art I want to try next! Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial, it looks like so much fun and I can’t wait to experiment! The colors you chose and the gold leaf look beautiful together!!

  39. deebi27 says

    Thanks for sharing this…I am thinking to make one of these for my daughter’s almost here baby room…you can never start too young for art enjoyment!!! The texture will amazing for touching!!! I just wish I had found this on Pinterest sooner, so I could have voted! It’s fabulous!!!

    • Julia says

      Hi Shruti, sorry I didn’t see your comment. I was on a little vacation and things have been crazy around here. I would definitely use the peach color, red, yellow and maybe just a mint of purple and green. Good luck!

  51. Arael Seher says

    What is the name of the real paint you use in this tutorial? I love that color! Is the blue you use cobalt blue? Gorgeous art!

  53. Iowa says

    Hi Julia, you have done a great job with this canvas, and with all the things you touch 🙂 you really are great! I first saw your works in the summer of 2015 and since then, this canvas was haunting me, so i thought i should give it a try…
    Thanks for inspiring others !

  54. martha says

    Hello
    I love your posts, specially this one
    I just have a question..
    Can I substitute the acrilyc paint for oil paint??
    thank u