I wanted to share this video with you because I meet so many artists who want to try painting abstractly but judge themselves too soon.

Video transcript

I often meet representational artists who have a secret hankering to try abstract work. Often they share their first paintings online with a post that goes something like this:

“I fancied having a go at abstract but the finished painting is no good. I’m just not cut out for it.”

To me this akin to saying “I fancied having a go at playing guitar but I tried yesterday and I just couldn’t get the hang of that guitar concerto. Maybe I’m just not meant to play guitar.”

In other words, abstract painting is hard. You will need to learn the language. You will need to understand how to use composition and tone and colour and mark-making to tell your story. And eventually, you need to know why you’re doing it, what story you’re trying to communicate, what feeling you want the viewer to have.

Most artists never want to venture into abstract work and that is perfectly fine – in fact, it’s arguably a wiser decision if you want to sell your work. The majority of people do seem to prefer paintings that look like “what they are supposed to be.”

But if you do feel the pull towards abstraction, it’s vital not to be put off by your early failed attempts. The truth is that your first abstract painting will probably suck. So will the second, third and fourth. And, if you are easily frustrated by failed paintings, you won’t much like this feeling.

But learning from your mistakes is all part of the joy of the journey.

Instead of pushing for finished paintings, set out accepting that you have a lot to learn and feeling excited about the possibilities. If you do, abstract painting will take you on a fascinating, life-changing journey.

You will come to know yourself much more intimately. You will start to understand what matters most to you, and what you want to say to others. You may even find your way to loving yourself.

You will also become much more deeply connected with your materials as you push to see what they can do and where they can take you.

Your new work will inevitably be unique – after all, no-one else has ever tried to tell your unique story in your unique voice. There is no roadmap for that. And this lack of roadmap means that there are inevitable disappointments – many of them! – as you fumble your way towards your truth.

If this sounds exciting, read books, watch videos, take workshops – plunge headfirst into this journey and commit to it. No giving up at the first failed painting … that’s not allowed! Instead, see that first failed painting as an important badge of honour, the first step on a journey that will fascinate you for the rest of your life. And then just keep working.

I’m excited to see what’s to come!

Later this year I will be running a free 8-day course that will help you loosen up, have fun, and start to find your own voice. If you’d like to be notified about the course, do add your name to the list to be sure you don’t miss out – just click here.