What Do People See in Abstract Painting

As an abstract artist, I’ve spent countless hours creating and contemplating abstract paintings. I’ve often wondered: what do people see in abstract painting?

It’s a question that fascinates me, both as a creator and an observer of abstract paintings. So, let’s look into the captivating world of abstract painting and explore what viewers – including you and me – might discover in these intriguing works.

The Enigma of the Abstract Canvas

“Abstract art was the equivalent of poetic expression; I didn’t need to use words, but colours and lines. I didn’t need to belong to a language-oriented culture but to an open form of expression.” – Etel Adnan

These words from artist Etel Adnan really resonate with me.

When I create an abstract painting, I’m not trying to depict a bowl of fruit or a landscape. Instead, I’m expressing emotions and ideas through colours, shapes and textures.

Abstract art is a form of visual language that goes beyond words, inviting viewers to feel and interpret freely.

If you’re curious about the basics, check out my blog post on “What is Abstract Art” for a deeper dive into this fascinating genre of painting.

The Power of Personal Interpretation

Now, here’s the exciting thing about abstract art – what you see is entirely up to you.

Each abstract painting is like a Rorschach test, but way more colourful and fun. Your life experiences, emotions and even your mood can influence how you interpret an abstract painting.

For example, take a look at this abstract acrylic painting of mine, titled “Light at the End of the Forest”:

This painting took me a long time to complete. The background represents sunlight at sunset, which wasn’t easy to create. Mixing the different colours to achieve the desired sunset hues was quite a challenge.

The foreground was even more demanding. Painting the silhouettes of the tree trunks was quite tricky, but I’m absolutely thrilled with the result.

The original inspiration for this painting was the idea that “there’s light at the end of the tunnel.” To me, it means that for every problem or difficult situation, there’s usually a solution.

It’s my representation of the notion that “there’s always hope, there’s always optimism.”

Now, I’m curious:

– Did you see the painting as light at the end of the forest?

– Did the title of the painting help you interpret what you saw?

– What if the title was missing? Would you still have perceived it as a message of hope and optimism?

– What do you see in this abstract painting?

Remember, what you see in the painting, as a viewer, is more important than my interpretation. The beauty of abstract painting lies in finding your own meaning.

Keep reading as I have other exercises coming up to help you explore your personal interpretations of abstract paintings.

Emotional Resonance: The Hidden Language of Colour and Form

Colours and shapes in abstract paintings can stir up all sorts of feelings.

Bright reds in abstract art might energise you, while cool blues could calm you down. It’s as if the painting is speaking to you in a secret emotional language.

I explore this concept further in my blog “What Does Your Favourite Colour Say About You”, where I talk about how different hues in abstract art can evoke various emotions and memories.

Now, I’m going to share another abstract painting with you, but this time, I’m not going to give you any further explanation or clues about how I made it or what inspired me to create it.

This is a great exercise to use when looking at an abstract painting or any other type of artwork. Allow yourself some time to let the artwork connect with you, without reading the painting’s title, who created it or any other information about it.

In my opinion, reading a painting’s title or learning about the artist or any other information could, in most cases, influence our thoughts about the artwork.

But without knowing any information about the painting, you’re really testing yourself and the painting to see if there’s any emotional response without the influence of external information.

So, take a moment to look at this painting. Let your eyes wander over the colours, shapes and textures. Notice how you feel as you explore the artwork.

Now, I’m curious: What emotions does this abstract painting evoke for you?

Beyond Representation: The Beauty of Pure Aesthetics

Sometimes, appreciating an abstract painting isn’t about seeing “something” in the painting.

It’s about enjoying how the colours play together or how the textures create interesting patterns. Looking at an abstract painting can be like listening to instrumental music – you don’t need lyrics to enjoy the melody.

Now, I’ll tell you the key when looking at abstract art: “Time“.

Yes, take your time and don’t rush it.

Believe me, you won’t see much if you just glance at any painting and this is especially true for abstract painting. It’s even more challenging when you’re looking at non-representational art, which is the type of art I create.

There’s a difference between abstract art and non-representational art. If you’re curious about this distinction, my blog “Exploring the Amazing Non-representational Art” explains it all.

Try this: take a moment to observe the painting below. This is one of my non-representational abstract paintings.

– Take your time. Notice how your eyes move across the canvas.

– What draws your attention to this abstract painting?

– Are you drawn to particular colours, shapes, or lines?

– Do you see any patterns emerging?

– Does it evoke any emotion?

This “slow looking” at an abstract painting can be almost meditative. It allows you to immerse yourself in the visual experience, appreciating the artwork for its pure aesthetic qualities rather than trying to identify recognisable objects or scenes.

I talk more about this approach in my blog “The Art of Slow Looking: The Hidden Beauty of Abstract Art”.

It’s a technique that can dramatically enhance your experience with abstract painting, allowing you to discover nuances and details you might otherwise miss.

Remember, there’s no rush and no “right” way to see an abstract painting. The joy is in the exploration and in allowing the artwork to speak to you in its own unique visual language.

The Freedom and Challenge of No “Right” Answer

I’ll be honest, when I first started creating abstract paintings, I worried about whether viewers would “get it.” But then I realised – that’s not the point of abstract painting. There’s no single “right” way to see an abstract painting.

Embracing this freedom was a game-changer for me as an abstract painter. Now, instead of worrying about conveying a specific message, I feel excited to see how each viewer interprets my abstract paintings.

Why is the viewer’s interpretation more exciting? Well, continue reading the next section.

Abstract Painting as a Mirror of the Self

Sometimes, what we see in an abstract painting says more about us than the painting itself. It’s like the abstract painting becomes a mirror, reflecting our thoughts and feelings back at us.

Here’s another key to appreciating abstract art: “There’s nothing familiar in it“.

Particularly in non-representational art, almost all the elements in the painting do not represent anything that we are familiar with. There are no clearly identifiable objects.

This is the first challenge many viewers face when looking at abstract painting. We’re normally accustomed to translating everything into something familiar to be able to interpret and understand it.

The second challenge is that viewers often become overwhelmed with confusion when trying to interpret a collection of organic shapes, colours and lines, and how to translate that into something familiar.

But here’s the beauty of abstract painting: it’s your total freedom to see and interpret what you think and feel about the artwork. No one, not even the artist, can dictate what you must see in their paintings.

This type of ‘freedom of interpretation’ is also unfamiliar to many people. It can be confusing.

Without guidance and direction, many of us become unsure and unwilling to give ourselves time to see deeper within.

However, those who are willing to dig deeper soon will be able to recognise and interpret their emotions. And this is the moment you truly connect with the artwork.

Incidentally, ‘seeing’ something is different from ‘looking’ at something. Mostly, we look at things, but we don’t do much seeing. Seeing involves perception.

As Henri Matisse said: “There are always flowers for those who want to see them”.

Here’s another one of my abstract paintings (or should I say non-representational):

– What do you see in this abstract painting?

– How does it make you feel?

Your interpretation of an abstract painting might change based on your current state of mind or life experiences.

Share your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to hear your interpretation of this abstract painting.

The Science Behind the Abstract Painting Experience

I find it fascinating how our brains process abstract images.

It turns out that abstract art affects our brains differently than representational art with recognisable objects. Here’s what happens when we view an abstract painting:

1. Our brains work harder to understand abstract art because they can’t just recognise objects. Instead, they focus on things like colours, shapes and lines. This increased mental effort can make the experience of viewing abstract paintings more engaging and memorable.
2. Abstract art makes us think about big ideas instead of specific things. It’s like looking at the forest instead of just one tree. This broader perspective can stimulate more creative and expansive thinking.
3. When we look at abstract art, our eyes move all over the painting. With representational art, we usually focus on specific things. This wider visual exploration can lead to a more immersive viewing experience.
4. Even though we can’t see familiar objects, abstract art can still make us feel strong emotions. This emotional response often comes from the colours, textures and compositions used in the abstract painting.
5. Sometimes, our brains imagine the artist’s movements while making the art. It’s like we’re painting in our minds. This is particularly noticeable in the brushstroke movements, creating a kind of kinaesthetic empathy with the artist.
6. People who know a lot about art often enjoy abstract art more. They use their knowledge to understand it better. However, this doesn’t mean that only art experts can appreciate abstract painting – everyone can develop this skill with practice.

In simple terms, abstract art makes our brains work in creative ways. It lets us make our own meanings and think freely about what we see. This is why abstract painting can be so interesting and fun to look at.

If you want to dive deeper into the neuroscience of abstract painting appreciation, I’ve written about it in “The Brain on Art: How We Process and Appreciate Artistic Expression”.

It’s a fascinating topic that shows just how complex and amazing our brains are when interacting with abstract art.

Next time you’re looking at an abstract painting, try to be aware of how your brain is working.

– Are you searching for familiar objects?

– Are your eyes moving all around the canvas?

– What emotions are you feeling?

This self-awareness can add another layer of enjoyment to your abstract art experience.

Practical Tips for Engaging with Abstract Painting

Want to get more out of your abstract painting viewing experience? Here are a few tips that I share with visitors to my abstract painting studio:

1. Take your time. Don’t rush – let your eyes wander over the abstract painting.
2. Notice your first reaction. What’s your gut feeling when you first see the abstract painting?
3. Look for details. Get up close and examine the textures and brushstrokes in the painting.
4. Step back. How does the painting change when you view it from different distances?
5. Read the title (if there is one). Sometimes it can offer a clue to the abstract painter’s intention.

For more in-depth guidance, check out my blog “How to Look at Great Abstract Paintings and What I See in Them”.

Conclusion: The Universal Language of Abstract Painting

At the end of the day, abstract painting is a universal language. It speaks to us beyond words, beyond cultural boundaries. Whether you’re an art expert or a complete newbie, there’s always something to discover in an abstract painting.

For a deeper appreciation of this art form, take a look at my blog “Appreciating Abstract Art: A Guide to Unlocking the Mystery”.

Your Turn

Now it’s your turn. I’ve included a few of my abstract paintings in this blog. Take a look and share what you see in these paintings in the comments. Remember, there are no wrong answers when it comes to interpreting abstract painting.

The bottom line?

Viewing an abstract painting is a journey of personal discovery.

So next time you’re face-to-face with an abstract painting (maybe even one of mine), take a deep breath, open your mind and see where the abstract painting takes you.

You might be surprised at what you find in an abstract painting.

If it doesn’t, that’s okay too.

For more insights into the beauty and power of abstract painting, don’t forget to check out my blog “The Beauty of Abstract Paintings”.