Chapter 2

Design With Abstract Shapes

The Storm Is breaking

Watercolor and PanPastel on Fabriano cold-pressed watercolor paper, 12" × 16" (30cm × 41cm)

Abstract shapes are beautifully designed asymmetrical symbols. Understanding and applying abstract designs to your paintings will give you the backbone of successful renditions whether they be landscapes, portraits, figures or still lifes. The application of this concept is the most important key to all hand-painted works.

In this chapter you will learn:

• How to think in terms of pictorial symbols and then design them.
• How to see and paint not just forms, but the spaces surrounding those forms.
• How to prioritize when massing shapes.
• How to avoid problematic shapes.
• How to build a pictionary of attractive landscape symbols that will represent real objects so you can avoid directly copying them.