Abstract Pumpkin



Abstract Pumpkin
Acrylic
8" x 10" Panel

In the acrylic painting above, I painted the pumpkin in an abstract manner with the “hint” of other pumpkins in the background.   This painting does not fully meet the definition of abstract art, but represents more of an Impressionistic style of acrylic painting.    My painting style is Impressionistic; however, this painting tends a little more toward an abstract painting – perhaps a mix of both styles. 

 

Definition of abstract art:  Abstract art seeks to break away from the traditional representation of physical objects and explores the relationship of form and shape often without recognizable images. 

 

Definition of Impressionistic art:  Impressionism was an art movement that started in France around 1870 which attempted to capture the fleeting “impressions” or “feelings” of a scene rather than detailed realism. 

 

Below are the instructions to capture the painting above:

 

Supplies Needed:

Painting panel – I used a painting panel which had been primed with yellow ochre paint to enhance the light and background in the painting. 

Flat brush and round brush - size of your choice

Palette or disposable palette paper

Acrylic Paint:

• Ultramarine Blue
• White
• Cadmium Red Pale (Lt.)
• Crimson
• Sepia
• Burnt Umber
• VanDyke Brown
• Sap Green
• Yellow Ochre

 

Painting Instructions:

Lightly sketch in shape of the pumpkin with very little detail. 

 

Background:

 The background was painted using Sap Green and Ultramarine Blue.  I painted from bottom to top working around the pumpkin shape sketched on the panel.  Use deep shades around the sides and bottom of the pumpkin. 

Add lighter shades of green, brown and orange in various locations in the background to imply the shapes of other pumpkins in a field behind the pumpkin. 

Pumpkin Body:

Starting with deep shades of orange mixes from Cadmium Red Pale, white and yellow ochre, paint the shapes of each the pumpkin sections.   After the pumpkin sections are painted, go back into each section and add lighter shades of orange, brown, green and white to indicate light and shadow.  Refer to the photo above.  However, deepen the area where the sections meet for shadows and around the outside edges adding bits of green as well.

 

Pumpkin Stem:

 The stem is painted with a deep shade of green mixed from Sap Green and Ultramarine.  Deepen with Sepia and Van Dyke Brown.  Add highlights of white for light areas. 

 

Details:

By the nature of this painting style, details are not desired.  However, check for areas of light and shadow and add those as needed. 

 

Review your painting – step back to see the overall painting and add any additional paint as needed.

 

Sign your painting!  Congratulations!

 

Happy Painting!

Karen