Abstract Landscape Paintings – What Are They?
Abstract landscape paintings are both abstract and a landscape. This method of painting can involve a great deal of creative expression either by altering scenery that exists in real life or by creating an imagined setting. The abstraction can be done without any symbolic significance or the abstraction can represent an idea and express the artists’ inner emotions and feelings. An abstract landscape painting can also be referred to as abstract nature art, and it is intentionally altered and different from realism and thus very interesting for both the artist and viewer.
The artist has freedom to use an unrealistic color palette, exaggerate forms, and use details and texture that express just about anything they are feeling. Abstract landscape paintings can offer the viewer another way of seeing the natural environment that allow them to go deeper into understanding an emotion. Some artists abstract the landscape by breaking it down into simple colors and shapes. This minimalist approach gives greater yield to expression of the emotions. Other artists go so far as to try and express the energy of life and nature through a use of exaggerated color, light, and texture.
Because an abstract landscape painting utilizes characteristics from the abstract art movement it is not uncommon to find unusual natural materials in the painting. For example an artist can add sea shells, a leaf, sand, string, and many other materials. These paintings often have visual or tactile texture. The artist can also emphasize qualities of light in different ways by using iridescent or metallic paint. Today artists can also create abstracted landscapes using digital mediums and altering the images they create. Photographic images of landscapes can be combined with others images or paintings that are completely unrelated using layering techniques.
As you can tell, it is through pure creativity that the abstract landscape painting displays an interwoven connection with human expression and the beauty that exists in the natural world. While the artist seeks to create a composition that is very unique, there is always a familiarity from the natural world that grounds the painting and creates an instant recognizable relationship for the viewer. It is this intrigue of strange and familiar that can capture the viewers attention. It also allows for a variety of interpretations that make for very fun and interesting works of art.
Example Abstract Landscapes
Minimalist Abstract Landscape Paintings
In the examples below the paintings are representative of a landscape but they focus on texture and color. Complex texture is combined with a simple color palette. They are an expression of inner feelings and not an actual place. Notice the one that looks like a waterfall doesn’t exactly continue the look of water as it turns into a green color.
Mixed Media Abstract Landscape Paintings
In the examples below the abstract landscapes are mixed media. Some of them are based off of an actual photograph of a landscape. The photograph has been altered various ways using programs. Additional painted layers have been added to form an abstract landscape that is very unique. Most of these abstract artworks focus on light and shadow. Some use geometric shapes and lines to divide up the softness of the landscape. Others use colored texture or fluid shapes to create imaginary forms that could be any number of things in a landscape such as trees or rocks . The unique forms, colors, and texture add a sense of drama and emotion that otherwise would not be there. You can view more abstract landscapes of this style right here on our website.
Abstract Landscape Painting Ideas
Are you interested in creating your own abstract landscape painting? If you would like to know where to start or just need some new ideas for creating your own abstract landscape take a look at A Captivating Journey: Loose Watercolor Seascape Demo and have a look at some of Robert Joyner’s abstract painting tutorials.
