Pinterest-Inspired DIY Abstract Art
Happy Friday, all! I definitely took the long way around when finishing today’s project. {Which has become kind of a recurring thing for me…}
But anyway… do you know how sometimes you see something on Pinterest and you think, “That would be easy! I could totally do that!” Famous last words.
You see, I had that exact thought when I came across some beautiful DIY abstract art while I was scrolling through the never-ending abyss that is Pinterest, so of course I had to try it and see for myself. I mean, look at these beautiful pieces that served as my inspiration:
They’re so pretty! And they can’t be that hard, right?! 😉 So I gathered up all of my little craft supplies and tried to channel my inner-artist. Here’s what I ended up using:
- 18″ x 24″ canvas
- Martha Stewart gold foil sheets
- Craft paint in various colors
- Glue
- Paint brushes in various sizes
- Paper plates
- Paper towels
- Drop cloth (I used a plastic garbage bag.)
I started out by adding the gold leaf. Following the package directions, I applied some glue to random spots on my canvas and let it sit for a few minutes until it became somewhat “gummy,” then I pressed the gold leaf sheets onto the glue. When they had dried for a little while, I brushed away the excess gold leaf and was left with this:
So far, so good. Time to paint. In one of the tutorials I had read, the blogger put globs of paint in different places on the canvas and then used the paint brush to sort of smear them together, ending up with an absolutely stunning result. So I put my little globs of paint on my canvas…
…smeared them together, and I ended up with…
…a hot mess! It reminded me of bad hotel art from the ’80s! I guess my “no-brainer” project wasn’t so simple after all. 🙂 Back to the drawing board. In an attempt to save my Pinterest-inspired creation, I painted over almost everything with white paint.
Then instead of the “glob and smear” method, I tried painting swirls and shapes.
And this is where I learned that mixing paint colors and layering the paint was the way to go. I was liking where this version was headed, but it looked kind of flat. The more I layered paint and gave it more dimension, the better it looked.
One super advanced and uber-technical method {Can you sense my sarcasm through your computer screen? 😉 } that I used a lot was to put a little dab of white paint over my existing color and use my finger to blend everything. This gave the painting sort of a “cloudy” look (kind of like my first inspiration picture above), and added some depth.
When I was done with all of my paint mixing, layering, and very technical smearing, I ended up with this, which I promptly hung in my newly finished and upgraded master bathroom:
Now I don’t think the Louvre is going to come calling any time soon or anything, but for my first attempt at this type of art, I was pretty happy with the end result. {Even if it did take me several tries to get there!}
Plus it adds a nice pop of color to my otherwise neutral bathroom, so I think I’ll keep it… at least for now. 😉
Thank you so much for following along! Have a wonderful day!
The Outdoor Trunk looks wonderful! I now know my style is Coastal Fresh! I hope I win!
not baaad at all for the first try..Love the pastel colors Abby..sweetly match your bathroom for sure…and great GA you have here..
Thank you so much, Indah! I’m working on it, lol! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I don’t think I would make it any better 🙂 Maybe produce some more and start selling?
Haha! I think I’m a way off from that, but I definitely would like to try some more abstracts in the future! Have a great weekend, Ania!
~Abby =)
Oh lord hope I didn’t scare ya haha! Have a great rest of your weekend with the littles 🙂
Abby I think the art looks fantastic! I’ve tried that myself sans photos because it was totally a Pinterest fail, and I don’t want to end up made fun of on BuzzFeed ;0)
Oh my, I never thought of that! Now you have me nervous that BuzzFeed will find me! 😉 Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Anna!
~Abby =)
Abby, your abstract artwork looks great I am digging the gold leaf with the paint colours and I also LOVE your bathrrom, the board and batten looks terrific! I can’t wait to do this to our bathroom but first I have a living room and master bedroom to makeover before then! 😉
Thank you so much, Jillian! You are the sweetest! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Very cute, Abby. Art isn’t for the faint of heart. But you did a great job!
Thank you, friend! I know– art is hard! It is kind of soothing to do, though! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I loved your post! It was totally brave… I’ve never been good at the artsy painting, drawing stuff…
I still remember as a little kid weeping while trying to draw a tree in school because all I drew all the lines perfectly straight… I didn’t know how to just let be messy and creative lol
Art is hard! My cousin is actually an artist, and I always say that she took all of the artistic ability in the family and left none for the rest of us. 🙂 I texted her while I was painting this and told her to send some of her artsy vibes my way, lol. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I feel like that’s how things are in my house… my mom and sister are incredibly artsy… the rest of us. Not at all lol
I saw a cow painting I had to have online and thought to myself “Oh, I can paint that”. Nope. Awful!
Lol! It is definitely harder than it looks, right!? Hope you’re having a great weekend, Sarah Beth!
~Abby =)
My style is Boho Eclectic.
Good for you. These abstract things are so much fun, but can be a challenge. Thanks for the inspiration to try this ourselves. I used to like doing something similar with colored chalk, then hanging it sandwiched between two pieces of glass. Fun.
Ooh that sounds like a cool method! I bet it was beautiful! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Joan!
~Abby =)
My style is Farmhouse Cottage!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I kind of love all of those styles!
I especially love the farmhouse cottage and traditional classic! 🙂
This is so creative! I love it! And those colors are so fun together!
Thank you, friend! At one point I thought I would be posting it as a “FAIL” project, but it all worked out okay in the end! 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I think your site ate my comment or operator error lol…What I said was…I bet this would be very therapeutic as in relaxing, just letting your creativity flow! That’s the great thing about abstract art, it can be anything you want. I think it turned out great. Don’t forget to sign it 🙂
Oh no, my site better not be clonking out on me! It has been craziness lately! 🙂 I agree with the therapeutic part for sure! I actually made this not too long after my surgery and it was nice to be able to just sit and paint whatever my little heart desired! Hope you’re having a great weekend, friend!
~Abby =)
I love the coastal fresh style. Great giveaway!
Hi Abby! That painting looks so pretty! I love the colors. Great job! 🙂
Thank you so much, Sandi! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
You are so much braver than I would ever be! Your art turned out great! My style is probably farmhouse cottage or traditional classic
Coastal Fresh!
I think it is a great piece and you should be proud. MY style was the Traditional Classic.
Thank you, Rebecca! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I absolutely LOVE it- I seriously think I am going out to buy a big canvas so I can try this for myself…for my FALL art!! So pretty!
I’m sure you will be wonderful at art! Can’t wait to see it!
~Abby =)