42 Abstract Concepts to Paint

Me, Myself & Art

by Courtney Hatcher

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How to Create a Concept for an
​Abstract Painting

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​Inspiration for art is found anywhere and everywhere.

Below is a list of words that represent different actions, emotions and thoughts.  Use these abstract concept prompts to challenge yourself or simply as a starting point for a new piece of art.  (Honestly it doesn't have to be a painting.  You can use these concepts as a starting point no matter what type of art you do.)

A strong concept is essential to the art making process.  No matter what style of art you make and no matter what materials you use.  The why? is always important!
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Brainstorming

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Sometimes the flow of a concept is intuitive.  Sometimes, it is based on the kind of art you make.  Other times, conceptualizing takes a lot of time and thought.  No matter what your process is, being able to articulate your choices is an important part of being an artist.

One of the ways I work through my concept is to brainstorm based on a word that represents some kind of emotion, or theme.  I free-write lists, charts, sketches and other thoughts based on the word or theme I have chosen.

Free-Writing

Free-writing, or stream of consciousness, is where you write in an uninterrupted flow for a set period of time.  You don't take too much time to think about what you are writing, you simply write down whatever pops into your head.  Letting one thought lead into another until you have fully explored what your theme means to you.

Some questions I like to keep in mind when I'm brainstorming and free-writing are:

• What materials will I use to make the artwork?  Why?
• How will I create the artwork?  What techniques will I use?  How will I incorporate the elements of design into my piece to suggest the message I desire?
• Will the artwork be large or small?  Why?
• What are all the variations of the word I've chosen?
• Synonyms?  Definition?
• What are the opposite meanings/associations of the word?  Antonyms?
• What other concepts or ideas are similar to the word?
• What might the word mean or represent to someone else?
• What imagery, literal and figurative, do I associate with the word?  Sense memory (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell)
• What is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear or say the word?
  

1.  Is it directly related to the word?​  (example:  Awakening.  Awareness.  Opening your eyes.  Realizing something.  Recognizing the truth of a situation.  Shining a light on something that was hidden.)  In this example I build from the word, focusing on the definition.  It is a direct path from the inspiration word through the whole free-writing session.
   
2. Does the word remind you of something else?  (example:  Awakening.  Waking up.  I need to set my alarm for the meeting tomorrow.  I can't be late.  Time.  We live our lives based on time.  We judge every task in relation to time.  What would life be like if we didn't?)  In this example the word is used as a starting point, but by the end the theme has evolved into contemplating the impact of measuring time.

          I usually end up combining the two examples when I free-write!   

If you've never used free-writing to work through an idea give it a try!  It works great for me.  But don't worry, if it's not your thing there are plenty of other ways to brainstorm your abstract theme.

One other way I brainstorm is to put all of my ideas to paper in list form.  I make a checklist of ideas, materials, and techniques.  Or, I'll draw a chart or diagram and work through the problem or theme that way.

I find, with art and life, that trying something new can help you find solutions to your problem while expanding the boundaries of your comfort zone.  It's great to try new techniques and methods. 

Maybe they will be helpful.  Maybe not.  You won't know until you try!

In the end, the act of writing out your ideas is what matters.  

The best thing about analyzing and writing about your theme before you start the piece...

It makes writing artist statements and show proposals SO MUCH EASIER!!!

Take the time to put your thoughts to paper, you won't regret it.

To Get You Started:

(Definitions found in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the Cambridge Dictionary and Dictionary.com)

*See the artwork I created based on these themes by clicking on the word! 
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APEX
"The uppermost point."

AWAKENING
"A coming into awareness."

BECOMING
"To come into existence.  To undergo change or development."

BURST
"To break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or from pressure from within.  A sudden outbreak.  A sudden intense effort."

CASCADE
"Something arranged or occurring in a series, or in a succession of stages, so that each stage derives from, or acts upon, the product of the proceeding."

CATHARSIS
"Purification or purgation of the emotions."

CONSCIOUS
"Awake.  Controlled thought or observation."

CONVERSION
"Change or transformation from one state or condition to another."

COSMOS
​"Universe."

"Cosmos" acrylic painting on canvas by Courtney Hatcher. 24" x 44"

DICHOTOMY
"Something with seemingly contradictory qualities."

DISCREET
"Careful not to cause embarrassment or attract too much attention, especially by keeping something secret."

DRIFT
"To move or float smoothly and effortlessly.  To move in a random or casual way."

EMERGE
"To become manifest.  To rise from an obscure or inferior condition."

FALLEN
"To suffer ruin, defeat or failure.  To commit an immoral act.  To pass suddenly into a new state or condition."

FLASH
"To appear suddenly.  A sudden burst of light."

FLUX
"A continued flow.  Constant change."

GROWTH
"Progressive development.  Evolution."

HARVEST
​"The product or reward of exertion."

HUSH
​"To become quiet.  Suppress."

IGNITE
"To set afire.  To begin to glow."

IMPEDIMENT
"Something that makes progress, movement, or achieving something difficult or impossible.

INFLATION
"To expand or increase abnormally or imprudently."

INSTINCT
"A natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity."

"Instinct" an Acrylic Painting on Board by Courtney Hatcher. 24" x 30"

LISTEN
"To hear with thoughtful attention."

LONELY
"Producing a feeling of bleakness or desolation."

PIERCED
"Forcing a way into or through something."

POISON
"A substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures or impairs an organism."

PRESSURE
"The burden of physical or mental distress."

RADIATE
"To spread abroad or around as if from a center."

RELEASE
"To set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude."

RHYTHM
"Movement or fluctuation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements."
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"Secret" acrylic painting on canvas board by Courtney Hatcher. 8" x 10"

SECRET
​"Kept from knowledge or view.  Working with hidden aims or methods."

SELF-WORTH
"The sense of one's own value or worth as a person."

SHIFT
"To make a change."

SOLITUDE
"The quality or state of being alone or remote from society."

SONAR
"An apparatus that detects the presence and location of a submerged object by means of sonic and supersonic waves reflected back to it from the object."

SPIRAL
"A continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease."

SUSPENSION
"The act of hanging.  The temporary prevention of something from continuing or being in force or effect."

SYNTHESIS
"The composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole."

TANGLE
"A complicated or confused state or condition.  To involve so as to hamper, obstruct, or embarrass."

VISION
"The act or power of seeing.  A manifestation to the senses of something immaterial."

VORTEX
"A mass of air or water that spins around very fast and pulls objects into its empty center."

"Spiral" an Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Courtney Hatcher. 11" x 14"

The Challenge...

Now that you have a starting point for some abstract concepts, challenge yourself.

Everyday for the next 42 days explore one of these concepts.  Draw, paint, sculpt, choreograph, make music!  Whatever your artistic calling, use one concept per day and create something new!

Not sure you want to jump right into making a big piece of art take a look at my Importance of Sketching series for some tips on getting started!

​General Disclaimer:  All information provided on this website is intended for informational and entertainment use only.  Information contained in this website is not intended to be advice.  By accessing, viewing or using this website you are agreeing that I am not liable or responsible for your business or personal results, or any other results that you may have as a result of information presented to you through this website.  You accept and agree that you are solely responsible for your results and that I provide no express or implied guarantees or promises to you.  This blog is about the process and inspiration of the artist, Courtney Hatcher.  I reserve the right to change the focus or content of this blog at any time.