Today, we are going to play around with abstract blobs, an art trend that I see all over social media and interior design spaces. “Blob” isn’t a technical word but it’s the word we’re using because it makes sense and I’m writing for the common folk here. While this style of art is having a moment, they’re not new or original- you probably made art like this as a child without thinking about it. Here’s the potential value behind making abstract blobs:
- Loosen up within safe boundaries: These shapes are flexible and playful, not rigid or obedient. You can experiment and make mistakes without any pressure to perform or produce. As the artist, you are free to experience the uninhibited movement of your tools and surrender to the process, while feeling supported and safe.
- Work with color (or not): Use color, don’t use color, do whatever you want! I created prompts that mirrored the original art I found on social media, but that doesn’t mean you’re obligated to do the same.
- Bypass expectations: Ok, yes, I’m providing instructions and showing reference art for all these prompts. However (!), our final art work isn’t obligated to look a certain way. There isn’t a right or wrong way to make art. I believe this with my entire being.
- Use whatever medium you want: This exercise is perfect for paint, pens, markers, chalk, crayons, pastels, etc. and you can use printer paper, the sidewalk, canvas, fabric, a wall, or an iPad to create your art.
Black Shapes with Neutral Background
- Draw an organic shape.
- Fill in the shape with a solid color OR create a thick border around the outline.
- Add more shapes, working around the curves of the original shape.
- Make sure all the shapes are contained within the page.
My interpretation of this prompt:
Transparent Overlapping Shapes
- Make one shape.
- Fill in the shape with a single color or gradient. Make sure the color isn’t too opaque or the different values won’t be visible in the final art.
- Draw another shape that slightly overlaps with the first shape.
- Continue drawing shapes that overlap each other.
My version:
Individual Shapes with Some Space In Between
- Start by making one shape anywhere on the surface.
- Add more shapes, maintaining space in between. You want to see the background clearly.
- Add a variety of shapes- circles, lines, dots, rectangles, arcs, etc.
- Use different colors to fill the shapes.
What I made:
Shapes that are Influenced by Others
- Start by making one shape.
- Fill in the shape with a solid color.
- Make another shape next to the first, molding it around first shape. The curves and location of each proceeding shape determines each subsequent shape.
