One of my favorite things to do is paint, though it seems like I don’t do much of it these days! I usually am painting furniture or even placemats more than canvas but when I was in college I found myself painting everyday. There’s something so relaxing about grabbing a brush, creating the perfect color and then applying it onto a canvas. Back then my medium of choice was gouche, which is like an opaque watercolor, though I also loved painting with both oils and acrylics.
Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist or a painter, you can absolutely create beautfiul wall art for your home. Start with an inspiration piece, mine was the color palette in our pixel rug, to direct your color choices. Then grab some DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics, which can now be found at JoAnn.com, and have some fun. Painting with a brush in one had and a good glass of wine in the other is also recommended ;)
Supplies: DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics / primed canvas / paint brush / palette
Time: 1 hour + drying time
The new DecoArt Media Fluid Media Acrylics paint like a dream. The are thin and feel much more like oil paints than acrylics. Though they dry quickly and clean up with soap and water just like regular crylics. The thin consistency makes them perfect for color mixing and blending right on the canvas.
Watch the video below to see how I created my abstract painting.
My favorite part of the painting process has always been the color mixing part (color theory was my favorite course in college after all) though I love getting a head start with some pre-mixed paints. The first layer of my painting was mostly Titan Buff and Titanium White.
Color Mixing Tips
- Navy blue: Prussian Blue + tiny bit of Carbon Black. Lighten with Titanium White / darken with Carboon Black / mute with Medium Grey Value 6
- Mustard yellow: Hansa Yellow Light + drop of Cadmium Orange Hue + little Medium Grey Value 6
- Rose pink: Primary Magenta + Cadmium Orange Hue + little Titan Buff + Medium Grey Value 6
What favorite item in your home will inspire you to create your own abstract art?
Rachel | The Crafted Life
This is absolutely gorgeous! And I feel like I could actually paint it myself :)
Laurel (@abubblylife)
ohmygosh this is sooo gorgeous! I think even I could do it? Love, love, love it!
Breanna
This is seriously gorgeous!
Amy @ Homey Oh My!
Sarah this is gorgeous!
Amy W
I love this style of painting! And your painting tips are great, too.
Alexis
Just beautiful! I love it!
Marlene @ Idle Hands Awake
Oh my, Sarah! I just love this! You always have the best color palettes and this one is no exception! I don’t know much about mixing paints but these look easy to use and I love your tips!
Jess | Make and Do Crew
I love how you use video! Simple and inspiring.
Sarah
Jess | Make and Do CrewThanks so much, Jess!
Aly
This is gorgeous! Of the colors you used, how many were the actual paint colors and how many did you mix? How many would you suggest we get to replicate what you did? This would be an amazing Christmas present! Thank you :)
Sarah
AlyThanks, Aly! I mixed all except the creamy white color (Titan Buff). If you check out the bottom of the post, I share details on mixing all the colors and you can watch the video to see how to replicate it.
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Carmia
I love the final piece, Sarah! The colours are wonderful. I have two questions: do you wait for the paint to dry before applying a new colour on top of it? And do you clean your brush every time you use a new colour, or do you use a different brush for each colour? Thanks! :)
Sarah
CarmiaThanks so much! Yes, I waited for the paint to dry before adding a new color and I washed my brush each time. Happy painting!
Carmia
SarahThanks so much for your reply! :)