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How to Paint a Vibrant Abstract 4-In-1 Piece of Artwork

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Paint a Vibrant Abstract 4-in-1 Piece of Artwork

How to Paint a Vibrant Abstract 4-In-1 Piece of Artwork

In this guide I take you through the steps to create some artwork that can be hung as a single piece, or separated and hung individually or as a grouping of three or four pieces

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Step 1 of 23
I found these Martha Stewart fine tip tops at Walmart. The toothpicks and toothbrush are for cleaning these tops after using them

I found these Martha Stewart fine tip tops at Walmart. The toothpicks and toothbrush are for cleaning these tops after using them

Step 2 of 23
To begin, give each canvas two coats of white paint. When dry, tape the sides of each individual canvas in order to protect paint and give a neat border.

To begin, give each canvas two coats of white paint. When dry, tape the sides of each individual canvas in order to protect paint and give a neat border.

Step 3 of 23

Run your finger along the edges of the tape closest to the painting surface to protect paint from bleeding under the tape.

Step 4 of 23
Lay your canvasses out together and tape the sides to hold them in place. I just taped the sides where two canvasses met. Then tape your pattern, treating it as a single piece.

Lay your canvasses out together and tape the sides to hold them in place. I just taped the sides where two canvasses met. Then tape your pattern, treating it as a single piece.

Step 5 of 23

Always remember to run your finger along tape edges. Doing this will save you time having to repaint areas where paint has gotten under the tape.

Step 6 of 23
Paint the exposed surface , giving second and/or third coats if necessary for good coverage.

Paint the exposed surface , giving second and/or third coats if necessary for good coverage.

Step 7 of 23
Step 8 of 23
When paint is dry, gently remove tape. You might feel like ripping off the tape like you might rip off a bandage. DON'T Do IT. Take your time. This is the most exciting step!

When paint is dry, gently remove tape. You might feel like ripping off the tape like you might rip off a bandage. DON'T Do IT. Take your time. This is the most exciting step!

Step 9 of 23
Remove tape from the sides of each individual canvas

Remove tape from the sides of each individual canvas

Step 10 of 23
Check your paintin to see if you need to make any repairs

Check your paintin to see if you need to make any repairs

Step 11 of 23
Seems I had trouble with the orange paint. Just tape and paint the white area to repair.

Seems I had trouble with the orange paint. Just tape and paint the white area to repair.

Step 12 of 23
You may be happy with your painting as it is. If so, skip the next step and go ahead and hang it or give to your Mom (you can always make another for yourself)

You may be happy with your painting as it is. If so, skip the next step and go ahead and hang it or give to your Mom (you can always make another for yourself)

Step 13 of 23
I like to live dangerously and this IS a scarey step. Put the fine tips on your craft paint bottles and paint some swirls across all four canvasses

I like to live dangerously and this IS a scarey step. Put the fine tips on your craft paint bottles and paint some swirls across all four canvasses

Step 14 of 23
If I decide to hang the canvasses separately, the swirls of colour will help to unify a grouping. This painting is titled, "🎶Good Morning!🎶"

If I decide to hang the canvasses separately, the swirls of colour will help to unify a grouping. This painting is titled, "🎶Good Morning!🎶"

Step 15 of 23

Give your painting(s) a couple of coats of acrylic sealer to protect it.

Step 16 of 23
You can now decide whether to hang your work as one piece, or you can now decide on a configuration you would like for hanging your work

You can now decide whether to hang your work as one piece, or you can now decide on a configuration you would like for hanging your work

Step 17 of 23
Step 18 of 23
Step 19 of 23

I hope you give it a try. It's a fun way to spend a few hours exercising your own creativity.

Step 20 of 23
Aly sent me some photos of paintings she had created using a taped background for her stencilling. She has allowed me to share the painting(s) above and on thefollowing pages.

Aly sent me some photos of paintings she had created using a taped background for her stencilling. She has allowed me to share the painting(s) above and on thefollowing pages.

Step 21 of 23
Tap to see a larger view.

Tap to see a larger view.

Step 22 of 23
Step 23 of 23
Thanks for sharing, Aly!

Thanks for sharing, Aly!

Start Over

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20 Comments
Supplies
Embed

4 small canvasses

Painter's tape

Paint brushes

Craft paints in your choice of colours

3 containers of water

Fine tip tops to fit the craft paint bottles

Paper towel or old rags

Newspaper or plastic to protect work surface

Toothpicks or paper clips and old toothbrush

Johanna D

I used 1 inch wide painter's tape

(author) 6 months ago

Johanna D

Let us know how it turns out. You are going to have FUN tomorrow. Enjoy!!

(author) 6 months ago

Jessiebelle Wilcoxon

I can NOT wait to try this tomorrow! :D

Jessiebelle Wilcoxon 6 months ago

Johanna D

Thanks, Kiera

(author) 7 months ago

Aly Riot

oh wow thank you that'd be great!:)

Aly Riot 10 months ago

Johanna D

Aly, if you would like to send me some pics I could add them to the end of this snapguide so you could share with all of us. I don't know of any other way of sharing but it would be interesting to see how you used ideas from this guide. My email address is johannadarbyson@live.ca.

(author) 10 months ago

Aly Riot

lol that's awesome though. i think our best art usually happens that way- just "naturally". I tried two paintings using this guide idea! thanks again! ha not sure how to share em on here or I would

Aly Riot 10 months ago

Johanna D

Lol....Aly, I wish I could plan like that. I just started painting abstracts and the fun of it is that whatever I start out doing is never what I end up with. So, no theme, just fun with color.

(author) 10 months ago

Aly Riot

you're welcome:) & awesome, good luck with yours! Acrylics are great!although I've been on a spray paint kick lately. is there a theme u r going with for your stencil painting?

Aly Riot 10 months ago

Johanna D

Thanks for your comment, Aly. Coincidentally, I just bought a stencil to use with a taped background. I will be using artist's acrylics, though, rather than spray paint or craft paints. Hope you will share when you do your stencil painting.

(author) 10 months ago

Aly Riot

this is so rad thanks for sharing! this also makes a cool background pattern for spray painting stencils. awesome.

Aly Riot 10 months ago

Tabasom Sam

Greate craft

Tabasom Sam 10 months ago

Johanna D

Thanks,, Maxine, Dan

(author) 10 months ago

Dan McManmon

Looks rad. Good job.

Dan McManmon 10 months ago

Maxine Sparrow✌

I think the swirls r nice on it

Maxine Sparrow✌ 10 months ago

Johanna D

Lol....and a five year old could very well do it! It's a choice , though, and some prefer not to swirl.

(author) 10 months ago

Alyson Hames

I know it's your art and all that but the swirls make it look like a five year old did it.

Alyson Hames 10 months ago

Rose Krofcheck

That's a good idea to "practice"!

Rose Krofcheck 10 months ago

Johanna D

I know what you mean. It's scarey, but I usually just swirl over the canvas without dropping any paint until I feel comfortable doing it. In any case, I'm sure it will look great without the swirls.

(author) 10 months ago

Rose Krofcheck

This is very adorable! But I wish I was brave enough to make the swirls, I'm afraid of messing up the actual painting:/

Rose Krofcheck 10 months ago

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