Abstract Painting: No Rules, Just Feeling

Have you ever looked at a painting and thought, “What is this supposed to be?” No faces, no trees, no houses—just shapes, lines, or splashes of color. It might feel confusing at first, like something’s missing.

But here’s the thing: not all paintings are meant to look like real life. Some are meant to make you feel something instead.

That’s what abstract painting is all about. It’s a style where artists let go of real objects and paint with color, emotion, and imagination. They don’t try to copy the world—they create their own.

As Piet Mondrian once said:

"I tried to get rid of the object altogether, so that I could paint color. And when I had painted color, I knew that I had painted life."

Key Takeaways

• Abstract painting doesn’t show real objects—it uses color, shape, and line to express feelings or ideas.

• The style grew from earlier movements like Cubism and became popular in the 20th century.

• Famous abstract painters include Kandinsky, Mondrian, Pollock, and Rothko.

• There are different styles of abstract painting, like geometric, expressionist, lyrical, and minimal.

• You don’t need to understand abstract art in a traditional way—just focus on how it makes you feel.

• Anyone can try abstract painting. You don’t need to be an expert to start.

• Abstract art is about freedom, emotion, and creativity—not perfection.

What Is Abstract Painting?

Abstract painting is a style of art where the goal isn’t to show real things like people, animals, or buildings. Instead, it focuses on feelings, energy, or ideas. The artist might use shapes, lines, and colors to express something you can’t always put into words.

Unlike realistic painting, which tries to make things look like they do in real life, abstract painting breaks away from that. It lets artists explore what can’t be seen—like a memory, a mood, or even music.

In short, abstract painting isn’t about showing what something is—it’s about showing what something feels like.

What Abstract Art Looks Like

Abstract paintings can come in many different styles. Some are big and loud, with bright colors and strong brushstrokes. Others are soft and calm, using just a few shapes or colors. There's no single way abstract art has to look—that's part of what makes it exciting.

Instead of painting a tree, an abstract artist might paint the feeling of standing under one. Instead of a face, they might use bold colors and lines to show emotion.

Some common things you’ll notice in abstract painting is, 

1. Color that is used to set the mood or grab your attention
2. Line that can guide your eye across the painting or show movement
3. Shape and form that are sometimes geometric, sometimes free-flowing
4. Composition, meaning how everything is arranged on the canvas

There may be no clear subject—but that’s the point. The painting invites you to decide what it means.

How Abstract Painting Began

Abstract painting didn’t just appear out of nowhere—it grew from other art styles that came before it. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, artists were already starting to break away from traditional, realistic painting.

• Impressionism showed light, color, and quick brushstrokes instead of detailed scenes.
• Cubism, led by Picasso and Braque, broke objects into shapes and angles.
• Symbolism focused on dreams, feelings, and mystery instead of real-life subjects.

These styles helped artists realize they didn’t have to copy what they saw—they could paint what they felt or imagined.

Birth of the Abstract Art

The first true abstract paintings appeared in the early 1900s. Two important pioneers were:

• Wassily Kandinsky, who believed that color and form could express music and emotion
• Hilma af Klint, who painted bold, colorful works inspired by spiritual ideas—even before Kandinsky did

These artists created paintings with no clear people, places, or objects. Instead, they used shapes, swirls, and colors to express inner worlds.

At first, many people didn’t understand this kind of art. It was new, bold, and very different—but it opened a door to a whole new way of painting.

Rise in Popularity

Abstract painting style grew quickly in the 20th century. After World War II, artists around the world began using it as a way to express strong emotions, chaos, and freedom.

Movements like Abstract Expressionism in the United States made the style famous. Artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko brought abstract painting into the spotlight with huge canvases and dramatic colors.

By the 1950s and beyond, abstract painting had become one of the most powerful and popular ways for artists to create and communicate without using words or realistic images.

4 Different Styles of Abstract Painting

Abstract painting isn’t just one look or approach—it comes in many styles. Some feel bold and chaotic, while others are soft and simple. These are the main types that shaped the way artists painted in the 20th century and beyond.

1. Geometric Abstraction

Geometric abstraction is all about order, balance, and clean shapes. Artists use straight lines, squares, circles, and bold colors to create a sense of structure. It may look simple at first, but it’s carefully designed. Piet Mondrian is one of the most famous artists in this style—his paintings with red, blue, yellow, and black lines are known around the world. Josef Albers also explored this style, using shapes to study how colors interact with each other.

2. Abstract Expressionism

This style exploded after World War II and focused on big emotions and personal freedom. Abstract Expressionist painters wanted to show what they felt inside, not what they saw outside. Some, like Jackson Pollock, used action painting—throwing, dripping, or splashing paint across huge canvases. Others, like Mark Rothko, painted large rectangles of glowing color to create calm, deep emotions. These paintings were often huge and meant to surround the viewer in feeling.

3. Lyrical Abstraction

Lyrical abstraction is more poetic and gentle than Abstract Expressionism. It focuses on emotion, but in a softer, more flowing way. Joan Miró used playful shapes and lines that almost look like a dream or a child’s imagination. Helen Frankenthaler created soft, colorful washes by letting paint soak into unprimed canvas. This style is expressive, but with a lighter touch.

4. Minimal Abstraction

Minimal abstraction is quiet and simple. These paintings use very few elements—sometimes just one shape, a single line, or a small area of color. The goal is to create peace and space, leaving room for the viewer to think and feel. It may look empty at first, but the simplicity is intentional. It’s about slowing down and noticing the little things.

How to Understand Abstract Paintings

Abstract paintings don’t always make sense right away—and that’s okay. They’re not meant to tell a clear story. Instead, they’re about emotion, movement, and imagination. Here’s how to look at them in a way that helps you connect:

• Don’t look for a story — look for a feeling.

Abstract art isn’t about showing something you recognize. It’s about what the colors and shapes make you feel.

• Pay attention to color, balance, and energy.

Are the colors warm or cold? Is the painting calm or chaotic? Where does your eye go first? These clues help you understand the mood.

• Let your own reaction guide you.

Everyone sees something different in abstract art—and that’s the point. There’s no “right” answer.

The best way to understand an abstract painting is to let go of the rules and just enjoy the experience. What matters most is how it makes you feel.

How to Start Abstract Painting as a Beginner

Abstract painting is a great place to start if you're new to art because there are no strict rules. You don’t need to draw perfectly or paint something realistic—you just need to explore shapes, colors, and emotions.

Here are some easy steps to help you begin, 

• Start simple.
  Use a few colors, basic shapes, and big brushstrokes. Try painting how a certain song or mood feels instead of painting a thing.
• Experiment with tools.
  You don’t need fancy supplies. Use brushes, sponges, your fingers, or even old cards to spread paint. Try acrylic paint—it’s easy to use and dries quickly.
• Play with color.
  See what happens when you mix colors or put bright ones next to dark ones. Don’t worry if it looks “messy”—abstract painting is about expression, not perfection.
• Paint what you feel.
  Think about a memory, a dream, or a strong emotion. Let that guide your movement, colors, and shapes.
• Don’t overthink it.
  Just begin. Let the process lead you. You can always paint over something you don’t like—many abstract artists do.

Remember, abstract painting is personal. It’s not about getting it “right,” it’s about exploring your ideas and having fun with paint.

Abstract Painting for Beginners

If you’ve never tried abstract painting before, don’t worry — it’s one of the most freeing ways to start making art. You don’t need to be good at drawing. You don’t even need a clear plan. Abstract painting is about exploring color, shape, and emotion. It’s okay to make a mess. The most important thing is to start.

How to Begin

There’s no one “correct” way to paint abstract art. Just pick up a brush (or sponge, or your fingers!) and play around. Use big strokes or small ones, try dots, swirls, or lines. Let your feelings or favorite music guide you. Think of painting like dancing on the canvas—there are no steps you have to follow.

Basic Techniques

Start with simple ideas. Choose a few colors you like and try putting them together. Let them overlap or blend. Paint over something if it doesn’t work. Try,

• Using different brushes or tools
• Painting with your non-dominant hand
• Letting paint drip, smear, or mix

Don’t worry about what it’s “supposed” to look like—focus on how it feels.

Your First Painting (Step-by-Step)

1. Pick a few colors you like and squeeze them onto a palette or plate.
2. Use a big brush or sponge to cover the canvas with a background color.
3. Add bold shapes, lines, or areas of color—try not to plan too much.
4. Layer more paint on top. Let some parts mix or overlap.
5. Step back every few minutes to look at the whole picture.
6. Stop when it feels done—not when it looks perfect.

Let the painting lead you. You’ll know when to add more and when to stop.

Tips for Practice

• Keep it short, 10-15 minutes of painting is a great start
• Try painting to music and let the rhythm guide your brush
• Use a sketchbook or small canvases to practice different ideas
• Don’t copy, explore! See what happens when you try new shapes or color mixes
• Most of all -  have fun. If you’re enjoying it, you’re doing it right

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t start with too many colors, stick to 2- 3 at first
• Don’t try to “fix” everything. Some messy parts add personality
• Don’t overthink. It’s okay if you don’t know what your painting is about
• Don’t give up too early, keep layering until something clicks

Abstract painting is all about learning by doing. You don’t need to explain it. You just need to enjoy it. Let go of the rules, trust your instincts, and let the paint do the talking.

Conclusion

Abstract painting isn’t about copying what we see—it’s about expressing what we feel. It gives artists the freedom to explore color, shape, and emotion without needing a clear subject. Whether it’s bold and loud or quiet and simple, abstract painting lets us see the world in a new way—not through objects, but through feelings and energy.

At its core, abstract art speaks a deeper, more fundamental truth. It connects directly to the soul, using color and form as its language.

As the abstract art pioneer Wassily Kandinsky once said:

"Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammers, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand which plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul."

Let your painting be your song—no rules, just feeling.