Abstract flowers – 15 epic art ideas anyone can do
Many people feel like they can’t create art because they don’t have any natural talent. This couldn’t be further from the truth! You don’t need to be born with a brush in your hand to make beautiful flower art. All it takes is some inspiration, and the right ideas to help you get started. Abstract flower art ideas that anyone can try are perfect for beginners who want to dip their toes into the world of art. With some easy-to-follow steps where I will describe “how I would make this painting” and 15 abstract flower ideas to use as a reference, you’ll be able to create beautiful pieces of abstract flower artwork in no time at all – without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
Below we will look into some great examples so you have a visual reference and maybe something to inspire you and then quickly go over what abstract flowers are, what they look like and how to make one to further reinforce what you have just learned.
You may also wish to look into how to create balanced art so that your abstract flowers don’t look too strange.
Images of abstract flowers that anyone can try
Here are some examples of abstract flowers that you can try, for each one I will break down what they achieved and how you can incorporate it into your own abstract flower artwork.
The first five abstract flower ideas come from an artist named Holly Van Hart who has a large collection of abstract flower paintings that we can draw inspiration from. Holly is a well known abstract nature artist and you could do much worse than copy or use her works as a basis for your own.
Abstract flower artwork #1
50 x 31″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
In this work, the artist has focused on the use of primary colors – red, blue and yellow to loosely resemble the petals of flowers using broad brush strokes and lines.
The stems are depicted as dripping broken lines of paint on a background of pastel colors.
How I would make this painting: To make a similar painting, I would lay some background using my favorite pastel colors and not really mixing them in together. Once the paint is dry I would start adding quick strokes of vertical lines using dark blues and greens of various shades.
I would then focus on what types of petals I would want add and paint them in as a rough shape, trying not to paint a perfect flower.
I would then add some darker contrasting colors to the underneath of each flower to depict shadows and I would then do the same using lighter colors to show lighting.
I would then fill in any gaps with lighter shades and shapes of the flowers you just painted to depict depth of field.
Use the rules of balance to ensure you do not overdo it with the flowers and ensure that the image flows easily.
Abstract flower artwork #2
36 x 48″ mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
In this work, the artist has represented tulips using a flat broad brush using flat wide strokes of paint overlapping each other. Darker colors are used to make the foreground colors of the flowers jump out at you with simple colored straight lines to represent the stems.
This is probably one of the simplest ways to paint abstract flowers and would be a great way for you to start painting abstract flowers.
How I would make this painting: I would paint the background using a nice neutral color or light pastel color. I would then start laying in flat broad strokes of colors that represent the flowers I wanted to paint. The artist has chosen to paint tulips and I think these are a great choice as their almost rectangular cube shape translate well into abstract brush strokes.
I would pick one colored tulip variety and paint them over a darker background, using contrasting colors for shade and light. Block in any spaces between the tulips using black paint and you are on to a winner.
Abstract flower artwork #3
48 x 60 mixed media painting by Holly Van Hart
In this work, the artist has worked quite quickly, laying in the basic shapes for flowers from a ground viewpoint. Which is something you do not typically see when viewing paintings of flowers.
She has applied random but well thought out flat shapes to represent the stems and leaves towards the base of the painting and then quickly added longer stems with splashes of colored geometric shapes for the actual flowers.
How I would make this painting: I would quickly paint a light background and then blend in a base of dark green. I would add small strokes of black and dark green to give the painting some depth and then add lighter strokes of greens and yellows to represent the leaves of the flowers.
I would actually paint sunflowers for my version of the painting and use a small flat brush or palette knife/painting knife to paint in yellow petals with a darker colors for the pistil (center of the flower).
With the painting knife I would start blending in some of the flowers with the background, working quickly to get a basic shape of the flowers and not working it too much or trying to capture too much detail.
Abstract flower artwork #4
30 x 40 oil painting by Holly Van Hart
In this work, the artist has used color to represent various types of flowers from a top down view. The shapes do not represent any specific variety of flower but capture the basic shapes of leaves and petals of common flowers. The focus for this artwork has been color rather than shape.
How I would make this painting: I would paint a dark purple background and once the background is dry I would start painting the rough shape of lilies, bermuda buttercups and perhaps some daisies. These are all flowers that are easily recognizable even to people who have no idea what flower variety they are looking at. Paint them all bunched in together.
Abstract flower artwork #5
20 x 20 oil painting by Holly Van Hart
In this work, the artist has used a single sized flat brush and applied paint in short strokes over each other. The blending of colors is a by product rather than a thought out step. The flowers are simply represented without being realistic. A focal point is achieved by not painting a central part of the work with any flowers but with a simple background and some rough vertical lines to represent stems.
How I would make this painting: I would paint a light background, maybe a light gray. I would paint in some lightly colored and lightly applied vertical lines for stems. The flowers I would choose would be red poppies as they are easy to paint using a few strokes with a flat brush and two to three shades of red. I would then paint in some short vertical strokes of various shades of green to represent a field of grass toward the lower 2/3rds of the canvas.
Abstract flower artwork #6
In this work, the artist has applied some simple strokes of multicolored paint in an almost circular motion to depict 3 or more flowers bunched up together.
How I would make this painting: I would actually paint multi colored roses from a top view, using similar strokes to depict the lines rose petals make when seen from above. I would pick various colored roses and bunch them up, leaving no space in between them.
Abstract flower artwork #6
In this work, the artist has used a muted palette, with limited colors. It is a light and airy depiction of a flower without actually painting a flower.
How I would make this painting: I would use watercolors and apply a wash for the background and then apply a darker layer of either color or grays to paint in a light wash of petals. I would leave half the painting white or with a light wash of color so that the painting would be divided in half. The lighter half I would apply a light wash of blotches for petals.
Abstract flower artwork #7
Ruth Palme
In this work, the artist has depicted flowers in a more surreal manner rather than abstract. This is very similar in style to Juan Miró, the Spanish surrealist artist who worked in the early 20th century. Here the flower is a simple line drawing that has sections colored in. It is very simple and also quite a simple technique to try for yourself.
How I would make this painting: I would use black paint or a paint pen and draw the outline of a vase with a few flowers using contour drawing or simple minimalist lines. I would draw in some patterns on the vase.
I would then lightly paint a background in a single color (something light) and where I had the vase and flowers, I would paint various colors to fill in the vase pattern and then also paint in the flowers.
I would then go over the black lines again to really make them stand out.
Abstract flower artwork #8
Linda Woods
In this work, the artist has really kept painting abstract flowers to a minimum. With a flat background, they then used a single color to paint in the basic lines of a flower.
How I would make this painting: I would paint a blurred green background with a darker green line going from almost top left down to nearly the bottom right corner. Along this line I would use a vibrant yellow to paint in the small shapes that make up an Australian Golden Wattle flower or two.
Abstract flower artwork #9
Clair Bremner
In this work, the artist has painted an abstract version of a Monet water lilies painting. With various flowers on display being painted as blocked in flat short strokes of paint.
How I would make this painting: I would paint this in layers, starting first with a light blue for water then adding various colors of pond plants such as water lilies, lotus flowers and green lily pads. Paint the light colored ones first and then add the next lightest colored flowers and lilies. Layer each one starting from the white flowers to yellow and keep going until you paint the darkest flowers last. I would use a photo of a pond with flowers as a reference. (click here for some free photos you can use as a reference)
Abstract flower artwork #10
In this work, the artist has followed similar techniques we have already seen but some of the colors are blended using a fan brush or using watercolors that have let the colors run.
How I would make this painting: I would pick a few of my favorite flowers and then mentally zoom in to them until you see up close, so close you can barely tell they are flowers. Look at the texture or each flower and the various colors that make up each one. Most of the colors will overlap. Try to copy the textures and overlapping colors. I would use watercolors or acrylics to achieve this effect.
Abstract flower artwork #11
In this work, the artist has let acrylic paint run with some excessive dilution to make it almost look like a watercolor. They have then inked in the flower using a single color. It is a simple but beautiful painting that you can easily recreate.
How I would make this painting: I would get some watercolor paint on paper and let yellows, orange and pinks blend and run into the paper. For this painting I would either paint some hibiscus flowers or plumeria (also known as frangipani) using a purple or red ink. I would then lightly wash the ink to let it run a little so that the flowers do not look too much like real flowers.
Abstract flower artwork #12
In this work, the artist has redefined flowers into a single basic shape and repeated it in various sizes and colors to a multicolored background.
How I would make this painting: I would do exactly what the artist has done but I would use the pond plants described earlier and recreate them as oval flowers painted over a blended multicolored background of blues, greens, purples and yellow.
Abstract flower artwork #13
In this work, the artist has applied a wash and then drawn an inked outline of a flower. Quite simple but effective.
How I would make this painting: I would make this painting even more abstract by washing a background as the artist as has done but then attaching a pen with ink or brush with black paint to a long stick and try to draw the flowers from a distance. What this does is force you to not be perfect and your flowers will look more abstract than real.
Abstract flower artwork #14
Karin Johannesson
In this work, the artist has painted simple strokes for the stems and washes of color for the flowers. They have kept the artwork simple.
How I would make this painting: I would wash the background in a light color and then randomly let small washes of color appear on the paper. I would see what shapes would come about and then ink in some light outlines to reinforce the image of flowers without actually drawing flowers.
Abstract flower artwork #15
Painting –
by Ismeta Gruenwald
In this work, the artist has taken an abstract expressionist approach to painting abstract flowers. With a painted background they have splashed on colors for a flower using various shades.
How I would make this painting: I would paint a dark background and then splash on green paint vertically along the canvas to depict stems. I would then pick yellows or whites to then splash on the petals of sunflowers or daisies. Keep to one type of flower, don’t mix it up with multiple varieties.
I hope my explanations and suggestions as to how I would make each painting were helpful. The great thing about painting abstract flowers is that you can get it wrong and it won’t really matter.
If you found my writing helpful and wish to learn more about painting abstract flowers then keep reading as I cover more How’s and Why’s.
What is a flower abstract?
A flower abstract is just an abstract flower painting, drawing, or collage. It is a piece of artwork that features flowers as the main subject matter but doesn’t necessarily adhere to traditional realist rules or expectations of what a flower painting should look like.
Abstract flowers can be created using any medium, and there are no real boundaries when it comes to what an abstract flower painting can look like. All you have to do is try to make a specific flower look like that flower while keeping making it abstract. It is harder than it sounds but not impossible to do.
One of the great things about creating abstract flowers is that you have complete freedom to experiment and let your creativity flow. If you’re new to painting flowers, or if you’re looking for some easy and fun abstract flower ideas to try, read on for some helpful tips and inspiration.
If you want to try your hand at drawing realistic flowers first, I have a guide on how to draw 12 flowers in a few easy steps. Once you have mastered one of those flowers, try turning one into an abstract flower drawing or painting.
How to paint flowers abstractly
When painting flowers abstractly, the goal is to capture the essence of the flowers rather than to create a realistic or lifelike depiction. To do this, focus on the colors, shapes, and patterns of the flowers rather than on recreating them perfectly.
One easy way to get started is to choose one or two flowers and paint them in different ways. For example, you could try painting a daisy using only large geometric shapes or painting a rose with gestural brushstrokes. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for you.
You can follow the typical rules of creating nonrepresentational art or you can make it up as you go along.
The less you make your abstract flower art look like an actual flower the better.
Keep deconstructing the flower until all you have is the basic essence of the flower, you could paint what you think the smell is like, you can focus on the main colors of the flowers or interpret the name of the flowers into an image rather than trying to make a drawing or painting of the actual flower.
When you manage to do this, you have created an abstract flower artwork.
Why you should create abstract flower art
Flowers are beautiful, but they’re also fleeting. By creating abstract flower art, you can capture the beauty of flowers and preserve them in a way that lasts forever.
Not only that, but abstract flower art is also a great way to get creative and experiment with different colors, textures, and materials.
And, once you’ve mastered the basics of abstract flower art, you can use your newfound skills to create other types of abstract art, like landscapes or portraits.
Types of abstract flower art
There are many ways you can make abstract flower art such as cubist flowers where you break the flowers down into geometric shapes but I think the best art style that works well when creating artworks of abstract flowers is abstract expressionism.
Why abstract expressionism for flowers?
The main reason why this art style works well for flowers is that you’re not restricted to painting or drawing the flowers in a realistic way.
You can be as expressive and creative as you want, using any colors, brushstrokes, and techniques that you like. And, since abstract expressionism is all about your own interpretation of the world around you, it’s the perfect way to express your own unique style.
When you use abstract expressionism to create abstract flower art, your artwork will also look less like your typical still life drawing or painting and you can create something that will have people staring at your artwork wondering what it means and how you came about that deconstruction of a flower into a few colors and strokes.
Abstract and semi-abstract style
So what are abstract and semi-abstract? Wherewith abstract expressionism is completely abstract semi-abstract art is somewhere in between. You can make most of your flowers look abstract and you can mix it up with some realism. This will give your artwork more depth and make it more interesting to look at.
This might be a good approach to take if you are just starting out with abstract flowers and you may find that the pull to create a flower more realistic is too strong. If that is the case, then try semi-abstract to start with and slowly move to total abstract.
Abstract flowers in black and white
If you really want to push the boundaries, try creating an abstract flower artwork without using any color at all! This can be a really striking look, especially if you’re using high-contrast black and white tones.
To make this kind of abstract flower painting, start by sketching out your flowers in pencil on a piece of black paper. Once you’re happy with your composition, go over your pencil lines with a black pen or marker.
Then, start filling in the flowers with white paint, using different brush strokes to create interesting textures. Keep going until you’re happy with the result!
If you want, you could add a tiny splash of color to keep people guessing. For example, in your black and white abstract flower artwork, you can throw in a splash of red for a rose, or a yellow line for sunflowers.
Abstract flowers – 15 epic ideas – Wrap up!
These are just a few ideas to get you started with making abstract flowers. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to art – so let your imagination run wild, and see what beautiful creations you can come up with!
So what are you waiting for? Get inspired and start creating beautiful abstract flower art today! We would love to see your creations – please share this post with your friends or on social media so we can all admire your work. Thanks for reading, and happy creating!
Sources
“abstract flowers and leaves” by zbigphotography (1M+ views) is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.
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Joseph Colella is a frustrated artist with over 40 years experience making art (who moonlights as a certified Business Analyst with over 20 years of experience in tech). While he holds a Diploma in Information Technology, in true wasted talent style he spent years trying to get into various Art degrees from the Accademia di Belle Arti (Napoli), and failed to get into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Western Sydney. His goal is to attend the Julian Ashton School of Art at The Rocks Sydney when he retires from full time work. In his spare time, he writes for the this blog, WastedTalentInc, where he shares practical advice on art, making art, and art materials. Joseph’s art has been sold to collectors all over the world from the USA, Europe and Australasia. He is a trusted source for reliable art and copyright/fair use advice and is committed to helping his readers make informed decisions about making them a better artist.
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