101 ABSTRACT ART; Negative Paint a Figure on a Messy Background

Paint an Abstract Figure using the reductive technique, or negative painting on a messy background. In this video, I demonstrate my process of how I turn a messy background into a figure painting of a trombone player.
About Me:
Patt Scrivener AFCA is an abstract artist working in several mediums. She is dedicated to helping artists learn and grow. Learn more about Patt Scrivener pattscrivener....
FREE 7 Tips to Paint Looser app.flodesk.co...
FREE Make Your Own Cold Wax Medium Ebook view.flodesk.c...
JOIN the INNER CIRCLE view.flodesk.c...
Follow me on Instagram / pattscrivenerartist
Join my Free Facebook Creative Community / 731060980313309
Subscribe to my RUclips channel for more videos about Cold Wax and Oil Painting / @pattscrivenerartist BUY ME A COFFEE (or art supplies!). www.buymeacoff...

[@joykalt7551]

This is so attractive to me! Your style is so appealing and you make it look easy but I know there’s so much knowledge that goes into your finishing it up! Thank you for sharing! Very inspiring!

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thank you so much! It becomes easier with practice.

[@shirleymcdonald7008]

I prefer the orange-gold glaze background....It really made the turquoise/light blues pop! Thanks for sharing your technique; you've inspired me!

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks so much 😊I think will change the background back to the gold colour!

[@laurae545]

Thank you! I really appreciated your commentary, especially the comments at the end for those of us who are less experienced painters!

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathryntokars1631]

Patt: I’m new to your style of painting and I love it . I’m trying to go abstract, but find myself sliding into my old way. I won’t give up.

[@shellypayne8402]

I absolutely am addicted to your videos

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for watching

[@junemaguire5053]

Thank you for your time teaching negative painting, I love this.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Welcome 😊

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Fab demo. Thanks so much 😊

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Glad you liked it!

[@kristiinasakai9957]

Interesting; I very much prefer the dark background. I’m glad to have stumbled onto your videos. For many years I have painted abstracts but need to try something different, and ,I have wanted for years to work figuratively so you have given me a happy medium as a possibility. Thanks for your lovely videos with clear, calm explanations, which I’m very much enjoying. ❤

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thank you so much! Happy to have inspired you!

[@joykalt7551]

I love the dark background!

[@joykalt7551]

Will you be doing any landscape zoom classes?

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thank you!

[@gerirussell7180]

Preferred the light background. Thanks. Love your art.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Good to know!

[@doradrexler2792]

Thanks a lot for sharing your internal discussion, it helps a lot to hear what happens before all comes together... I loved the first golden wash background, but the dark work much better.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

You're so welcome!

[@thaismurcemendesdasilva6725]

I love your art! Thanks for sharing your tecnichs with us!

[@pattscrivenerartist]

My pleasure 😊

[@norahreese-xp4cd]

I liked the gold glazed background over the darker one but either one was great

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Yes- it is all about preferences! I am still undecided! A painting is never finished until it sells!😉

[@norahreese-xp4cd]

@@pattscrivenerartist Very true. I've had paintings sell that I thought weren't quite done. 😂

[@pattscrivenerartist]

@Norah Reese Me too! Proves that we may be overworking things!

[@norahreese-xp4cd]

@@pattscrivenerartist Yes knowing when to stop is important

[@susanfield2444]

Wonderful. Loved it.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@ranchofandango]

I liked the more reddish glaze that you were toying with just below the more gold glaze. Or even the darker version with some transparency.
I have done watercolors with a multicolored underpainting, but never really thought about it for acrylics.
Great video. Thank you.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@debbiesheridan3334]

Love this. Very inspirational ❤🎉

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AylaZA]

Absolutely love your style. I enjoyed the washed out yellow, which was enhanced by the white. But it may have popped more with reference to the lights and darks. The pants were perfect before the dark colour swamped it. But even so, I love your style. I am inspired ❤❤

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for your feedback. Sometimes we are too close to our work to see what we are doing.

[@barbarawalsh9135]

Love it ... Thank you ❤

[@pattscrivenerartist]

You're welcome 😊

[@suefonseca9034]

I enjoyed this, the black background would have worked with red hair and pants 😊

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Next time!

[@dferrantiJfr]

I expected more imagery over the dark background. I liked the face before you added the glasses. Maybe the lenses are larger than I would have done them. I liked the lighter background but I'm not sure about blocking the entire subject.. I liked your Process very much.. Thank You

[@pattscrivenerartist]

It has taken a few twists and turns since the video but thanks for you opinion.

[@fotolookconde]

@Patt Scrivener AFCA to avoid your panel swinging you could maybe try to screw one or two screws in a 45 degree angle on the wall where the panel ends at the bottom just to hold it.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for that idea. I will give it a try.

[@dulcieogilvie5786]

I’ve just painted two ladies in a cafe…..using a messy background.So far I haven’t been able to paint out the messy background because I liked it too much! So, I have messy ladies and a messy background. Might eventually be too much. Time will tell.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Sometimes it works! Ponder for a while!

[@bonniebohn5998]

I very much preferred the gold glazed background. I thought the dark one flattened the painting too much. Just my opinion.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for your feedback. I am going to revisit it!

[@karinawolf]

I think that you could have made the background from the waist down a darker (but blended) colour and slightly lightened the pants a little to give it a bit more contrast and left the upper area mostly, but not completely, light as if he was under a light. Just a thought to make it pop a bit more. Thank you for being brave and letting us watch you.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@willeminadejager3238]

Very inspired by your videos. I do have a Q about the brush you use in the beginning, to mark the figure. I like to use knives for applying paint and have the feeling this kind of brush would suit me as well. Searching on the net I cannot find the correct term or name for it. Can you help? TY

[@pattscrivenerartist]

I am using a Liquitex paddle brush . You can find it here. amzn.to/46dZUKv. (Full disclosure -this is an affiliate link and I may make a bit of money from your purchase)

[@michaeloliphant2073]

I would try to vary background. Depending on light source have background from light to dark opposite of light on figure.

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@77rayo]

Lighter with the gold tone

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@sandrageensburg308]

what brushes do you prefer?

[@pattscrivenerartist]

I use the Liquitex paddle brush a lot and Crayola brushes for kids. For big work I use Purdy’s paint brushes from the hardware store. I also use foam brushes and rollers.

[@LN-StPete]

Lighter

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@robynbuccheri6565]

No I do not like the darker background

[@pattscrivenerartist]

Thanks for weighing in. What colour would you paint it?

[@nabinbehera4075]

What is this?

[@pattscrivenerartist]

A trombonist.