WHAT IS COLOR FIELD ABSTRACT PAINTING?
COLOR FIELD PAINTING is a type of art that became popular in the mid-20th century in New York City - Mark Rothko is undoubtably the most notable Colorfield Artist of the time. This style of art is one part of a bigger art movement called Abstract Expressionism, which also includes more energetic and wild types of painting by artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning.
Imagine a canvas filled with big blocks or gentle waves of single colors. Sometimes, the artist might use a few colors together, but they're usually not complicated or detailed. The whole point is to see how these big patches of color affect you when you look at them.
Colorfield is different from another style where artists fling and dribble paint all over the canvas, trying to show feelings or tell stories. Instead, color field artists wanted to keep things simple and focus on the quiet power of color itself.
When you look at a color field painting, it's as though the colors are on the same level as the canvas – they don't try to look deep or jump out at you. Artists achieve this by adding many thin layers of paint, giving each color a special kind of depth. And rather than showing you pictures of things like trees or mountains, these paintings are all about how colors can make you feel something deep down, without showing anything real at all. The real magic happens when you see how all the parts of the painting – the colors, the shapes, the background – work together.
In a nutshell, color field painting is about letting color and shape speak to you directly. Large "fields" of color allow you to experience the emotional resonance of color. It invites you to dive into a world of color and feel the emotions that come up, without the distraction of recognizable images or scenes. - Melissa Erlenbach
COLORFIELD PAINTING • A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Color field painting is a type of art that became popular in the mid-20th century in New York City.
Imagine a canvas filled with big blocks or gentle waves of single colors.
Sometimes, the artist might use a few colors together, but they're usually not complicated or detailed.
The whole point is to see how these big patches of color affect you when you look at them.
Color field artists wanted to keep things simple and focus on the quiet power of color itself.
When you look at a color field painting, it's like the colors are on the same level as the canvas,
they don't try to look deep or jump out at you.
Artists achieve this by adding many thin layers of paint, giving each color a special kind of depth.
These paintings are all about how colors can make you feel something deep down, without showing anything real at all.
In a nutshell, color field painting is about letting color and shape speak to you directly.
It invites you to dive into a world of color and feel the emotions that come up,
without the distraction of recognizable images or scenes.
Creating a color field painting can be a deeply personal and meditative process.
This technique often emphasizes simplicity, large "fields" of color, and the emotional resonance of color.
Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
Choose a quiet space with plenty of room to work.
Lay down drop cloths or old newspapers to protect the floor.
Gather your materials: canvas (stretched and primed), a selection of brushes or sponges, a palette, acrylic or oil paints, a jar of water (for acrylics) or a solvent (for oils), and rags for wiping brushes.
Step 2: Select Your Colors
Decide on a color scheme that resonates with you. This could be a selection of warm tones, cool tones, or a monochromatic palette.
Consider the emotional impact of the colors you choose – blues can be calming, reds can be energizing, etc.
Mix your paints on the palette, creating shades that will work well together.
Step 3: Prepare the Canvas
Ensure your canvas is smooth and ready for painting. You might want to apply a base coat of gesso if it hasn't been done already, allowing it to dry completely.
Visualize where you want your colors to go, thinking about the composition and balance of the painting.
Step 4: Start Painting
Begin by applying your chosen colors to the canvas. There are no strict rules here – you may choose to use large brushes to sweep color across the canvas or sponges to dab and press color into place.
Work from one side of the canvas to the other, or start from the center and move outward.
Allow the colors to blend slightly at the edges if you wish, creating
a soft transition between the fields.
Consider the texture as well – use brushstrokes to create a uniform look or let them show for a more dynamic surface.
Step 5: Layer and Blend
Once the first layer is down, you can add more layers to deepen the colors or adjust the composition.
Adding many thin layers of paint, gives each color a special kind of depth.
Use a dry brush technique for a softer, more diffused look, or add paint more thickly for a textured, impasto effect.
Take a step back frequently to assess your work and decide where it needs more depth or variation.
Step 6: Add Final Touches
As you near completion, add any final touches to the painting. This could include adjusting the balance of colors, adding small accents, or refining edges.
Some color field artists like to incorporate lines or shapes into their fields of color for additional visual interest.
Step 7: Finish the Painting
Let the painting dry completely. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the thickness of the paint and the medium used.
Once dry, you may choose to apply a varnish to protect the painting and give it a finished sheen.
Step 8: Reflect and Display
Spend some time with your finished work, reflecting on the process and what the colors convey to you.
Choose an appropriate spot to display your painting, considering the lighting and surroundings to enhance
its visual impact.
The beauty of color field painting lies
in its simplicity and the emotional
response it elicits.
Trust your instincts and let the colors
flow onto the canvas without overthinking the process.
