![Abstract Art Making: A Daily Practice](http://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/subject-slide~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/nff1vdlpm7vrj8nohkja.jpg)
All levels
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3 hours 1 min
00:58
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06:06
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04:49
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09:23
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03:12
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07:28
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04:55
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11:48
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05:57
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04:11
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06:14
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07:53
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06:12
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06:50
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06:47
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09:43
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05:12
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03:39
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06:05
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07:16
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06:32
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05:25
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03:55
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07:03
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02:27
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07:49
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04:59
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05:16
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02:24
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04:03
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04:42
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02:35
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Restore your creative energy with Portland, Oregon artist and educator Abby Houston! This daily practice leads you on an abstract painting journey that offers a beautiful reset for all creative practices. One of the tricky parts of art making can be knowing where to start, so Abby takes you through her toolbox of techniques: layering messy marks, adding fine details and personal motifs, all while exploring emerging themes. Working in several sketchbook spreads simultaneously, this daily exploration exposes the magic of being open to transforming mistakes into thoughtfully layered creativity.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Arteza or Pentalic 4x4 OR 8x8 bound sketchbook or watercolor weight paper
- Variety of Posca paint pens in various sizes and colors
- Variety of Molotow paint pens in various sizes and colors
- Liquitex or Golden brand gesso (white)
- Canson acrylic painting paper
- Canson cold press watercolor paper pad - 9x12 preferred
- Color pencils - Abby prefers Prismacolor or Posca brands
- Golden high fluid acrylics and fluid acrylics
- Amsterdam heavy body tube acrylics
- Sennelier Abstract 3D Liners
- Fineliner syringe pen or diluted fluid acrylic paint applicator
- Uniball Signo white ink gel pen and black ink gel pen
- Scissors
- Scrap cardboard in various sizes and weights - cereal boxes work well
- Flexible wedge tool or various styles of Catalyst wedges
- Various synthetic and foam brushes
- Jar for water
- Various found objects to use for circle stencils, such as cans, game boards, or tape rounds
- Pencils and ball point pens
- Stabilo wooden crayon sticks and/or wax crayons
- Mod Podge in matte finish
- Natural items such as dried flowers, house plants, or sticks and rocks
- Various wall paints or sample paints
- Washi or painter's tape
- Binder clips
- Unconventional materials such as lids, netting from produce bags, collage pieces
- Wax paper to prevent pages sticking
Downloads:
- Use simple techniques to get your artwork started
- Work loosely with acrylic paint and paint paints
- Layer and layer and layer with texture and color
- Set parameters to assist your abstract art practice
![](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/tutorial-image-thumbnail~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/q2j95agoujlw4ghmynp2.jpg)
![Abstract Art Making: A Daily Practice](http://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/nff1vdlpm7vrj8nohkja.jpg)
![A hand holding a white pen about to draw on a sketchbook of an abstract painting from Abby Houston's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice class on Creativebug](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/q2j95agoujlw4ghmynp2.jpg)
![An overhead photo of a sketchbook spread featuring ginkgo leaves and orange paint made in Abby Houston's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice class on Creativebug](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/r8kiknmerst7emsekfhz.jpg)
![Two sketchbooks featuring colorful abstract paintings from Abby Houston's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice class on Creativebug](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/mpwg9sncejzhal7baq4t.jpg)
![A vertically-oriented sketchbook spread from Abby Houston's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice class on Creativebug plus three bottles of high-flow acrylic paint and a sponge paint brush](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/r16itfziorpa5izhoerx.jpg)
![A hand holding a neon blue paint marker drawing lines in two of a pink blob from Abby Houston's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice class on Creativebug](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/jpfmu1fqmnsq1jurbip3.jpg)
![A sketchbook spread featuring cut-out letters spelling Begin Again from Abby Houston's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice class on Creativebug](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/tg3qkmmbulqdhia7xdwj.jpg)
![A horizontal, two-page spread from Abby Houston's Abstract Art Making Daily Practice class on Creativebug](https://php7.creativebug.com/pimage/dynamic/feed-248~storage/public/images/tutorial_thumbnails/original/1901/images/7ajetoorvzsfbyiroure.jpg)
Member Gallery
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Abstract Art Making: A Daily Practice Reviews
261 users recommended this class to a friend
Catharine Way
Fabulous. She had so much to give, and though she's obviously a very talented artist her approach was unassuming and not at all intimidating. I learned a lot! Thank you.
August 27
1
melanie carroll
This was really helpful. I appreciated the instructor's style and pace. She shared so many thoughts and ideas as she worked. I especially liked the idea to work in a number of sketchbooks at once and to keep coming back to pieces to add more layers, elements and details.
July 25, 2024
1