Abstract-A-Licious: exercises in abstract design

Course
33 Lessons

Course Description

If you’ve looked with secret longing at the world of Abstract Art but have no idea where to begin, this is the class for you. Lessons consist of concrete design exercises that are clear and easily understood as well as ample encouragement from an award winning teacher. You don't need to have drawing or design skills as this course has been created to inspire and teach both the timid beginner and the confident creative. Lyric's easily followed instructions lead you to create your own unique and original abstract compositions.

We will explore the concept of Abstract Art, define it for the purposes of the course, and play with exercises that will help you spill out ideas unique to you alone. These ideas are the spark that you can feed until it becomes a flame, the seed that you can choose to nourish and grow into a fully grown composition. We start small and build concept by concept, developing and refining each exercise in a process of studying the elements that come together to create a pleasing composition.

You will learn:

Five easy ways to create ideas for abstract compositions

How to apply the visual elements of Line, Texture, Shape, Value and Color to further develop your compositions into pleasing artwork

A process of playful exploration

❤️ Thanks for all of your feedback AND encouragement - such a great ‘kick in the ass’ class!" - Pam Lowe

How This Course Works

This course is an online on-demand workshop. You will need an internet connection to stream each video.

Each lesson includes space for you to share your pictures and get feedback from your classmates. The more you contribute, the livelier class will be. Lyric will pop in to give feedback on each picture posted. This platform provides a safe space for a lively and sharing creative community to explore without judgement and competition.

Just like in a live classroom, you'll be able to see your fellow students work and discuss how things are going. You'll get encouragement and instruction from Lyric on all the work you post.

There are short videos to show how Lyric works each exercise and to explain the gist of things.

Supplies consist of things you already have at hand so you won't be time or money shopping for things you might not use again. The most important supply is an adventurous willingness to explore, grow, and play as you learn to see and create within the framework of abstract design. Doodles will be scribbled, eyes and minds will be opened, and fun will be had. Won't you join us?

Introductions

Introduce Yourself

3 mins
40.4 MB

What do you hope to learn here?

The tools I hope to give you and my teaching philosophy

Lesson outline

The best way to work through this class

How This Classroom Works: a few tips for navigating this space

What is Abstract Art?

Why does ABSTRACT mean to you?

What are the ELEMENTS of ART?

Exercise 1: Looking Through a Window

Finding a NEW VIEW

4 mins
49.1 MB

Gathering LINES

2 mins
22.6 MB

Adding VALUE

2 mins
23.5 MB

From thumbnail to STUDY

Exercise 2: The Borrowers

SHAPE in a composition

5 mins
70.4 MB

BORROWING from the masters

2 mins
16.1 MB

Making it YOUR OWN

2 mins
17 MB

Study a little COLOR theory

Exercise 3: Doodle-icious

DOODLE Time!

2 mins
20.8 MB

Adding PATTERN

1 min
13.4 MB

Pattern VARIATION 1

2 mins
21.4 MB

Pattern VARIATION 2

2 mins
16.2 MB

Exercise 4: Warping Reality

Shape and MEANING

5 mins
61.8 MB

Reality WARPS

2 mins
32 MB

STUDYING the Elements

WINDOW Shopping

2 mins
37.2 MB

Exercise 5: Turning Ideas into Art

The Process of EVALUATION

6 mins
81.3 MB

Fusible Appliqué: a practical guide to construction with cloth

10 mins
99.4 MB

Flexibility and EDITING

3 mins
31.6 MB

Wrapping Up

Student Gallery

What have YOU learned?

THANK YOU!

2 mins
29.1 MB

Frequently asked questions

How much interaction is there from the teacher?

Lyric will comment on each posted assignment. The more you post, the more you get out of the class. Make sure to read comments on other students work as well. There is as much to learn from each other as from the course work.

How much time will the class take?

I would love it if you spent one hour each week on the exercises. You can delve much more deeply and really get into them if you'd like, repeating and refining your skill and strengthening your eye as an artist.

How long do I have access to the course?

Once you've enrolled and paid, you'll have access to the course material for a minimum of one year. So devour it all in one weekend or take things slow. It's your choice!

Do I need to know how to draw?

NO! We will be using pen and paper to begin most of the exercises but Lyric will show you exactly what to do. It's easy. Promise!

Does this course require special supplies?

If you own a sketchbook, use it. If not, plain paper is great! Us whatever your favorite medium is to create your studies. Acrylic on board? Great! Cloth and thread? Wonderful! Collage paper and glue? Fabulous!

What do I need to know about using a computer?

You'll need to photograph or scan your assignments and save them as a jpeg. You can upload your pictures from your computer or devise to the online lesson.

What if I'm unhappy with my purchase?

Because all of the content is immediately available to you, I do not offer refunds. I do want you to be happy though, so email me and we can talk.

Learn with Lyric

Lyric Montgomery Kinard is an award winning artist with a passion for sparking the creativity that she knows each of her students posses. She was recognized for her talents as the 2011 International Association of Professional Quilters Teacher of the Year.
With playful support and gentle encouragement she will take you through your first steps on a new path, seeing the world through the eyes of an artist. As an artist, author, and educator she transforms cloth into art in her studio and timid spirits into confident creatives in the classroom.

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