7 Reasons Why I Never Throw Out a 'Failed' Abstract Painting (Intuitive Art Tutorial)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video, I share 7 reasons why I never toss a so-called "failed" abstract painting. Let’s redefine what failure means in the creative process! Through a hands-on painting demo, I’ll show you how these “duds” become treasure troves of inspiration for my future work. We’ll explore how abstract art tutorial intuitive painting techniques turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.
👉Want a prompt to help you start your next painting? Click here etsy.me/49utFsk (50 Abstract Warm-Up Painting Prompts)
🎨 Art & Painting Tutorials - • Art & Painting Tutorials
🎨 5 Abstract Painting Tips When Using a Prompt - Creative Art Techniques - • 5 Abstract Painting Ti...
➡️Find me on Instagram: / chrisloudart
During the first intuitive art tutorial, I use tissue paper and a limited acrylic palette-magenta, titanium white, and Naples yellow-to revive a piece with fascinating texture created by a paper towel fixed onto the surface with gel medium. Abstract painting is full of surprises, and here, those hidden textures play a starring role.
Why hold onto failed art? For one, they’re playgrounds for experimentation. Reworking these pieces lets you test new ideas without the pressure of a blank canvas. Plus, they’re perfect for collage work! Cut them into smaller elements for mixed media projects or new compositions. Abstract painting always surprises me with its layers of depth and texture, especially when acrylic techniques bring out hidden gems.
Failed art also offers great learning opportunities. Every painting demo, even the so-called failures, teaches you something new about color, composition, or tools. Plus, they’re a constant source of inspiration for abstract art tutorial intuitive painting sessions.
And don’t forget-there’s history in these layers. Painting over older work adds incredible texture and depth to new creations. In this video, I’ll show how every “failed” piece is another step forward in your creative process, sparking ideas and keeping you inspired. Dive into the transformative world of abstract art tutorial intuitive painting with me and find new reasons to love your artistic “mistakes”!
And remember, keep on painting!
#acrylicpaintingtips #abstractpainting #abstractart #intuitivepainting #intuitiveart #paintingtutorial - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
👉Want a prompt to help you start your next painting? Click here etsy.me/49utFsk (50 Abstract Warm-Up Painting Prompts)
Over the last year, I have been leaning into the idea of surrender and letting go of my “control”. I gave up my art years ago and I now see it was because I became way too rigid and critical of myself. I had lost the joy.
Long story short, in my exploration or surrender, I’ve moved into the world of abstract art. Recently, a piece that I had originally perceived as failed, is now hanging in an art gallery in California.
It’s worth it to find the good in everything, even if it is “only” a lesson. ❤
Your journey is so inspiring! It’s amazing how letting go of control can help rediscover our passion for art. Congratulations on having your piece displayed in a gallery-that’s fantastic!❤️
Merci Chris pour ce superbe partage si instructif ❤❤❤ belle journée à toi ❤❤
Merci beaucoup Martine!
I usually find that my re-working of a piece I'm not happy with turns into something I really like. It might be the textures and colors underneath, but for whatever reason, returning to old work is really a pleasure for me. I enjoyed watching your strategies and they're very effective in the end. PS: I had no idea you've only been painting since 2020; your work looks far more mature to me. Such talent.
Thank you, Gail! I couldn't agree more-some of the most enjoyable painting session that I've had were reworking older pieces. Thanks for the kind words, I'm still learning and experimenting!
The Old Masters painted over their work. Good examples for us.
Thanks, Cleo! I love seeing x-rays of old paintings that show the painting underneath. www.boijmans.nl/en/collection/in-depth/x-ray-s-from-works-in-the-collection
www.artic.edu/articles/949/x-rays-peering-over-the-artist-s-shoulder
I needed this video. I know we've all been there with pieces that just didn't work out. Thanks so much Chris.
Hey, Ann! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one😊
Debbi here~. Thanks for the words of inspiration. I have a closet full of duds.
Ha-we're in the same boat, Debbi! Seems like some weeks the pile gets smaller and some weeks it gets bigger.
Great ideas, especially relate to the freedom one has when not worried about what happens because of reusing something that wasn’t going to be framed anyway.
Thanks so much, Denise! It’s amazing how much more fun you can have playing and experimenting when you’re not tied down by expectations. That's usually when the good stuff happens.😊
Very inspiring! Thanks Chris
Thanks so much, Yolande, I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Such great advice Chris! I learned the hard way about covering up paintings I got frustrated with. I used to cover them over with gesso and start again. I saw a photo on my phone of a painting I couldn’t see my way through and covered. I could have cried. Now at the least, I use them as collage.
Thanks so much, Haynes! I've done the exact same thing. Finding a picture of an old painting and trying to figure out what happened to it, only to realize its now the background for another one.
Excellent Chris! Thank you so much 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thanks, Kari! I'm happy you like this one. 😊
I really enjoyed your videos. I have been trying my hand at abstract painting. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying them!😊 How's the abstract painting going?
@chrisloudart not a bad start. I really enjoy the process
Thanks Chris, I have thrown out so many canvas. Right now I have one going that looks like a big blob or a potato. Not sure how to change it especially when you are not supposed to use your brain. It is hard to just use your instinct and let go. This is why I love watching you. You always make it work, even after it is a dud lol!!!!!
It's definitely not an easy thing to just let go-I have to remind myself to get out of my own way quite often. I know you're going to turn that potato into something special! 😊 You got this, Janice!
You’ve only been painting since 2020 🤯💪🏻
Yeah, I decided to give painting a go after being inspired by the art I saw during First Friday Art Walks. It was something I always wanted to try and finally did.
I too, was also surprised to learn this! Go Chris!!! 🎨😎
@annsummer8260 Thanks, Ann!
I don't throw paintings out either, I rework them or gesso over them so that its a blank canvas again. I really liked both those paintings although I did for a tiny bit think that number 2 dud was going to be another dud it came up great though. Cheers!
Thanks, Howling! Yeah, I think #2 is one that I'll keep playing with. It's better than it was, but I think I'll keep having some fun with it. Cheers!
@chrisloudart that's good and there's always more surprises to come then. Cheers!
Thank you!!!!
Thanks for watching, Grace!
I never throw out “failed” work, unfortunately they are piling up! Thank you, you’ve given me a kick up the **** to get some out & have a play. You’ve probably already answered this somewhere, but given all the different medium you use on a piece, do you seal them before putting up for sale?
Cheers, Wendi.
Hey Wendi! I’m so glad the video gave you that push to play with your “failed” pieces-it’s amazing what can emerge from just having fun. Yes, I do seal my works, typically with a matte or satin varnish before they go up for sale. If I'm using any mediums like charcaol or something water-soluble, I'll give it a quick spray with a workable fixative, let that dry and then varnish-that way nothing smears when I apply the varnish.
Thanks Chris, thats most helpful.
Love your work & videos. W.
Thanks so much, Wendi!
What kind of tape do you use around the edges? Thanks.
Hey B G! It's pretty basic painters tape - amzn.to/40WkboI