Introduction to Abstract Painting
A course by Josh Jensen , Artist
Dive into the world of abstract painting with this course. Learn design, composition, and color theory through practice.
Dive into the world of abstract painting with this course. Learn design, composition, and color theory through practice.
You will learn how to create abstract works using various techniques and tools. Abstract painting offers a free and expressive approach, unrestricted by traditional forms. In this course, you will dive into the philosophy of Abstract Expressionism, studying its roots in art history and how it has evolved, allowing you to develop your own visual language. The idea of a conversation between the artwork and the artist will be key to the process. You will work on both experimental small pieces and a large canvas, honing your skills with each exercise.
Josh Jensen, an experienced artist and therapist, will share his personal approach to abstract art, influenced by artists like Mark Rothko and Edward Hopper. His professional and artistic experience will guide you in creating a large-scale piece while exploring the interplay of color, shape, and movement. This course is perfect for those who want to discover their own style and immerse themselves in the practice of abstract art.
What will you learn in this online course?
23 lessons & 20 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (44)
- 3,509 students
- 23 lessons (4h 16m)
- 20 additional resources (5 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
You will create a large abstract painting (48”x48”) by applying what you’ve learned from smaller experimental pieces.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is aimed at beginner and advanced artists looking to explore new forms of expression through abstract painting. No prior experience is required, but those with basic art knowledge will be able to take their practice to a new level. It's also ideal for anyone interested in abstraction and creating works with strong emotional components.
Requirements and materials
No prior experience or specific knowledge is required. You’ll need materials such as canvases, acrylics, pastels, charcoal, fixatives, and some unconventional tools like palette knives or credit cards.
Reviews
A course by Josh Jensen
Josh Jensen is an abstract artist and therapist with over a decade of experience in both artistic and clinical practice. He began his career in visual arts with training in figurative painting, but gradually shifted toward abstract art, where he found his true passion. He has exhibited his work in galleries across North and South Carolina and has collaborated with interior designers. Currently, he balances his work as a therapist with a growing art career, selling internationally and sharing his process on Instagram.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Elements of an Abstract Painting
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A Brief History of Abstract Art
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Painting Tools and Materials
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Composition
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Color Theory: Making Good Choices with Your Colors
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Texture and Sheen
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U3
Practicing on Three Small Surfaces
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The Preparation 1
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The Preparation 2
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The Preparation 3
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The Preparation 4
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One Small Work with More Use of Colors 1
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One Small Work with More Use of Colors 2
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The Third Small Piece but without Limits! 1
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The Third Small Piece but without Limits! 2
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U4
The Abstract Painting
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Setting Out Intentions and Expectations for the Piece
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Using One Thin, Neutral Layer
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Making Large Marks and Shapes with Charcoal
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Adding a Large Shape
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Adding 2 to 3 Large Shapes 1
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Adding 2 to 3 Large Shapes 2
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U5
Revealing the Artwork!
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Finishing the Piece
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Last Tips
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Abstract Painting
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.
All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.
You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
deroychristine
Interesting course with lots of side and background information. I just found the part of the colour combinations not so revealing. I had hoped to get a better understanding of combining colours, which combo's work well, but I'm also aware that this subject is a course on his own.
Abstract works can be made in hundred different ways. John showed me an interesting way of building up a piece .
john
PlusThis was one of the best online courses I've done. I really enjoyed the leisurely - almost contemplative - pace of the journey through creation. It encouraged me to linger on the process of making and to see that as part of a history and culture of art. Following the details of the process led me towards subtly different outcomes to my work that I appreciated as a different way to get 'unstuck'.
jomumon13
Todo genial
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dogthepoet
An excellent course, thankyou Josh. Exactly what I needed to take that leap of self-confidence into the abstract world that swirls within. I've found you on Instagram so look forward to seeing more of your work there. With thanks again, Lesley Martin UK/NZ.
khol
El curso está bastante bien pero creo que hay que tener nociones de composición, teoría del color y experiencia con el material para poder sacarle todo el provecho. El profesor habla de algunos conceptos muy importantes de una forma un poco superficial como para poder realizar una obra con éxito. Para poder valorar si la obra va por buen camino hay que tener los conocimientos teóricos que se mencionan integrados en profundidad
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