Larry Moore Abstraction Workshop
Day 1
Small gouache studies

I was out of my comfort zone last week. I went to a workshop about painting abstraction taught by Larry Moore. It was quite a challenge. I wanted to expand my understanding of personal voice in painting, but I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The first two days we made small studies in opaque watercolor called gouache (pronounced gwash). I’ve used transparent watercolor, but gouache was a new medium for me. It allows both transparent and opaque layering and is good for testing ideas.

We started with small line drawings based on photos. We quickly moved away from any image and focused on other components of art such as color relationships, variety of shapes, edges, and mark making. Larry asked us to establish intent in terms of artistic components or emotions or music. Ask “what if”. I found it challenging to develop a design without making it look like a specific thing. I also found it difficult to know when the painting is finished.

Larry Moore Abstraction Workshop
Day 2
Small gouache studies

These small studies are from the first two days of the workshop. On the third day, we painted larger pieces in our preferred medium (acrylic or oil). I’m still processing the lessons of the last two days of the class and will write more as I practice what I’m learning.

What do you think about abstract paintings? Do you like some more than others? What elements do you look for in abstract work? Do you find it easier or more difficult to understand than realism?

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