How to Energise your Art | Playful Abstract Painting Exercises & Ideas

In this video I share 2 exercises to re-energise the creative process, finding inspiration in unexpected places. The exercises explore painting to music, and taking inspiration from textiles.
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How I painted these patchwork paintings: • Finding your own art s...
Sketchbooks & Materials Info Video: • Sketchbook ideas | mak...
Finding your Flow Painting Series: • Finding your flow: 5 t...
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My Painting Playlist Artists:
- Can I believe you - Fleet Foxes
- A long way past from the past - Fleet Foxes
- Follies Fixture - Ben Howard
- Rookery - Ben Howard
- What a Drag - Nathaniel Rateliff
- Garden of Eden - Billie Marten
- A Couple Things - Kate Bollinger
What to explore when painting music & sounds:
- colour - how can you represent emotion through colours?
- texture - how does the music sound - smooth, rough, jagged?
- rhythm - drawing to the beat or syncopation
The simplest process for patchwork paintings:
To cut up 4 paintings (all the same size and shape) into quarters. Simply recompose with these squares until you have something totally new. You could then paint over this grid once the squares are taped back together.

[@nath9637]

This was great Orla! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@OrlaStevens]

Thank you! ☺️

[@TristenMacDonald]

Great ideas! I know this isn't the sexiest video idea, but I would be so interested to see your cleanup process. Since you're using so many materials, I'd love to know how to clean your instruments, etc. I think that part is what holds me back from really letting loose. :)

[@fionaflaherty]

Love this idea!!

[@OrlaStevens]

Haha I think it might be a very short video (it’s such a simple process) but I can sure try it out 🙃

[@TristenMacDonald]

@@OrlaStevens Maybe I overthink it. But I heard I'm not supposed to put acrylics down the drain and then I just get in my head about what I'm supposed to do and I make a mess :)

[@perlagaffney4776]

@@TristenMacDonaldI have a solution for this. I have either an open journal, an old book, papers, canvas, anything like this and I brush off, wipe off all of my leftover acrylics onto these surfaces. What gets washed away is so minimal after this and I have little starters or collage fodder. Or just not put paint down the drains. 😊

[@TristenMacDonald]

@@perlagaffney4776 great idea!

[@clarebondart]

Super inspiring video. I love the idea of using this as a way back into your creative practice. I’ve been traveling for the last month, so definitely thinking of ways to ground back into my studio!

[@OrlaStevens]

thank you Clare! I hope you've had a great time away 🌿

[@perlagaffney4776]

I would like to say a really big thank you to you, Orla ❤

[@OrlaStevens]

thanks so much! really glad you enjoyed this one 💫

[@tasticola]

So beautiful, as always Orla. Thank you x Nell.

[@OrlaStevens]

thank you Nell! 💙

[@tasticola]

You're very welcome x

[@deborahmeyers551]

You are sooo inspiring ✨️ ❤

[@OrlaStevens]

thanks so much! I hope it helps spark extra ideas for you 🌿

[@stephaniefunnell3873]

fabulous. thank you so much for sharing xxx

[@OrlaStevens]

thank you, glad you enjoyed! 💫

[@LMAbstractArt]

Love this! Thank you for the inspiration. I will have to try this💖

[@OrlaStevens]

Thanks so much, hope you enjoy them!

[@irmielam5192]

So inspiring ❤

[@OrlaStevens]

thank you! 💫

[@samthomart]

Hi Orla, I really like this format of leaving a natural white border. I love working in series too and will definitely try this! Love your style and thanks for sharing👍🏻👍🏻

[@OrlaStevens]

Hey, thank you for the feedback, I’ve been enjoying working with the border! Thanks so much 💫🌿

[@ChantelleArts]

This is so good, what stunning ideas ☺☺

[@OrlaStevens]

thanks Chantelle! 💙

[@chrisjohnson7609]

Thanks Orla, fantastic ideas. I've been doing the 100 day project and filling my first ever sketchbook as part of the process, on day 90 now, and have quite a few pages left to fill. These are both great ideas that I can't wait to try.

[@OrlaStevens]

Thanks Chris! That's an amazing feat with the 100 day project!!

[@user-ki1yc4vx2s]

In photography i have often taken shots of former images. It's a kind of abstracting further.

[@OrlaStevens]

I love this! so great to mine our own work :)

[@Raven_starr8]

Love your ideas and mark making. Very inspiring

[@OrlaStevens]

thanks so much! 🙌

[@hannemarielorenzen3428]

Have you ever painted to the music of Olafur Arnalds?? Tell me if you like his music 🤗

[@OrlaStevens]

I love his music, but have never painted to it...yet! 😄

[@cindyfromsydney7693]

Beautiful work and fantastic ideas!❤

[@OrlaStevens]

Thank you! ☺️ had lots of fun with these ones!

[@taketimetoseait396]

Ur so creative. U may enjoy these you tubers... Gaynor Pattle, Robert Joyner, and @colorfulcollage

[@OrlaStevens]

Thank you for these recommendations, I’ll check them out! 🩵

[@susanmarcoux7005]

Thank you, that was a ❤ I think I might have to try it myself 😮

[@OrlaStevens]

Thank you, and yes go for it, they are really fun! ☺️

[@user-ki1yc4vx2s]

I am a photographer. I:ve discovered imaging on my cell. The wider lens angle gives me a different view & perspective. My shots have begun to show ME - particularly shadows.

[@OrlaStevens]

that's great you've found that self expression 📸 it's amazing how the right shift in mode or light can change things up in the right direction

[@ginabadeaux9319]

beautiful i just found you and subscribed

[@OrlaStevens]

👋 hello, and thanks so much!

[@TayloryvStudio]

your ideas are awesome

[@OrlaStevens]

thank you! :) hope they spark some ideas for a project 💫

[@teresavedovato3897]

❤ Superbe !!! 😊

[@OrlaStevens]

Thank you! ☺️🩵