PAL Art Tip: Abstract Starts with Play

Feeling stuck at the blank canvas stage? Here's your permission to break the rules. Abstract art isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It's where your emotions take the lead and your brush becomes your voice.

Start with Emotion, Not a Plan

Before you even dip into paint, tune in to your mood. Choose 2–3 colors that reflect how you’re feeling—calm, energized, restless, curious. Abstract painting thrives when it’s rooted in feeling, not formulas.

🖌️ Pro Tip: Try stormy blues for introspection, vibrant oranges for energy, or cool greens for serenity.

Use Unexpected Tools

Ditch the fine brushes (for now). Instead, experiment with:

• Palette knives for texture

• Cardboard edges for bold scrapes

• Sponges or fingers for organic marks

It’s not about accuracy—it’s about energy.

Respond, Don’t Plan

Paint a layer. Step back. Look. Listen. Then respond. Think of it as a call-and-response between you and the canvas. Let the shapes, smudges, and colors tell you what’s next.

The best abstract pieces evolve intuitively. You’re not building a painting—you’re building a rhythm.