Blue Lake – Acrylic Abstract

Posted bydebirileyPosted inabstract, art, paintingTags:, , , , , , ,
blue lake painting, acrylic abstract landscape, acrylic textures, debi riley

Wow – Day 24 already in the May “Create and Post Everyday” Challenge!  What’s the agenda today?  Diving into the deep inviting cobalt blue lake  surrounded by a warm  golden burnt sienna cliff face.  “The Blue Lake,”  acrylic abstract!

 

blue lake acrylic abstract painting, textures in acrylics, debi riley
Acrylic Blue Lake abstract debiriley.com

 

 

Acrylic Abstract

 

Blue Lake.

The deep blue was created with a combination of cobalt blue, ultramarine blue and a pinch of white.

 

 

Escarpment rocks, hills.

The craggy hills and rockery needed a blend of burnt umber, quinacridone burnt sienna, and quinacridone gold.

These were skimmed over a prepared canvas. I’d already gessoed it to create plenty of texture!

 

 

 

 

Complementary Pairs

 

I took advantage of complementary pairings in this acrylic abstract painting.

The orange and browns complement  the blue, balancing the image.

Blue and Orange have been my favourite color pairing for years.  I love bird of paradise flowers for that reason.

These colors resonate with me and just seem to be “Happy Colors.”

 

 

There are 3  complementary pairs
  • blue and orange
  • yellow and purple
  • red and green

 

 

If I have a painting a bit too strong in one color (perhaps a purple…)  then to balance it up,  I’d dash in a jot or two of its complement (yellow.)

This method helps to relieve any tension and enliven some boring areas and paintings.

 

 

 

 

Deciding a Design Format

 

contemporary, abstract acrylic landscapes, blue lake painting, debi riley art
Acrylic Abstract Landscape debiriley.com

 

This is a square version, cropped a little closer with tighter detail.

As I mentioned  in Flames of a Flower,   I like to alter my formats.

See what my options are.  What will look best.

Its kind of like trying on  2-3 dresses, to see which one looks right on the day.

 

 

 

Finally

Blue Lake Acrylic Abstract was a great exercise in using complementary pairs. It also gave me the opportunity to use a variety of textural approaches.

I made the blue lake look more flat and subtle, simply by moving the textured strokes horizontally.  And very evenly all the way across the painting.

 

Blue Lake Acrylic Abstract painting  used a simple palette. Focusing more on color and texture than on specific representational objects.

 

 

 

 

 additional  posts  on  abstracts:    

 

 

Abstract,  Filaments of Time and Space 

Explosion of Color,  Dale Chihuly  

Paul Jenkins  Colourful  Abstracts

John Olsen 

Abstracts Easy Watercolor 

Beautiful Lines of Abstraction 

Touch the Mountain,  Watercolor Abstract 

Acrylic Abstract Ocean in Turquoise Blue 

 

 

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Published by debiriley

The act of creation, in any media is a fascinating and magical process. I simply love to create. Expressing in color, line, tone, texture - as if, they were words upon a page. Creating a uniquely me, interpretation. Enjoy More of my "one-of-a-kind" expressive art at society6.com/debiriley and, redbubble.com/people/debijriley/shop

41 thoughts on “Blue Lake – Acrylic Abstract”

  1. I LOVE this! the blue/orange pairing, the ‘rocky’ texture right on the clear blue – it’s wonderful. I’d very happily have this hanging in my home!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I agree with Margaret, this is really lovely. I’m amazed by how much I like the square format! I thought I loved the first one but then I got to the second and was like wow! Really like it. Do you have a favorite format for this piece?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. the square! love the square format. its my favourite all the time!! have to be careful I don’t over do it with everything though 🙂 Thank YOU ((((LL)))) 3d

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hear you – I did a few yesterday. I could do a million too – but hate to “waste” the paper – LOL! Anyway – what is the trick to getting the hang of the pallet knife! It is a whole new animal! Do you put really thick paint on it that is not watered down at all? Or watery?

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Lovely abstract Debi, I see textured driftwood on the sand at the edge of water. The water has rolled back leaving tiny dribbles of water behind. It’s amazing what jumps out when you take the time to look.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Your beautiful painting reminds me of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, a 30 minute drive from Las Vegas, there are shear red cliffs and when the light is right the lake can look very blue. A masterful painting Debi.

    Liked by 1 person

      4. Thanks Sharon! kept looking for them on my desktop!
        I’m a bit behind with tech…. I don’t use my phone the keys are way too small for me.
        but, I did get a iPad that has big enough keys, so maybe I can explore that! new challenge for me. maybe June.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Wonderful colors and composition, dear Debi. I would have taken a little less blue to have a golden ratio. But it’s very nice anyway, cheers Mitza

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yes, that is a great point Mitza! I hear you on that too. I thought hard about doing just that. and, then changed my mind! hehehehe. thank you, as always for a great comment!!!! 🙂 cheers, Debi

      Liked by 1 person

    1. hi Andy, thank you so much for stopping in and looking!! Thank you for letting me know what you thought about the Blue Lake post. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Cheers, Debi

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