From Realism to Abstraction

A good way to experiment with abstraction is to start with a photo with good compositional structure.

Reference photo:

Abstract interpretation 1:

Abstract interpretation 2. In this version you are responding to Interpretation 1, not to the original reference photos.

From here you can continue making as many interpretations as you want.

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From Realism to Abstraction, artist Frank Auerbach
Reference photo:

Responding to the movement of line in the painting above. Auerbach drew several variations that lead to an abstract painting:

With each new drawing the artist is responding to the previous drawing, not the original reference photo.

Once the artist was satisfied with his linear composition, he applied colors:

Again, the original reference photo: