Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
ABSTRACT STYLE
Beginning in the early 20th century, abstract art became a leading style of modernism. Rather than portray the world in a way that represented reality, as had been the dominating style of Western art in the previous centuries, abstract paintings, prints and sculptures are marked by a shift to geometric forms, gestural shapes and experimentation with color to express ideas, subject matter and scenes.
Although abstract art flourished in the early 1900s, propelled by movements like Fauvism and Cubism, it was rooted in the 19th century. In the 1840s, J.M.W. Turner emphasized light and motion for atmospheric paintings in which concrete details were blurred, and Paul Cézanne challenged traditional expectations of perspective in the 1890s.
Some of the earliest abstract artists — Wassily Kandinsky and Hilma af Klint — expanded on these breakthroughs while using vivid colors and forms to channel spiritual concepts. Painter Piet Mondrian, a Dutch pioneer of the art movement, explored geometric abstraction partly owing to his belief in Theosophy, which is grounded in a search for higher spiritual truths and embraces philosophers of the Renaissance period and medieval mystics. Black Square, a daringly simple 1913 work by Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, was a watershed statement on creating art that was free “from the dead weight of the real world,” as he later wrote.
Surrealism in the 1920s, led by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Meret Oppenheim and others, saw painters creating abstract pieces in order to connect to the subconscious. When Abstract Expressionism emerged in New York during the mid-20th century, it similarly centered on the process of creation, in which Helen Frankenthaler’s expressive “soak-stain” technique, Jackson Pollock’s drips of paint, and Mark Rothko’s planes of color were a radical new type of abstraction.
Conceptual art, Pop art, Hard-Edge painting and many other movements offered fresh approaches to abstraction that continued into the 21st century, with major contemporary artists now exploring it, including Anish Kapoor, Mark Bradford, El Anatsui and Julie Mehretu.
Find original abstract paintings, sculptures, prints and other art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Abstract
Covers 13 - orange (Abstract Painting)
Located in London, GB
Covers 13 - orange (Abstract Painting)
Gouache on handmade Khadi paper. Unframed.
Joanne Freeman's works on paper are made with gouache on handmade Indian Khadi paper.
She uses ta...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Gouache, Handmade Paper
Untitled (six vignettes)
By Pierre Courtin
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Signed lower center edge
Annotated verso: “5 Juin 1966
_____ et de soleil, de et d’oseille”
Image: 6 3/4 x 4 5/8"
Frame: 14 1/2 x 12 3/4"
Finishe...
Category
1960s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Gouache
In the Forest, green abstract watercolor painting on archival paper
Located in New York, NY
Lisa Fellerson’s paintings provoke an interplay and tension between line, shape, and color. With no preconceived idea in mind, she begins by dripping, scrapping, and gouging acrylic ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Preliminary drawing for a sculpture
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Preliminary drawing for a sculpture
Black crayon on paper, 1959
Signed and dated middle right (see photo)
A rare 1950's AbEx drawing.
Provenance:
Estate of the artist
Michael and Ala...
Category
1950s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Crayon
Colorful Watercolor Portrait of Seated Female in Blue Dress and Black + Red Hat
Located in Houston, TX
Colorful watercolor portrait of seated female in a blue dress and black + red hat by Mexican artist, Nadine Mayes. Signed by the artist in the bottom right corner and currently disp...
Category
Late 20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Pen
Ambient Space (Abstract Painting)
By Jessica Snow
Located in London, GB
Ambient Space (Abstract Painting)
Acrylic on paper. Unframed.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Snow uses different mediums and supports. Each work results from preliminary studies dr...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
M323 (Abstract Print)
By Jesús Perea
Located in London, GB
M323 (Abstract Print)
Digital creation, printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag de 308 gr - Unframed.
Fluctuating between illustration and expressionism, connecting the geometric and biom...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Digital
Quiver (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Quiver (Abstract painting)
Oil on paper - Unframed.
Spielman uses oil paint on canvas, paper and panel in various sizes; she works on up to forty paintings at a time, moving betwee...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Guna II
By Tracey Adams
Located in London, GB
Encaustic on Okawara paper - Unframed
The title, Guna (2016), is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘string, thread or strand’ and was inspired by Adams yoga practice.
“It’s a key concept in ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Encaustic
Untitled 2006
Located in London, GB
Pen on tracing paper - Unframed.
Richard Caldicott drawings have a minimal esthetic, an architectural character, created with only one or two lines. Pastel tones, softened colors, a...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pen
Not yet 004
By Kyong Lee
Located in London, GB
Pencil and acrylic on Canson-Montval paper - Unframed
This artwork conveys a color and emotional language and is inspired by the series Color as Adjective, a series of drawings and ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic, Pencil
P4.13 (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Gouache on Japanese paper. Unframed.
This gouache paint on Japanese paper is a result of working with the accidental arrangements of found colored papers that are in piles all over ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache
Cut-Up Paper I.5
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on paper. Unframed.
Pedersen works with acrylic paint.
When painting a composition, she tends toward a limited color palette, often reducing the composition to minimal, har...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled (ID 1295) (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Oil on paper - Unframed
In her abstract drawings, collages and paintings, Fieroza Doorsen brings to life the tensions and harmonies that emerge when structure meets intuition. Her v...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Untitled 8 (Abstract painting)
By Claude Tétot
Located in London, GB
Acrylic and oil on paper. Unframed.
Claude Tétot is a French abstract artist whose work expresses harmony in disharmony by exploring the enigmatic unity that can exist between seem...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
Does not see, does not hear, does not speak -line drawing figure with red gloves
By Mila Akopova
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Interior design paintings. Does not see, does not hear, does not speak. The artwork was done with watercolor on watercolor paper 360g. The works are 14 by 11 inches in size, framed (...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Cut 39 (Abstract work on paper)
Located in London, GB
Ink, laquer, cutting, collage on paper - Unframed
This work is part of one of 4 on-going series of large works on paper.
The name of this series, "Cut", relates to the technique us...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink
Abstract Expressionist Watercolor Fiery Sky
Located in Surfside, FL
Genre: Expressionist
Subject: Landscape
Medium: Watercolor
Surface: Paper
Country: United States
Dimensions w/Frame: 16" x 28"
Murray Hantman (1904–1999) was a painter, muralist, an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Cut-Up Paper 2001 (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
Pedersen works with acrylic paint.
When painting a composition, she tends toward a limited color palette, often reducing the composition to minimal, ha...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled 2011
Located in London, GB
Oil on paper - Unframed.
In her abstract drawings, collages and paintings, Fieroza Doorsen brings to life the tensions and harmonies that emerge when structure meets intuition. Her ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
'Untitled', By Haley Prestifilippo, Graphite Drawing on Paper
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This 7.75" x 7.75" graphite on paper framed drawing is by Haley Prestifilippo. This graphite work presents a striking contrast between detailed and abstract elements. In the upper le...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Graphite
Warren 85. 18
Located in London, GB
Spray paint, pencil, ink, watercolor on paper. Unframed.
Peter Soriano works on relatively large sheets of Japanese paper with a tendency to work from something observed, ideally ar...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Spray Paint, Watercolor, Pencil
Conference of the birds no 40
Located in London, GB
Oil on paper. Unframed.
Natural and mystical processes inspire Ostovany. Informed by a variety of different cultures, Ostovany feels a connection to multiple separate and yet complementary mystical traditions.
He looks toward elements of Western and Eastern art, literature, spirituality, poetry and music to create an environment and a mindset conducive to his process, which is connected to Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting.
Conference of the Birds...
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Untitled (ID 1290)
Located in London, GB
Pastel and acrylic on paper - Unframed
In her abstract drawings, collages and paintings, Fieroza Doorsen brings to life the tensions and harmonies that emerge when structure meets i...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Acrylic
Untitled - Drawing by Fred Bugs - 2020s
Located in Roma, IT
Fred Bugs
Untitled
Artwork mixed media on paper
Year: 2021 to 2023
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Beautiful Blue and Neutral Textile Art
Located in Mexico City, MX
The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Textile, Cotton, Linen
Colorful Abstract Painting by Robert Kautz
By Robert Kautz
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Robert Kautz, Austrian
Title: untitled
Year: 2001
Medium: Acrylic and Mixed Media on Paper, signed
Size: 25.5 in. x 19.5 in. (59.69 cm x 49.53 cm)
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
Squares 17- abstract bright color blue green dominant color ink drawing on paper
By Dana Piazza
Located in New York, NY
Dana Piazza's creates abstract colorful drawings, full of the illusion of depth, movement, and three-dimensionality. His highly obsessive ink drawings on paper are built upon algorit...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Archival Ink, Archival Paper
A20 - Make it sexy
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The artist created this series shortly afterward arriving in NY.
His interest was to see what responses the paintings evoke.
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
"Birds", Contemporary abstract painting on canvas, natural dark and golden tones
Located in Dallas, TX
"Birds" is an elegant and contemporary abstract pattern painting with dark tones and golden highlights. This compelling artwork features an intricate tapestry of overlapping, dark-hu...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Pigment, Cotton Canvas
Untitled (abstract 1957)
By Perle Fine
Located in Columbia, MO
Perle Fine (American, 1905–1988)
Perle Fine’s work is distinguished by a refined sense of balance, gestural energy, and a deep engagement with the language of abstraction. A key figu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Untitled Abstraction
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Untitled Abstraction
Graphite on paper. c. 1946
Unsigned
Provenance: Estate of the Artist
Inherited by his neighbor/caregiver
Condition: Staining at corners
...
Category
1940s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Graphite
“Freedom Towers” Blue Toned Abstract Surrealist Architectural Archway Drawing
By Patrick Palmer
Located in Houston, TX
Blue and pink toned abstract landscape by Texas artist Patrick Palmer. The painting depicts two architectural arches against a cool and warm sunset sky. Pencil inscriptions are seen ...
Category
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Pastel, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Untitled (Abstraction)
Located in Fairlawn, OH
aka Beni Kosh
Untitled (Abstraction)
Watercolor on paper, 1970's
Unsigned
Ben Kosh Estate Stamp verso, No. 754
Condition: Very good
Sheet size: 10 5/8 x 14 9/16 inches
Provenance: Estate the Artist
Bingham & Vance, Shaker Heights...
Category
1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor
Colored Waves - Original handsigned watercolor and tempera
Located in Paris, IDF
Ervin NEUHAUS
Colored Waves
Original watercolor and tempera on heavy paper
Handsigned bottom right
Authenticated with the stamp of the Estate sale on the back
21 x 21 cm (c. 8 x 8 ...
Category
Late 20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Tempera, Watercolor
Wigwam rouge et jaune
Located in Palm Desert, CA
"Wigwam rouge et jaune" is a gouache on paper by Alexander Calder. The unique work is signed in the lower right, “Calder 65”.
Although renowned for his innovative and groundbreaking...
Category
1960s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink, Gouache
Pink, Green, Blue, & Red Geometric Abstract Mixed Media Painting of a Figure
By Don Shaw
Located in Houston, TX
Colorful geometric abstract mixed media painting by modern artist Don Shaw. The work features primary colored shapes intertwined with a crouching pink figure. Signed and dated in fro...
Category
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Crayon, Ink, Watercolor
Nuance, pastel pink abstract watercolor painting on archival paper
Located in New York, NY
Lisa Fellerson’s paintings provoke an interplay and tension between line, shape, and color. With no preconceived idea in mind, she begins by dripping, scrapping, and gouging acrylic ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Charcoal, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Archival Paper
Framed Watercolor Painting on Handmade Indian Paper: Blackbird A
Located in New York, NY
Guillermo Bublik is an Argentinian/American painter based in New Jersey.
His works are easily recognizable by their bold combinations of colors and
abstract geometric forms. Commonly...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Handmade Paper
Verse XLIX (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Verse XLIX (Abstract painting)
Oil on paper — Unframed
Informed by a variety of different cultures, Ostovany feels a connection to multiple separate and yet complementary mystical t...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Oil
Rebuilding Goya 24 (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Rebuilding Goya 24 (Abstract painting)
Oil on paper — Unframed
Informed by a variety of different cultures, Ostovany feels a connection to multiple separate and yet complementary my...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Oil, Paper
"Female Nudes" Pink, Blue, Yellow, and Black Abstract Modern Figurative Drawing
Located in Houston, TX
Pink, sky blue, yellow, and black abstract modern figurative drawing by Houston, TX artist Charles Pebworth. The drawing depicts four nude women behind what appears to be windows. Si...
Category
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Pen
Abstract Drawing, "Graphite Study for Playground Jupiter"
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a one of a kind original abstract graphite drawing on paper by Southern California artist, Daniel Ketelhut. Its dimensions are 24"x 18"x 1.5". It is framed. A certificate of ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Graphite
Eyewitness 1
Located in New York, NY
Eyewitnesses I
Mixed media on paper on canvas
200cm x 200cm
Eleanna Martinou was born in Athens (1981). Studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts (200...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Ritual of Flight
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
On paper, acrylic paint and marking implements; graphite and Art Graf, a water-soluble kinetic media in tailor’s squares that easily fits into the hand to use the edges or the flat s...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Granite
Cruisin' Every Path, abstract, colorful, watercolor on paper
Located in New York, NY
Sarah Brenneman is an American artist based in West Orange, New Jersey working primarily in painting. Her overarching interest lies in abstraction as a universal language and she wor...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Flower Pots, Expressionist Still Life Drawing, Wax Crayon Flowers on Paper
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is a beautiful expressionist style drawing by Juanjo Saez. Juanjo's pictorial work is an exploration of color, texture, and movement, creating vibrant compositions that capture ...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Micro Biomorphic Abstract Drawing III Pink, Blue
Located in Arp, TX
Bill Shields
"Micro Biomorphic Abstract Drawing III"
1990's
Pastel, pencil on paper affixed to mat board
Site measures 1.75"x1.75" silver wood frame 8.5"x8.5"
Unsigned came from arti...
Category
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Board, Pencil
Micro Biomorphic Abstract Drawing IV Bill Shields Pink, Green, Blue
Located in Arp, TX
Bill Shields
"Micro Biomorphic Abstract Drawing III"
1990's
Pastel, pencil on paper affixed to mat board
Site measures 2.75"x2.5" silver wood frame 9.5"x9"
Unsigned came from artist'...
Category
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel, Board, Pencil
Rotational Symmetry II
By Mark Pomilio
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Mark Pomilio’s current research has focused on creating images, which embody principles of geometry, fractals, cloning and single-cell manipulation. These interests have led to invit...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Charcoal
Flushing #4
Located in Westport, CT
Selena Beaudry’s work is created by marking and cutting up drawings. This has led the artist to rediscovering her visual language. Her work consists of...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Linen, Paper, Acrylic, Gouache, Color Pencil
Willy
Located in Roma, GB
watercolour on paper
hand signed
one of a kind
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
Violet (unique signed painting; Charles Cowles, Baltimore Museum, Albright Knox)
By Tom Holland
Located in New York, NY
Tom Holland (b. 1936)
Violet, 1971
Watercolor and Mixed Media on Paper. Hand Signed. Framed with Charles Cowles Gallery, Albright Knox Gallery and Baltimore Museum of Art labels.
Han...
Category
1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
homme rouge (red man) - gouache on paper, 49x34 cm., framed
Located in Nice, FR
gouache on paper. Stamped and signed. Not framed.
Last painter of the school of Nice. This is an important painter, the first school in nice to have exhibited in New York at the G...
Category
1950s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache
325
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gerhard Mayer
"325", 2009
ink on paper
13 1/2 x 17 1/8 in
Category
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink
Orientalist - gouache on paper, 65x50 cm., framed
Located in Nice, FR
Gouache on paper. Stamped. Frame dimensions: 63x78 cm
Last painter of the school of Nice. This is an important painter, the first school in nice to have exhibited in New York at t...
Category
1950s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Paper, Gouache
1990s Mixed Media "Micro Biomorphic Abstract Drawing II"
Located in Arp, TX
Bill Shields
"Micro Biomorphic Abstract Drawing II"
1990's
Pastel, pencil charcoal on illustration board
Site measures 3.5"x2.5" silver wood frame 10.5"x10.5"
Unsigned came from arti...
Category
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Charcoal, Pastel, Illustration Board, Pencil
'As A Butterfly' - organic abstraction - monotype - ombre - Agnes Pelton
Located in Atlanta, GA
"As A Butterfly" is a lithographic monotype on Rives BFK paper featuring hues ofpurple, orange, blue and yellow. This work is framed in a gold frame measuring 25.5 by 22 inches.
Claire Whitehurst is inspired by the works of Ruth Asawa, Louise Bourgeois, Agnes Pelton, Hilma af Klimt, Alma Thomas...
Category
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Archival Paper, Lithograph, Monotype
Abstract drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Abstract drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add drawings and watercolor paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Martin Reyna , Mila Akopova, Jaanika Peerna, and Sumit Mehndiratta. Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Abstract drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 0.5 inches across are also available. Prices for drawings and watercolor paintings made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1 and tops out at $400,000, while the average work sells for $1,408.