Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
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.
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Acrylic, Pigment, Cotton Canvas
1960s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Charcoal
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Canvas, Resin
Artist Comments
Enamored with the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, artist Catherine McCargar paints a deep and abiding seascape of the California coast. A family of three stands along a gorgeous impressionist seascape, relishing in nature's boundless splendor. She displays calm violet hues of wet morning sand against gentle white waves and golden cliffs. The breathtaking scenery evokes a palpable sense of wonder, peace, and restoration.
About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California. While she is well-versed in a range of media, her preferred medium for painting is watercolor. The fluidity of the paint allows her to capture the muted undertones and the fleeting light found in the natural world. While the backgrounds of her paintings are impressionistic, the foregrounds of her paintings are often highly detailed, showcasing her technical mastery over her medium.
Words that describe this painting: seascape, ocean, beach, shore, sand, coastal, California Central Coast, peaceful, calm, shoreline, walking, family, grass, plants, waves, watercolor, paper, small, rocks, cliff, impressionism, impressionism, seascape, watercolor painting, purple
And All is Well...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Dye, Handmade Paper, Mixed Media, Permanent Marker
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Oil
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper
Artist Comments
A group of inviting Mediterranean style homes in Palm Springs nestled against a backdrop of rocky desert hills, and watched over by a sentinel palm tree. "Thi...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
1920s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Pastel
Artist Comments
Artist Suren Nersisyan paints a resting yet alert cardinal with carnation pink plumage. Spring flowers fill the scene and surround the perching bird. She perf...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Archival Paper
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Pastel, Handmade Paper
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Pastel
Artist Comments
Artist Siyuan Ma displays an impression of the Huayan Temple in Datong, Shanxi Province. It holds significant scientific value for ancient Chinese architectur...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Foil
Late 20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Mixed Media
Mid-19th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
Artist Comments
"This grouping of eucalyptus trees and bushes seemed like a tightly-knit family to me," says artist Patricia Prendergast. "I worked to portray that feeling by using an analogous color palette so that the sky, trees, bushes and grass all knit together."
About the Artist
Pastel artist Patricia Prendergast creates impressionist artworks that depict the rivers and landscapes near her home in Sacramento, California. With each nature vignette, she captures the sense of larger natural rhythms through quick mark-making, mauve undertones, and a tranquil and serene haziness. Her work recalls the paintings from the Hudson River School such as Thomas Cole and Asher Brown Durand. Before working on her pastels at home in her studio, she spends hours studying nature on walks along the river near her home. Since becoming an artist, she says “everything is more vivid - the beauty of light and shadow in the trees, the subtlety of the color of clouds, the sparkle and reflections in water.” Her work as been exhibited in solo shows around California. She is represented by UGallery.
Words that describe this painting: California, landscape, eucalyptus, trees, bushes, tonalism...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel
Artist Comments
Artist Judy Mudd takes inspiration from a journey through the lush countryside. She offers a captivating view of the bright field and a rural farmstead surrou...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Lithograph
Artist Comments
Artist Jill Poyerd captures a peaceful landscape with snow-covered mountains emerging from a haze. Painting with soft and neutral tones, Jill conveys the feeling of calm tranquility with her delicate brushwork. "I kept the elements to a minimum in order to accentuate the openness of the valley and increase the strength of the mountain range...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Charcoal
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Permanent Marker
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Acrylic, Color Pencil, Mixed Media
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Wood, Paper, Charcoal
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
Artist Comments
A cardinal bird couple perches on the branches of a berry tree, looking at each other. Artist Suren Nersisyan expresses this ende...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Artist Comments
A monumental view of the Hyalite Reservoir in The Gallatin National Forest stands beautifully in artist Jill Poyerd's magnificent panoramic landscape. The snowcapped fields and mountains give off a pristine white glow against the multitude of bristly pine trees. Muted earth tones enhance the soft yellow tones in the lower sky, creating a natural and subtle color scheme. By paling the values as the scene recedes, Jill provides a feeling of expanse and depth.
About the Artist
Jill E Poyerd brings "peaceful, contemplative moments" to life on the canvas. She approaches the canvas with little preparation, instead allowing herself total freedom to create. Both her watercolor and oil painting works depict gorgeous scenes of nature with a style distinctly her own. Something as common as a tree appears soft and ethereal through Jill's painterly style.
Words that describe this painting: landscape, nature, Montana, mountain, range, Rocky Mountains, fall, winter, lake, reserve, Gallatin Forest, tonal, paper, watercolor, forest, woods, water, impressionism, impressionism, nature, watercolor painting...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Watercolor, Pencil
Artist Comments
I painted this from photos that I took from a blind where we watched the Sandhill Cranes fly in to spend the night in the ecological preserve outside of Lodi, California. I painted it on a piece of black, sanded pastel paper trying to capture the beauty of the winter sunset.
About the Artist
Pastel artist Patricia Prendergast creates impressionist artworks that depict the rivers and landscapes near her home in Sacramento, California. With each nature vignette, she captures the sense of larger natural rhythms through quick mark-making, mauve undertones, and a tranquil and serene haziness. Her work recalls the paintings from the Hudson River School such as Thomas Cole and Asher Brown Durand. Before working on her pastels at home in her studio, she spends hours studying nature on walks along the river near her home. Since becoming an artist, she says “everything is more vivid - the beauty of light and shadow in the trees, the subtlety of the color of clouds, the sparkle and reflections in water.” Her work as been exhibited in solo shows around California. She is represented by UGallery.
Words that describe this painting: winter, sunset, impressionism, landscape, impressionism, landscape, representational, pastel artwork, purple
After the Cranes...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Pencil
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink, Archival Paper, Handmade Paper, Monoprint, Monotype
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Oil
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset, Felt Pen
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Graphite
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media
Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar finds inspiration from a row of colorful kayaks while on an outing to Tomales Bay in California. "I was captivated by the rainbow co...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Pastel
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Acrylic, Cardboard
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Acrylic, Cardboard
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Gesso, Watercolor, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Cotton Canvas, Paint, Canvas
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Kristen Brown depicts a parting of trees revealing a quiet lake at dusk. The peaceful composition captures the brilliant colors of evening light with f...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Trees dot a grassy landscape under a clear blue sky. Captured by the shadows cast by a lone tree, artist Catherine McCargar painted this peaceful scene on a late California summer morning. The purple and lavender shades contrast and complement the golden glow of the morning sun. Catherine employed an impressionist style to simplify the subject matter, yet her brushwork on the foreground grasses is intricately detailed.
About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California. While she is well-versed in a range of media, her preferred medium for painting is watercolor. The fluidity of the paint allows her to capture the muted undertones and the fleeting light found in the natural world. While the backgrounds of her paintings are impressionistic, the foregrounds of her paintings are often highly detailed, showcasing her technical mastery over her medium.
Words that describe this painting: landscape, field, trees, impressionism, shadow, sunlight, summer, sky, watercolor, paper, morning, impressionism, landscape, watercolor painting, green
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Pastel, Acrylic
Late 19th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Artist Comments
"Everyone has a favorite place in nature to visit," says artist Joanie Ford. "This is reminiscent of one of my favorite places. I w...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Acrylic
1960s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Monotype
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
India Ink, Rice Paper
1950s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
