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.
Artist Comments
"I wanted to capture the key elements of the bay in a highly impressionistic way, painting almost a la prima," shares artist James Nyika. In this quick but en...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink
Artist Comments
Artist Patricia Prendergast displays a breathtaking forest river glistening under the gentle sun. The tranquil stream reflects the dense woodland foliage building an alluring color harmony. She creates a sense of depth by applying multiple layers of pastel and dabbing it with alcohol to achieve a thick consistency. Patricia uses various mark-making techniques to bring the trees and water on the left forward and push the right side into the distance.
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: pastel, river, trees, grass, foliage, impressionism, plein air, paper, pastelwork, reflection, water, nature, impressionism, nature, pastel artwork...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Charcoal, Pastel, India Ink, Graphite
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Charcoal, Pastel, India Ink, Graphite
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink
Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar displays a dreamy forest clearing in delicate color. Trees line the landscape, casting shadows on the wintry terrain. A peaceful and...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink, Watercolor
Artist Comments
A tranquil scene from a stretch on the American River in Sacramento, California. Artist Patricia Prendergast painted this piece by enlarging a smaller plein a...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel
Artist Comments
Artist Joanie Ford started this piece with a carefully drawn and detailed image. "I had been to similar places in my life, and as I...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Encaustic, Watercolor, Archival Paper
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink, Archival Paper, Handmade Paper, Monoprint, Monotype
Mid-20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink, Pen
20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Pastel
1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink, India Ink
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Pastel, Pencil
19th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Pastel
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel, Color Pencil
Artist Comments
Artist James Nyika plays with light and shadow in this impression of St. Mary's Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The sunrise orientation delivers a strong ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Gesso, Watercolor, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Cotton Canvas, Paint, Canvas
1940s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Pencil
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor, Woodcut
1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil, Paper
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Ink
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Charcoal
Artist Comments
"Look backward to move forward," says artist James Nyika. Taking inspiration from this very scene unfolding from his rearview mirror while driving, James pain...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Artist Comments
"Kilimanjaro is awesome to behold, and here you can see its scale!" says artist James Nyika. "Kilimanjaro captures the enormous size of one of its most famous...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, India Ink, Acrylic
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Charcoal, Oil Pastel, Ink
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Charcoal
1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Gouache
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Acrylic
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
1990s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Monotype, Mixed Media, Pencil, Graphite, Lithograph
1930s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Charcoal
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Found Objects, Ink, Gouache, Pencil
1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Plywood, Pastel, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar explores the tranquility of still waters and deep shadows in this peaceful coastal landscape. The sun's rays shine on the greenery w...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, India Ink, Acrylic
1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink, Paper
Early 19th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Gouache
Artist Comments
"The sunlight danced across the water and on the foliage hanging over the stream, creating a frame for the deep woods beyond," Patri...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Wood, Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Plywood, Pastel, Acrylic
1950s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Gouache
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Graphite
Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Mylar, Pencil, Pigment
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic
1960s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Pastel, Watercolor, Board
2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Archival Paper
Artist Comments
This piece is part of my spring bouquet series. It is my interpretation of spring flowers, done in a loose, watercolor style. This piece is on heavyweight pap...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Artist Comments
I painted this from a photo I took at Stafford Lake on a cloudy, rainy day. As I worked on it, it started to feel like a night scene to me and I thought it would be fun to add the moon and its reflection. I like how it provides a counter point in this monochromatic design.
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.
Moon over...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Oil Pastel
Artist Comments
I enjoy making trips to Palm Springs to collect inspirational material for paintings. I am especially drawn to the bougainvillea blossoms that grow so well in...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor