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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
Period: 21st Century and Contemporary
Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Acrylic

Doble Standard 17 and 14 Diptych. From The Doble Standard Series.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Doble Standard 17 and 14 Diptych, 2023 by James Bonachea From The Series Doble Standard Watercolor on cardboard Overall size: 58 cm H x 80 cm W Individual size: 58 cm H x 40 cm W U...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Cardboard

Joshua Tree
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Crayon, Watercolor

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Crayon

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Crayon, Watercolor, Pencil

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Untitled
Located in København S, DK
Explore Mila Francesca Cali's abstract watercolors, inspired by her plein-air studies of space and nature. With echoes of modernist painting in a contemporary context, each piece res...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Pencil

La memoria de narciso 3, 4, and 2. The memory of narcissus series.
Located in Miami Beach, FL
La memoria de narciso 3, 4, and 2 Triptych, 2017 by James Bonachea From The Series The memory of narcissus Watercolor on cardboard Overall size: 100 cm H x 210 cm W Individual size:...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Cardboard

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

Today, 2024, colorful, abstract, 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

Dovetail small 2 (Abstract drawing)
Located in London, GB
Dovetail small 2 (Abstract drawing) Charcoal on paper - Unframed. "Paper dimensions: 23.7 x 19.7 inch / 60.2 x 50 cm Image's dimensions: 22.5 x 18.3 inch / 57.2 x 46.5 cm Neill cre...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

Speak to Me, 2023, abstract, colorful, watercolor and acrylic 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, Acrylic, Watercolor

Ephemeral composition II - abstract painting, made in black, grey color
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Interior design paintings. The work was done with india ink in black and grey color on Yupo paper. The work is 11 by 14 inches in size, framed with a styrene face on a mat board in w...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, India Ink

Dovetail small 6 (Abstract drawing)
Located in London, GB
Dovetail small 6 (Abstract drawing) Charcoal on paper - Unframed. "Paper dimensions: 23.7 x 19.7 inch / 60.2 x 50 cm Image's dimensions: 22.5 x 18.3 inch / 57.2 x 46.5 cm Neill cre...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

"Eye of the Beholder" Acrylics, Pencils, Oil Pastels in Neutral Hues of Taupe
Located in New York, NY
"Eye of the Beholder" 2024, 48"x60" horizontal abstract painting by Argentine-born artist Karina Gentinetta (featured in Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, the New York Times, Traditi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil

‘Light Bringer 1'
Located in London, GB
‘The Light Bringers’, 2023, is Latex and charcoal work, have the quality of movement, the heads turning and twisting, as if in prayer. These series of 6 works are almost biblical, tr...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Charcoal, Latex

Cielo de Platón Set of 4 drawings. Painting From the series Plato’s Heaven
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Cielo de Platón set of 4 drawing, 2021 by James Bonachea From the series Plato’s Heaven Soluble graphite on canvas Overall size: 160 cm H x 480 cm W Image size: 160 cm H x 120 cm W ...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Graphite

"Floral whirlwind"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This acrylic painting makes part of my series dedicated to the scenes of a summer period. This abstract vibrant floral painting called "Floral whirlwind" is done in a modern contemp...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Dovetail small 4 (Abstract drawing)
Located in London, GB
Dovetail small 4 (Abstract drawing) Charcoal on paper - Unframed. "Paper dimensions: 23.7 x 19.7 inch / 60.2 x 50 cm Image's dimensions: 22.5 x 18.3 inch / 57.2 x 46.5 cm Neill cre...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

Contemporary Watercolor Painting, 'Design for Sculpture', 2022 by David Ruth
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Stripe Drawing #8" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

Set of 4 drawings Bauhaus architecture from the "23", Print series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set of 4 drawings Bauhaus from "23", Print series. 2022 by Rodrigo Spinel Gliceé printed on Hahnemule Fiber Matt paper, intervened by the artist. Edition of 10 Framed Overall frame...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, India Ink, Color

"Heart.Soul.Mind"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This expressive artwork "Heart.Soul.Mind" underlines the importance of having an inner maturity based on harmony between heart, sould and mind. As an artist and as a woman in my ...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Paper, Watercolor

Abstract Watercolor Painting, 'Design for Space', 2003 by David Ruth
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Abstract Watercolor Painting, 'Design for Light', C. 2000 by David Ruth
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 450
Located in Paris, IDF
India ink, marker and acrylic paint on archival paper Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in ...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Permanent Marker, India Ink

Sunset Today
Located in Boxholm, SE
Jolanta Johnsson, experienced Polish artist, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, PhD of fine arts, university teacher. She currently lives in Sweden. This is how she writes about the drawing: "The sunset today is extraordinary. As the sun sets, its round disc descends towards the horizon to eventually disappear behind it completely. This is when it changes colors, which become more and more intense. This spectacle is always interesting, each time different. No two sunsets are the same. One day it was so beautiful that it inspired me to make this drawing. That day was today, so I titled it Sunset Today. It is a symbolic title. It acts as a kind of reminder – the sun will also be set today. Today is also the day to watch the sun wander over the horizon. Don’t miss it! When we are surrounded by trees, the horizon line is collapsed. As the sun sets, it hides in their branches. Then, for a moment, the trees look as if they are on fire embracing the fiery sun ball...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Ink

"Stripe Drawing #9" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

"Stripe Drawing #7" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 453
Located in Paris, IDF
India ink and acrylic paint on archival paper Each set of four drawings Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Mast...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Archival Paper, Permanent Marker

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 446
Located in Paris, IDF
India ink and Acrylic ink on archival paper Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in Internatio...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

India Ink, Acrylic

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 447
Located in Paris, IDF
41 x 61 x 0.1 cm each set of three India ink and acrylic paint on archival paper Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pu...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

India Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper

"Stripe Drawing #5" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

"Stripe Drawing #3" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 448
Located in Paris, IDF
India ink and acrylic ink on paper Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in International Fashio...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

India Ink, Acrylic, Paper

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 451
Located in Paris, IDF
India ink and acrylic paint on archival watercolour paper Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, India Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper

Roundism – 30-01-18, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Roundism – 30-01-18 In line with my previous graphite pencil drawing ‘Roundism – 11-01-18’ I rendered the model figure with such highlighted tones as if the skin was lube...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

"Stripe Drawing #10" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

Roundism – 13-02-18, Drawing, Pencil/Colored Pencil on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
Roundism – 13-02-18 In my ever quest for roundism I was attracted to the female body’s position showing diagonals and triangles. I tried to counterbalance them by throwing in ...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

Abstract Watercolor Painting, 'Thoughts About The World Underwater'
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Stripe Drawing #2" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

"Stripe Drawing #4" Contemporary Original Abstract Drawing
Located in Roselle Park, NJ
My drawings and paintings are an examination of three major elements - color, surface and mark making. These nonrepresentational pieces give me the freedom to concentrate on and inve...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel

Abstract Watercolor Painting, 'Design for Light', 2004 by David Ruth
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Category

Early 2000s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

SET OF 9. Black and White, Line Drawing. Abstract Works on Paper
Located in Miami Beach, FL
SET OF 9. Black and White, Line Drawing, 2022 From the Series Line Drawings Parachute Lines and Epoxy on paper Size: 224 H x 179 W cm. Unique Frame Unpacked: 27 kg Approx. Hand-sign...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Epoxy Resin, Paper

Sunrise over Fields
Located in Boxholm, SE
Jolanta Johnsson, experienced Polish artist, graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, PhD of fine arts, university teacher. She currently lives in Sweden. This is how she writ...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink, Acrylic

Neige (Abstract painting)
Located in London, GB
Neige (Abstract painting) Collage, Gouache, acrylic and oil pastel on Arches paper — Unframed Marie de Lignerolles is an artist, designer, illustrator and colourist based in France ...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Gouache

"With love from Provence"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This acrylic painting makes part of my series dedicated to the scenes of a summer period. This landscape painting called "With love from Provence" is done in a modern contemporary e...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil

Kung Pao's Revenge, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
And just when everything was going so smoothly. Watercolor, gouache, charcoal, and pencil on #140 lb Arches paper. This work is double-matted under TruVue Museum UV glass in a sol...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Contemporary Watercolor Painting, 'Design for Space', 2022 by David Ruth
Located in Oakland, CA
This is a contemporary abstract watercolor painting by artist David Ruth. This series of paintings often feature bright colors and vibrant layouts that draw the viewer in. They are c...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

"Dreaming of the south of France"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This acrylic painting makes part of my series dedicated to the scenes of a summer period. This landscape painting called "Dreaming of the South of France" is done in a modern contem...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 454
Located in Paris, IDF
India ink, acrylic paint and marker on archival watercolour paper Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Archival Paper, Permanent Marker

The Mississippi River
Located in New York, NY
A collage by New York artist Miranda Maher. Made with Ink, Indian marble paper and Japanese Chiyogami paper on handmade Japanese paper. Miranda Maher’s ...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 452
Located in Paris, IDF
Marker on archival paper Sumit Mehndiratta is an Indian artist born in 1986 who lives & works in New Delhi, India. He has pursued Master of Science in International Fashion Marketi...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Archival Paper, Permanent Marker

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.

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