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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
Returnable Items Only
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, 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, Pencil

Canto #22 (Abstract work on paper)
Located in London, GB
Canto #22 (Abstract work on paper) Ink, oil on paper - unframed This artwork will be shipped rolled in a dent-resistant tube. Harald Kröner works thoroughly with paper, of which h...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Oil

Untilted, circa 1950, charcoal on paper
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean PONS (1913-2005) Sans titre, circa 1950 Fusain et crayon noir sur papier Monogrammé “JP” en bas à droite 27 x 33 cm Cadre : 40 x 50 cm Painter and lithographer born in Paris in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Charcoal

"Drawing Study" Charles Burchfield, American Modernism Design
Located in New York, NY
Charles Burchfield Drawing Study Graphite on paper 5 1/2 x 8 inches Charles Ephraim Burchfield (1893–1967) was an American painter, best known for his watercolor landscapes. Burchfi...
Category

Early 20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pencil

"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

"Fusion"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This painting makes part of my series dedicated to the scenes of a summer period. This abstract vibrant floral painting called "Fusion" is done in a modern contemporary expressive s...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled Geometric Abstraction - unique signed and inscribed work -framed
Located in New York, NY
Paul Pagk Untitled Geometric Abstraction, 1989 Gouache and watercolor on paper Signed, dated and inscribed "A Jacqueline". Frame included Excellent unique work on paper by contempora...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Pencil, Graphite

III-8 (hand painted, signed monoprint composition on two individual sheets)
By Michael Heizer
Located in New York, NY
Michael Heizer III-8 (two unique works), 1983 Monoprint on two individual sheets of white handmade TGL paper, hand colored with colored pencils, paint sticks, and liquid and spray ac...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paint, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Handmade Paper, Color Pencil, Monoprint, Mo...

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

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

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

Sklye by Sam Francis - Abstract Modern Work on Paper
Located in London, GB
*UK BUYERS WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL 5% IMPORT DUTY ON TOP OF THE ABOVE PRICE Sklye by Sam Francis (1923-1994) Acrylic on paper 14.6 x 10.2 cm (5 ³/₄ x 4 inches) Signed, Sam Francis an...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

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

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

Wayvox
Located in New York, NY
Wayvox, 1986 Ballpoint pen on paper 11 x 8-1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm) Signed, titled, and dated, lower margin At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and ...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ballpoint Pen

"Stripe Drawing #11" 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

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

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

Ephemeral composition III - 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

Basket Case
Located in New York, NY
Basket Case, 1986 Ballpoint pen on paper 11 x 8-1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm) Signed and dated, lower margin At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and tact...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ballpoint Pen

"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

"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

Maker’s Prayer
Located in New York, NY
Maker’s Prayer, 1986 Ballpoint pen on paper 11 x 8-1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm) Signed, titled, and dated, lower margin At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of co...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ballpoint Pen

Crystal Ball
Located in New York, NY
Crystal Ball, 1989 Graphite on paper 11 x 8-1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm) Signed, titled, and dated, verso At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and tactil...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Graphite

Whirlwind
Located in New York, NY
Whirlwind, 1989 Graphite on paper 11 x 8-1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm) Signed and titled, lower margin At the heart of Bousfield's work lies a lyrical celebration of color and tactile se...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Graphite

"Abstract Composition VI" Watercolor painting 10" x 14" in by Shaker El Maadawy
Located in Culver City, CA
"Abstract Composition VI" Watercolor painting 10" x 14" in by Shaker El Maadawy signed & dated Shaker El Maadawy graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in painting in 1967 in his ...
Category

20th Century Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Indian Contemporary Art by Sumit Mehndiratta - Drawing 449
Located in Paris, IDF
41 x 61 x 0.1 cm each Marker 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 pursued Mast...
Category

2010s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Permanent Marker

William Jacobs "Untitled", original pastel on paper
Located in Glenview, IL
"Untitled" by noted Chicago painter William Jacobs (1897 - 1973) is an abstract expressionist pastel on paper created in 1969. The artwor...
Category

1960s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

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

"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

"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

"Untitled (C82-142)" Hannelore Baron, Mixed Media Collage, Abstract
By Hannelore Baron
Located in New York, NY
Hannelore Baron Untitled (C82-142), 1982 Signed and dated on the reverse Mixed media collage Sheet 12 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches Provenance: Manny Silverman ...
Category

1980s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Fabric, Paper, Mixed Media, Laid Paper

"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

"Flowers" Mary Abbott, Colorful Floral Still Life, Female Abstract Expressionism
Located in New York, NY
Mary Abbott Flowers, circa 1950 Signed lower left Pastel on paper 30 x 22 1/4 inches Provenance: Aaron Galleries, Glenview, Illinois Among the early exponents of Abstract Expressio...
Category

1950s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

"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

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

"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

'Lily in Charcoal' abstract expressionism photography edition of 10
Located in London, GB
'Lily in Charcoal' 2023 From raw energy to sublime. 'Lily in Charcoal' is an expression piece combining an abstract charcoal drawing with a live lily emerging from a gash. The charc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Photographic Film, Charcoal, Archival Ink, Archival Paper

"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 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

Aground (unique oil on paper painting by renowned female abstract expressionist)
Located in New York, NY
Emily Mason Aground, 1979 Oil on paper painting Signed, dated '79, with a dateline of Vermont (VT) on the lower front in silver marker; bears original artist's label and exhibit label Frame included: floated and framed in original vintage silver color...
Category

1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Oil

A GARDEN FOR ICARO - Etching on paper signed Gaetano Carboni, Italy 1970
Located in Napoli, IT
Etching on paper, signed Gaetano Carboni A painter and engraver, Gaetano Carboni was born in 1928 in Ascoli Piceno and, between 1940 and 1950, implemented his first figurative experi...
Category

1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Etching, Aquatint

Ephemeral composition - 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

"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

So Slight a Film, (Lehman Brothers Art Collection), unique signed oil on paper
Located in New York, NY
Emily Mason So Slight a Film (from the Lehman Brothers art collection), 1978 Oil on paper Abstract Expressionist painting Signed and dated 'Emily Mason '78' bottom right in pencil Fr...
Category

1970s Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Graphite, Oil

Dormant Sap
Located in THOMERY, FR
"Dormant Sap" portrays the essence of winter's embrace, where the tree's bare branches stand as silent sentinels against the pale backdrop of a frost-kissed landscape. Executed with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

"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

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

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

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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