Abstract Figure Paintings – Emotion and Body Language in Art

Abstract figure paintings allow emotion to emerge through gesture, posture and setting unlike realistic figures which rely on detail. The human figure has fascinated artists for centuries because we instinctively read meaning in how a body stands, leans or moves. A slight shift in position alters the feeling that the figure is creating.

In these paintings the figure is not described literally. Faces and features are  abstracted so that expression and body language carry the feeling of the work. The intention is not to portray a specific person but to capture an emotional state that the viewer can recognise and interpret in their own way.

Every painting shown here is an original work created in my studio. Each piece is unique and no copies or reproductions exist.

Body Language in Abstract Figure Paintings

In my abstract figure paintings the emotion is rarely found in the face. Instead it appears in the posture of the figure — a tilt of the shoulders, the angle of a head, the way a body leans or resists. Body language can communicate confidence, tension, humour or uncertainty long before we notice facial detail.

Abstraction allows these signals to become stronger. By simplifying the figure and removing unnecessary detail, gesture and movement take centre stage.

All of the figures in these paintings are deliberately open to interpretation. They are not portraits of particular people, but expressions of feeling and presence. Through posture, stance and rhythm the figure becomes a way to explore human emotion in a more universal form.

Originality is coveted.

The paintings here are all my own work and originality is in every piece. You are viewing low quality images - the originals loook even better - but I must avoid any chance of copying. You can buy the only  one of its kind.

The human figure is one of the most painted subjects, why?

Through our lives we spend a lot of time looking at people - our family, friends, relations, colleagues, strangers. We look closely at their facial expression and body language as part of the communication process. We see every emotion in the figures, love, hate, concern, sympathy, jealousy, antipathy, caution and many more. We assess the person’s emotional state so we can respond accordingly. Artists want to capture that emotion so that the painting communicates with you the viewer. These paintings do not describe a person or even a feature such as an eye, accurately but abstract the figure to capture the essence – a mixture of expression and body language.

No Words For This One - that's the title, I could not find the words to describe the painting without misleading the viewer. Make your own interpretation, ponder if you have ambiguity and please enjoy! View this contemporary abstract figure painting

These two dancing figure paintings are surreal - can you feel the joy of the movement? Or maybe something else

Two of a kind - the paintings and the abstract figures - celebrating Life! Click  Bonded abstract figures to see this one in full.

 Studies in Body Language

The five pieces below capture different messages from the body language. They also feature hats which enhance the feeling - a powerful tool for the artist.

Interested to see how these hat paintings were made? Click abstract figures in hats

An abstract male painting - Fly Boy. Pilots seem to develop their own characteristics  - maybe it is confidence, perhaps arrogance too.

I cannot resist painting abstract Spanish figure paintings . Senor! again and again.

The figure is now hard to find but it is still essential for the message in the painting

war series

I have painted several  for this series of paintings and the ones below are a selection that feature figures . There are more to see on war, click war series. . They have been exhibited in the Mall Gallery and Crypt Gallery in London

My only goal.

I have emphasised that my only goal when painting is to create an emotion in the artwork and whilst others seek to create something they see I endeavour to create how I feel about what I see. I am not alone of course and the list starts with Rothko who could stir feelings just by colour. My blog post Getting Emotion into a Paintings expands on this point and I teach it too - Get Heart Into Your Art is my title for personal lessons.