Monochrome Abstract Paintings – Exploring Emotion with One Colour
Abstract monochrome paintings — my approach as an artist
Monochrome painting, to me, means working with a single colour and exploring everything it can express using subtle variations of hue value and intensities. It is not about limitation but about challenging boundaries. I want the emotion to come entirely from that single hue, supported by a simple design. There is nowhere to hide — every mark, every variation matters.
Working in monochrome has made me realise just how powerful small shifts in value, hue and intensity can be. It has reinforced something I keep rediscovering - colour has a huge part to play in determining th emotion all the other elements are importand but play a subordinate role.
Consider Some Examples of Monochrome Abstract Paintings
Each painting is my own work painted as an experiment intended to teach me about colour variations.
Two red monochrome paintings with a similar design. The one on the left is more welcoming - why? Compared to the painting on the right it is brighter - if we were to enter such a strange room we would be happier with more light. Notice the apparent black shapes, they are in fact deep red.
Compare these two blue monochrome paintings. They are similar designs to the red abstracts but they have an entirely different feel to them. The blue hues create cool uplifting space in which you are likely to be more comfortable. Find that touch of red in the painting on the right - a contrast to enhance the blues - just a little no more.
Red monochrome again here. Threatening and those simple but aggressive shapes enhance that feeling. Exhibited at The Mall Gallery in London as part of an exhibition of war art.
Grey for monochrome abstract paintings is a fine choice. Grey colour has hues within it and subtle changes can entertain the eye over the whole sheet. These two paintings would be classed as minimal artwork which is a genre I have explored.
Five more monochrome abstract paintings, note the similarities in their design - allmost all of the sheet is composed of different hues of the same colour, and there is a small contrating colour. The shapes are few in number, simple but interesting.
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And see some of my recent paintings
I add my new work to this page from time to time. Monochrome abstract paintings are still a favourite.
All my artwork is here
Browse this website to see all my original abstract paintings. View particular genres - and enjoy surreal art, geometric paintings, abstract aviation art, paintings about pollution, abstract figures, war art and minimalism, it's all there either finished work or in progress.