This week we’re thinking about abstraction, and the natural world is a great source of abstract subject matter. (Video slide show at very bottom of the post.)

And before you think, “Wait, shouldn’t abstraction avoid real-life objects?” let me point you in the direction of a few artists who do just that:

John Salminen who, for example, uses real life objects as the start for his painting in A Designed Approach to Abstraction.


Deborah Stewart narrows in down close to find abstract design in the real world in Abstract Art for the Absolute Beginner.


And Linda Kemp uses leaves as a part of her inspiration for her abstracted negative paintings including in the workshop, Negative Painting Techniques - Acrylic.

Reference photos:

Reference photo One: Leaves on wood

Photo byRithika Gopalakrishnan

Reference photo two: Pumpkins

Photo byCorey Blaz

Reference photo three: Leaves on water

Photo byEthan Hoover 

Reference photo four: White trees

Photo byJohn Price 

Refefence photo five: Orange leaves on thin limbs

Photo byJonah Pettrich 

Each image is copyright free. Follow the links to learn more about the photogaphers  (and see their other great work) and to get the larger image for painting.

Video Slideshow

15-Minute Sketch is an ongoing series to create easy ways for you to practice your daily drawing and sketching. Just 15-minutes a day will make a huge difference in your drawing and painting abilities.

Please note: The video below does not include audio. Think of it as a reference photo slide show: Five reference photos will be on screen each for 3-minutes each. Ready, set, sketch!