Ben Wohlberg: Evolution of an Abstract Painter

Macsperts2 minutes read

The artist's love for music influences his painting process, using roof paint as underpainting for texture and structure. Transitioning to illustration for financial reasons, he found success with a painting of his daughter, leading to abstract work inspired by artists like Braque and Pollock.

Insights

  • The artist discovered a unique technique by using roof paint on canvas, which he refers to as underpainting, to establish the structure and texture of his paintings.
  • Transitioning from painting to illustration due to financial constraints, he found success in illustration by focusing on negative and positive spaces to create shapes, leading to a shift towards abstract art, influenced by artists like Braque and Pollock.

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Recent questions

  • How did the artist accidentally start using roof paint in his artwork?

    By calling it underpainting or the bones of the painting, the artist accidentally began using roof paint on canvas to create structure and texture in his artwork.

  • What led the artist to transition from painting to illustration?

    Due to financial reasons, the artist transitioned from painting to illustration, finding success with a painting of his daughter that opened up more illustration opportunities for him.

  • How did the artist's illustration work influence his painting style?

    The artist's illustration work involved creating shapes and forms using negative and positive spaces, leading to a shift towards more abstract painting in his style.

  • Who were some of the artists that influenced the artist's work?

    Influenced by artists like Braque and Pollock, the artist focused on form and structure in his paintings, drawing parallels between his work and music in terms of form and structure.

  • What inspired the artist's use of color and light in his paintings?

    Working in the Bahamas influenced the artist's use of color and light in his paintings, leading to a change in his painting style as he incorporated the vibrant hues and natural light of the Bahamas into his artwork.

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Summary

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"Artist finds inspiration in music and nature"

  • The artist expresses a love for music and how it helps him relax and focus on his painting.
  • He accidentally started using roof paint on canvas, calling it underpainting or the bones of the painting, to create structure and texture.
  • Transitioning from painting to illustration due to financial reasons, he found success with a painting of his daughter that led to more illustration work.
  • His illustration work involved creating shapes and forms using negative and positive spaces, leading to a shift towards more abstract painting.
  • Influenced by artists like Braque and Pollock, he focused on form and structure in his paintings, likening his work to music in terms of form and structure.
  • Working in the Bahamas influenced his use of color and light in his paintings, leading to a change in his painting style.
  • He emphasizes the importance of form and structure in painting, learned from a teacher in New York, and how it impacts the overall composition.
  • The artist finds inspiration in his garden, working with native plants that tolerate salt, and sees parallels between gardening and painting in terms of creativity and satisfaction.
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