How to Determine If an Abstract Painting is Made by a Professional or an Amateur

When you go through an abstract painting collection, you might be wondering if it is a good or bad choice. Deciding good or bad art can be difficult in the case of abstract painting because there are no tangible elements and it is based only on an abstract idea. If you are thinking that how something this simple can be a masterpiece, you are not alone. You believe it or not, there is certainly a difference between an abstract artwork done by a professional artist, and random splashes of colors made by a novice. So, if you are planning to buy one, read this blog to determine whether to invest in a particular abstract painting or not.

The Research

In 2011, a study was conducted to test whether people can tell if an abstract painting is made by a professional artist or a novice. When participants were asked, non-art majors chose professional painting 65.5% of the time and art majors chose them 67.5% of the time. Thereby, researchers concluded that a significant number of people can recognize good work from the bad one. However, there are also the ones who have a hard time telling which painting is made by a professional.

However, it doesn’t mean it is easier for people to pick a certain painting when there are several others. So, here is how you can decide which painting you should invest in from the abstract art collection.

Factors to Consider While Differentiating Between Good Abstract Art and Bad One

Consistency

Here, we are talking about the consistency within a painting and the consistency of an artist’s portfolio. If a portfolio contains a few stunning pieces of art mixed with low quality work, it might mean that the artist is still developing his/her skill. The same thing applies to a single painting. The flow within a painting must be consistent through planned and precise strokes.

Color

Colors that don’t mesh or blend together are often an indicator that the painting is not made by a professional artist, unless it’s done deliberately in which case it has to be obvious.

Texture

Generally, good abstract art contains layers because there’s typically an underpainting that imparts a different texture to the final art piece.

Meaning

All great art whether it is abstract or other has some sort of meaning. However, the meaning might not be readily clear in the case of abstract art. But there will be some type of emotion, negative or positive that an abstract art oozes from within it. Thought-process and planning are put into the painting. You will know when an abstract art piece is done at random. It will lack character.

Complexity

As an artist completes more and more painting, they grow and learn new techniques which clearly reflect in their work. No matter what you may assume about abstract art, the techniques used in this style cannot be easily replicated.  

Know that professional artists are more confident and make every stroke with intention. Even though paint splatters look random, they are put there for a reason. So, keep all these things in mind while browsing through abstract painting collection and you will be more confident while spending money on them.