Sarah Adams

Sarah Adams paints large format oils of the coastal scenes near her Cornwall studio.
These works are inspired by the abstract forms of rocks and sea caves framing keyhole glimpses of the sea.

http://sarahadamspainting.co.uk

Avoiding the Obvious

Eurich, Richard Ernest, Low Tide, 1988











Eric Merrell, Big Sur, California

These two paintings verge on abstraction because they explore and accentuate elements of painting such as intensified/simplified colour, and pattern. It's not obvious at first glance that they are seascapes. The eye sometimes likes a puzzle to decipher, to be intrigued.

Unusual Viewpoint

Egon Schiele - Austrian, Tieste Fishing Boat.

Though loosely representational, the unusual prow-on view of the fishing boat appears almost abstract. Bright colours are combined with scumbled greys to great effect. The linearity of the rigging is carried through to other details of the subject, while the background is left vague. This work reminds us that good painting always has an abstract dimension. While evoking a specific subject, it is also about line, colour, shape and tone. An unusual viewpoint can help bring out the abstract elements of the subject.

Abstraction

Charlie Baird - Scottish

Gulls, 40 x 45 inches

Source: http://www.charliebaird.co.uk/gulls_3.htm

Though it evokes a recognisable subject, the simplicity of this work pushes it toward abstraction. Abstract elements, such as pattern, can lend visual power to a painting.