10 Best Abstract Painting Courses and Certifications Online

Abstract painting is a popular art form that is characterized by its non-representational and subjective nature. With the advancement of technology, individuals now have the opportunity to learn abstract painting techniques and create their own masterpieces through online courses. These courses can provide a convenient and affordable way for aspiring artists to improve their skills and gain knowledge about the various methods and materials used in abstract painting. In this article, we will explore some of the best abstract painting courses available online and examine their features and benefits.

Here’s a look at the Best Abstract Painting Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

10 Best Abstract Painting Courses and Certifications Online

1. Intro to Abstract Painting #1 and #2 by Andy Morris (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

This Udemy course titled “Intro to Abstract Painting #1 and #2” is instructed by Andy Morris and provides a comprehensive guide to creating acrylic abstract art. The course is designed to help students develop their creativity with easy to follow demonstrations which showcase popular abstract paintings. The course offers a supply list to get students started and insider secrets using unusual tools to make abstract painting easier.

The course has key features such as unlimited lifetime access, over 4000 enrolled students, updated last on November 15th, 2015, closed captions provided on each video, and a one-time payment with the ability to watch anytime/anywhere. Through demonstrations and lectures, Morris simplifies the abstract painting process, making it easy for even beginners to understand.

The course covers various aspects of abstract painting, including design ideas, painting techniques, and strategies for selling paintings. Morris’ approach is non-intimidating, practical, and aims to empower students to create their own paintings. The course has received positive reviews from students who have appreciated Morris’ relaxed teaching style, practical tips, and ability to inspire their artistic creativity.

The course content is divided into sections, which include Introduction to the Course, Understanding Abstract Art, Design & Composition, Learn a simple way to paint an Abstract Landscape Painting, How to make a painting based on my abstract designs for the Omni Hotel, Learn strategies for selling your abstract paintings, Summary, Abstract Painting with a Focus on Neutrals, Another abstract painting based on the Omni Hotel Designs, Finishing Touches to our Abstract Paintings, Abstract Expressionism Demos & Lectures, Art Panels, and Bonus Section.

2. Abstract Painting – Going Big by Andy Morris (Udemy)

This course, titled “Abstract Painting – Going Big”, is designed to teach students how to paint large acrylic abstract paintings in an economical way. The instructor, Andy Morris, will guide students on how to stretch their own canvas and create exciting designs that will look great on a larger canvas. The course covers 3 painting demos and is about 2 hours long, with unlimited lifetime access to revisit the lectures anytime for a refresher.

In the course, students will learn how to build their own stretcher bars in a few different ways and how to stretch their own canvas to save money. The instructor will also demonstrate strategies for developing large compositions that are very popular. The course is suitable for beginners with no previous experience needed.

The course covers the following sections: Welcome & Introduction, Stretching Your Own Canvas, Painting on Unstretched Canvas, Poured Painting Technique, HUGE PAINTING! 60 x 60 Inches and a Bonus Section. The instructor emphasizes easy-to-follow video lessons and money-saving tips.

Enrollment is open to anyone interested in painting large acrylic abstract paintings. Students will have unlimited lifetime access to the course and can revisit the lectures anytime.

3. Abstract Techniques Revealed Vol. 1 Create Large Modern Art by Gino Savarino (Udemy)

The course “Abstract Techniques Revealed Vol. 1 Create Large Modern Art” is designed to impart learners with the skills to create abstract contemporary paintings in a loose and carefree manner, without worrying about making mistakes. The course covers the creation of two colorful, large modern abstract paintings, along with the addition of texture, line, and form to a canvas. The instructor, Gino Savarino, shares his secret techniques that took him over 20 years to perfect. The course also covers the usage of unconventional tools and materials to add interest and excitement to one’s masterpiece.

Throughout the course, the instructor covers the paints and brushes that he likes to use, along with different mediums to add texture and depth to the artwork. The course mainly uses acrylic paint, although oil paint is used on occasion. The course is suitable for anyone interested in creating abstract art, and its multi-camera angles enable learners to grasp every brushstroke and splatter. The course can be watched at one’s own pace, with the ability to pause, rewind, and re-watch sections as needed.

The course is not your average, boring art lesson, and aims to amaze learners with their newfound ability to create abstract artwork. The course is divided into sections and covers topics such as welcome to Abstract Techniques Revealed. Overall, the course provides learners with the skills and confidence needed to create original modern abstract art on canvas and other substrates, without spending a fortune on art supplies.

4. Beyond the Brush Fluid Acrylic Painting by Andy Morris (Udemy)

The Beyond the Brush Fluid Acrylic Painting Course, instructed by Andy Morris, teaches the creation of multiple translucent layers using thinned Fluid Acrylic Paints to make poured paintings. The course comprises video lectures that demonstrate every detail of the process, along with insights into the instructor’s internal thought process. The course requires active participation, with students purchasing supplies, setting up a workspace, and trying the techniques to create their own poured paintings in this style. Students must then upload images of their completed paintings to the Discussion Area or to other platforms. The instructor stresses the commitment and effort required to learn this style of painting, which may take time and practice to master.

The course is divided into several sections: Welcome to the Course, Setting the Stage, Pouring Techniques, Conclusion, and a Bonus Section. The course is structured in a way that requires active engagement from students. They must watch demos, purchase supplies, and practice on their own to complete the course. The results of the course will be proportional to the dedication and hard work that students put into it. The instructor promises that the effort required will be well worth the results achieved.

In summary, the Beyond the Brush Fluid Acrylic Painting Course teaches students how to create poured paintings in multiple translucent layers using thinned Fluid Acrylic Paints. The course requires active participation, patience, and perseverance. The instructor offers insights into their internal thought process for creating stunning abstract paintings. Students are expected to purchase supplies, set up their workspace, and upload images of their completed paintings to the Discussion Area or other platforms. The course is structured in several sections, and students must put in the effort to achieve the desired results.

5. Composition for Beginning Abstract Painters by Doris Charest (Udemy)

Course Title: Composition for Beginning Abstract Painters

Course Instructors: Doris Charest

Course Short Description: This course is designed to provide easy steps for creating great abstract paintings.

Course Long Description: The Composition for Beginning Abstract Painters course is intended for individuals who are interested in painting abstractly but are unsure of where to begin. This course offers a comprehensive guide to creating great abstract paintings, teaching students that there is more to abstract painting than most people think.

Throughout the course, students will be guided through different compositions that master artists use. By the end of the class, students will have tried at least three or more of these compositional formats. The course was developed to assist students in achieving better results in their painting, and the instructor is now sharing the same information with students.

The instructor of this course, Doris Charest, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, a Master’s Degree in Art Education, and many years of experience teaching. The course is available to adults who are learning art making and artists as well. Join the course and learn to paint abstracts with confidence.

Course Content and Sections:

Introduction: The introduction section provides an overview of what the course covers and what students will learn.

Composition: This section focuses on the basics of composition, including the importance of balance, variety, and unity in abstract painting.

Color Theory: This section covers the fundamentals of color theory, including color schemes, color temperature, and the color wheel.

Materials: In this section, students will learn about the different materials required for creating abstract paintings, including types of paint, brushes, and canvases.

Technique: This section provides an overview of different techniques for creating abstract paintings, including layering and texture.

Conclusion: The conclusion section summarizes what students have learned throughout the course and provides some final thoughts on creating great abstract paintings.

6. Acrylic Abstract Painting Atmospheric Landscapes by Andy Morris (Udemy)

The Acrylic Abstract Painting Atmospheric Landscapes course is offered by instructor Andy Morris. The course teaches students how to create their own stunning abstract paintings in the style of atmospheric landscapes. The course is suitable for anyone with basic knowledge of acrylic paints who wants to learn the techniques used to create paintings like those shown in the promo video. The required materials for the course are acrylic paints, paint brushes, canvas, and a palette. The course is appropriate for all levels, but beginners may want to start with Morris’s beginner’s course. The course comes with lifetime access, downloadable videos, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The course contains three step-by-step demos that are slightly different from each other. However, Morris encourages students to put their own spin on the style, even if they deviate from the demos. Morris invites students to share pictures of their atmospheric landscapes with the class, either by uploading them to the course website or to the Facebook group. Morris is available to help students who need assistance.

The course content is divided into several sections, including an introduction, three demos titled “Misty Mountain,” “South of Taos,” and “Fire Ridge,” and a bonus lecture.

7. Acrylic Abstract Painting – Loosen Up by Andy Morris (Udemy)

The course “Acrylic Abstract Painting – Loosen Up” is taught by instructor Andy Morris and aims to teach techniques for creating expressive and emotionally charged acrylic paintings. The course promises to help students release their creativity and better express themselves as artists.

The course focuses on several ways to “loosen up” paintings, which refers to creating compositions with more energy and expressive feeling. The goal is to help students trust their own intuition and develop their unique creativity. The course covers techniques such as the Long Brush Exercise, Attack and Retreat Exercise, Atmospheric Painting Technique, and Juicy Brush Approach to Painting Abstracts.

The course encourages students to keep an open mind and try the techniques, some of which may seem unusual. The course promises to be fun and by the end, students should have the skills to create more expressive and emotionally charged paintings. The course is divided into five sections: Introduction, Long Brush, Attack and Retreat, Atmospheric Paintings, and Juicy Brush, with a bonus section.

8. Exciting 7 Step Method to Abstract Painting by Andy Morris (Udemy)

The Exciting 7 Step Method to Abstract Painting course, instructed by Andy Morris, offers a unique and fun approach to creating abstract art. Morris will demonstrate his 7 Step Method, a recently developed fool-proof process, that promises to make abstract painting easy and enjoyable. The course includes step-by-step video lessons, guidance and encouragement from Morris, and suggestions for choosing the right materials. The supply list is provided in Lecture 1 with optional suggestions.

Key features of courses with Morris include unlimited lifetime access, a growing community of artists, the instructor available to answer any questions, closed captions provided on each video, a one-time payment for each course, and the ability to watch anytime/anywhere with internet access. Morris will guide even beginners through the process, sharing personal strategies for designing a pleasing composition before jumping into creating their own abstract paintings.

The course is suitable for anyone wanting to learn how to paint an abstract painting and even beginners can benefit as it has been boiled down to 7 simple steps. The course includes an introduction section and painting demos. Previews and reviews from other students are available for viewing.

9. Abstract Painting – Stained Glass Method by Andy Morris (Udemy)

This course, titled “Abstract Painting – Stained Glass Method,” is led by instructor Andy Morris. The course offers an easy and fun way for learners to create abstract paintings. The Stained Glass Method is a popular painting style that is suitable for both beginners and experienced painters. The style is named after the stained glass panels due to its resemblance to them.

Throughout the course, learners will practice several techniques that will come in handy for their future paintings. The Stained Glass Method involves painting loosely during the initial steps and then tightening things up for the final details. The course aims to teach learners how to vary these two opposing styles to the exact degree they want. This skill is valuable as it allows painters to create different effects in their paintings. Additionally, learners will practice and develop their skills with transparent washes juxtaposed against opaque shapes.

The finished compositions in the Stained Glass Method are gestural, expressive, and quite popular among collectors. The course promises to be informative, fun, and easy to follow. The instructor welcomes learners to ask questions if they need any help.

The course is divided into four sections, namely, the Introduction, Demo One, Demo Two, and Resources. The course content covers the necessary skills required to create abstract paintings using the Stained Glass Method.

10. Abstract Techniques Revealed Vol. 2 Create Large Modern Art by Gino Savarino (Udemy)

Abstract Techniques Revealed Vol. 2 is a course teaching participants how to create large, modern abstract paintings. The instructor of the course, Gino Savarino, employs a fun, loose, and carefree approach that fosters confidence and creativity in the participants. The course is designed to help students overcome the fear of making mistakes and embrace unconventional tools and materials for an exciting and unique painting experience.

Throughout the course, the participants will learn how to add texture, line, and form to a canvas using acrylic and oil paint. Gino Savarino covers the usage of different mediums to add texture and depth to the paintings, with a focus on using budget-friendly materials. The course consists of multi-camera angles to allow participants to grasp every brushstroke and splatter.

The content of the course includes an introduction followed by four painting sections. Each painting section has a specific theme, and Gino Savarino shares his secret techniques that took him over 20 years to perfect. The course concludes with a Sinatra: Material List & Intro and Painting #5, “Waves under pink.” The participants can watch the course repeatedly as often as they like, pause and rewind, and work at their own pace.

In conclusion, Abstract Techniques Revealed Vol. 2 is an excellent course for anyone interested in creating abstract art. It offers a unique approach to painting that is both fun and exciting. The course provides participants with the necessary skills and techniques to create beautiful, large modern abstract paintings using unconventional tools and materials.