Abstract Composition
1948
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1948
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Abstract Composition is a 1948 watercolor by William Gear, a abstract expressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting is a wild mix of colors and shapes. Thick black lines twist like vines or branches, while splashes of blue, yellow, and red seem to drip or explode across the page. Some areas are light and airy, while others are packed with dark, messy strokes. The whole thing feels like it was made fast, with paint still wet in spots. The artist used watercolor, which usually looks soft, but here it’s bold and rough. The paint isn’t smooth—it’s layered, with some spots looking almost scratched into the paper. Try looking up impasto next to see how artists use thick paint in different ways.
