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50+ Abstract Painting Ideas for Beginners: Creative DIY Techniques

By: Author Jasmine Dhillon

Posted on Published: October 6, 2023  - Last updated: May 9, 2024

Categories Acrylic Painting , Crafts & DIY , Painting Ideas

Are you a beginner artist eager to explore the world of abstract painting? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ve gathered 50+ easy abstract painting ideas that are perfect for beginners. From the vibrant palette of acrylics to the mesmerizing flow of fluid painting, we’ve covered a spectrum of mediums , including watercolor, oil, mixed media, gouache, and more.

Whether you’re looking to create captivating large canvases to adorn your living room walls or smaller pieces for intimate spaces, our selection offers a wide range of canvas sizes. Along this artistic journey, you’ll discover not only what colors to use but also how to master captivating color combinations.

Get ready to unleash your creativity! Each idea in this collection introduces you to different painting tips / techniques that paves the way for your unique artistic expression.

50 Abstract Painting Ideas for Beginners

In the mood to paint your next abstract masterpiece? The 50+ abstract painting ideas below will fill you full of abstracted awesomeness and inspiration!

How To Paint Abstract Step-By-Step With 13 Techniques

Learn how to paint an abstract painting with the entire step by step process. From blank canvas t, pciking your color palette, to carving out your focal point and more. Learn easy and aesthetic abstract marks using the free cheatsheet.

Abstract Artwork- Intuitional with Various Colors

Release your anxiety on canvas by making a stress-free intuitional styled painting. First layer cool colors, then warm colors with various random brushstrokes and markings (whatever comes to your mind in the moment is key).

Then paint in the negative space with pale pink paint to make a focal point come to life and give the painting more balance.

Acrylic Pouring Art - How to make artwork using acrylic pouring technique

Learn how to make an acrylic pouring artwork in this step by step tutorial. You'll also learn how to make those infamous cells with the simple additive of silicon oii.

Easy Abstract Designs You Can Do!

Learn these 5 easy abstract designs that you can make with watercolor paints. Use them as backgrounds for your abstract pieces with mixed media or as paintings on their own. Kristina will walk you through each design.

Brushstroke Techniques for Abstract Acrylic Painting

Do you want to learn some nifty brushstroke techniques that you can add to your abstract painting? Jessi will show you how simple brushstrokes in different colors can make an entire art piece for your home.

Large Canvas Wall Art For Living Room

Take a stroll over to your local thrift store to create this abstract beauty. Melissa will show you how to used simple lumber and an old white curtain panel to create a large canvas. Then grab different mediums like latex paint, plaster of Paris and inks to create the abstract design.

Original Abstract Painting of Butterflies in Flight

Paint this freeing and serene original painting with simple acrylic paint and a gold leaf pen. Use basic blue paints to create a variety of brushstrokes on half your canvas, then paint in gold flying butterflies.

Intuitive Abstract Painting With Intricate Designs

Intuitive styled abstract painting is a stress-free and enjoyable art form. Essentially you let the piece transform with each layer without an end look in mind. The fantastic tutorial will walk you through each layer: background layer with alcohol inks, followed by tracing in the intricate designs, then bringing it to life with painting in the negative space.

Acrylic Artwork with Bold Texture

Add in some nifty acrylic mediums into your paint to create a wide variety of textures on canvas. Mediums to create a 3D effect, metallic sheen, cracked/aged look, and more. Learn more about what you can do with acrylic mediums in this blog post.

Simple Abstract Painting with Rainbow Brush Strokes

Try this simple technique of brush strokes in a rainbow of colors as your entire

HOW TO POUR RESIN | DIY Resin FLuid art!

Using resin in your abstract artwork can make for some very dramatic and high quality looking pieces. Head on over to this in-depth beginners guide and make your own gorgeous resin painting.

Easy DIY Alcohol Ink Art Tutorial

Alcohol Inks is a new paint medium that has gained lots of popularity recently. It's a simple, low maintenance paint type that can be used to create some mesmerizing abstract art. This tutorial will take you through the basics like brand and colors of alcohol inks, blending solution, paper surface, etc...

Color Mixing with Acrylic Paint: 3 Simple Techniques

Color mixing is an important topic to learn and apply in abstract art. The combination of colors and what colors look aesthitcally good beside each other is a science that can be learned.

Abstract Watercolors Techniques For Your Next Painting

Want to learn some cool watercolor techniques that you can use for your next painting? Check out this great tutorial for ideas, tips and strategies.

How To Make A Simple Geometric Canvas Painting

Follow this in depth tutorial to learn how to paint this simple and elegant geometric canvas painting for your home.

Acrylic Art Techniques for Beginners - Using 10 Techniques

Learn how to paint this solid color look, type of abstract art with 10 abstract painting techniques. The end result is an abstraction of a beautiful sunset.

How To Make DIY Gold Leaf Abstract Art

Adding gold leaf to your abstract paintings is a great way to add a different dimension and feel to your art. Gold leaf will add a vibe of glamour and lavishness that's effortless. Learn how to apply gold leaf to your canvas and layer it with creamy and yummy acrylic paints.

Brushstrokes on Glass Abstract Art In A Variety of Colors

Do you have any spare glass picture frames laying around? Then try this ingenious idea of painting bright and vibrant colors on glass! Allison will show you how to prep the glass and everything you need to know to create this fresh abstract idea!

Easy Modern Abstract Painting with Oils & Best Tips

If you want to splash into the world of oil paints, then this modern abstract oil painting tutorial will guide you. There are lots of great tips and things to consider when making your abstract that Ashley shares in her post.

Abstract Art: Mixing Colors, Building Layers & Color Pallets

Bring your abstract painting to life with yummy color palette's like in Betty Frank's art. She'll show you all the colors she uses for this painting and tip & tricks on mark making.

Abstract Heart Paintings on Canvas- 3 Simple Ideas

An easy abstract painting idea is taking a simple shape (like a heart) then abstracting it using different techniques like texture and using various colors with simple marking tools. Check out this tutorial to learn 3 technqiues to abstract a simple heart shape.

Beautiful Abstract Art- Beginner Tutorial

Looking for a simple color palette for your next abstract painting? This video tutorial will show you how to make ths beautiful canvas art with black and white paints.

Poppies in Bloom Abstract Art For Living Room

This large canvas art would look great in the living room over a couch. Which is where I hang it in my house. The background is painted with different shades of grey in a painterly style. I also used a spray water bottle to create some drip marks.

Then I painted some abstract poppy flowers with bright red acrylic paint mixed with string gel medium (to give that super shiny, reflective look). For the stems and buds I used a 3D acrylic paint liner in a squeeze bottle to paint the fine lines.

DIY Abstract Art : Easy Canvas Painting For Beginners

Follow this easy canvas painting tutorial and make this gorgeous aqua, teal with a splash of gold masterpiece.

White Paint Abstract Oil Painting

Feeling like painting a clean looking, aesthetically eye-catching piece for your beautiful interior space? Use lots of white paint and neutrals tones like Sydne did for her living room.

Colorful Abstract Free Form Painting- Step by Step Tutorial

Watch the Art Sherpa in action as she breaks down each layer of this magnificent, free form, abstract styled painting.

Grafitti String Art on Canvas

These graffiti string abstract paintings would make great abstract art prints because they would look spectacular framed. If you're looking to make a collection of prints this modern abstract painting idea is a sure win!

Acrylic Paint Pouring on Rocks Made Easy

Take your paint pouring skills over to rocks to make this abstract work of art. Follow along with this full tutorial that will show you the art supplies, easiest paint for pouring, and top tips for the best painted rocks.

How to Paint Abstract Art With Different Shapes

This super easy canvas painting tutorial by Thaneeya will show you how to create this beautiful artwork. She will show you how much fun it can be to have fun with abstract, which is one of the most important things.

Geometric Art with Masking Tape

This was one of my first abstract pieces and it was super easy to make. I used masking tape to make the geometrical square and rectangular shapes, then painted them in with a basic color palette of blue, black, grey and yellow.

It's painted with acrylic paint and the highly textured part was a mixture of super heavy gel and yellow paint.

Make DIY Polka Dot Canvas Paintings

Looking for simple ideas for your next abstract? Why not make a dot styled painting with intricate patterns! Check out this in-depth tutorial by Burlap and Blue to learn how.

Fluid Painting: A Tutorial

Learn the basics of fluid painting in this step by step tutorial. From supplies and materials to technique and tips.

Experiments in Masking Paint with Tape

Want to learn different ideas on how to use masking tape in your abstract art? This post will walk you through ideas, techniques, and experiments that use masking tape so that you can infuse them into your own abstract pieces.

New Technique: How to Make an Abstract Painting Using Tissue Paper

Want to learn new techniques you can apply to your abstract paintings? Check out this tutorial to fine out how to use a nifty pattern making tool

Easy and Dramatic Black Paint Abstract Canvas

Do you want to create a easy yet elegant abstract piece with one simple paint color, black ? Then head over to Tanya's tutorial to learn how she created this lovely piece for her living room.

Geometric Abstract Video Tutorial With Acrylic Paint and Masking tape

If you're looking for abstract painting video tutorials, then check out this great demo. This abstract painting technique uses simple masking tape (or painter's tape) to create modern geometric shapes.

Serene Buddha With Non-Representational Art

Take something that calms and centers you and use that as the focus of your abstract painting. This painting was made for my beautiful mother who loves tranquility and buddha. I collaged the buddha and om design on my canvas using matte medium then painted with acrylics overtop.

Soothing Abstract Acrylic Painting Video Tutorial

Do you learn best with video tutorials? Then head on over to this tutorial by Rinske Douna and she'll show you her signature style with abstracts.

Abstract Painting With Palette Knife Technique In Acryilcs

Learning to use the palette knife to move paint across your canvas can be seriously satisfying. And you can create some pretty amazing art with this simple yet powerful tool- no paint brushes needed! Head over to Suraj's awesome video to learn his techniques. I was motivated to create my first palette knife painting after watching his vids.

Abstract Spray Paint: New Techniques and Ideas for Creating Beautiful Works

If you're looking for new techniques to apply to your abstract works, then why not learn to art of spray painting! Head over to this article to learn techniques, tips and the most important things you need to know about using spray paint in art.

How To Paint an Abstract Watercolor

Using watercolor paint is another great media to work with in abstract painting. You can make an entire painting with watercolors alone or you can mix them with other paints in mixed media style art. Head over to this tutorial to learn the basics on how to create an abstract watercolor piece.

Gouache Floral Abstract Painting

Gouache paint is a great medium to create any abstract with. Gouache paint is essentially a perfect combination between watercolor and acrylic paints. It's thin and flows like watercolors, with the opaqueness of acrylics. It also dries completely matte, which is a unique quality of gouache paints. The end result is creamy, smooth, streak-free paint application that looks almost digital.

Colorful and Cheerful Abstract with Markings

There's no doubt that color can transmit an energy and a mood. There' s science that backs that up too! If you you're aiming to paint a piece that induces good vibrations and a cheerful mood, then pick lots of fun and vibrant, punchy colors. Like this beautiful piece by Carly Wigger.

Abstract Background with Spiritual Meaning

First let loose and paint matching abstract backgrounds on small square canvases. Then write some meaningful words overtop, with the art of lettering. If you follow a faith you can even write some religious/spiritual sayings. Faiza Ashraf, the talented artists behind these creations, hand lettered some meaningful words in Arabic. The words from left to right: Iman- Faith, Sabr - Patience, Hubb- Love, Shukr- Gratitude.

Easy Wildflower Abstract Using a Palette Knife

Create this abstract field of wildflowers with a simple palette knife. You'll also learn how to make an aesthetically pleasing abstract painting by learning how to proportion your canvas.

Palette knife acrylic abstract painting with eggshells

Moving luscious thick acrylic paint across a canvas with a palette knife can be a very satisfying experience for the senses. Check the tips in this post to learn how you can create your own palette knife abstract painting.

How To Do Acrylic Pouring

This comprehensive in-depth tutorial will walk you through how to make an acrylic pour painting. Tracie will also show you some tips on choosing complimentary colors that look good together.

Blue Forest: Beautiful Abstract Art

If you have a favorite place or scene that means something to you, why not capture it in your next abstract piece. My favorite places are the forest and the night sky, so I married the two in 1 painting.

Easy Straight Lines With Painters Tape

You don't have to have an ounce of painting experience to create this abstract painting. Check out this tutorial to learn how strategic placement of painters tape and basic acrylic paints can result in professional looking masterpieces.

Jackson Pollock Inspired Watercolor Painting For Kids

If you're looking for a fun and easy abstract painting idea for kids then you'll love this idea. Erin will guide you through her awesome tutorial and show you how to create this Pollock inspired art with simple liquid watercolors, paper and a straw.

How To Abstract Watercolor Background with Horse Head

In this tutorial you'll learn how to create a vibrant abstract "watercolor paint-splotch" background using acrylic paints. Then you'll learn how to paint an abstracted version of a horse with only black and white paints.

Abstract Painting Color Schemes: 10 Favourite Palettes & How to Make Them

One big aspect of abstract painting is picking the right color palette. If you want some hand picked fresh color palette ideas, along with the paint mixture recipes, head on over to this great resource.

Abstract Art Tutorial

Learn how to paint this stunning square canvas abstract painting that would look perfect in a living room. You will learn how to recreate every splatter, splotch and fluid paint stroke with detailed step by step instruction.

Holiday Season Wreath: Textured Abstract Acrylic Painting

Looking for an easy and festive holiday season painting idea? Then this textured abstracted wreathe on canvas is a joyous idea!

DIY Large Abstract Painting Techniques - CONTEMPORARY ART

This large DIY abstract painting is easy for any beginner to tackle. Watch this detailed video to learn how to use painters tape and other techniques to create this stunner. This vertical large canvas would look great in a living room, bedroom or any wall where a large canvas would fit.

Abstract Acrylic Painting Techniques To Elevate Your Art

If you're looking to learn some new acrylic painting techniques to add to your abstract paintings, then you'll want to go through this list of 47 different ones. Learn texture, glazing, etching, palette knife techniques and more.

Abstract Mural With Elements Of Nature

Take abstract painting to your walls for a fresh and bright look. Here are some more wall painting ideas for inspiration.

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Monday 11th of March 2024

Do you have a link that works for painting no. 5? I’d love to try it, but the link in this article is broken.

Jasmine Dhillon

Thursday 21st of March 2024

Thanks Beth! I just updated to a working link :) Hope you enjoy making this beautiful large abstract painting. It's a beaut!

Cheers, Jasmine

Top 12 Abstract Acrylic Painting Techniques: Inspiring Images and Ideas

Table of Contents

Abstract Acrylic Painting

Abstract acrylic painting is a versatile and captivating form of art that allows artists to express themselves in unique and imaginative ways. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just starting out, exploring various techniques can unlock new dimensions in your creative journey. In this article, we’ll delve into the top 10 abstract acrylic painting techniques, accompanied by inspiring images to spark your artistic imagination.

1. Bold Brush Strokes and Texture Play

One of the hallmark features of abstract acrylic painting is the use of bold brush strokes and texture. This technique involves applying acrylic paint with confidence, using various brush sizes and techniques to create depth and dimension. Experiment with layering different colors and letting the textures interplay for a visually engaging result.

2. Pouring and Dripping

Pouring and dripping is a dynamic technique that involves thinning acrylic paint and letting it flow or drip onto the canvas. This creates organic and unpredictable patterns that can form the basis for an abstract masterpiece. The controlled chaos of pouring and dripping allows for a level of spontaneity that can lead to truly unique compositions.

3. Palette Knife Mastery

Using a palette knife in abstract acrylic painting can yield stunning results. This technique involves applying paint using a palette knife, which creates a different texture compared to using brushes. It allows for precise control over the application of paint and can be used to create both sharp, defined edges and softer, blended areas.

4. Sgraffito: The Art of Scratching

Sgraffito is a technique where layers of paint are applied, and then, while still wet, the artist scratches away portions to reveal the layers beneath. This creates intriguing textures and reveals hidden colors, adding depth and visual interest to the painting.

5. Collage and Mixed Media

Incorporating collage elements and mixed media into your abstract acrylic paintings adds another dimension to your artwork. This technique involves incorporating various materials such as paper, fabric, or found objects onto the canvas, creating a rich tapestry of textures and visual interest.

6. Masking and Stenciling

Masking and stenciling are techniques that involve using barriers to create defined shapes or patterns. This allows for precise application of paint and can be used to create intricate details or bold, graphic elements in your abstract compositions.

7. Layering and Glazing

Layering and glazing involve building up multiple layers of translucent paint to create depth and luminosity. This technique is particularly effective for creating a sense of depth and complexity in your abstract acrylic paintings.

8. Negative Space Composition

The use of negative space is a powerful technique in abstract painting. By strategically leaving areas of the canvas unpainted, you create a sense of balance and harmony between the elements in your composition. This technique can evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue in your artwork.

9. Color Theory and Harmony

Understanding color theory and how different hues interact is crucial in abstract acrylic painting. Experiment with complementary, analogous, or triadic color schemes to create visual impact and harmony in your compositions.

10. Emotional Expression and Intuition

Abstract acrylic painting is a deeply personal form of art, and allowing your emotions and intuition to guide your brushstrokes can lead to powerful and evocative creations. Trust your instincts and let your inner artist speak through your work.

11. Impasto for Dimension

Impasto is a technique where paint is applied in thick, textured layers, creating a three-dimensional effect. By using a palette knife or brush, you can sculpt the paint to add depth and tactile interest to your artwork. This technique is particularly effective for creating bold, impactful elements in your composition.

12. Blending and Gradation

Achieving smooth transitions between colors is essential for creating a harmonious and balanced abstract acrylic painting. Practice blending techniques to seamlessly merge different hues, allowing them to flow into one another. Gradation, or the subtle transition from light to dark or vice versa, adds a sense of movement and depth to your artwork.

             The world of abstract acrylic painting is boundless, offering a myriad of techniques and approaches to explore. As you experiment with these top 10 techniques and additional tips, remember that your artistic journey is a reflection of your unique voice and vision. Embrace the process, let your creativity flow, and allow yourself to be inspired by the boundless possibilities that abstract acrylic painting has to offer. Happy painting.

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Learn Abstract Painting

Crafted by Robert is your go-to online resource for beginners and aspiring artists that want to learn how to paint abstract style artwork with acrylics, watercolor, mixed media and collage. We offer easy-to-follow tutorials and step-by-step guides that will help get you started.

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Unleash Your Creativity with Abstract Painting: 40 Instructional Video Lessons

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February 08, 2018

Evangelyn Delacare

About Art History 101

Learn about the artists, movements, and trends behind your favorite styles of art—from Classical to Contemporary, and hitting everything in between, including Street Art, Pop Art, Impressionism, and Abstract Expressionism.

• Art History 101

The Basics of Abstract Painting You Should Know

February 08, 2018 Posted by Evangelyn Delacare

Abstract painting is considered one of the purest forms of expression, as it allows its creator to freely communicate visually without the constraint of forms found in objective reality. The approaches found within abstract painting encompass many movements including German Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, and Abstract Expressionism. Read on to learn about the history of abstract painting, as well some of its most prominent artists.

A Brief History

Abstract paintings emerged as a departure from Classical and traditional academic painting in Europe during the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries. Many renowned artists prior to this time painted following the methods of classical realism, which used realistic perspective, shading, and other techniques in order to create historical scenes and subject matter.

At the turn of the 20 th century many artists were going against formal teachings and started to create art that didn’t necessarily refer to objects in the real world. This new way of painting was considered “pure art” due to the subjects deriving entirely from the artists, as opposed to being copied or referenced in the real world. Emphasizing an artwork’s formal qualities over its representational subject matter, abstract artists experimented with new techniques such as using vivid yet arbitrary colors, reconstructing shapes, and rejecting realistic three-dimensional perspective.

Abstract Painting Techniques & Famous Abstract Painters

German expressionism + kandinsky.

Experimentation with colors and evoking emotions was a primary interest of abstract artists . German Expressionism is characterized by its saturated palette and the colors correspondence to human emotions. German Expressionism painter, Wassily Kandinsky is often considered the first true abstract artist. He became known for his color theory and attaching emotions to his vividly colored paintings. Like many other abstract artists, Kandinsky believed that music also embodied abstract art in the purest sense, with its ability to be expressive without representing the real world. Kandinsky would go on to refer to his works as “compositions”.

Fauvism and Orphism + Matisse, O’Keeffe, etc.

Crucial to abstract art is the rejection of three-dimensional perspective, which is found in both Fauvism and Orphism. Fauvism depicts objects with intense arbitrary color, while Orphism is characterized by bright patches of color rather than a figurative object. Henri Matisse was a famous Fauvist, and works like his “The Green Stripe” (1905) exemplify the movement’s characteristic style. The work is a portrait of his wife with green and yellow skin on a multicolored background.  Famous Orphism painters include Robert Delaunay, whose “Simultaneous Windows on the City” (1912) and “The First Disk” (1912-1913) consist of multiple patches or segments of various colors. Georgia O’Keeffe is well-known for her colorful, closely cropped abstract flower paintings.

Cubism + Malevich, Mondrian

While former movements within abstract art held loose ties to the representational, Cubism, with its flattened perspective of objects, paved the way for pure abstract painting in this sense. Russian Suprematist artist Kazimir Malevich furthered this flatness by placing flat colorful shapes on pure white backgrounds in his works. While De Stijl painter Piet Mondrian painted flat grids to physically create the concept of infinity.

Abstract Expressionism + Pollock, de Kooning

Abstract Expressionists approach abstract paintings by experimenting with gesture. These works were called action paintings because they served as a document of the painters’ literal actions, be it walking around the canvas dripping paint á la Jackson Pollock or revealing the aggressive brushstrokes of Willem de Kooning . As with other abstract movements, these painters emphasized color and how the work corresponds with their own inner emotions over shape or form.

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Evangelyn Delacare is the Associate Curator at Saatchi Art. Need help finding art? Contact her via our free Art Advisory service at saatchiart.com/artadvisory.

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Abstract art

Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect

Wassily Kandinsky Cossacks (1910–1) Tate

Strictly speaking, the word abstract means to separate or withdraw something from something else.

The term can be applied to art that is based on an object, figure or landscape, where forms have been simplified or schematised.

It is also applied to art that uses forms, such as geometric shapes or gestural marks, which have no source at all in an external visual reality. Some artists of this ‘pure’ abstraction have preferred terms such as concrete art or non-objective art , but in practice the word abstract is used across the board and the distinction between the two is not always obvious.

Abstract art is often seen as carrying a moral dimension, in that it can be seen to stand for virtues such as order, purity, simplicity and spirituality.

Since the early 1900s, abstract art has formed a central stream of modern art .

Abstraction across a century

Juan Gris Bottle of Rum and Newspaper (1913–14) Tate

Sonia Delaunay Electric Prisms 1913

Orphism (1912–13): Coined by the French poet and art critic Guillaume Apollinaire. The name comes from the musician Orpheus in ancient Greek myths, as Apollinaire thought that painting should be like music. Main artists Robert Delaunay and Sonia Delaunay also used the term simultanism to describe their work of this period.

Kazimir Malevich Dynamic Suprematism (1915 or 1916) Tate

Naum Gabo Model for ‘Construction in Space ‘Two Cones’’ (1927) Tate

The Work of Naum Gabo © Nina & Graham Williams / Tate, London 2023

Theo van Doesburg Counter-Composition VI (1925) Tate

Joan Miró Painting (1927) Tate

© Successió Miro/ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2002

Morris Louis Alpha-Phi (1961) Tate

© The estate of Morris Louis

Cubist and fauvist artists depended on the visual world for their subject matter but opened the door for more extreme approaches to abstraction. Pioneers of ‘pure’ abstract painting were Kazimir Malevich and Piet Mondrian from about 1910–20. A pioneer of abstract sculpture, which took reference from the modern world was the Russian constructivist Naum Gabo .

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Selected artists working with abstraction

Piet mondrian, the first abstract artist (and it's not kandinsky).

Wassily Kandinsky is generally regarded as the pioneer of abstract art. However, a Swedish woman called Hilma af Klint (1862–1944) might claim that title

Fahrelnissa Zeid

Wassily kandinsky, lászló moholy-nagy, bottle and fishes, pablo picasso, dame barbara hepworth, david bomberg, ben nicholson om, mark rothko, howard hodgkin.

There are many theoretical ideas behind abstract art. While some have taken the idea of 'art for art’s sake' (that art should be purely about the creation of beautiful effects), others have proposed art can or should be like music, in that just as music is patterns of sound, art’s effects should be created by pure patterns of form, colour and line. The idea, derived from the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, that the highest form of beauty lies not in the forms of the real world but in geometry, is also used in discussion of abstract art, as is the idea that abstract art, since it does not represent the material world, can be seen to represent the spiritual.

Explore this term

Abstraction sans frontières.

Éric de Chassey

The show at Tate St Ives this summer explores the international context which shaped the work of artists in the Cornish town from the 1940s to 1960s. As Éric de Chassey writes, the broad exchange of ideas was not limited to American artists such as Rothko and de Kooning, but extended to French painters such as Nicolas de Staël, which would also reflect a shared interest in nature and landscape

Optimistic abstraction

Gavin Delahunty

The curator of the forthcoming exhibition by the German abstract painter introduces her work, and a fellow artist pays homage

Chance and Intention: Gerhard Richter’s Abstractions

In this talk art historian Benjamin H. D. Buchloh looks in great detail at Richter’s responses to painters like Lucio Fontana, Jean Fautrier, and Robert Rauschenberg in 1962

Abstract Connections conference audio recordings

Audio recordings of Abstract Connections conference, held in conjunction with two major exhibitions, Van Doesburg and the International Avant-Garde: Constructing a New World and Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective at Tate Modern.

Coral and Lichen, Brains and Bowels: Jay DeFeo’s Hybrid Abstraction

Catherine Spencer

Situating the US artist Jay DeFeo within a network of West Coast practitioners during the 1950s and 1960s, this essay shows how her relief paintings – layered with organic, geological and bodily referents – constitute what can be understood as ‘hybrid abstraction’. This has affinities with ‘eccentric abstraction’ and ‘funk art’, but also resonates with the socio-political context of Cold War America.

Abstraction Across Media: David Smith conference audio recordings

Audio recording from the conference Abstraction Across Media: David Smith, with Anne Wagner (University of California, Berkeley), David Anfam (Phaidon Press), Alex Potts (University of Michigan), Jeremy Lewison and Rebecca Smith, daughter of the artist

Related Movements

Cubism was a revolutionary new approach to representing reality invented in around 1907–08 by artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. They brought different views of subjects (usually objects or figures) together in the same picture, resulting in paintings that appear fragmented and abstracted

Fauvism is the name applied to the work produced by a group of artists (which included Henri Matisse and André Derain) from around 1905 to 1910, which is characterised by strong colours and fierce brushwork

Suprematism

Name given by the artist Kazimir Malevich to the abstract art he developed from 1913 characterised by basic geometric forms, such as circles, squares, lines and rectangles, painted in a limited range of colours

Constructivism

Constructivism was a particularly austere branch of abstract art founded by Vladimir Tatlin and Alexander Rodchenko in Russia around 1915

An early form of abstract art characterised by interacting linear forms derived from rays of light

Simultanism

Term invented by artist Robert Delaunay to describe the abstract painting developed by him and his wife Sonia Delaunay from about 1910

Term used to describe the non-geometric abstract art that developed in Europe in the 1940s and 1950s characterized by spontaneous brushwork, drips and scribble-like marks

Neo-plasticism

Neo-plasticism is a term adopted by the Dutch pioneer of abstract art, Piet Mondrian, for his own type of abstract painting which used only horizontal and vertical lines and primary colours

Concrete art

Concrete art is abstract art that is entirely free of any basis in observed reality and that has no symbolic meaning

Objective abstraction

The term objective abstraction refers to a non-geometric style of abstract art developed by a group of British artists in 1933

Abstract expressionism

Abstract expressionism is the term applied to new forms of abstract art developed by American painters such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning in the 1940s and 1950s. It is often characterised by gestural brush-strokes or mark-making, and the impression of spontaneity

Minimalism is an extreme form of abstract art developed in the USA in the 1960s and typified by artworks composed of simple geometric shapes based on the square and the rectangle

Post-painterly abstraction

Post-painterly abstraction is a blanket term covering a range of new developments in abstract painting in the late 1950s and early 1960s, characterised by a more rigorous approach to abstraction

Op art was a major development of painting in the 1960s that used geometric forms to create optical effects

Related Techniques & approaches

Non-objective art.

Non-objective art defines a type of abstract art that is usually, but not always, geometric and aims to convey a sense of simplicity and purity

Art informel

Art informel is a French term describing a swathe of approaches to abstract painting in the 1940s and 1950s which had in common an improvisatory methodology and highly gestural technique

Also known as art informel, art autre translates as 'art of another kind' and was used to describe the dominant trend of abstract art in the 1940s and 1950s characterised by an improvisatory approach and highly gestural technique

Gestural is a term used to describe the application of paint in free sweeping gestures with a brush

In art, automatism refers to creating art without conscious thought, accessing material from the unconscious mind as part of the creative process

Related Groups

Abstraction-création.

Abstraction-Création was an association of abstract artists set up in Paris in 1931 with the aim of promoting abstract art through group exhibitions

American Abstract Artists (AAA)

American Abstract Artists (AAA) is an organisation founded in 1936 to promote the appreciation of abstract art in the United States

De Stijl was a circle of Dutch abstract artists who promoted a style of art based on a strict geometry of horizontals and verticals

Penwith Society of Arts

Penwith Society of Arts is an artists' society formed in 1948 at St Ives, Cornwall, Britain by artists working in an abstract style

Cercle et Carré (Circle and Square)

Cercle et Carré was an artist group formed in Paris in 1929 which strongly supported new developments in abstract art and in particular promoted mystical tendencies within it

Réalités nouvelles

The Salon des Réalités nouvelles (new realities) was an exhibiting society devoted to pure abstract art founded in Paris in 1939

The Seven and Five Society

Formed in London in 1919 The Seven and Five Society was initially a traditional group and can be seen as a British manifestation of the return to order that followed the First World War

Bauhaus was a revolutionary school of art, architecture and design established by Walter Gropius at Weimar in Germany in 1919

Abstract Art at Tate

A view from são paulo: abstraction and society.

Explore how geometric abstraction fabricated dreams of a new society in the twentieth century 

Be mesmerised by the kaleidoscopic paintings of the international female artist, Fahrelnissa Zeid

Albers and Moholy-Nagy: from the Bauhaus to the New World

Albers and Moholy-Nagy: from the Bauhaus to the New World pas exhibition at Tate Modern

Malevich exhibition at Tate Modern, opens 16 July 2014

Mondrian and his Studios

Mondrian and his Studios, is a new exhibition opening 6 June at Tate Liverpool exploring the artist's relationship with architecture and urbanism

Rothko at Tate Modern 26 September 2008 – 1 February 2009

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What is Abstract Art? Definition & Examples

Abstract art is a non-objective art form that breaks traditional, realistic art styles. It intends to inspire emotion and intangible experience, rather than telling a story or portraying realistic subjects.

While it exists today in many forms, both two and three-dimensionally, abstract art disrupted the art world when it abandoned realistic representation of subject matter. We’ll explore the characteristics, styles, and examples of abstract art that still influence artists today.

Characteristics of Abstract Art

The main characteristics of abstract art include the following:

• Strong valuation of colors, shapes, lines, and textures
• No recognizable objects
• Non-representational
• The opposite of figurative, realistic, or Renaissance style
• Freedom of form and interpretation

The Purpose of Abstract Art

Abstract art’s main purpose is to spark the imagination and invoke a personal emotional experience. The best abstract art can create a different experience depending on one’s personality or mood.

Abstract art is about the balance or unbalance of form, line, composition, and color to achieve harmony, or disarray. Some pieces may be focused on the method in which the piece is made and which materials are involved. Others focus on the movement of the paint across the canvas or panel. 

Do you enjoy contemporary art that evokes emotion and strong themes?  View  our current exhibitions of prominent Southern California artists.

Types of Abstract Art

Abstract art can be broken down into smaller categories based on several factors, including medium and technique. However, the most common types of abstract art include the following:

• Expressive abstraction: For this type, the painter uses their intuition and expressive brushstrokes to create abstract paintings. Willem De Kooning’s works are representative of this style. The artist’s physical body movement while creating the work may be seen in their marks on the artwork. 
• Action painting/gestural abstraction: Gestural abstraction is a subcategory of expressive abstraction popularized by artists including Jackson Pollock. The artist uses spontaneous movements, making this artwork dynamic and highly expressive. The artist’s physical body movements are the main contributor of the marks on the work.
• Minimalism abstraction: Minimal abstraction takes inspiration from other styles and techniques, including minimalism art, color field and hard edge painting, and abstract expressionism. This leads to artwork characterized by simplicity and pure abstraction, such as the works of Agnes Martin and Donald Judd.
• Conceptual abstraction: This type of art comes from ideas and is therefore not limited by the restraints of representing the physical world.
• Hard-edge painting: Hard-edge painting is characterized by clean, often straight, edges separating the colors. Notable artists that utilize this style include Josef Albers, Piet Mondrain, and Carmen Herrera.
• Optical abstraction: Optical abstraction is a sub-type of hard-edge painting that produces optical illusions. These pieces create depth on a two-dimensional surface. Notable artists for this style include Victor Vasarely, Bridget Riley, and Richard Anuszkiewicz.
• Geometric abstraction: This is also a subcategory of hard-edge paintings that uses geometric figures in the composition. Josef Albers and Winfred Gaul are well-known artists.
• Color field painting: Color field painting can be categorized by large areas of color, usually with minimal details, though with lots of depth. Often, these pieces are created on large-scale canvases. Mark Rothko is a well-known pioneer.

History of Abstract Art

Non-representational and pattern focused art has existed across time and cultures. However, the first modern artist to create artwork with non-representational forms was Wassily Kandinsky who in 1910 broke away from the traditions of figurative art to produce his first untitled abstract watercolor. He was inspired by a Monet painting of haystacks, where he realized that color and form could be powerful on their own and the object of the painting did not need to be clear or even present.

Although some argue that Hilma af Klint may have produced the first abstract piece in 1906, her work wasn’t seen by the public until much later. Regardless, Kandinsky introduced abstract art to the mainstream art world when he published “ Concerning the Spiritual in Art ” in 1912, creating a theoretical basis for abstract art.

In the early 20th century, other artists began experimenting and introducing different types and forms of abstract art. Piet Mondrian introduced geometric elements in the 1920s, and Jackson Pollock pioneered drip or action painting in the 1940s and1950s to provoke strong emotions.

After World War II, abstract art grew in popularity because it gave artists a way to express how they were feeling in a post-war era that conjured the horrors of war and the anxiety of an uncertain future.

What is Abstract Expressionism?

In New York City during the 1940s, the abstract expressionism movement gained international recognition. It was the first American art style to have international influence for its heavy surrealism, energy, lawlessness, and intensity. It is defined by artists like:

• Mark Rothko
• Willem de Kooning
• Jackson Pollock
• Matthew Dibble

As of writing, Willem de Kooning’s Interchange  abstract landscape is the second most expensive painting that has ever been sold. A Chicago hedge fund manager bought the abstract piece for $300 million in 2015. Interchange was considered worth this value because of its unique story and list of previous owners comprising fascinating people from modern American history.

How Has Abstract Art Evolved?

Since its early beginnings, abstract art has influenced other movements and art styles like conceptual and minimalist art. And it continues to influence artists as they experiment with form, color, texture, and lines to spark emotion and feeling rather than reality.

Do you enjoy abstract and modern art? View available Abstract artwork at Sparks Gallery.  

Notable Examples of Abstract Art

While there are countless popular and famous abstract artworks, we’ll spotlight a few that have influenced the art form and inspired movements. These poignant examples of abstract art continue to inspire:

Wassily Kandinsky’s Untitled

Untitled  is the first abstract painting where Kandinsky freed his artwork from subject matter and form. He used color to convey emotion and feeling. It was this piece that launched abstract art onto the world stage.

Related Link:  Daniel Ketelhut, “Figmented Reality”

Piet Mondrian’s Tableau

Piet Mondrian’s most famous abstract piece,  Tableau , introduced the geometric style as a form of abstraction. He utilized mathematical precision, which was counter to the freeform nature of abstract art.

Jackson Pollock’s Full Fathom Five

One of New York’s abstract expressionists, Jackson Pollock, created  Full Fathom Five  using energetic colors and a new technique to illustrate the exploration of the subconscious. This piece also introduced texture into abstract art.

Helen Frankenthaler’s Mountains and Sea

Helen Frankenthaler created Mountains and Sea during the 1950s using a new technique of pouring paint thinned with turpentine right onto the canvas. The paint would soak through the canvas adding a new organic texture to her art. Because the paint was poured, the colors weren’t constrained by lines or shapes, creating a new Color Field Painting movement.

Abstract Art Remains Popular Today

Today, abstract art takes many forms, styles, textures, and materials as artists continue to push the boundaries of expression through non-objective forms. Abstract art continues to inspire, connect, and appeal to art lovers. Many appreciate its ability to evoke emotion through color and shapes.

Related Link: Installation: “Inverse” by Sage Serrano

Sparks Gallery celebrates the contemporary artwork of innovative Southern California artists. Our gallery hosts powerful abstract pieces with unique points of view.

13 Most Famous Abstract Paintings and Artworks

Contained in this list of the most famous Abstract Paintings are some of the most influential pieces that the abstract art movement ever produced.

For many, abstract art can be daunting as often to the untrained eye the artists meaning and intent can be difficult to grasp.

This is largely due to the lack of visual clues that are normally grounded in reality in other types of art.

The early abstract artists were forging a path on new ground and their artworks spanned across many mediums and techniques.

Gone were the safer constraints of more traditional representational art that had shackled artists for centuries and in was a new found sense of boundless freedom.

The following abstract art examples are some of the notable for the genre from some of the biggest names in art.

Famous Abstract Paintings

1. untitled (first abstract watercolor) – wassily kandinsky.

Untitled(First Abstract Watercolor) was painted in 1910 by Wassily Kandinsky and is considered one of the first true abstract paintings.

Although many artists prior to this work had also begun to think in terms of abstraction, this piece is certainly one of the very first to be shown anywhere publicly and it certainly sparked considerable interest from the masses at the time.

It is in fact a preparatory study for a later work called Composition VII which was later painted in 1913.

Also Read: Different Types of Abstract Art

Many have heralded it as one of the defining moments in the genesis of the abstract movement, however Kandinsky’s earlier works had already shown strong hints of where the artists was to journey to in his later works.

His work marked a very defined departure from the representational traditions of European art up and to that point in time and an eventual move towards pure abstraction.

It currently resides in the Musée National d’Art Moderne in the Centre Pompidou, Paris, France .

2. Full Fathom Five – Jackson Pollock

Although he would only live for 44 years Jackson Pollock was to have a profound impact on the world of modern art painting some 363 art works in total.

Made famous for his drip techniques where the canvas would be placed on the floor and then paint dripped onto to it from above.

Pollock would often use cheap wall paint as apposed to expensive oil paints when using this technique as it did not require thinning.

Full Fathom Five is one of Pollock’s earliest drip style abstract paintings.

It has a painted black under layer onto which house paint has dripped from above, it also has many ordinary objects such as coins, cigarette butts and a key all of which help to add to the hugely textured top layer that stands out off of the canvas.

It’s name is actually from a line in “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare that a neighbor suggested to Pollock.

Pollock used various different pouring techniques and thickness of the paint to allow him to drip in an almost continuous line for each color rather that broken lines or swirls.

Many have said that the techniques came about by accident but in reality it can be viewed as pure experiment that led to one of the launch of the career of one of the most famous artists ever .

3. Tableau I – Piet Mondrian

‘Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow ‘ is one of Piet Mondrian’s most important abstract paintings as it marked a significant shift away from the artists more traditional after moving from the Netherlands to Paris.

It displays his philosophy that the universe is a naturally harmonious collection of different objects and substances and these could be combined in geometric blocks and defined black lines.

Only primary colors are used in the piece and these emphasize the building blocks of all colors.

Also Read: Famous Square Paintings

Mondrian attained a near perfect balance throughout the painting with extreme care taken to ensure that the distribution of color and the clear delineation of the lines that form the separate shapes create a perfect compositional harmony

The work is now a very famous abstract artwork and it’s image has been used time and time again throughout pop culture.

4. 1936 (White Relief) – Ben Nicholson

Ben Nicholson was a largely influenced by the post-impression and cubist movements which were a major departure from his earlier more traditional figurative works .

However he was largely inspired by Mondrian and moved considerably away from painting techniques and representational art to create a series of geometric reliefs that are monochromatic.

It is the all white “White Relief” from 1936 that is said to be his finest abstract piece and has a stunningly quiet air to it.

He also authored a Constructivist manifesto later in life.

5. La Mancha Roja – Joan Miro

Joan Miro is one of the most famous Spanish artists to have ever lived.

His works span many genres such as abstract, surrealism and Fauvism but it is his abstract work that he will be best remembered for.

He name will long be associated with creating some of the greatest Spanish paintings ever produced.

La Mancha Roja or “The Red Spot” in English crosses the boundaries between abstract art and surrealism.

Abstract art examples rarely come more abstract that “The Red Spot”.

Miro claimed he did nothing more than paint the images he saw in his head and was always hesitant to describe his work as a pure abstract.

The images were often the result of hallucinations from hunger and fatigue rather than drug induced.

6. Mountains and Sea – Helen Frankenthaler

Painted in 1952 when Helen Frankenthaler was only 23 years old Mountains and Sea is painted using a soak-stain technique whereby heavily thinned oil paints are used to stain an unprepared canvas.

Unfortunately the staining of the canvas by the thinned paint will eventually lead to the canvas rotting over time.

Mountains and Sea was painted by Frankenthaler following a trip to Nova Scotia the previous summer and her technique is said to have been inspired by a viewing of a some of Jackson Pollock’s black and white paintings in 1951.

The canvas is quite large measuring some seven feet by ten feet which when viewed in person also helps the images to “float” off of the canvas due to the soak stain technique used.

She was also an accomplished print maker and experimented with wood cutting and ceramics.

7. No 2 Blue Red Green – Mark Rothco

Mark Rothco was essentially an abstract expressionist painter who’s initial works that were inspired heavily by mythology and philosophy gave way later to works that were based on large portions of colors which were often washed.

These washed canvases often with only three colors on them would become his signature works and his name will always be synonymous with the style.

His work fits squarely into that of a color field painter and although he ever considered himself as one his paintings are routinely used as examples of the genre.

Rothco’s earlier works were full lighter tones but as his age progressed and his mental health declined his color palette moved from light to a mush darker tones.

No 2 Blue Red Green can be seen as a transition between his light and dark phase.

8. Interchange – Willem de Kooning

Interchange is one of the first landscape paintings by Dutch-American artist Willem de Kooning.

It is most notable as it is one of the most expensive abstract painting to ever change hands.

In an off market sale David Geffen of Geffen Records sold the piece to billionaire hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin for a reported $300 million in 2015 which was at the time the highest recorded price for any painting in modern times.

It was then only eclipsed by Da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi in 2017.

Prior to this piece de Kooning had focused much of his art on female figures and Interchange was the first major departure into more landscape or architecture based compositions.

9. Black Iris – Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia O’Keeffe works have become some of the most discussed and analyzed abstract paintings of all time.

Much to her chagrin the painting was interpreted as a metaphor for female genitalia by art historian Linda Nochlin.

So much so did the artist resent the interpretation that in her subsequent exhibition she submitted an accompanying text that read:

“Well—I made you take time to look at what I saw and when you took time to really notice my flower you hung all your own associations with flowers on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see of the flower—and I don’t.”

As a female artist he association however has been almost impossible to shake and her abstract artworks will almost always be associated with the female private parts.

She is one of the most influential female artists to have ever lived and is a massive source of inspiration for young female artists the world over.

10. Abstract Painting 726 – Gerhard Richter

Gerhard Richter painted Abstract Painting (726) in 1990 and is a diptych that comprises of two sections of canvas.

The painting consists of horizontal forms that are comprised of most prominently white, red and orange.

Richter throughout his career would after a time go back to older pieces and change them sometimes considerably from the original image.

Abstract Painting (726) is one such piece of art and not only was it dulled down by Richter but the artist also added several vertical scratches.

The result is work that looks like an underlying image that has been blurred and the viewer is left to their ow interpretation to find meaning.

11. The Tilled Field – Joan Miró

The Tilled Field (French: La terre laborée; Catalan: Terra llaurada) is an oil-on-canvas painting that Joan Miró created between 1923 and 1924.

It represents a stylized perspective of the farm where his family was situated at Mont-roig del Camp in Catalonia.

Contemplated to be one of his earliest Surrealist creations, the painting demonstrates Miró’s progression from his earlier works, including The Farm.

It was produced concurrently with the more abstract Catalan Landscape (The Hunter). It is preserved at the New York-based Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

12. Abstraktes Bild (809-1) – Gerhard Richter

Abstraktes Bild (809-1) is a significant abstract painting created by the renowned German artist Gerhard Richter in 1994. Richter is known for his diverse body of work, which includes both photorealistic paintings and abstract compositions.

“Abstraktes Bild (809-1)” is part of Richter’s series of abstract paintings, known simply as “Abstrakte Bilder” (Abstract Paintings). These works are characterized by their vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and rich textures. Richter often employs a squeegee technique to apply and manipulate layers of paint, resulting in complex and visually captivating surfaces.

In “Abstraktes Bild (809-1),” Richter creates a dynamic interplay of color and form, with layers of bold brushstrokes and gestural marks. The painting exudes a sense of energy and movement, inviting viewers to explore its intricate layers and textures.

13. Leda and the Swan – Cy Twombly

Twombly’s interpretation of “Leda and the Swan” is characterized by his gestural and expressive brushwork, as well as his use of symbolic elements and text.

In this series, Twombly often incorporates scribbles, loops, and inscriptions alongside more recognizable forms, creating a layered and enigmatic composition.

Twombly’s “Leda and the Swan” paintings evoke a sense of mystery and ambiguity, inviting viewers to interpret the mythological narrative through the lens of his abstract language.

These works are celebrated for their poetic and emotive qualities, as well as their exploration of themes such as desire, transformation, and the passage of time.

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Preprints: The existence of non-anonymous preprints (on arXiv or other online repositories, personal websites, social media) will not result in rejection. If you choose to use the NeurIPS style for the preprint version, you must use the “preprint” option rather than the “final” option. Reviewers will be instructed not to actively look for such preprints, but encountering them will not constitute a conflict of interest. Authors may submit anonymized work to NeurIPS that is already available as a preprint (e.g., on arXiv) without citing it. Note that public versions of the submission should not say "Under review at NeurIPS" or similar.

Dual submissions: Submissions that are substantially similar to papers that the authors have previously published or submitted in parallel to other peer-reviewed venues with proceedings or journals may not be submitted to NeurIPS. Papers previously presented at workshops are permitted, so long as they did not appear in a conference proceedings (e.g., CVPRW proceedings), a journal or a book.  NeurIPS coordinates with other conferences to identify dual submissions.  The NeurIPS policy on dual submissions applies for the entire duration of the reviewing process.  Slicing contributions too thinly is discouraged.  The reviewing process will treat any other submission by an overlapping set of authors as prior work. If publishing one would render the other too incremental, both may be rejected.

Anti-collusion: NeurIPS does not tolerate any collusion whereby authors secretly cooperate with reviewers, ACs or SACs to obtain favorable reviews. 

Author responses:   Authors will have one week to view and respond to initial reviews. Author responses may not contain any identifying information that may violate the double-blind reviewing policy. Authors may not submit revisions of their paper or supplemental material, but may post their responses as a discussion in OpenReview. This is to reduce the burden on authors to have to revise their paper in a rush during the short rebuttal period.

After the initial response period, authors will be able to respond to any further reviewer/AC questions and comments by posting on the submission’s forum page. The program chairs reserve the right to solicit additional reviews after the initial author response period.  These reviews will become visible to the authors as they are added to OpenReview, and authors will have a chance to respond to them.

After the notification deadline, accepted and opted-in rejected papers will be made public and open for non-anonymous public commenting. Their anonymous reviews, meta-reviews, author responses and reviewer responses will also be made public. Authors of rejected papers will have two weeks after the notification deadline to opt in to make their deanonymized rejected papers public in OpenReview.  These papers are not counted as NeurIPS publications and will be shown as rejected in OpenReview.

Publication of accepted submissions:   Reviews, meta-reviews, and any discussion with the authors will be made public for accepted papers (but reviewer, area chair, and senior area chair identities will remain anonymous). Camera-ready papers will be due in advance of the conference. All camera-ready papers must include a funding disclosure . We strongly encourage accompanying code and data to be submitted with accepted papers when appropriate, as per the code submission policy . Authors will be allowed to make minor changes for a short period of time after the conference.

Contemporaneous Work: For the purpose of the reviewing process, papers that appeared online within two months of a submission will generally be considered "contemporaneous" in the sense that the submission will not be rejected on the basis of the comparison to contemporaneous work. Authors are still expected to cite and discuss contemporaneous work and perform empirical comparisons to the degree feasible. Any paper that influenced the submission is considered prior work and must be cited and discussed as such. Submissions that are very similar to contemporaneous work will undergo additional scrutiny to prevent cases of plagiarism and missing credit to prior work.

Plagiarism is prohibited by the NeurIPS Code of Conduct .

Other Tracks: Similarly to earlier years, we will host multiple tracks, such as datasets, competitions, tutorials as well as workshops, in addition to the main track for which this call for papers is intended. See the conference homepage for updates and calls for participation in these tracks. 

Experiments: As in past years, the program chairs will be measuring the quality and effectiveness of the review process via randomized controlled experiments. All experiments are independently reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Financial Aid: Each paper may designate up to one (1) NeurIPS.cc account email address of a corresponding student author who confirms that they would need the support to attend the conference, and agrees to volunteer if they get selected. To be considered for Financial the student will also need to fill out the Financial Aid application when it becomes available.