The first steps in expressionism that you should start with
Have you ever felt like colors want to speak for you? That lines can express your emotions better than words? If so, then you are on the path of expressionism! This art movement is not about precision or realism, but about expressing feelings on canvas. And the good news is — you don’t have to be an academic drawing master to get started! 😊
Free your hand from fear
First steps—forget about “right” or “wrong.” Grab a brush, chalk, or even your fingers, and let your emotions flow freely on paper or canvas. Start with simple lines and color areas that reflect how you feel at the moment. Feeling anxious? Choose sharp, strong lines and dark colors. Feeling uplifted? Experiment with bright, dynamic tones.
Color as a mirror of emotions 🌈
In Expressionism, color is never “just color” — it’s your tone of voice, your inner world. Try to choose colors intuitively, letting them guide you, not the other way around. Don’t worry about harmony or classical compositions — the important thing is to let yourself be true.
Exercise:
Make a simple palette of 3-4 colors. Close your eyes and feel them with your heart. What story do these colors tell you today?
A line that speaks without words 🖋️
In Expressionism, lines are alive—they can scream, whisper, or quietly creak like an old tree in the wind. Start experimenting with different pressures and speeds of lines. Take a brush or charcoal and let the lines choose their own path. It's like a dance improvisation, where your hand dances instead of the music.
Exercise:
Draw lines that reflect your emotions of the day. If you're tired, let your hand drag the line down heavily. If you're inspired, let it jump and sparkle!
Don't let your mind interfere with your heart ❤️
One of the greatest lessons of expressionism is to relax your mind and let your inner feeling take the forefront. Don't turn your work into a technical task. Make it an emotional release, a visible record of your inner dialogue.
For inspiration:
Look at the works of the German Expressionists—Kirchner, Munch, Nolde. Feel how they used art to scream their feelings to a world that often didn't understand their screams.
Small daily rituals for expressionism 🌅
Draw one expressive sketch every day, even if it's just for 5 minutes.
Keep a color diary, where each color symbolizes the feeling of your day.
Listen to the music and let it guide your brush without a specific plan.
Conclusion: Allow yourself to be free 🕊️
Expressionism is not a technique. It is freedom. It is your voice on canvas. Start today, start with small steps and allow yourself to make mistakes, experiment, live through art. Because only in this way will you find your true handwriting. And remember - there are no boundaries in expressionism. Only you and your feeling.
We also have an expressionist teacher Dzintars Kalnins, who runs the course “Out of the ordinary” – a creative and free-spirited series of classes for those who want to unleash their unique artistic signature.
