Does an Abstract Artist Have to Use Every Colour in Their Art?

I’ve never been someone who naturally loved every colour.

Growing up, I was much more of a tom boy. I had short hair, lived in jeans and T-shirts, and avoided skirts, dresses and pretty shoes whenever I could. Unless I was forced into them, they were never really me.

I also didn’t wear much colour. I felt most comfortable in black, earthy tones and soft neutrals. Looking back, I think part of that was about not wanting to stand out too much. Those colours felt safe, easy and familiar.

Pink, on the other hand, was never a favourite. I think I linked it with being very girly, and I just didn’t see myself that way. Gold was another colour I never warmed to. For years, I thought it looked tacky. I never understood the appeal of big gold chains or chunky gold rings. It simply wasn’t my taste.

I couldn’t really tell you exactly where those feelings came from. They were just there.

As I’ve got older, though, I’ve softened around all of that. I’m much less bothered by what I’m “supposed” to like, and much more relaxed about my own preferences. I still wouldn’t say pink and gold are colours I naturally gravitate towards, but I no longer resist them in the same way. I own a few things with pink or gold in them now, usually because I love the overall design, fabric or feel of the piece. The colour is no longer a deal breaker.

That change has shown up in my art too.

For a long time, I rarely used pink or gold in my abstract paintings. It wasn’t a conscious rule. I just didn’t feel drawn to them. But now, I let the artwork lead more than my personal likes or dislikes. If a painting needs a touch of pink, I’ll add it. If gold brings warmth, light or contrast, I’ll use it.

Because in abstract art, colour isn’t just decoration. It’s communication.

Colour psychology plays a big part in how a painting feels. Soft pink can bring warmth, calm, tenderness or gentleness. Gold can create a sense of richness, glow, comfort or depth. Earthy neutrals can feel grounding and restful. Black can add strength, stillness or drama. Every colour carries an emotional weight, and in abstract art, that matters deeply.

Abstract art does not rely on recognisable subjects in the same way figurative art does. Instead, it speaks through colour, texture, movement and shape. That means colour often does a lot of the emotional work. It can shift the mood of a piece completely. It can make a painting feel soothing, energising, uplifting or reflective.

That’s why I don’t believe an abstract artist has to use every colour.

We don’t all need to love every shade, and we don’t need to force ourselves to paint with colours that feel wrong just to prove a point. What matters more is being open. Open to the needs of the painting. Open to emotion. Open to the story or atmosphere that wants to emerge.

Sometimes a painting needs muted, earthy calm. Sometimes it needs contrast and tension. Sometimes, unexpectedly, it needs pink. Or gold.

For me, it’s never really been about whether I personally wear those colours or would choose them for myself. It’s about what the painting needs to say, and how it needs to feel.

And that, I think, is where colour becomes most powerful of all.

Check out these undeniably pink abstracts