The phrase “Hard Edge Painting” was first used by Jules Langster in 1959. He was an art critic in California who used the term to describe the style of certain abstract painters along the West Coast, specifically four artists in particular, including Frank Stella and Ellsworth Kelly. These painters incorporated use of “color fields”, geometric shapes, 2D, flat representation and sharp edges into their abstract expressionism style to give what is now Hard Edge painting.

Color field painting emerged in the 1940’s in an attempt to display colors on canvas in large areas to convey the idea that the painting as a “field” spreads out beyond the canvas, especially when the viewer is standing relatively close to the painting.  Many painters of the abstract expressionism movement began to adopt the idea that the canvas painting was a “field” rather than a finite piece, but color field painters took this concept even further, especially artists Clement Greenberg, Clyfford Still and Barnett Newman. These artists split from the more commonly used “Gesture Painting” in Abstract Expressionism. Gesture painting was a style embracing free “gestures” and strokes of applying paint to the canvas, while color fields were cleaner and monochromatic. Some of their paintings are depicted below.

Hard Edge painting differed from these styles in that it was meant to be impersonal, lacking passion and intense emotion, which were characteristics of the styles of “Action Painting” and “Gestural Painting.” Hard Edge painters applied paint to the canvas carefully, and meticulously. They did incorporate Color Field painting, but they differed from this style in that the primary focus was not on color but on structure and composition. Frequent characteristics of Hard Edge painting were contrasting and rich colors, clear and precise lines and edges between colors, geometric shapes (although organic shapes were used as well), along with careful and purposeful arrangement and design of elements of the painting. Artists often incorporated a very clean look and lack of depth to create a flat view.

If you would like to try this style of painting, creating pieces similar to Hard Edge Paintings can be fun and a great way to express creativity. I first began by using painting tape, a canvas and selecting 3-4 colors to focus on at first. I would begin by sketching a design of what shapes, outlines, and colors you would like to use, then deciding how you want them arranged. Use the tape to create clear, sharp edges. You can experiment with different textures, colors, and techniques. The painting doesn’t have to look a certain way it can be as complex or simple as you like.

Frank Stella

Barnett Newman

Ellsworth Kelly

References:

“Hard-Edge Painting Movement, Artists and Major Works.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/movement-hard-edge-painting.htm.

“Color Field Painting Movement, Artists and Major Works.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/movement-color-field-painting.htm.