Artist in Focus: Piet Mondrian

Welcome to Artist in Focus, a series of relaxed monthly art sessions with VVH printmaker and artist, Rachel Moore. This month, we're exploring the bold abstract paintings of 20th-century Dutch artist Piet Mondrian.

Artist in Focus: How to Paint Like Piet Mondrian

Tutor: Rachel Moore, print artist

Welcome to Artist in Focus! A series of relaxed monthly art sessions with VVH print maker and artist, Rachel Moore. Rachel introduces a mix of well-known and lesser-known artists working in painting, printmaking, textiles and sculpture.

In each session, Rachel explores a different artist’s story and work before leading three short, creative exercises inspired by the artist’s style. These sessions are all about loosening up, building on your knowledge, experimenting with new techniques and filling your sketch book with fresh ideas. Rachel finishes each session with a focused activity to explore on your own, helping you develop your skills, and spark new ways of thinking about art.

Perfect for all levels, Artist in Focus is for anyone looking to give art a go, explore new techniques, expand their skills and knowledge, and fill their sketch book with fresh ideas.

In this session, Rachel introduces the work of Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter and one of the pioneers of 20th-century abstract art.

When you think of Piet Mondrian, you might picture neat black lines with blocks of red, yellow, and blue. But there is more to his story. Mondrian began by painting trees, windmills, and landscapes, and over time, he turned these subjects into bold, abstract designs.

In this session, we will explore both sides of his art: his connection to nature and his move toward pure geometry. We will also try some creative exercises inspired by his work, like sketching trees using straight lines and making our own Mondrian-style collages.