20 Modern Minimalist Paintings for Beginners: Easy DIY Art

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Minimalist paintings are the perfect way to add a modern touch to your home without breaking the bank—or your patience.

If you’ve ever thought, I wish I could create my own art, but I can barely draw a stick figure, you’re in luck.

These DIY minimalist painting ideas are so simple, even a total beginner can make them look chic and intentional. Grab a canvas, some paint, and let’s get artsy.

The Classic Monochrome Block Painting

A single color on a white or black background—because sometimes, less really is more.

How to Create It:

1. Pick a bold color that complements your home decor (think deep navy, burnt orange, or a muted sage green).
2. Paint a clean, crisp rectangle or square in the center of your canvas.
3. Let it dry and, if needed, do a second coat for a rich, even finish.

Soft Color Gradient (Ombre Effect)

A subtle ombré effect that fades from one color to another, bringing soft, calming vibes to any room .The texture is soft and airy, resembling the horizon at dawn, making the piece feel light and dreamy.

How to Create It:

1. Choose two shades of the same color (e.g., blush pink to white, or dark gray to light gray).
2. Use a wide brush to blend the colors together, starting with the darker shade at one end of the canvas and gradually mixing in the lighter shade as you move across.
3. Blend the transition well using horizontal brush strokes or a sponge.

PRO TIP: Add a little water to your acrylic paint or a matte medium to thin out the paint a bit. That will help you get that softer, blended look.

Color Block Minimal Abstract Painting

A super easy, high-end look with just 2 to 3 paint colors!

How to Create this:

• Use painters tape to create two sections
• Paint each side a contrasting neutral tone (beige & white, black & tan).

PRO TIP: If you like the colors in this painting, we would recommend using Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna and Titanium Buff acrylic paint.

Here’s another (even easier option)….

Abstract Line Art

A single, continuous black line that forms a simple shape or face. Think elegant, effortless, and very Pinterest-worthy.

How to Create this Masterpiece:

1. Using a thin brush or a paint pen, draw a free-flowing, abstract shape—a face, a hand, or even just squiggles.
2. Keep your hand loose and let the line be imperfect (that’s what makes it artsy!).
3. Once dry, frame it in a simple black or white frame for that polished look.

PRO TIP: If you are too nervous about using a paint brush for this one, there are some fantastic paint pen options out there that will give you so much more control. My personal favorite are Posca pens. They come in various thickness levels, so I would try at least two to find one you like.

Geometric Shapes: Minimalist Painting

Geometric shapes in muted earth tones like terracotta, deep green, and soft beige. The clean lines and color-blocked sections create a striking yet understated design.

How to Create this Minimal Masterpiece:

1. Use painter’s tape to section off geometric shapes on your canvas.
2. Fill in each section with a different color, sticking to a cohesive palette.
3. Let the paint dry before removing the tape to reveal crisp, professional-looking edges.

PRO TIP: When you are finished with your painting, you can use a paint pen like this to highlight (and clean up) all the edges. It also adds a bit more dimension to your minimalist painting.

In this next example, things got a little nutty with the paint pen, so it’s not as “crisp” as I would have liked, but still a fun design.

Abstract Splatter Landscape

A modern, abstract take on a landscape, using soft blended tones for the background and dynamic paint splatter dots to add texture and movement.

How to Create It:

1. Start by painting a simple gradient background with soft, blended hues (like dusty blue fading into warm beige for a subtle sky and land effect).
2. Once dry, dip a small brush into a contrasting color (such as deep brown, black, or metallic gold).
3. Flick the brush over the canvas to create controlled splatter dots, focusing on the lower half to mimic an abstract, natural landscape.
4. Let it dry completely before displaying.

PRO TIP: To get the splatter like the example, get the paint fairly wet before dipping the toothbrush into it. It also helps if the paint on the canvas is still a little damp.

Wavy Lines: Easy Minimalist Painting

Super simple minimalist painting with wavy lines. Loosely represents wood grain.

How to Make this Painting:

• Paint the entire canvas in a creamy white or beige
• Use a thin paint brust to create the wavy lines – you can pencil them out first and paint over them if that’s easier for you!
• OR if you don’t want to use a paint brush, just get a Posca paint pen and create your lines – easy peasy!

Here’s another example for those of you who prefer a more minimalist look with thicker lines…

Overlapping Circles: DIY Minimalist Painting

Description: Simple overlapping circles in muted earth tones, creating a balanced and calming design.

How to Create It:

1. Use a pencil and circular stencils or freehand your circles onto the canvas.
2. Paint each one in complementary neutral tones, slightly overlapping.
3. Let them dry completely before hanging.

PRO TIP: To get the overlap look on the circles, find acrylic paint that has a high transparency level. For example, Golden’s Green Gold is highly transparent as well as this yummy Brown Iron Oxide.

Textured White-on-White Minimalist Painting

Description: A monochrome masterpiece with raised texture, adding depth and a luxe feel without using color.

How to Create It:

1. Use a palette knife and heavy-body acrylic paint to create thick, sweeping textures across a white canvas.
2. Experiment with peaks, ridges, and swirls for added dimension.
3. Let it dry completely before hanging for a sophisticated, tactile effect.

PRO TIP: In the past, I’ve used wall plaster along with the heavy body acrylic to get this textured effect. It works pretty well, you just can’t go too thick or it will easily start cracking. If you like the cracked look, that’s even better!

Minimalist Two-Tone Circle Painting

A bold, modern design featuring a half-circle in a single color for a striking yet understated effect.

How to Create It:

1. Use a pencil to trace a perfect half-circle onto your canvas.
2. Fill it in with a solid color—think mustard yellow, soft gray, or deep green.
3. Let it dry completely before hanging.

PRO TIP: If you like the colors in this painting, we would recommend using Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna (or both!) acrylic paint colors.

Simple Abstract Shapes: Minimalist DIY Painting

A minimalist take on abstract shapes by using negative space and a simple color palette.

How to Create this Painting:

1. Use painter’s tape or stencils to block out organic or geometric shapes.
2. Paint around them with a single neutral or muted color, letting the white canvas show through.
3. Remove the tape and admire your perfectly framed negative space.

FYI: After creating your painting, if the abstract shapes look a little blah, just take a paint pen or paint marker and draw some funky lines around the canvas. You have nothing to lose! You can easily paint over it if you don’t love the look.

Minimalist Dots: The Easiest Art You Can Make

Three single dots on a blank canvas—because sometimes, the simplest designs make the boldest statements.

How to Create It:

1. Find the center of your canvas and lightly mark it with a pencil.
2. Use a small brush to paint a single, solid circle (or slightly off-center for a more modern feel).
3. Let it dry, and if needed, do a second coat for bold opacity.

PRO TIP: For added texture, I would recommend painting the entire canvas first with a white or creamy white color. Once that dries, you can can add your circles. You can also add clear texture paste to your paint to get that thicker look.

Crisp Horizon Blocks: DIY Minimalist Landscape

A bold, structured landscape using defined horizontal color blocks to create a minimalist yet striking scene.

How to Create It:

1. Use painter’s tape to divide the canvas into three or four horizontal sections.
2. Choose a harmonious color palette—earthy tones for a desert landscape, cool blues for an ocean horizon, or muted grays for a foggy, modern look.
3. Fill each section with solid, unblended color, letting it dry completely before removing the tape.

The Brushstroke Accent: A True Minimalist Abstract Painting

A single, bold brushstroke across a blank canvas—effortless, striking, and incredibly modern.

How to Create It:

1. Load a wide brush with thick acrylic paint in a bold color.
2. Drag it across the canvas in a single, confident stroke.
3. Let it dry completely, embracing the natural variations and texture.

PRO TIP: I don’t have a picture of it at the moment, but I’ve used an old fashioned mop head, dipped it in black paint, and swooshed it across the canvas. It took a few tries but I got one I loved. So if you are thinking you want a big (big) canvas, a regular paint brush may not work and you’ll need something like the mop to do the job!

Minimalist Stripes: Simple DIY Abstract Art

A simple composition of evenly spaced, parallel stripes for a clean and structured look.

How to Create It:

1. Use painter’s tape to create evenly spaced horizontal or vertical stripes.
2. Paint between the tape lines with a solid color (monochrome or neutral shades work well).
3. Let it dry before removing the tape for ultra-clean edges.

Simple Horizon Landscape Painting

Description: A minimalist landscape featuring a simple horizon line with two or three blended colors to create a peaceful, natural scene.

How to Create It:

1. Lightly sketch a horizontal line across the middle of your canvas with a pencil.
2. Choose two or three colors that mimic nature—soft blues for the sky, muted greens or warm browns for the ground, and maybe a neutral in between for balance.
3. Use a wide brush to softly blend the colors where they meet, creating a dreamy, abstract horizon.
4. Let it dry completely before displaying.

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