Painting Style

An artist friend was copying a painting from an art book in hopes of developing a looser style of painting. Someone on a blog, showcased a watercolor she worked on to become looser in her painting.

My question is why? Style is developed like handwriting; it develops over time. Your signature becomes you. Friends recognize your signature right away. Same way with a painting style. Style develops with mileage on your paintbrush.

Loose painting appears to be in vogue, but good art is always in. Become a classic; whatever your style.

A loose style is expressive painting. It is a bold stroke, laid down, and left alone. Contrary to what it appears to be, it is a thoughtful stroke; not applied haphazardly. Masters of this style have developed confidence in their painting method. That confidence can be evident in any style. I’m attracted to the confidences and boldness. It appears that that confidence may be more evident in a wonderfully loose painting style.

Walking around an art festival, I saw two tents side-by-side with the same style of painting and the same subjects. My first thought was that artist had two tents. Later, I learned it was two artists, an art instructor and her student. The student was developing her teacher’s style, not her own. Time for the student to break away. If you are always following, you are not leading. Give yourself the freedom to develop your own style. Be you!