Finding your style

[emkay]

One of the things we all struggle with as artists is finding out style. We twist and shake, and look, and absorb, flicking through a multitude of possibilities. Trying on our mothers shoes and hats in a metaphorical way to find out who we may be or should be if we work hard enough at it.

The great irony, is that through all this searching, it inevitably finds us - sneaking up when we least expect it and waving flags in our face. I”M HERE it whispers - see that bit over there - that’s all you, and that bit up there, and the way you do that - that’s you.

You go on, ignoring the signs and trying to find yourself, until, if you are very lucky people will start saying - gosh, that’s a distinctive style you have there.

And then amongst feelings of freedom and anxiety, you realise, perhaps you can stop looking and just explore.

You've probably got your own style already - and don't even know it. Weird huh.

[Petra Sohns]

One of the things we all struggle with as artists is finding out style. We twist and shake, and look, and absorb, flicking through a multitude of possibilities. Trying on our mothers shoes and hats in a metaphorical way to find out who we may be or should be if we work hard enough at it.

The great irony, is that through all this searching, it inevitably finds us - sneaking up when we least expect it and waving flags in our face. I”M HERE it whispers - see that bit over there - that’s all you, and that bit up there, and the way you do that - that’s you.

You go on, ignoring the signs and trying to find yourself, until, if you are very lucky people will start saying - gosh, that’s a distinctive style you have there.

And then amongst feelings of freedom and anxiety, you realise, perhaps you can stop looking and just explore.

You've probably got your own style already - and don't even know it. Weird huh.


you write so wonderfully about our own style and it makes so much sense.
At times i think i am on to something and find that many other artists already done the same technique before me which makes me go back on forth , though i am happy to see all wonderful creations i am always glad when i develop my unique composition just have to find a way to uniquely paint it

You are a wonderful artist your art has so much individuality and your passion for your art is so incredible wonderful to watch, when i look at your art i feel freedom and your personal style

Thank you for sharing

[Jayde]

It's funny you should bring this up Emkay. It was only a couple of nights ago that I told my husband I have been fighting my own natural inclinations in painting in my search for my 'style'. Much as I really like a lot of 'loose' works I've finally accepted that I am a 'tight' painter, a control freak on the canvas and rather than fight it I should try and work with it in a way that satisfies me. Also I suspect I will do myself a big favour if I leave my brain out of it when working on the canvas and try to recapture the sense of 'flow' that I used to feel when drawing for sheer pleasure. As you say - it is a struggle!

[Helm]

Yep the other night I discovered I like painting structures, buildings and boats. Though I already knew this inside, and as a kid all I drew were farmhouses and big sailing ships heheh and maybe the odd unicorn with Santa in the saddle.

It's funny V-Mak if you read this, you were talking about finding your style, though from when I first met you and saw inside your house and the lady you were painting on the walls, and what I have seen since then, I know your style, you show it through your personality - but I can't describe it to you. (so am no help) but what I mean to say to everyone, that onlookers will see our style before we do, if only they could tell us what it is.

I read a book once, on writing, and it was about capturing the inner child in ourselves. I guess it's there, before so many worldly influences confuse us, that we really knew who we were, and that came out in everything we did, from the crayon drawings we did to the sand castles we made. Actually my mum still has all my drawings I did from when I was a kid, maybe I should go and have a look at them all lol.

[V-Mak]

Thanks Helm- You are totally right - I have had frends come over - as well as you - and they say to me when they see my work - " God that is so you !!! Obviouslly everyone sees some distinction of my style in my work accept me - which brings me to what emkay is saying - the work is whispering to me the whole time probably I'm just deaf to it still -
Thanks emkay for the advice-I'm gonna stop searching and just start exploring !!!

[emkay]

Petra thanks so much - that's a huge compliment!

Jayde - nothing wrong with tight - own it and run with it!

V-Mak - that's wonderful news. Can't wait to see you push it. :)

[inkgal8290]

style to me is like having a car.....you could work on it all your life and keep it in the garauge...or...get it styled up enough and take it for a drive.....for me style is just a means to an end....i want to hop on board and take my style for a spin...even if its only round the block

[inkgal8290]

thanks for sharing this emkay

[Lauren]

I've come to learn that your own personal style will come through when you are just being yourself! I found I didn't need to work hard at it, I just needed to be honest with myself and paint what I want to paint. Then I started to find that my painting style was unique after all.

[inkgal8290]

i love your work Lauren.....so unequely u

[inkgal8290]

love emkays work also....great style and vision....wish i could paint like you two....think art school did me in ...lol

[ingridr]

I empathise with what everyone has said so far. I have been battling with this very problem for years now. I keep trying new things in the hope of developing my own 'style'. I have come to the conclusion that all one can do is be true to oneself, and when we try new styles and techniques we add to that which is oneself, along that journey of self development. 'Style' is whatever we are comfortable doing at the moment and it is ever evolving.
And whatever we do our inate "style" will always shine through. Does that make sense?

[Jewels]

This is all very interesting, I, too am struggling to find my style, but some friends saw my paintings for the first time over Christmas, they said my style comes shining through in all my paintings that they saw, I was shocked as I didnt think I had a style yet,they said my paintings are very soft, and that is part of my style, I would never had said that myself, but it was interesting to hear their opinions, maybe I have developed a style and I just dont know it yet, maybe thats my problem too, I keep trying to change it and it never works out,

[chardonnay]

I can totally relate to what Michelle has written. I'm terrible with style. I love challenges, so I love trying out new techniques, which makes all my paintings different. :rolleyes: It's quite annoying and I would like to have a definate style.

[inkgal8290]

my ultimate style would be a fusion of everything i love

[Enid]

It has been very easy for me, ever since I would say. During my school days I loved painting parts and portions of landscapes and automatically I focussed them in 99.9% of my paintings. It is not given for me to do paintings requiring a lot of patience and precision. Landscapes allow for "irregularities" and make my it easier for me.

[chrissycav]

I am finding not only painting style difficult, but moreso topic/theme/or subject matter, the content of the work the hard one.

My TAFE friends say that I have a "style", but I think because they know me. If you saw five of my ramdom artworks, would you know its me?

Does [your] style have to cross over into to other mediums you may embark? For instance I like lino, however my lino looks like everyone elses lino.

Right now Im trying to focus on just getting some work done!

[Bob Abrahams]

I am finding not only painting style difficult, but moreso topic/theme/or subject matter, the content of the work the hard one.
My TAFE friends say that I have a "style", but I think because they know me. If you saw five of my ramdom artworks, would you know its me?
Does [your] style have to cross over into to other mediums you may embark? For instance I like lino, however my lino looks like everyone elses lino.
Right now Im trying to focus on just getting some work done!

Crissycav
I believe that individual style develops with painting experience, maturity and "brush kilometers". I would not think too much about trying to develop a style; just do it and your unique painting style will become evident before you know it. Rather than develop style, I think artists try to work on their technical process and methods which can result in less experimentation and more research and eventually a consistent style

BTW I will respond to you personal email in the next few days

[inkgal8290]

"brush kilometers". love that term

[Mike Retter]

Yeah these are all good points in what is a big subject. I also think being an outsider, seclusion can generate a unique, pure natural style. rather than influences from other painters you then find life, subject matter, your experience as the inspiration rather than other peoples work. This is a ballancing act. I dont think outsider art is intentionally done to yeild such results but it is certainly a gift for those that find themselves working in that way. My point is a little outsider-ness' goes a long way. Proberbly hard work is the best thing of all. Brush KM is one of the best ways to explain it that I have ever heard.


Mike retter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYsehfw_9Rg

[Fay Edelman]

Thankyou Emkay, your comments on finding your own style is so right. However, as I'm new at taking my art seriously, I'm still enjoying the journey but impatient about finding out where I will end up. At the moment, I'm playing around with different mediums to give me the textures I want - modelling paste is very exciting :thumbup1:

[VaniaZ]

Hi all,

I don't think I have found my style yet - I have been jumping from one thing to another - the flavour of the month is "tulips" - next month I could be painting the night sky for all I know - for the time being though, I am having a ball and so loving painting.

My previous phase (dragonflies and flowers) - I have been told it is "fluffy" and "whimsical" but people automatically said "that's lovely" - so I can't complain. My hubby is very glad that I have moved onto another subject - I received his constructive criticism without batting an eyelash. I am in the next chapter of my painting mania and loving it.

[inkgal8290]

i was just thinking.......i do not struggle with style much........i struggle with subject and content more

[Bob Abrahams]

Vania
I do not think style has much to do with subject matter. For me, style is about how you interpret a subject with paint in terms of tone composition edges intensity etc.

[VaniaZ]

Hi Bob, point taken - but as I am so new to painting, my style of painting changes with different subject matter as well. I have jumped from very fine style of painting (flowers and dragonflies) - lots of detailed work and slower painting time to playing around with gesso ("Sinister Tulips" is a good example) with much bolder strokes, somber colours and faster painting style. For me, I think, style of painting is easy once I have a subject in mine - its getting new ideas/subjects to paint about that I struggle with.

I hope I am making sense here.

[VaniaZ]

Hi Emkay - sorry, I obviously misinterpreted the question.

[VaniaZ]

i was just thinking.......i do not struggle with style much........i struggle with subject and content more
Hi there inkgal, this is exactly what I was trying to get across too.

[Mike Retter]

Hi Bob, point taken - but as I am so new to painting, my style of painting changes with different subject matter as well. I have jumped from very fine style of painting (flowers and dragonflies) - lots of detailed work and slower painting time to playing around with gesso

I think this is a very exciting place to be. When you shift around depending on the subject, inventing a new style each time it is a place where you are writing your future.
I can totally relate. I have proberbly just got my hands on a syle of sorts but only just. Good luck!

[Bob Abrahams]

Hi Bob, point taken - but as I am so new to painting, my style of painting changes with different subject matter as well.....For me, I think, style of painting is easy once I have a subject in mine - its getting new ideas/subjects to paint about that I struggle with.
I hope I am making sense here.

Varnia
I also struggle with subject matter and I how I will approach each painting. However, I do not think too much about my style because I think style just evolves as we become more experienced knowledgeable and confident.

have come to the conclusion that, at this stage I want to be able interpret the effects of light, shade and reflection on objects with paint. If that makes makes my style impressionistic, so be it.

[emkay]

I have jumped from very fine style of painting (flowers and dragonflies) - lots of detailed work and slower painting time to playing around with gesso ("Sinister Tulips" is a good example) with much bolder strokes, somber colours and faster painting style. For me, I think, style of painting is easy once I have a subject in mine - its getting new ideas/subjects to paint about that I struggle with.

I hope I am making sense here.

I agree with Mike Vania!

I do remember someone saying you need to experiment as much as possible before you get 'known' and people have expectations of what you should be doing. I think there is a natural tendency for us all to do what comes naturally at a particular time, and to return to familiar ground. You can't help what you eventually become. Isn't it exciting!:thumbup1:

[VaniaZ]

I think this is a very exciting place to be. When you shift around depending on the subject, inventing a new style each time it is a place where you are writing your future.
I can totally relate. I have proberbly just got my hands on a syle of sorts but only just. Good luck!
Hi MIke, thanks for the support - I feel like I am stumbling in the dark most of the time, always feeling my way - for me style and subject at the moment are all rolled into one - many miles of painting ahead for me, but I am so looking foward to it. One day, in the future, I will recognise my style...hopefully. cheers

[VaniaZ]

I agree with Mike Vania!

I do remember someone saying you need to experiment as much as possible before you get 'known' and people have expectations of what you should be doing. I think there is a natural tendency for us all to do what comes naturally at a particular time, and to return to familiar ground. You can't help what you eventually become. Isn't it exciting!:thumbup1:

Firstly, I am so enjoying this discussion.
Secondly, there is no doubt that I am only just at the beginning of my painting journey. Maybe its just a sign of my inexperience that I dont have a problem with style, but more so with subject matter (this of course I only relate to myself).

Emkay, it definitly is very exciting and I so look forward to experimenting as much as possible wity anything relating to painting.

Cheers all:rolleyes:

[VaniaZ]

Varnia
I also struggle with subject matter and I how I will approach each painting. However, I do not think too much about my style because I think style just evolves as we become more experienced knowledgeable and confident.

have come to the conclusion that, at this stage I want to be able interpret the effects of light, shade and reflection on objects with paint. If that makes makes my style impressionistic, so be it.

I am grateful for all your comments - I am quite new to painting and no doubt, eventually, I will "get there" - after gaining heaps more experience.

Good luck with your new venture of "interpreting the effects of light" - I would love to see the end result when its finished. And thank you for a great discussion, much enjoyed. cheers

[Lily]

Emkay u have voiced what im sure alot of us have felt at some point.

I jump from style to style because i am continously learning, and i am gobsmacked when i hear...
"i can tell this work is yours" and I sit there and go "huh?" .......for i cant see it.

But then i look at other Artists work and i can see their own flair in every one of their paintings.

So i have to wonder whether deep down..within all of us...the style is there...however subtle...its there...but because we are constantly working on new ideas and colours for the next painting...our thought proceses are ticking away.....unlike those who are viewing and appreciating our Art as a completed project....

lily