Discovering My Artistic Style: A Journey Through Painting Styles

Since I'm basically a self taught artist, I really didn't think much about how my style is categorized in the art world. When attending art shows or applying for galleries, I'm sometimes asked what kind of style is this, and instead of saying mine, I thought I should research the Style-ism's of art. I thought, since I'm researching them I might as well share my findings. In this series, Finding My Style, I'll cover in detail all the different styles in this post and a few extras non-major styles that came close to what feels right in categorizing my style. At the end of the series I'll reveal what style(s) feel right to me.

Painting is a diverse and dynamic form of visual art, with a rich history spanning centuries and encompassing countless styles and techniques. For beginners, understanding the various painting styles can be both fascinating and overwhelming. This guide aims to introduce you to the most significant painting styles, helping you appreciate their unique characteristics and historical contexts. Whether you're an aspiring artist or an art enthusiast, this comprehensive overview will enrich your understanding of the vibrant world of painting.

What Are Painting Styles?

Painting styles refer to the distinctive characteristics and techniques that define the works of artists or art movements. These styles are often influenced by cultural, social, and historical contexts, and they evolve over time as artists experiment with new ideas and methods.

Major Painting Styles

1. Realism

Overview: Realism emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the romanticized subjects of Romanticism. Realist artists aimed to depict everyday life and ordinary people with truth and accuracy, avoiding exaggerated emotions and idealization.

Key Characteristics:

• Detailed and accurate representations of subjects.
• Focus on ordinary, everyday scenes.
• Use of natural color palettes and lighting.

Famous Artists: Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, Édouard Manet

2. Impressionism

Overview: Impressionism, developed in the late 19th century, marked a departure from traditional studio painting. Impressionist artists sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and color in outdoor scenes, emphasizing the sensory experience of a moment.

Key Characteristics:

• Loose brushwork and visible strokes.
• Emphasis on light and its changing qualities.
• Use of vibrant, unmixed colors applied side by side.

Famous Artists: Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas

3. Expressionism

Overview: Expressionism emerged in the early 20th century as artists sought to express emotional experiences rather than physical reality. This style often features distorted forms and exaggerated colors to convey intense emotions.

Key Characteristics:

• Bold, often jarring colors.
• Distorted and exaggerated forms.
• Emphasis on emotional and psychological content.

Famous Artists: Edvard Munch, Egon Schiele, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

4. Cubism

Overview: Developed by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in the early 20th century, Cubism revolutionized European painting. This style breaks subjects into geometric shapes and presents them from multiple perspectives simultaneously.

Key Characteristics:

• Fragmentation of subjects into geometric forms.
• Multiple viewpoints within a single composition.
• Limited color palettes, often monochromatic.

Famous Artists: Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Juan Gris

5. Surrealism

Overview: Surrealism, originating in the 1920s, sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. Surrealist artists created dream-like, fantastical scenes with illogical juxtapositions.

Key Characteristics:

• Dream-like, fantastical imagery.
• Illogical and unexpected combinations of objects.
• Exploration of the unconscious mind.

Famous Artists: Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Max Ernst

6. Abstract Expressionism

Overview: Abstract Expressionism emerged in the mid-20th century as artists focused on spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation. This style often features abstract forms, dynamic compositions, and an emphasis on the act of painting itself.

Key Characteristics:

• Large-scale abstract compositions.
• Gestural brushstrokes.
• Emphasis on the act of painting.

Famous Artists: Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko.

Join me on this journey as I delve into each of these styles and more, discovering how they influence my own work. By the end of this series, I hope to not only have a better understanding of my style but also to inspire you in your own artistic explorations.