The way artists visualize scenarios and depict them onto the canvas is evolving constantly. The use of colours is getting complex and the way thoughts are illustrated is getting even more complicated. To attempt any type of painting requires deep and intensive thinking that triggers the right part of your brain which helps to put your thoughts into a canvas. But how can anyone know which is the right type of painting for you?  We are all familiar with oil paint, acrylic paint and watercolour, there is so much more for us to explore. Here we take a look at some of the most famous painting styles to get you inspired and get started.

FAMOUS PAINTING STYLES IN THE WORLD TO BRING OUT THE ARTIST IN YOU

ABSTRACT

Abstract art is a type of painting style that involves the use of colors and brushstrokes spontaneously. Here there is no attempt to represent a visual in its real form, it’s with the help of shapes, colors, textures and forms that the artist tries to achieve the desired effect. Colors represent emotions, and shapes symbolize objects. One can say that these types of painting styles give the artists the liberty to paint what he sees. Application of bright colors with the effects of dropping and spilling paint onto the canvas leaves an impact on your mind from the moment you see it and leaves the viewer to interpret its meaning.

 

 

IMPRESSIONISM

As the name suggests, Impressionism is more a representation of an artist’s impression. Impressionism painting styles are generally characterized by small thin visible brushstrokes which gives a feeling of being rough and unfinished. Impressionistic paintings are often painted outdoors to capture the natural changing qualities of light and color. The subject matter is usually of common and ordinary things which may not be accurate in its detail, but more like an expression of the heart. Artists prefer mixing dark tones and complementary colors in impressionist painting styles.

 

 

PHOTOREALISM

Photorealism painting styles are known to blow your mind away because the end results are as realistic as a photo. People often mistake photorealist paintings for actual photographs not realizing the painstaking work of dedicated artists. The paintings are usually done with oil or acrylic. Photorealist artists generally strive to make the surface of the painting as smooth as possible, without any visible brushstrokes, in order to make the painting resemble a photograph. It always takes a second look to realize that it is actually a painting and not a photo. One needs a lot of concentration, hard work, focus and dedication to capture minute details accurately.

 

 

CUBISM

Cubism was an innovative art movement that went on to become a revolution. In this type of painting style, two different views of subjects (figures or objects) are brought together in the same picture that makes the paintings appear fragmented and abstracted. Subjects like musical instruments, bottles, pitchers, glasses, newspapers, and the human face/figure were used the most to depict three dimensions on a flat canvas. They would break up the subject into many different geometric shapes and then repaint it from different angles to contrast it with one another. Color schemes are simplified, in order not to distract the viewer from the artist’s primary interest.

 

 

FRESCO

The word fresco is derived from the Italian word which means “fresh”. The fresco technique type of painting styles is closely associated with Italian Renaissance painting styles. Considered to be a very different painting style as the technique involves painting on freshly applied plaster, usually on wall surfaces. Water is used to mix the dry-powder pigment with the plaster, and with the setting of the plaster, the painting becomes an integral part of the wall. This type of painting styles requires great technical skill, as the mistakes cannot be corrected by over-painting.

 

 

DIGITAL

Digital painting is a technique where a painting is done directly on the computer. Many artists have turned to digital painting since it saves a lot of time and is cheaper in the long run. The traditional painting techniques such as watercolour, oils, impasto, paints etc. are applied using digital tools like a computer, graphics tablet and painting software. Very fast brush strokes, accurate pressure sensitivity, and larger files without any lag time make digital painting a lot easier. Access to plenty of textures and patterns are easily available on the computer with this type of painting styles. The digital painting process is the same as the traditional painting minus the materials, tools and how to paint.

 

 

SURREALISM

To bring out the creative side of a painter, surrealism is the most appropriate art form. This type of painting styles explores the unconscious mind to create art, resulting in dreamlike, daunting scenes and sometimes bizarre images. This thought process for creating art is also known as “automatism” where the mind’s deepest thoughts are brought to the surface by way of illustration. This style is a combination of the depictive, the abstract, and the psychological efforts to liberate imagination. Surrealistic paintings never fail to add elements of surprise at the end.

 

 

PAINTERLY

Painterly art has visible brushstrokes and texture where the paint is used in a free or less than controlled manner. Simplified shapes are another key feature of a painterly style of painting. Paintings are created using oils, acrylics, watercolors and gouache where the strokes and textures are very evident. Generally, painters take great pain to eliminate brush strokes or texture from their paintings by blending their paint. But in Painterly art it’s the opposite, artists do not attempt to hide their brushwork that has been loosely and quickly applied.

 

 

 

Next time you visit an art gallery, you’re sure to enjoy the experience more now, since you have a better understanding of the different types of famous painting styles.  Perhaps this article serves as an inspiration that you were looking for and has helped narrow down your choices.

 

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