Over time, artists innovate and create new art movements to create a representation differently. We started from cave paintings where our ancestors used naturally-occurring pigments from animal blood and nature, to the creation of fresco and tempera that changed the way we create art forever. Subsequently, oil mediums were developed in the 15th century by Belgium painter Jan van Eyck. Then came the Renaissance period which is known as the golden age of culture: the way we create and perceive art changed drastically. From master painters like Leonardo da Vinci to Rembrandt, we learned how to capture reality with our bare hands without the use of the machines that guide us today. Years have passed and art styles evolved. Painting styles like impressionism, surrealism, and abstract expressionism became more prominent. With all the types of painting styles out there, which ones are doable by beginners? That’s what we’re going to find out today, so keep on reading if you want to improve your artistry.
For non-artists, painting is simply the application of pigments on a surface through the use of brushes and other materials. But for artists, it is more than that- it improves human life, it keeps them alive and inspired, and best of all, it unites people of different cultures. While we can all agree that we all have different niches and preferences, it is important for us to know different types of painting styles so that we can appreciate art even more. Thus, having such knowledge can also help us develop our own unique style.
Types of Painting Styles that You Should Try
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Abstract expressionism:
All of us may have heard the expression, “when in doubt, paint in abstract.” This is mostly true for beginners who feel frustrated because they think that their skills are not enough to create a masterpiece. This style is popular for various reasons, mainly because it’s easy to create compared to other styles and second, it’s experimental and purely subjective. Though abstract art does not depict a representation of human reality, it represents your inner soul through spontaneous creation using your subconscious. Moreover, there’s something mindless and therapeutic about abstractionism. If you want to relax through painting, then allowing yourself to shoow your feelings through the canvas is the way to go.
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Painterly style:
Similar to the impasto technique popularized by Vincent van Gogh, painterly is a style in painting where your application of brushwork towards the painting surface is “loose” or less controlled in order for the brushstrokes to appear more visible on the finished painting. Unlike other styles where blending and strokeless brushwork are emphasized, painterly emphasizes bold brushstrokes, making it perfect for beginners who find blending difficult to achieve. Moreover, the texture you achieve from this style gives your painting additional depth by giving an illusion of movement and dimension to the image.
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Pastel painting:
Everyone must be familiar with oil pastels which is considered to be a great painting medium. If you’re a traveling artist, then pastels would be a great medium to use because they’re more portable and mess-free compared to other mediums. Thus, it’s also more affordable compared to oils and acrylics. Once mastered, you can create artwork with a finish that is very similar to paint. Another great feature of using oil pastel as a medium is that it requires no period for drying unlike other wet media and despite that, you can still get a good blended finish. Such can double your production of artworks.
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Action painting:
Also known as “gestural abstraction,” this painting style was popularized by artists like Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline during the 1940s up to the 1960s. The physical act of applying pigments to the canvas through splattering, gestural brushstrokes, splashing, dripping, etc. are a big part of the painting process. Instead of carefully applying the pigments, you are free to go wild with your creativity and imagination. Moreover, this style emphasizes uniqueness and freedom- some like it big and attempt unconventional ways of applying the paint such as putting the paint on a water balloon and popping them using sharp objects. It is a great way to release your frustration and inhibitions without worrying about the artwork’s outcome.
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Collage painting:
There’s a saying that goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and that’s what this style is all about. Everyone must be familiar with the term “collage” considering that we’ve been exposed to these craft projects since we were young. Through the use of old magazines, photographs, doilies, fabrics, pieces of paper/newspaper, you can create a unique image full of depth and texture. Many people think that collage painting is childish because it’s less difficult compared to other styles but incorporating other mediums such as acrylic paint and three-dimensional objects can make the artwork look more artistic.
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Ink painting:
Another unconventional painting style is ink painting which originated from East Asia. This style uses ink diluted with water to have various saturations of the color. Learning how to paint can be quite difficult and expensive so this painting style is a great way to start if you want to have a cheap alternative of learning the basic lessons of painting. Through this style, you will learn how to control your hand and brushwork, the amount of pigment you put in your brush, improve your calligraphy skills, and many more.
Key Takeaways
The best way to practice and improve your creativity is to try out different types of painting styles so that you can discover different techniques and methods that you can apply later on in your own style. These six types of painting styles provided in the list made just for you are all beginner-friendly. If you think it’s challenging, try to take up a notch and don’t be afraid to try. Mistakes are quite inevitable, but they represent the pathway to learning so never stop painting.
