Finding your art style
We have a plethora of creative outlets, mediums, subject matter and combinations available to us.
We learn methods. We stumble upon methods.
We evolve, develop, play and experiment.
All the while we're doing this, we're also getting to know ourselves. How we think, what inspires us, what we are trying to portray, what we're curious about, the marks we like to make, the challenges, the highs, the lows and everything in between.
The more we create, the more we can potentially know ourselves.
This helps us understand what we need to be able to start, progress, implement, apply and finish our works of art.
How I start, and what my brain likes to know as I start, and continue my painting, will be completely different to how your brain likes to start and continue yours.
I may inspire you to try something new and see if it works for you, and you may inspire that in me.
It is our entire toolkit of creating experience, mistakes, successes and self-assessments that helps us establish ourselves as a confident person and artist.
What works for me - my processes today, may be completely or slightly different to my processes in twelve months time. I know that how I work and what really interests me in my art today is quite a lot different from where I was twelve months ago.
This is the journey of creating. This is the journey of art.
We find our way. We find ourselves.
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Here's what inspires me and works for me, and my brain today:
Can you ask yourself such questions and find more clarity on how your process looks for you?
WHAT SUBJECT MATTER AM I CURRENTLY INTERESTED IN? Landscapes with interesting angles, gnarly subject matter, rocks, trees and perhaps an interesting sky.
WHY DOES IT INTEREST ME? I'm not exactly sure why, but I know that prior to about a year ago I used to think landscape paintings quite boring, so I am trying to bring something different and interesting to what I am creating (for me).
WHAT IS THE MEDIUM I PREFER TO USE TO EXPLORE THIS SUBJECT? Acrylic paint and fine liners.
HOW IS THIS EXPLORATION EVOLVING LATELY? I've been starting off my landscape paintings using acrylic pens to map out the composition, usually with a grid. I have just started adding some gesso texture on the canvas before I map out my composition.
WHAT AM I REMEMBERING ALONG THE WAY? That if I really like an area to leave it! To take my time and spend a lot of time looking. I keep my 'in progress' works close by and photograph to see it with a fresh eye so I can determine my next course of action on the piece.
WHAT IS MY METHOD? Choose a good reference that has personal meaning for me and can take me back to that moment I captured the photo. Grid and map it out on canvas with acrylic pens. Underpaint with bold primary colours. The sky I typically like underpainting in a purple brown. I really like underpainting in red and yellow, but have also enjoyed bright green of late. Then I build up layers getting to my end result. I like blocking areas in sometimes, or using gooey marks with a round brush and thick paint, or using various shades with a square brush in square or diamond shapes. If appropriate for the piece and style I might finish with a fine liner pen.
WHAT ELEMENT OF THE UNKNOWN AM I BRINGING FORTH IN MY WORK? Decisions I make as I go. How much underpainting colour shines through? What marks will I make? Where do I want to guide the eye? Which colours really appeal to me as I paint? The unknown is my journey towards the finished result - because when I start I have no idea about how it will look at the end - this is fun!
HOW DO I KNOW THE PIECE IS FINISHED? When I am happy with all of the painting and I can apply my motto - if I like that area, then leave it! Once the piece feels like that, then I am done.
HOW AM I STAYING FRESH, EXCITED AND INSPIRED BY WHAT I AM CREATING? By always choosing a reference that I am excited to explore. Trying new colours and techniques, always feeling drawn to the painting in progress, and marvelling at how it is unfolding towards its journey to completion.
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Here are a few in progress shots from a recent painting of mine.
Acrylic and fine liners on canvas 60x30x4cm from Coles Bay, Tasmania.
Step 1 (for me) - grid and map out the composition in a way that I understand so I know where I am going and what I am doing.
Step 2 - block in all areas with underpainting. Again, so I know where things are and where I am going with the top layers.
Step 3 - start applying final colours and layers usually from the top down (background to foreground). I am always checking as I go and paint this step in stages. I might have a couple of paintings on the go at once so I can leave a section and go to another while it dries or until I decide whether I like what I did or not.
Step 4 - finish the painting with the acrylic and decide if anything needs improving or changing.
Step 5 - finish off with fine liner pens if I want to and the style of the painting may benefit from some outlining.
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I don't need anyone else to like my artwork. Everyone will have their own opinion and preferences on composition, method and end result, yet I have to be detached from that. I need to trust in my process, confidence and what I see as I bring my paintings to life. Some might like it and some will not.
For selling work, it is shown time and time again that if the quality of the artwork is good and the price is right, the right buyer will show up at the right time. When artworks speak personally to a viewer, something special has happened.
Thank you for reading.
What inspires you? Where are you at on your journey? Have you settled into a method that works for your character, interest, method and brain?
Lee-Anne Peters
co-owner of Harmony on High Street Gallery & Art Hub in Campbell Town Tasmania, Australia.