I have an a style & process I’ve developed over the years that makes my work pretty distinctive. I’ve documented and shared this process in this post. At times the process becomes to mechanical and not spontaneous. I don’t like knowing what a piece of artwork will look like before its even complete. I rarely do sketches before I paint and like to be surprised with the completed pieces.
Occasionally, I do pieces that break out of my process. Recently have done two that I’m really happy with, one is called Choke and the other is called Bad Teeth. I would love to continue to work this way, but it’s hard to stay this loose and free when painting. Usually, I return to my more methodically approach. I have such admiration for Basquiat and Picasso for making there looseness and process look so effortless.
So does anybody else out there have some of the same inner struggles and boredom with the way they approach painting?.
↓ Sara @ March 18th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I agree with you. I like being surprised by how the painting will turn out. Having a sketch before hand kills the spontaneity of the piece. Unfortunately though, this doesn’t really work for assignment jobs. As for making art though, I love exploring the piece as I go and letting it unfold for itself. I like Choke and Bad Teeth. Nice work!
↓ Seth Storck @ March 19th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I’ve had trouble with my style feeling too “tight” to me forever. I envy people that can create something that looks loose but it is that just right loose that looked like it took seconds but its amazingly perfect. Maybe I’m just a control freak but I can never make my stuff look effortless like that. I enjoy these two pieces. It is great that you are trying different things. Everything gets old after awhile. I switched to watercolors to try and add some defects to my stuff. I’ve never worked with watercolors before but I’m having a great time.
↓ Ryan Allen @ April 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I know what you are talking about. I’ve been painting for a while and I had become bored with all my subject matter. I recently changed everything up completely to a lighter more fun style. I’ve been doing fun little characters with bright colors and they have been a joy to paint.
The problem though is I lose interest quickly. one of my characters (http://ryanallen.info/art/meep1.jpg) became popular and every piece of him sells right away. I still have about 15 people wanting to buy more pieces with him in it but I’m hesitant to make more. I’ve kind of moved on to other little characters. I should paint what the people want to buy but it just doesn’t work that way.
↓ Bob Galmarini @ April 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I do have the same struggle. It becomes difficult to not let your style that you developed become mechanical and almost “easy.” Always a struggle and a good challenge to keep the work emotional and personal.