How did your style evolve or are you still searching ?

I think one isn't necessarily aware of it in one's own work - but as soon as I see an Alan Bickley, an Alan Owen, a Sylvia Evans, a Paulette Farrell, and countless others on here  - I know who the painter was before I look for the name.  And I'm told my stuff is recognizable, whatever medium I've used..... but I can't see that myself!

Oh yes, your paintings are recognisable Robert, instantly in fact, along with the other names you’ve mentioned. I do try and vary my style, painting ‘thin’, at times, sometimes heavier impasto style, but I’m always recognised. I have changed styles over the years, I’m still searching though, I’m still not happy! Are we artists ever?

Is ‘scruffy’ a style, if it is, I have it nailed! It’s certainly elusive, this ‘style’ business. As Sylvia and others have mentioned, I can recognise a regular gallery members work instantly. Whether that is down to the use of the same palette, subject, technique or medium.....I don’t know.  It isn’t something I strive to achieve, how I paint tomorrow will always differ from how I painted yesterday because of other influences......especially discovering artists  that are unknown to me, or visits to galleries, listening to speakers. It would be impossible not to soak up the knowledge and be inspired by it all. 

Sometimes an artist's " signature" is in the pallette used or how the brushstrokes are laid down. I know I tend towards particular palettes, they are usually harmonious ones. Some artists use clashing colours ( for specific reasons) and that can be a " trademark".  An artist's " style" evolves over time, I think, and becomes recognisable. Like Sylvia, I can usually recognise an artist from their painting. It's not something you can force, it just happens. Often you start out imitating a painter you admire. It doesn't work with me, the end result becomes" mine", however much I may not want it to. However, I have seen work where the painting is " in the style of" - this kind of work doesn't impress me, it's almost as if there are no genuine emotions coming through.

I'm so frustrated! I posted a reply earlier in the evening and must have forgotten to press " post". Aaaagh! Anyway, in more of a nutshell, I think style evolves with time. You certainly don't have a "signature" to begin with. I remember wondering if I had a " style" and now I think I do but I didn't pursue it, it just came. I know that I favour certain palettes and I'm conscious of trying to get across a feeling or an atmosphere, that's what attracts me to a subject.  It would be interesting if we could line up some paintings from the site, without any info about the artist's identity, and see whether we would recognise the artist. I'm sure I'd recognise a fair few from the palette, the way the paint is laid down, the topic. I could go on but the nutshell would have to be a big one! Spooky or what? My previous post has appeared!🤔

I'm going to play devil's advocate here (a bit) and say that I think a style is something to avoid. Of course it depends on one's exact definition of the word in this context. Although my own work, I know, has recognisable characteristics that come from the subject-matter, the media I use and the manner of my mark-making, if I felt that things were becoming style-ish I would want to do something about it I think. I have, once, destroyed a number of drawings because I felt that the style was overtaking everything else. I have—and I'm sure that I will again—copied a work of an artist I admire. Even though I knew something of his methods I didn't attempt to reproduce those methods accurately, more I tried to bend them towards my own preferred way of working. The result was informative and I feel did move me to a different way of examining my own work. I go to a weekly life drawing group and I do often use the sessions as a means of exploring ideas and approaches. Sometimes it's a sort of "I wonder if it would work if I…" and sometimes it's revisiting old ideas and trying to bring a different eye to them.

I'm so glad this post has come up. I spent years trying to define my style and still trip up now when people ask what type of painter am I.  Erm landscape, bit dreamy or very stormy depending on my mood... this answer never seems enough. Surely I need a proper title like impressionism to be considered cultured and mature enough to be respected as an artist. So I try my best to.avoid answering. However, this thread is enlightening, to see so many others with similar points of view. I'm working again with Oils at the moment, so my current style is 'enjoyable, self exploration and I seem to be covering every subject at the moment. I painted sunflowers today, unheard off for me and may never do it again. I have a new found respect for Van Gogh, how did he do it? Alicia