Different Painting Styles Explained

The 21st century has brought a wide range of forms of expression to the art of painting. During the 19th and 20th centuries, artists made significant leaps in their styles. Some factors that influenced these changes were the rise of photography and the invention of a metal paint tube. Here are some of the most utilized painting styles used today and throughout history.

Realism

Since the Renaissance, realism has been regarded as one of the most popular forms of art. People consider these to be the “real” works of art because they show the subjects in a more authentic light and dark. Unlike other types of painting, realists do not utilize any special techniques.

Example: The popular “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci is the best example of realism in art.

Impressionism

During the 19th century, the development of impressionism was centered around the bold strokes of the brush and unusual angles. This type of art presented its subject uniquely and vibrantly. Most artists who adopted this painting style did not use black as their primary color. Instead, they focused on capturing the light.

Example: “Sunflowers” by Vincent Van Gogh is a prime example of impressionist art.

Abstract

Rejecting the notion of realism, abstract art utilizes various elements such as lines, textures, and colors to show the subject’s essence. During the 1950s, the movement known as the Abstract Expressionist was centered around this type of painting. Although it may look messy, this art style allows people to interpret its shapes and forms as they wish.

Example: A classic example of abstract painting is “Orange, Red, Yellow” by Mark Rothko

Modernism

Modernist art was first introduced during the late 19th century. It differed from the conservative values of art by adopting a more creative and innovative approach. It sought to explore various elements such as colors, textures, and shapes. Although it was considered radical at the time, this style of expression allowed artists to create their unique works of art.

Example: One of the most famous examples of this art is Pablo Picasso’s “The Old Guitarist.“

Surrealism

During the 20th century, the development of surrealism was centered around portraying the subjects more realistically. Instead of focusing on their usual surroundings, this art style takes them into strange and unsettling settings.

Example: A famous example of surrealism is Salvador Dali’s “Dream Caused by the Flight Of a Bee Around a Pomegranate A Second Before Awakening.”

About the Author

As a full-stack developer, Gianmatteo possesses a unique combination of hard and soft skills, which is mandatory to excel at his work. He seamlessly bridges gaps and brings together multiple departments in order to form a cohesive team. Gianmatteo has built up a stellar reputation for acting as a liaison between users and developers, something that is vital to any software life cycle. His time management skills as a leader ensure that projects stay on budget and within timelines. Gianmatteo has the ability to zoom out and see the big picture while also treating UX UI stages as valuable as the code it sits on. Along with the creative vision necessary to be as successful as Gianmatteo Costanza has been throughout his career comes patience and understanding with his team, coworkers, and clients.

The Laundry is a communal workplace where artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs may collaborate on projects, exploratory art, and community activities that improve society as a whole. It is located in a historic industrial laundry building in San Francisco’s Mission area. He and his partner viewed this location, established by French immigrants in the 1930s, as an opportunity to form an exceptional environment for artists to produce and share their work. Ultimately, Gianmatteo’s vision for the space was that The Laundry would be a flexible art venue for individuals looking to express themselves and transform the world in their own unique forms of expression. Above all, Gianmatteo Costanza sought to preserve the old building’s legacy and distinctive design while investing in modernization to bring it up to code. Individuals have access to a café with a coffeehouse and an art gallery that is open to the public during the day. At night, the space transforms into a location for seminars, lectures, immersive theater, and events that merge technology and art.