Optional Question: Style

Understanding Style in Art

Artistic style is often a reflection of the personality, beliefs, society, and historical context of an artist.
It can be described as the distinctive character or method seen in an artist’s work.
Style is usually consistent in an artist’s work but can change over periods of time depending on the artist’s evolution, experiences or influences.
It includes aspects such as lines, colours, forms, composition, techniques and themes.
Therefore, style is more than just the visual look of artwork but also about the thought process, techniques and decisions behind its creation.

Realism: An objective representation of the real world with great detail and no idealisation or distortion.
Abstract: Transforms subjects into geometric or free-form shapes and lines, expressed in a non-representational manner.
Impressionism: Characterised by loose brushwork and bright, light-filled paintings focusing on the immediate impression of a scene.
Expressionism: Characterised by distortion and exaggeration for emotional effect.
Cubism: A style that breaks the subject into geometric forms, viewing the subject from multiple viewpoints simultaneously.

Style is the ‘signature’ of an artist, making an artwork recognisable and unique to the artist.
It delivers the artist’s message, emotions, ideas and perceptions in a distinctive manner.
Style enables the viewer to interpret the intentions of the artist.
It contributes to the overall composition, mood and narrative of an artwork.
A particular style can place a work within a specific culture, time or art movement.

In Leonardo da Vinci’s work, his style is identified by detailed observation, anatomical accuracy and light and shade (chiaroscuro).
Pablo Picasso’s Cubist style breaks traditional forms and perspectives, viewing subjects from multiple viewpoints.
Claude Monet’s Impressionistic style is identified by loose brushwork and light-filled, ephemeral scenes.
Jackson Pollock’s Abstract Expressionistic style is identified by his ‘drip paintings’, characterised by their energy, scale and innovation.

Apply a critical understanding of how style contributes to the goals and intentions of the artist.
Consider how style might influence the viewer’s interpretation or response to the work.
Understand how an artist’s use of style relates to their cultural or historical context.
Be aware of how an artist’s individual style contributes to their identity and place within art history.
The consistency of one’s style is often an indicator of their mastery and understanding of their medium and thematic concerns.