Crafted with deft brushstrokes and a loose impressionistic quality, painterly art is the perfect mix of pleasure and emotion of the gathered crew. Whether one is viewing a classical painting or a modern monochrome, there is something truly special about styles that use brushstrokes as their defining feature. Read on as we dive into the wide world of painterly art and unearth what makes it so unique and utterly captivating.

Why has Painterly Art Captivated for Centuries?

From the Impressionism of Claude Monet to the Abstract Expressionism of Jackson Pollock, painterly art isn’t a modern trend. In fact, it dates back centuries and its ability to affect a viewer’s emotions has made it a favorite with galleries and collectors. Painterly art has a certain fluidity which is often associated with expressions of freedom and this is perhaps one of its core appeals: as Ross Bleckner, one of the most influential abstract painters of the 21st Century said, “the freedom of using paint is the way to make sense of things”.

It is believed that the most famous of all painterly works was crafted by the Italian master Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci made use of the technique known as Sfumato, a hazy layering effect he crafted on the canvas to bring his paintings to life. This technique is even still present today in contemporary art as artists strive to imitate this idea of loose brush strokes in their painting.

Painterly art can also be used to evoke emotions that are not necessarily pleased. Take Francis Bacon’s Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X for example, it has a disturbing and violent quality that is incomparable to other art styles. The use of painterly techniques such as a smudge of the brush, scratching and cutting of the canvas and heavy application of paint give this painting a fascinating and unique quality.

What Makes Paintbrush Strokes So Intriguing?

In the world of art, painterly techniques are often referred to as expressionism against non-expressionism. The former is where the artist’s emotions, thoughts and physical actions are used to create an artwork, whereas the latter is a more representational style of art where the appearance of things are used to convey a message. By blending non-expressionism with expressionism, the artist can create a painting that can be both personal and iconic —the kind that speaks to you on a whole other level.

This is the key to painterly art – the tension between the personal and the iconic. The merging of representational technique with an emotionally-laden brushstroke takes the painting to a whole new level and this is why it has stirred up so much emotion. As Pablo Picasso said,

“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.”

Why Does Painterly Art Hold Such a Place in the Heart of Artists?

The answer to this question lies in the fact that creating any work of art takes an emotional investment. This can be both a mental and physical investment, as the artist needs to use their brushstrokes to express themselves. Painterly art gives the artist more room to move and explore this freedom—it allows them to paint without boundaries and without feeling restricted. It’s no wonder why so many artists choose painterly art because, as art critic Clement Greenberg said, “In a certain sense all art is expressionist”.

This freedom to explore is something that many painters cherish and often times look for when it comes to selecting their art tools. Brushstrokes can provide a unique way for an artist to develop and express their personal style, as each stroke can provide a new way of looking at their canvas. And what better way to express your innermost emotions than through painterly art?

In Conclusion

Painterly art has been around for centuries and its ability to evoke emotion has made it a classic favorite. Whether one is looking for a representation of a physical object or an emotional investment, painterly art offers something special. Its loose and imprecise impressionistic quality provides the perfect platform for exploration when it comes to expressing emotion, and this freedom of expression is something that truly sets this style of art apart from the rest.
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Tags: Artistic Technique, Impressionism

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