Examples: Art style vs. Art Technique
Great example showing this difference between these two terms are Pablo Picasso’s variations about Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. Both artists painted the same scene, but in two different art styles.![Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez, year 1656/1657](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_347,h_400/http://lenamo.art/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Las_Meninas_by_Diego_Velázquez-347x400.jpg)
Original painting Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez, year 1656/1657
Picasso created over 50 images inspired by this famous painting. However, just by looking at these pictures, you can easily recognise Picasso’s hand. All paintings have simplified, geometric shapes, limited light and shadow and bold contours. It doesn’t matter that the techniques he applied the oils on canvas were varied, the style is clear and specific to Picasso.Different techniques of applying paint, same art style.
Image source: del Museu Picasso de Barcelona
Another excellent example of the difference between art technique and art style are illustrations by Stanley Lau, Artgerm. He’s famous for his fan art portraits made both with digital and traditional media. However, by looking at his pictures, you can without doubt say: “That’s Argerm!”. At the end it doesn’t matter that the first picture was created with Copic markers, and second on the computer. His art style is easily recognisable.Left portrait created with traditional techniques, right in digital techniques. Illustrations by Stanley Artgerm Lau
Technique is something that can be taught during art courses,
while art style must be discovered by the artists themself.
How to Start Discovering Your Own Art Style
I think, at this point we can agree that an art style is something completely separate from technique (media) you’re using. You can easily learn how to mix oil paint, how to apply it with short precise strokes, or with long confident ones. But how to express your idea with shapes and colours? How to find your own unique art style? That’s the real challenge! Usually artists develop their style slowly over time. If you’re lucky you may discover it by an accident that will make your path nice and easy. Unfortunately, for most artists, it’s something that comes from dedication to experimenting and constant exploration of what they love.Learn Art Fundamentals
From my experience, it’s important to understand art fundamentals, and have a little bit of technical skills, before experimenting with art styles. I know it’s tempting to rush things like this. However, without solid basic knowledge you can easily get frustrated, and that’s a motivation killer. In other words: the more proficient you are in fundamental art skills and handling the medium of your choice, the more precisely you’re able to capture your idea.![art fundamentals online course](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_400,h_152/https://lenamo.art/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/under-control-facebook-banner-400x152.jpg)