Applying colour to a surface (aka painting)

[Col]

Found these test "paintings" I did on photoshop to see how that brushstroke style might work before I tried it with actual paint to canvas.

[PortableNuke]

That's cool.
It makes me think of something made out of string, and it being afraid of a kitten. Something like that, I dunno.

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

Mmm, nifty. They make me want to build a rubber band man.

[PortableNuke]

It would be fun to bounce him off of stuff.

[Col]

I did this a couple months ago. I was bored. Anne liked it so much that it's hanging in our living room now. Go figure...

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

I have a panting that looks like that.

[Orphevs]

I like it too... something very soothing about it.

[Col]

I have a panting that looks like that.

*checks living room wall* HEY! Give that back!

[Col]

A commission I just finished. 30x72, acrylic

[Yeahduff]

Can't get a good look at that here. I'll check when I get home.

I might have access to a digital camera this weekend, in which case I'll put up some tuff I've been working on.

[Col]

I might have access to a digital camera this weekend, in which case I'll put up some tuff I've been working on.

That'd be good to see.

[Mo]

I finally bought some canvas... wait, is there a plural to canvas?

So I've got all the equipment but, alas, no inspiration. Problem is, it's not just a question of what kind of motive to paint but, moreover, I don't even know what style I want to paint in. I've done different stuff in various art styles, including impressionism, expressionism, realism and some sort of pop art. I can't say I have a distinctive style of my own really because I just like to experiment... usually I painted in a style that I thought the person I was painting for could connect to. I've mostly painted for other people - actually, I don't own a single painting of my own and I've never made a painting I've wanted to keep. So now I feel I've reached an artistic impasse because I want to paint something for myself and I have no idea what to do or where to start.

It's so frustrating it's driving me nuts. How can I find my own distinctive style? Should I look at galleries and find paintings from other artists I like and then try to work towards that kind of style myself (while giving it some individualistic touch), or should I just sit down and start painting and see what happens? How do I "break the ice"?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Col]

I think you have the right idea with both options. Go look at other people's art, figure out what it is you like, and then just start painting. It'll eventually come to you regarding what style you want to paint in. Or just set up a still life or pick a photo to paint from, and paint that. The act of painting in itself can help you get moving, and sometimes painting something simple can get things flowing.

[PortableNuke]

Pick up a book, pick a random page, and paint it in an appropriate style?

I dunno. I'm more of a writer. I usually just start writing about what's on my head without regard to anything. I'll just go back and clean it up later or cherry pick the good ideas out of it.

I have the problem of putting pressure on myself to create an instant classic when I do anything creative, but I really just need to get started.

[PortableNuke]

Link because it's huge.

[Yeahduff]

Is that a sculpture? Lichtenstein or Lichtensteinesque?

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

It's like Arneson and Lichtenstein became the same person.

[Yeahduff]

*shudders*

[PortableNuke]

Is that a sculpture? Lichtenstein or Lichtensteinesque?

It was referenced as a Lichtenstein. I found it while doing a goolge image search, so I'm not sure how accurate that is. I thought it was weird enough to post it.

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

Neat. I didn't know he sculpted anything.