Bob Brandt
Many artists believe that having a ‘style’ is the key to ultimate recognition and, therefore, success. With a basic knowledge of the history of art we can make a fair guess at whether a painting is by Rembrandt, Van Gogh or Picasso – their works are instantly recognisable and individual. Yet here we are, trying to learn a difficult trade and finding that it takes us all our time to discover how to pick subjects, choose brushes and mix colours, let alone develop a method of painting that will make us stand out.
We all interpret what we think we see in the light of our own experiences and our recording of it in paint is also constrained by the skills we have learned up to that moment. It follows that how we describe the world will become increasingly individual as our practice and ability increase. Why can’t we ‘say’ exactly what moved us to pick up a brush and attempt to describe that field, that building, that person? It can be useful to change materials or methods, but ultimately we just need to get better at using the language of painting – and that will take practice and patience.