I’ve made an exciting decision—I’m embarking on my very first painting series! The idea came to me when I recently completed a painting, and a friend suggested that I explore a series using the same subject and technique. Intrigued by the concept, I delved into the world of artistic series, curious to understand what they were all about.
At first, I must admit, I was a bit flummoxed. What exactly is a series, and why is it a good thing? Sure, I knew that a series is a collection of paintings, but how many paintings should it include? What ties them together as a cohesive unit? These questions spurred me to dive into research, eager to unravel the mysteries of painting series.
As I explored, I also found myself tumbling down the rabbit hole of artistic style. How does a series relate to one’s unique style? How can I truly know what my style is, and how does it intertwine with creating a series?
These were some BIG questions, but I was determined to find the answers.
Let’s start by briefly talking about style.
My thoughts are, one’s artistic style is a reflection of a lifelong journey, encompassing all experiences, preferences, and encounters along the way. It evolves and changes as we grow artistically, making it a dynamic and ever-changing aspect of our creative identity. So, it’s safe to say that we never truly reach a final destination when it comes to our style—it remains in a state of metamorphosis.
Now, the million-dollar question that many beginner artists ask: “How do I find my artistic style?” My perspective is that you don’t “find” it, as it’s never lost. It’s within you all along, waiting to be explored and nurtured. It exists, but it’s also malleable. The more you immerse yourself in artistic work, the more your style develops and transforms over time.
I’ll save the full discussion about style for another time, but these contemplations naturally led me back into the realm of creating a series.
What is a series, exactly?
A series is a collection of artworks that share some common thread and are created within a similar timeframe. A series can be as few as two paintings, and as many as you can create in a lifetime. Or, of course, somewhere in between. The connection that binds them can be as simple as a shared color palette, a common subject, a particular working method, or even inspiration from a specific poet’s poetry. The possibilities are vast, and it’s entirely up to you to define the essence of your series—what you want to investigate or experiment with at that particular moment.
As I reflected on my recent art journey, I realized that I unintentionally ventured into two mini-series. One focused on capturing atmosphere in my work, and the other explored the technique of using a palette knife. These experiences highlighted that I had already embraced some aspects of creating a series without even labeling them as such.
Renowned artists throughout history have also delved into the realm of painting series. Think of Paul Cezanne and his countless renditions of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Claude Monet’s series of waterlilies painted in different lights and seasons, or Sidney Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series, comprising 27 paintings.
Now, back to my first ever series—I’m calling it the ‘funky trees’ series. It may not have the poetic ring of ‘waterlilies,’ but that’s the beauty of art—it’s all about embracing your own unique journey.
Below is the first in the series:
The connection that binds this series is the subject: trees, and the method of painting that is hard to put into words. Beyond that, I’ve left myself open to endless possibilities, without placing limits on the creative process. I’ll let my artistic intuition guide me in determining the series’ scope and completion.
This feels like the beginning of something remarkable for me. While I’ve enjoyed exploring new territories every week, it’s time to dig deeper and immerse myself in the nitty-gritty of a subject, medium, palette choice, and method. By working in a series, I can:
- Unify my body of work, creating a cohesive and focused group of paintings.
- Follow my passions and curiosities down every rabbit hole I desire.
- Evolve and explore different artistic paths that contribute to my ever-changing style.
- Present a collection of artworks that reflects my artistic journey at a particular point in time.
- Engage in multiple pieces simultaneously, each exploring different but related aspects of my artwork.
- Cultivate increased motivation, as I no longer have to conjure up a different idea each time I step into my studio.
As I embark on this artistic adventure, I invite you to share your own experiences with painting series. If you’ve worked on a series before, what were the benefits for you? I promise to return with updates on my ‘funky trees’ series, and whether all the intriguing aspects we’ve discussed have become my artistic reality.
Let’s delve into the enchanting world of painting series together, exploring the unlimited possibilities it holds for our creative growth.
Check out some of my pieces in the gallery
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