Hand-painted oil painting brushstrokes are an important means for painters to express emotions, shape images and create atmospheres. Different brushstroke expression methods can endow the picture with unique artistic charm. The following is a detailed introduction from several aspects: basic brushstroke types, brushstrokes and emotional expression, the combination of brushstrokes and picture elements, and the special application of brushstrokes:
Basic stroke types
Dot brushstrokes: Dip the brush in the paint and apply it to the canvas in dots. The variations in the density, size and color of dots can create rich effects. Dense dots can form soft transitions, such as representing clouds in the sky or distant scenes; Sparse and various-sized dots can create a lively and dynamic feeling, such as depicting the stars in the starry sky or the pollen on flowers.
Linear brushstrokes: Linear brushstrokes are a commonly used expression technique in oil painting, where lines are formed by dragging the brush on the canvas. The thickness, length, straightness and direction of lines vary, which can express different emotions and artistic conceptions. Slender lines can represent delicate and soft objects, such as the hair of a person and the wrinkles of clothes. Thick and short lines are suitable for representing heavy and powerful objects, such as rocks and tree trunks. Horizontal lines give people a sense of calmness and stability, vertical lines convey upright and upward power, while curves are full of dynamism and rhythm.
Block brushstrokes: Dip a brush in a large amount of paint and apply it in block form on the canvas. Block brushstrokes can quickly shape the volume and texture of an object and are often used to represent the bright, dark or middle tones of an object. By combining block-shaped brushstrokes of different sizes and shapes, rich picture layers can be created. For example, when drawing a mountain, use large brushstrokes to represent the overall shape of the mountain, and then use small brushstrokes to depict the trees and rocks on the mountain.
Brushstrokes and emotional expression
Cheerful and lively: When painters aim to express cheerful and lively emotions, their brushstrokes are usually light and dynamic. Short, lively lines and bright colors can be used, such as quickly dotting and sweeping on the canvas with a brush, to create an atmosphere full of vitality and vigor. For instance, when drawing a scene of children playing, use lively strokes to depict the children’s movements and expressions, allowing the audience to feel the cheerful atmosphere of the picture.
Melancholy and profound: To express melancholy and profound emotions, the brushstrokes may be slower and more solemn. Painters may use darker colors and heavy pigments to express themselves in a slow smearing and scraping manner. For instance, when depicting a city scene in the rain, using thick brushstrokes to express the haziness of the rain curtain and the oppression of the city, the lines might be rather tortuous and chaotic, conveying a sense of melancholy.
Serenity and peace: The emotions of serenity and peace can be expressed through delicate and gentle brushstrokes. The painter will use lighter colors and delicate smearing methods to make the picture look peaceful and quiet. For instance, when painting a serene scene of lakes and mountains, use gentle brushstrokes to depict the ripples of the lake water and the Outlines of the mountains, allowing the audience to feel a sense of inner peace.
The brushstrokes are combined with the elements of the picture
Combined with color: Brushstrokes can enhance the expressiveness of color. When depicting bright colors, lively and dynamic brushstrokes can be used to make the colors more vivid and eye-catching. When depicting soft colors, fine and smooth brushstrokes can be used to make the color transitions more natural. For example, when painting a flower with red as the main color tone, use unrestrained brushstrokes to express the vividness and vitality of the petals; When painting a sky with blue as the main color tone, use gentle brushstrokes to express the serenity and depth of the sky.
Combined with composition: Brushstrokes can guide the viewer’s line of sight and enhance the composition effect of the picture. In the key parts of the picture, prominent and obvious brushstrokes can be used to attract the audience’s attention. At the edges or secondary parts of the picture, lighter and fainter brushstrokes can be used to make the picture more balanced and harmonious. For example, in a portrait of a person, use strong brushstrokes to depict the person’s face and eyes, highlighting the person’s expression; In the background part, a lighter brushstroke is used for blurring to make the character stand out more.
Combined with light and shadow: The brushstrokes can express the changes of light and shadow. In the bright areas, bright and light brushstrokes can be used to express the brightness and transparency of the light. In the dark areas, dark and thick brushstrokes can be used to express the depth and weightiness of the shadows. For instance, when drawing a sphere, use fine brushstrokes to represent the bright parts of the sphere and rough brushstrokes to represent the dark parts. Through the variation of brushstrokes, create the three-dimensional effect and light and shadow effect of the sphere.
The special application of brushstrokes
Scraping strokes: Besides using a brush, you can also scrape the canvas with an oil painting knife or other tools to create unique textures and effects. Scraping strokes can express the rough texture of objects, such as rocks, tree bark, etc. It can also be used to create some special light and shadow effects, such as showing the luster of metals or the reflection of water surfaces. For instance, when painting an ancient castle, use an oil painting knife to scrape out the mottled texture of the city walls to enhance the historical sense of the castle.
Sprinkling brushstrokes: By dripping paint onto the canvas, a random and natural spot effect can be created. The dripping and scattering brushstrokes can be used to represent some abstract elements, such as the starry sky, raindrops, etc. It can also be combined with other brushstrokes to enhance the richness and interest of the picture. For instance, when painting a starry sky, using the dripping method to represent the twinkling of the stars makes the picture more vivid.
Overlapping brushstrokes: By repeatedly applying the paint in layers, rich color gradations and textures can be created. Overlapping brushstrokes can make colors more saturated and rich, and also show the complex structure and light and shadow changes of objects. For instance, when painting a landscape, first use light brushstrokes to lay out the general colors of the sky and the ground, and then use dark brushstrokes to overlap and smear, showing the clouds in the sky and the shadows on the ground, making the picture more three-dimensional and realistic.