Had a chat with a kid at the gallery who made me rethink my whole style

So I was at a local showcase last weekend and this teenager asked why I always blend my colors so smooth. She said she liked the rough sketchy looks better because they felt more alive. I mean I've been doing smooth digital painting for like 5 years and never even thought about it. Now I'm messing around with leaving my brush strokes visible and idk it's kind of freeing. Has anyone else had their style challenged by an unexpected person like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

averywilliams2d ago

Wait, are you saying you actually went back and tried it? That's awesome. I had something similar happen last year when I was painting some murals. This old guy who just happened to be walking by told me my lines were "too perfect" and that real art was supposed to have "mess and life" in it. I was pissed at first, but then I spent a whole weekend doing nothing but sloppy drips and rough edges on purpose. It felt like I was learning to paint ALL over again, but in a good way. Now I can't even look at my old smooth stuff without feeling like it's missing something. Kids and old people always seem to see things we miss because they haven't learned to be scared of making mistakes yet.

andrew_rodriguez2d ago

You ever notice how the best advice comes from people who aren't trying to sell you something? That old guy had nothing to gain by telling you your lines were too perfect. He just saw something real. The messy stuff is where the personality hides. I tell my kids the same thing when they draw - don't try to make it look like a photograph, just let the crayon go where it wants. You can always clean it up later, but you can't fake that raw energy once it's gone. Bet those murals you're painting now have way more soul than the smooth ones ever did.