Consistency !?
 

Lately I have been thinking about the needs to create consistency in my work.

It appears to me that marketing one's work is not about showing all the different things, styles, ism's or whatever's but is about getting known for a (very) personal style, a "look" if you will.

I have noticed that many artists can instantly be recognized on any work they make and I just wonder if I will have to work more deliberately with that?

How do you think about that subject?

Clients, galleries and agencies do seem to like a predictable "look" from an artist, especially in commissioned portraits when they can't see what they're getting til long after the contract is signed. Your "look" or personal style will probably emerge of its own accord over time.

I think it was Winslow Homer who said that an artist doesn't have to work to create their own style, that eventually it would emerge despite anything an artist did consciously to create or avoid it.

Allan,

I think this is a great topic for discussion. Certainly, if you are approaching a gallery, you will want to show them a body of work that could hang well together, a certain... consistency. The same is probably true when putting together a website. But, hopefully, the consistency arises out of an honest exploration of painting concerns that drive you as an artist. In that regard, it's probably not a good idea to think too much about it. You wouldn't want to develop a "style" for style's sake, forcing yourself to work in a way that is contrary to where your real interests lie. It could lead to work that looks artificial, or arbitrary.

Joseph Campbell once said: "Follow your bliss." As artists we should follow what inspires us, what excites us. A "style" will inevitably follow.

David

PS: I wrote this before seeing Michele's post. It says the same thing, I know. She's just a faster typist than me...

I am glad that you both came up with the same conclution; that consistency comes with practice :)

But, will it hurt if we theorize about the subject?

Richard Schmid say's something about placing ones paintings beside each other and looking to find out if one is stronger than the other ( I ordered his book and hope to find some answers when it comes)

I think that it's a big mistake to try and contrive a style. Style should evolve and over the years it too should change just as we do as people. But a recognizable style can be a double edged sword. I have seen far too many big-name artists who have spent the bulk of their lives imitating themselves.

Isn't the point of being an artist to keep pushing forward on the road to self discovery? If I wanted to do the same thing in the same way every day I'd look for a job that would bring in some serious coin.

The key, it seems to me, is to focus in on a specific subject matter, find a medium that is most conducive to your sensibilities and start to explore. Generally speaking, I think combining portraits, with landscapes and still lifes while using a multitude of media would be confusing to prospective clients, if one wanted to promote portraits. I advise my students that if they have multiple approaches they should have multiple portfolios and promote each style separately.

Wisely spoken, Marvin.
I was taught that "style" is inescapable just as your signature is unique.

In terms of "success" with gallerists, a body of work that demonstrates continuity of theme is the "consistency" usually sought. A scattering of different genres seems to upset 'em, no matter how well painted.

I hope this does not veer off too much, but I think it is worth pondering over in regards to this subject:

People who tell you what style you should persue are like this neighbour. I think in the process of creation, that which is your style will became apparent on it's own in due time.

Necessary and sufficient conditions
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufficient_condition
Is consistency a necessary or a sufficient condition?
"The assertion that one statement is a necessary and sufficient condition of another means that the former statement is true if and only if the latter is true."

"The great disappointment is that when you're acting, you've literally become a different person in your head, and when you see it you go, Oh! It's the same face! You feel sometimes so limited by your physiognomy. You are desperately trying to look different, but it doesn't always work. There are some things that you can change, but unfortunately you're always left with the same face."

Far from Heaven (2002).

Consistency?
 

Hi Allan,
It's been three months since you posted your question about consistency. I've just found your post and wonder what the last three months have shown you? Have you decided to make an effort to be more consistent?

I am "consistency challenged" to say the least. I started out painting still lifes, which was a good way for me to learn about paint, then moved to portraits. Portraits are exhausting and having the pressure of pleasing a client wasn't fun. So off into the world of landscapes I went. I explored quite a few 'styles', moving from more representational to more abstract in my landscapes. I've since pulled back from the abstraction.

If you look at the work on my website, your head will probably spin from all the different types of paintings. If I do decide to continue with portraiture, I'll need to clean up the website and make it more focused on portraits. I do realize that.

My landscape teacher told me something I won't forget. We were talking about a recognizable style and he said that "if someone can recognize your work from across the room, that's worth a million bucks". Okay, maybe not a million, but worth a lot.

I think my "style" changes when I try to get looser with my paintings. I do have to make a concentrated effort not to paint too many details. But, really, is that a "style" change? Probably not.

After my brief hiatus from portrait painting, I'm back to painting portraits. I've decided the worry of meeting the clients expectations is outweighed by the sheer joy I get from painting people and the joy the client feels when they get the portrait. So far they're always thrilled with the portrait, it's just worrisome for me. Maybe I can work on getting over that!

I do think we all have a unique style, without even trying. An instructor once told me to just work at making a good painting and your style will come. Which is another way of saying we all have an inate style.

Anyway, I thought you brought up an interesting topic and now I'm wondering what you have decided to do, if anything (!), about being more consistent.

Joan