[Leopoldo Benavidez]

Steven,

Because it has more of a positive connotation than a negative one, we see it being utilized more in describing art, whether everyone is on the same page or not is a matter of question!

To me it is like "au premier coup" which means with exact colors and tones. No muddling with glazes, grisailles and other examples of indecisiveness but applying the right color and value in the right spot. What the artists like Sargent, Velazquez, Hals and the like did, is the most difficult way to paint and it cannot be duplicated with indecisive strokes laid over a carefully drawn underpainting with painfully built up layers of paint that we hope will eventually arrive at the right tone and color.

When I look at these artist this is how I would describe their work,painterly, beautifully left brush strokes that unify and say it all from a viewing distance.

Painterly work also leaves a unique signature of that artist, that would be decipherable from other artists who over work their brush strokes...L