We often hear that an artist should have one unique style to be recognized.
But what about artists , including me who enjoy experimenting with different styles and mediums?
This is a question I have often asked myself over time and again.
So before we begin let us understand what do we actually mean by Art style?
What is an Art Style?
An art style is a specific way of creating art that groups artists together based on similar characteristics. It’s like a category where the techniques, colors, and overall look are shared by many. For example, art styles include Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, or Abstract Expressionism.
Now, with that definition in mind, let’s answer the question at hand –
Can an artist have multiple art styles?
The short answer is: Yes, Absolutely!
In fact, many artists do have multiple styles, and they may switch between them depending on the theme or medium they are working on.
As an artist I have always found it extremely difficult to stick with just one art style. I strongly feel we need to expand our mind and explore different mediums, styles and techniques and work on our creations. This can be a way for an artist to challenge themselves creatively, and to keep their work fresh and interesting for both themselves and their audience.
For example, an artist who primarily works in oil paint might also create digital art, or an artist who specializes in portrait painting might also enjoy creating abstract compositions.
My works include Realism, Abstract paintings and Digital Art. I have also painted using the medium Oil, Acrylics, Watercolor, Charcoal, soft pastels to name a few.I thoroughly enjoy every bit of working with each mediums and how each medium might require a different approach and set of techniques, leading to a distinct style for each.
Now , whether you’re an artist who is just starting out and trying to find your own voice, or someone who has been working in a particular style for a while and is looking to branch out, it’s completely possible (and even encouraged) to experiment with multiple art styles. In fact, doing so can help you to grow as an artist and to discover new and exciting ways of expressing yourself.
Many of the famous artists in history are often recognized for their particular unique art styles. However, they have also mastered and created amazing paintings using more than one artistic style.
Here I have included Five Great Masters in History with Multiple Art styles. Hopefully this will encourage you to embark your journey confidently as an artist with Multiple art styles.
Great Masters with Multiple Art Styles
Michelangelo
Michelangelo’s early works were more of a classical style, that is influenced by the Renaissance harmony and proportion, while his later works leaned movement associated with Mannerism.
His work was commissioned by powerful patrons, such as the Catholic Church or the Medici family.
Their preferences and requirements often dictated the style or subject of his works.
Michelangelo worked across multiple mediums—sculpture, painting, and architecture—each requiring different techniques and styles. For example, his approach to marble sculpture was different from his fresco painting techniques.
Leonardo Da vinci
Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous artists of all time, known for his incredible paintings, drawings, and even his inventions. He is known mainly for the paintings- The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. But what’s really interesting is how his art style changed throughout his life.
In the High Renaissance, Leonardo’s works like the Mona Lisa and Vitruvian Man were all about realism. He combined art and science in a way that made his art look almost alive.
Later, during the Mannerist period, Leonardo started experimenting using elongated forms and exaggerated poses. Paintings like The Annunciation and St. John the Baptist show this shift, with more emotion and movement compared to his earlier, balanced works.
Another example is Virgin of the Rocks, where he mixed his love of detail with a mysterious, layered composition, showing his ability to try new things.
Leonardo’s art proves that it’s okay to evolve and experiment. He didn’t stick to just one style—instead, he pushed boundaries and kept exploring. That’s what makes him such a legendary artist.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso was one of the most important artists of the 20th century and can be taken as one of the classic example of artist with multiple art styles.
He was known for constantly changing his style and experimenting with new ideas. Throughout his career, he explored many different art styles, each unique and groundbreaking.
In his early years, Picasso painted in a realistic style. Works like The Old Fisherman show his ability to create paintings with real life details and precision.
Later, during his Blue Period, he used cool, somber tones to express sadness, as seen in The Old Guitarist. This shifted to his Rose Period, which had warmer, softer colors and themes of love and joy, like in Family of Saltimbanques.
Picasso’s most revolutionary style was Cubism, which he co-created. He also had amazing works like Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Guernica, where he broke objects into geometric shapes, creating abstract and fragmented images that changed the way people viewed art.
He also experimented with Surrealism, creating dreamlike and exaggerated works like The Serenade.
Picasso even explored softer styles, like in his Post-Impressionist painting Child with a Dove, showing his ability to adapt while keeping emotional depth in his work.
His ability to master different approaches redefined modern art and continues to inspire artists today.
Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch painter who is known for his post-Impressionist paintings, which are characterized by their bold colors and expressive brushwork.
Van Gogh’s Post-Impressionist paintings, such as The Starry Night and Sunflowers, are famous for their bold, vibrant colors and their expressive brushwork.
Van Gogh’s also experimented with Realist paintings, like The Potato Eaters and ‘The Old Church Tower at Nuenen, stand out for their detailed brushwork and lifelike portrayal of people, everyday scenes, and objects. These works capture the natural beauty of ordinary life with a touch of emotional depth.
His Cloisonnism paintings like Landscape with House and Ploughman are notable for their bright, flat areas of bold color outlined with dark lines.
Here you can see that the artist has tried and experimented with different styles showing his versatility as an artist.
Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse was a French painter and sculptor who is known for his colorful, abstract compositions and one of the leading figures of the modern art movement.
Throughout his career, Matisse worked in a variety of styles. His post-impressionism work The Yellow Dress is a prime example of his bold use of color and expressive brushstrokes.
Matisse’s work from the Fauvism period, such as his painting The Open Window, demonstrates the influence of Fauvism on his style.
Matisse developed a more fluid and expressive style, influenced in part by the movement known as Expressionism.The Red Studio is characterized by the use of bold brushstrokes and vivid colors to convey emotion and express the inner feelings of the artist.
Matisse’s paper cutouts, such as his famous Blue Nudes series, are examples of this more expressive style.
By now, I hope you have understood that, it is perfectly okay to have multiple art styles.
It’s really fascinating to see how artists like Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh and other masters have experimented with different approaches throughout their careers.
One of the things that makes art so interesting, is the fact that it is constantly evolving and changing, and that artists have the freedom to explore and experiment with different styles and techniques.
Whether you’re an artist yourself or simply someone who loves art, it’s always exciting to see what new directions artists will take and how they will push the boundaries of what is possible.
So in conclusion, do not be afraid to embrace the diversity of the art world. It’s a reflection to your creativity and versatility, and that is what makes art so vibrant and exciting.
Thanks for reading!
Few of my paintings with multiple art styles
