Why Your Artist's VOICE and Style are Different (It Matters)

In this video, we explore the difference between an artist's voice and style, and how understanding these two concepts can help you develop your painting. Also to better appreciate and analyze works of art. We start by defining what is meant by an artist's voice, which encompasses their unique perspective, personal experiences, and artistic intentions. We then distinguish this from an artist's style, which refers to their technique, approach to composition, and the visual elements they use in their work.
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Using examples of artists like Monet and Van Gogh, we examine how their distinct voices and styles are reflected in their paintings. We see how Monet's voice was characterized by his deep love of nature and his fascination with light and color, while Van Gogh's voice was defined by his emotional intensity and use of vibrant, expressive color.
Finally, we discuss how an artist's success and recognition are not the only measures of their artistic worth, and how focusing too much on external validation can distract from the development of one's own voice. Instead, we encourage artists to focus on their personal growth and development, seeking inspiration from their own
📘 The Book: Your Artist's Voice: amzn.to/3M7r4vo
✅ Your FREE Course: art.malcolmdewey.art/FreeCourse

[@AndiNewtonian]

This was really thought provoking, not only for my painting but also for my work as a writer. Definitely going to have to sit with this for a while and see where it takes me. Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, it's a pleasure

[@vesnabreskvar9082]

I have a problem because I'm sure my artist's voice is too quiet and I don't hear it enough. My brain works technically and realistically,not artisticaly.But it gives me a great pleasure to learn the painting technique and I think I've made a progress too(thank you Malcolm for your excellent lessons!).Sometimes I also like my style but it's not art. Art is to arouse the emotions in the viewer. When I look at your sunny landscapes and wonderful seashores,I am always in a happy mood.Your paintings are full of wit and optimism.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Vesna. Maybe see what paintings you enjoy looking at the most, or what artist? That may guide you.

[@marinashaduri7836]

For inexperienced amateurs the first and the most important step towards happy painting might be the understanding of his/her aesthetic preferences. The harmony of individual style and inner voice makes art so beautiful Thank you, Malcolm for such a useful and motivating video!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes exactly. Avoid trends and be true to yourself.

[@mariakapatos9545]

Thank you Malcolm such good advise to bring forth your own unique style finding your inner voice x

[@---Dana----]

You are one of the artists that inspire me in art and as a way of being in the world. Thank you, Malcolm.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wow, thank you!

[@selmaabbott7234]

Thank you for this video, Malcolm. You make it clear and easy to understand how important it is to distinguish "voice and style" as I paint and learn how to improve my work.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Selma 😊

[@RobinSealark]

Thank you for your perspectives. I appreciated when you said your cause doesn't have to be big, romantic, and will changing. It's what *you* find important and want to express from your inner self. - Also your thoughts on whether success is important to voice are a good reminder.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@natalykenny2069]

Amazing insights, it helped me a lot! I can say that I know now what my vision is, but I didn't think about how my vision relates to my artistic style. Much to think about. Your video gave me more clarity in what direction to move! Thank you so much, Malcolm!❤❤❤

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, thanks Nataly

[@ilmasfutehally]

Much food for thought in this short video! Thanks Malcolm!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Ilmas

[@LynnePriceStudio]

Thank you, Malcolm, for approaching this subject. When we realize what subject matter we truly love, then we can focus.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes!

[@clairevignola8768]

Bonjour Malcolm, as you can see I an frenchspeaking. I just watched this video for the fourth or fifth time, not because I did not understand the words, but because it really hit me the first time and I understood that THIS is the main reason why I feel blocked, not knowing where I want to go and what I want to do with my « love » of painting, and my desire to create... during the last year, and even more, I was in a kind of « mud?), I don’t know how to say it, but it’s not funny...the video help me a lot to understand and it brings me ton of light. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that it helps me ta lot to reorganize my way of seeing things. And I thank you for that and also of course for all your work and tutorials that I appreciate beaucoup!

[@MalcolmDewey]

I am happy this helped you. Thank you for letting me know.

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

I'm on the verge of making a massive, concentrated focused effort on style & voice. These are some good points, about noting letting financial concern hijack true art. I want true expression, or nothing. Also, that it takes a lot of practice. I pray about everything, & wanting quick progress with threat of discouragement, I was blessed with a daily Word that tempered that impatience, giving wisdom that I need patience, effort, time, & to have realistic expectation. I'm trying to find all the input I can right now, on this matter, to guide my effort, & this video gave good ideas. Thanks.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, good luck with your creative journey.

[@teresamiller3513]

Oh Wow! This an exciting and helpful video. I never considered my Artist's voice. This past year I have been working of learning technique from your courses. As I look back I see both my style, but more importantly, my artist voice emerging. I have several painting from your course work, and several of my original subject choices, that really resonate my artist's voice and style. They are the works I am most proud of and the ones I have hung on my walls. This video has helped me understand why they are my favorites, why they make my heart sing! This video also has helped me see the progress I have made following your videos and doing your courses. Amazing. Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Teresa - I'm happy hear that!

[@JanineChiodo]

❤ 12:30

[@JanineChiodo]

❤

[@ChristineR-oe7kn]

This morning i watch your video and now i know what to do when i feel stuck with my paintings : listen to it again ! Your videos always bring confidence and depth. Thank you so much 😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, this is lovely to hear!

[@TOPTENTRAVEL01]

I'm just beginning the Oil Painting Process Masterclass, as part of the Landscape Painter's Bundle, and this video is really making me think about how I can best utilize the information in the courses to express the style and voice lurking somewhere inside me. This video has made the entire learning process even more fascinating. Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Excellent, I hope you enjoy the process

[@user-iv8db9rq5j]

Great comments and clarity about voice and style, and to believe in yourself. Love your comment that recognition and financial gain are really secondary to voice and style. Such comments definitely resonate with me.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Matt

[@sabinelloyd8532]

Thank you for this video. I think i know what my artist voice is although it needs more definition but am really struggling to find my style. Seeing work by other artist that i admire makes me want to take off at a tangent and try new things, but i do find i soon return to the rhings that resonate the most with my heart.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes that sounds like the process we have to follow 😊

[@123tabatha]

Thankyou so much. I really appreciate all that you teach me

[@MalcolmDewey]

Its a pleasure, thank you

[@jolantadrzwiecka8661]

I love your lesson. It gives me more confidence and helping to understand how important it is to stay true to myself.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Great to hear that Jolanta

[@junestevens838]

This is VERY good reminder to me not to get caught up in the "fame and fortune" trap. After standing back and looking at my work I know why I have been dissatisfied with it in the last year - I have lost my voice, which was my strength before. Also your wisdom makes it SO much easier; I do what springs from me and don't get side-tracked and confused by other people's voices. Much easier to stay with yourself and your art becomes authentically "you". Then the people who recognise that voice come to your door!! Even though somewhere in me I know all this, it was timely and great to have such a succinct reminder from you Malcolm. Thank you.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Wonderful June, it does make our lives simpler.

[@christinegalysh7433]

Thank you and All the best.

[@taraeasley4636]

Thank you for that clear explanation of voice and style. I'll be thinking on this now.

[@MalcolmDewey]

It's a pleasure Tara

[@annavanesyan1680]

Hi Malcolm, I would like to say thank you for your videos, especially demo. I've been doing art for long time, but sometimes I keep forgetting how to do it correctly, especially avoiding muddy colors and not vibrant colors. Most of my art recently was intuitive, wich isn't bad but I recently found you here and wanna thank you again for reminding the true way. I would like to see more demo, the short ones, if it's positive. Keep it going, stay well 🙏

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Anna - much more coming soon.

[@annavanesyan1680]

@@MalcolmDewey 😊💖

[@emmafreeman7740]

Thank you! This ade lots of sense and I feel so much better now I undertand

[@MalcolmDewey]

You're so welcome!

[@AlbertBenson-mv8qu]

Interesting thank you for this video it has given me plenty to think about

[@MalcolmDewey]

Its a pleasure.

[@bracca123]

Malcolm -- very inspiring on a subject I had never really considered. I think that it will be a eureka moment for me. Thank you

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, glad it helped.

[@sophiereinecke8659]

Thank you for a wonderful video, Malcolm! You provide such good insight regarding these, really difficult aspects of making art. I know I am especially prone to allowing the work of other artists to influence my style and to find my voice. Being bold and allowing the expression of your own feelings and not thinking of what is "correct" or what will " impress" others is very difficult but this video is very effective in exposing the flaws in one's thinking and doing. Looking forward to follow-up videos!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Sophie, yes it's a balance, especially for the "perfectionists" but we all can benefit from a calmer and self-healing approach.

[@arcuda2001]

this was so interesting , Malcolm .. Plenty for thought, indeed.. Thank you so much.. Norakag

[@MalcolmDewey]

Happy to hear that, thanks Nora

[@alisonmike2912]

I think I've just had a lightbulb moment because up until now I've been too busy trying to follow someone else's style and that's why it doesn't come easily , I'm happy I'm following my voice but but need to stop trying to emulate artists I admire ( like you) and follow my own style because my most successful paintings are in my style . Im definitely painting a bit looser but just need to stop trying to be something I'm not . That was difficult to say , coming to terms with the fact that I'll be an admirer of certain works but I'm not able to actually emulate them . The paintings I have sold have been my own particular style and that's what I need to concentrate on .

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thanks Alison - I am also bowled over by some artists styles, but my paintings always look different to theirs - like a signature. What I am really reacting to is their voice which I recognise as a sort of kindred spirit. Of course I try to improve technique to refine style, but the painting still turns out different to others. We have to accept that and flow with it.

[@alisonmike2912]

Thank you, the fact that I even have the option to be loose and not put in much detail has been a revelation but it's very much work in progress and your videos are really useful.

[@templarrain2369]

That beach looks like Bloubergstrand or Melkbosstrand

[@MalcolmDewey]

Port Alfred

[@sambarboo4701]

I appreciate your videos.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Glad you like them!

[@user-eq2cw2db7h]

Haven't found my voice yet, i keep going over my artwork hoping to find something that pleases me ( very little at mo) keep waisting paint 😏.will keep trying, may have to start another canvas, a smaller one, i want to be able to get impressionists look as in your style,🤗😍 from Frances uk

[@MalcolmDewey]

You can do it! Small and vibrant makes for a great painting.

[@tetianaabramov]

❤❤❤

[@the_key_x]

Thank you for this, I’m struggling to find my artist’s voice, no matter how many paintings I do, they just don’t seem to be cohesive. Also, while I’m here: I’d like to sign the back of my canvas in oils, over a strip of oil colour. Do I need to prime a section of the back first? (Before painting the colour strip?) Thanks so much!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you, yes I would prime the area you sign if you are using oils. Of course you could use acrylic which is less reactive than oils.

[@the_key_x]

Will do that ♥️ thanks!

[@shediacfixer]

Hey Malcolm, do you use right out of the tube or mixed with a medium (eg walnut oil) ?

[@MalcolmDewey]

Right out the tube. If for some reason the paint is not soft then a few drops linseed oil. So paint choice is important. Some brands are perfect out the tube. Rembrandt, Maimeri, Van Gogh all good.

[@ritabykhovsky4175]

ФAs usual very important topic to know. Thank you very much.

[@MalcolmDewey]

Thank you Rita

[@mona2242]

Hi Malcolm, excuse me for asking another question. Suppose 3 artists are working on the exact same still life, for example a bouquet of flowers. Their styles might certainly be different from each other but not sure about their voice . How can their beliefs / feelings about flowers come across if they’re painting the same still life? Thank you!

[@MalcolmDewey]

Van Gogh's sunflowers are a good example. Compare his versions to another artists version. Why did he paint them such a bright all consuming yellow. His anxiety over Gauguin coming to live with him? Etc

[@marinashaduri7836]

Hi, Mona. A good question indeed. Let me share my thoughts on the subject. An artist's voice is not something abstract or separate from a person. When you and two other artists paint one and the same still scene (the subject might be your teacher's choice - not yours, right?), all the 3 paintings would be different. Why? Because the result would depend on many factors, such as your mood and emotional state on that day, your attitude towards the still life paintings (e.g. I am not its big fan), your love of particular colors, impasto or blending, your brushwork expressiveness, your experience, etc... But your inner voice would not be the most important factor if someone dictates you what and how to paint. Its intensity grows only if everything (including the subject) depends upon your own choice. Listen to your heart 😁!

[@mona2242]

@@MalcolmDeweySo are you referring to Van G’s colour alone? Aren’t brushstrokes his style? Thanks again for for taking the time. 😊

[@mona2242]

I always thought that an artist’s voice is his/ her message to the viewer ,ie.the artist’s belief regarding a certain issue. Example being one who is an environmentalist as opposed to consumerism etc… As far as style is concerned, I have been trying to use less impasto by painting more painterly but I get a high by using my palette knife and painting expressively. Can I employ both styles? Thanks 😊

[@MalcolmDewey]

Yes, voice comes down to a personal worldview. It can embrace many issues, topics etc over time. It can also include simple ideas like painting nature.

[@mona2242]

@@MalcolmDewey thanks