Expressive brush strokes

Jennifer Brandon on Instagram: "Contrary to popular belief, I believe it’s important to actually SLOW DOWN to make deliberate brush strokes, to achieve a LOOSE & EXPRESSIVE looking painting. By slowing down, you make fewer mistakes, and need to make fewer corrections—leaving your brush work more fresh and less belabored. Want more painting tips? Comment “painting guide!” And I’ll send you my free painting guide about painting loose and expressively."

A large black abstract brush stroke with a few splatters of paint.

Jennifer Brandon on Instagram: "If your goal is to paint expressive portraits that aren’t stiff or muddy, then you need to stop overworking them—BUT HOW?! SLOW DOWN. And be PURPOSEFUL about each color mixture, and brushstroke. This one simple change in your painting method can save you hours or frustration, and put you on track for creating a loose and expressive painting. Stop trying to paint FAST, and instead SLOW DOWN, and be very deliberate with each brush stroke. Mix your color fully on…

A large black brush stroke, like a wave, is painted across a white background. The brushstrokes are thick and expressive, creating a sense of movement and energy. The black ink is slightly textured and slightly fades at the edges, creating a soft, organic feel. Tiny black dots are scattered around the stroke. The image is minimalist and abstract, emphasizing the beauty of the brushstroke itself.

Greek artist Nikos Gyftakis created this wonderful series of swirling self-portraits between 2004-2005. The works are made with oil pastels on canvas and are actually quite large, with a few of the pieces taller than 5′ (1.5m). You can see many more from this series and more of his recent work in his work gallery. More

Learn how to use expressive brushstrokes in your acylic paintings by concentrating on basic shapes of value and color.