What are the Types of Painting Styles? 27 Types

Painting is often seen as just a creative hobby, but it’s so much more than that. Its history, styles, and impact go far deeper. It has been shaping and reflecting human culture for thousands of years. From ancient cave walls to modern digital tools, painting has told the stories of who we are and how we see the world.

Without understanding this incredible journey, we lose the chance to see how painting has influenced everything from history and culture to the way we think about creativity today. Think of the Egyptian murals that preserved ancient beliefs, Renaissance masterpieces that changed how we see the human form, and bold modern styles like Pop Art that turned everyday life into something extraordinary.

However, remember - the art is supposed to make you feel something. Even though paintings do have stories behind them, you can just make up your own story! Art is beautiful and you don't have to understand everything about it to appreciate it.

"Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love." - says Claude Monet.

Here, we'll see how the evolution of paintings, from cave paintings to today. You'll understand how artists like da Vinci and Van Gogh broke boundaries, why Impressionist paintings look so unique, and how digital tools are pushing art into the future.

Different painting styles have emerged over time, each with unique techniques and beauty. The most common types of painting styles include Cave Art, Egyptian Painting, Roman and Greek Painting, Renaissance Art, Baroque Painting, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Art Nouveau, Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract Art, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Post-Modernism, Sci-Fi Art, Symbolism, Futurism, Photorealism, Painterly, Trompe-l'œil, Chinese Painting.

Ancient and Classical Painting Styles

Ancient and classical painting styles mark the beginning of humanity's journey into artistic expression. These works often reflected religious, cultural, and societal themes. These early artworks served both functional and aesthetic purposes, often depicting myths, gods, daily life, and the natural world.

Cave Art

Cave art, dating back to around 40,000 years ago, is the earliest known form of painting. These were found in sites like Lascaux (France), Altamira (Spain), and Chauvet Cave. Cave artworks predominantly portray animals such as bison, horses, and mammoths, often using pigments like ochre and charcoal.

Egyptian Painting

Ancient Egyptian art flourished around 3000 BCE and featured highly stylized depictions of gods, pharaohs, and everyday scenes.

Roman and Greek Painting

Roman and Greek painting represented significant advancements in technique and realism. Greek art (circa 800 BCE) emphasized human form and movement, with vase paintings depicting myths and everyday life. Roman art (circa 500 BCE) incorporated frescoes and mosaics and created detailed and lifelike scenes on walls and floors.

Renaissance Art

Renaissance art is a combination of realism, humanism, individualism, and expression. This art emerged during the Renaissance period, between 1400 - 1600, when there were great social and cultural changes in Europe. Renaissance art usually has religious subjects, mythological subjects, or real portraits of humans.

The art also uses light and shadow techniques, known as chiaroscuro (a light and shadow technique to add depth and contrast), to add depth and drama to the paintings. The famous painting “Mona Lisa” is the perfect example of Renaissance art. It features expressions, realism, and humanism. Famous artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo contributed a lot to Renaissance art. 

Baroque Painting

The Baroque period (late 16th to early 18th centuries) brought dramatic expression, grandeur, and movement to art. It emerged in Europe, particularly Italy. Baroque painting was tied to the Counter-Reformation. It aimed to inspire emotional and spiritual connection. Artists used techniques like chiaroscuro (light and shadow) and vibrant color palettes to create dynamic, action-filled compositions that captivated viewers.

Notable Baroque painters include Caravaggio, known for his dramatic realism in works like The Calling of Saint Matthew. Also, Peter Paul Rubens, whose vibrant style is seen in The Battle of the Amazons. Rembrandt van Rijn added emotional depth with pieces like The Night Watch, while Artemisia Gentileschi painted powerful biblical scenes, such as Judith Slaying Holofernes.

Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism emerged in the mid-18th century as a reaction against the ornate Rococo style. Painters drawed inspiration from the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. This movement emphasized moral virtue, civic duty, and heroism through its classical themes. Neoclassical paintings had clean lines, smooth brushwork, and balanced compositions. They reflected the harmony and restraint of classical art. Artists often used muted color palettes to focus attention on the narrative and composition.

Leading figures in Neoclassical painting included Jacques-Louis David, whose Oath of the Horatii epitomized the ideals of sacrifice and patriotism. Another todable person was Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, known for his precise draftsmanship in works like Grande Odalisque. Angelica Kauffman, one of the few prominent female artists of the era, created notable works such as Ariadne Abandoned. Neoclassicism’s emphasis on simplicity, harmony, and proportion had a lasting impact on Western art, architecture, and culture, promoting a revival of classical principles.

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Romanticism

Romanticism is an artistic movement from the late 18th century, and lasting through the 19th century. The term romanticism was not all about love and affection back then. Instead, romanticism in the painting style focused on emotions, imagination, nature, and individualism.

Romanticism artists used vibrant colors and dramatic contrasts to portray the feelings, emotions, and moods of their subjects. Romantic paintings may also feature themes of love, heroism, and the supernatural. Some of the best romanticism artists are Eugène Delacroix, William Blake, and J.M.W. Turner.

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Realism

Realism was an art movement that began in France in the 1840s. It focused on showing everyday life as it truly was, without exaggeration or romanticizing. Realist artists painted ordinary people, such as workers and farmers, and simple scenes from daily life. Their goal was to make their art truthful and lifelike. They payed close attention to details. Unlike Romanticism, which often idealized the world, Realism showed the struggles and realities of life, especially for the working and middle classes.

Famous Realist artists include Gustave Courbet, whose painting The Stone Breakers showed laborers working hard, and Jean-François Millet, who painted rural life in works like The Gleaners. Honoré Daumier used his art to highlight social issues, as in Third-Class Carriage, which depicted the lives of poorer people traveling by train. Realism was important because it brought attention to real-world issues and inspired future artists to focus on truth and everyday life in their work.

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Impressionism

Impressionism is the art of portraying the effects of light and atmosphere using thin visible brushstrokes and vibrant colors. It was introduced in the late 19th century around 1860 -1880 in France. The founding artists of Impressionism include Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

This style focuses on painting everyday scenes, including urban and outdoor landscapes. Impressionism paintings lack contour and look unfinished. They just appear as a set of spots if looked closely. However, you need to move a few steps away from the paintings to see their beauty and understand the visuals. 

Post Impressionism

Post-Impressionism is a painting style that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (1880 - 1910), following Impressionism. Post-impressionism paintings go beyond the naturalistic approach of Impressionism. They focus more on expressing ideas and feelings instead of just capturing what the eyes see. The key artists connected to this style are Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Paul Cézanne.

Post-impressionism paintings have bold colors, unique brushwork, and unusual perspectives to convey emotions. These paintings never have an evident meaning, and the viewers have to understand and realize the actual interpretation.

Art Nouveau Circa

Art Nouveau is a decorative painting style known for its elegance and sophistication. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (1890 - 1910) and still lives in the modern world. Art Nouveau paintings are known for their flowing lines and complex patterns. They often portray stylized plants, flowers, and feminine figures.

The artists who contributed the most to the Art Nouveau style are Gustav Klimt, Aubrey Beardsley, and Alphonse Mucha. They took inspiration from real objects and turned them into stunning motifs. Are Nouveau was used for various purposes, including interior designing, posters, architecture, and illustrations. 

Cubism

Cubism is a visual arts style that brought revolution to the world of painting. It emerged in the early 20th century, around 1907-1914 and the key artists associated with this style are Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.

Pablo Picasso was known as the father of Cubism. Cubism paintings usually have a muted color palette, overlapping planes, and fragmented shapes. The painting style portrays subjects from multiple viewpoints, breaking them into geometric shapes and forms. 

Expressionism

Expressionism was an art movement that began in Germany in the early 20th century. Unlike styles that aimed to depict the physical world accurately, Expressionism focused on representing emotional experiences. Artists used bold colors, distorted shapes, and exaggerated lines to convey deep feelings and moods. This approach allowed them to express personal reactions to the anxieties and alienation of modern life.

Two notable groups within this movement were Die Brücke (The Bridge) and Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider). Die Brücke, formed in Dresden in 1905, sought to create a bridge between traditional art and modern expression. Der Blaue Reiter, established in Munich in 1911, emphasized spiritual expression through art. Prominent Expressionist artists include Edvard Munch, known for The Scream, and Wassily Kandinsky, whose abstract works aimed to evoke emotional responses. Expressionism significantly influenced various art forms, including painting, literature, theatre, and architecture, leaving a lasting impact on the development of modern art.

Fauvism

Fauvism is a contemporary painting style that emerged in the early 20th century, around 1905 - 1907. This style was named after the French word fauves (wild beasts). It was characterized by its bold use of color, simplified forms, and expressive brushwork. The Fauves rejected realism and the subdued palettes of earlier art styles, instead embracing vibrant and non-naturalistic colors to evoke emotions and energy.

Fauvist paintings often portrayed everyday subjects such as landscapes, portraits, and interiors but transformed them into emotionally charged compositions. Though short-lived, Fauvism left a lasting impact on modern art. Artists like Raoul Dufy, Henri Matisse, and André Derain are the magicians behind some famous fauvism paintings.

Surrealism

Surrealism is a painting style that portrays the subconscious mind and dreams. The style emerged in the 20th century, 1920. Surrealism paintings often feature symbolic elements, unexpected juxtapositions, and allusions.

The artists who nailed the art of surrealism were Salvador Dalíi, Max Ernst, and René Magritte. These artists created fantastic dreamlike images with a combination of fantasy and reality. It is known that Salvador Dalíi used to paint right after waking up to give a surreal touch to his artwork.

Abstract Art Style

Abstract art is a painting style that does not portray objects or scenes from the real world. It was introduced around the 1910s and 1920s when artists were moving away from realistic paintings. Instead, they started focusing on expressing emotions and ideas through colors.

Abstract paintings usually feature lines, forms, and geometrical shapes. There is no hidden meaning, emotions, or expressions behind abstract paintings. Some of the best abstract artists are Kazimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky, and Piet Mondrian. 

Abstract Expressionism

Abstract expressionism is a painting style that encourages people to understand the feel of the artist and the artwork instead of the actual image. This style is all about conveying emotions and energy with the use of color, form, and texture.

Abstract expressionism paintings may feature bold brushwork, drips, and splatters too. The style took birth in New York in the 1940s by a group of artists, including Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, Lee Kranser, and William de Kooning. Their paintings were raw and dirty, but deep and expressive. 

Pop Art

Pop art, also known as modern art, emerged in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of the famous pop art artists include Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Richard Hamilton. This painting style celebrates popular culture and everyday objects. Artists draw inspiration from comic books, magazines, newspapers, and consumer goods too.

The pop art movement believed that artists could take ideas from any source available. Pop art paintings feature bright colors, catchy designs and forms, and recognizable images from popular objects. The objects can be celebrities, fictional characters, and even hamburgers. 

Minimalism

Minimalism is a modern painting style that focuses on simplistic abstract art. The concept was introduced in the 1960s and is still widely used in contemporary home decor. Minimalist paintings feature clear lines, blocks, geometrical shapes, and a limited color palette.

They lack meaning, details, narratives, and reality. Instead, minimalist art persuades viewers only to see and appreciate what’s in front of their eyes. Some of the best minimalist artists are Agnes Martin, Dan Flavin, and Frank Stella. 

Post Modernism

Postmodernism is a style of painting that changed the traditional rules and ideas of art. Instead, artists mix different styles and often use technology in post-modernism art. The paintings can be a bit confusing because they include elements of historical events and popular culture. 

Postmodernism art has no clear or fixed meaning. The style came out in the late 20th century, around the 1970s and 1980s. Some of the famous artists associated with postmodernism art are Cindy Sherman, David Salle, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. 

Sci-Fi Art

Sci-fi art, short for science fiction art, is a painting style that focuses on futuristic and imaginative concepts. It gained popularity during the 20th century and continues to fascinate the world today. Sci-fi artists take inspiration from science fiction films, literature, and technology. This painting style can feature bold colors, complex details, and dynamic compositions.

Sci-fi art can explore various themes, including space travel, artificial intelligence, aliens, robots, and parallel universes. There are plenty of sci-fi artists, but the founding fathers are Chris Moore, Jim Burns, and H. R. Giger. 

Symbolism

Symbolism is a painting style that uses symbols and metaphors to convey deeper meanings and emotions. This artistic movement was introduced in the late 19th century, particularly in the 1880s. Some famous symbolism artists are Gustav Klimt, Mikhail Vrubel, Frida Kahlo, and Edvard Munch.

Symbolism goes beyond lines, shapes, and patterns. Instead, symbolist paintings often feature elements of fantasy and dreams, including mysterious figures and hidden hints and messages. The main themes of symbolic art are grief, mortality, and evil. 

Futurism

As the name tells, the futurism painting style focuses on the future and modern life and technology. Futurism emerged particularly in 1909 with a goal to portray the vibrant visions of the future. Many artists predicted the use of automobiles and machinery in their futuristic art. 

You can see depictions of modern airplanes and vehicles in old futuristic art. Artists experimented with bold colors, abstract shapes, and bold lines in futuristic art. The most famous futuristic artists in the world are Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà, and Giacomo Balla. 

Photorealism

Photorealism is a style where paintings look as real as a photograph. This painting style became famous in the 1960s and still rules the art world. Photorealism art features sharp focus, intricate details, and high levels of technical skills. The main goal of photorealism was to recreate photographs in the form of paintings, but accurately.

Artists used to take inspiration from real photographs and recreate them with colors and brushwork. The founding figure of photorealism is Richard Estes. Other famous photorealism artists include Chuck Close, Gottfried Helnwein, and Audrey Flack.

Painterly

The Painterly style features visible brushstrokes, texture, and the qualities of the paint itself. This painting style became prominent during the 17th century through great artists like Velázquez and Rembrandt.

Painterly art does not focus on smooth surfaces and precise details. Instead, painterly artists use thick layers of paint, allowing colors to blend and interact on the canvas. Famous artists like Edvard Munch, Vincent van Gogh, and Pierre Bonnard were huge fans of the Painterly art. 

Trompe-l'œil

Trompe-l'œil, French for "deceive the eye," is an art technique that creates the illusion of three-dimensional objects on a flat surface. By skillfully manipulating perspective, light, and shadow, artists make painted elements appear real, often causing viewers to momentarily mistake the artwork for reality. This technique has roots in ancient Greece and Rome, where artists like Zeuxis were famed for painting so realistically that, according to legend, birds attempted to eat his painted grapes.

Trompe-l'œil gained prominence during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with artists such as Andrea Mantegna and Antonio da Correggio creating ceiling frescoes that opened up illusory spaces above viewers.

In the 17th century, Flemish painter Cornelis Norbertus Gijsbrechts became known for his trompe-l'œil works, including The Reverse of a Framed Painting, which convincingly depicts the back of a canvas.In contemporary art, trompe-l'œil continues to captivate, with street artists like Edgar Müller and Julian Beever creating pavement illusions that appear three-dimensional.

Chinese Painting

Chinese painting is one of the oldest artistic traditions in the world, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It was rooted in traditional philosophies such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. These paintings focused on harmony, balance, and the relationship between humans and nature. Unlike Western art, which often focuses on realism and perspective, Chinese painting prioritizes the expression of spirit and emotion over physical likeness.

Traditional Chinese painting is created using ink and natural pigments on materials like silk or rice paper. Artists employ distinctive brushstrokes to depict a variety of subjects, including landscapes (shan shui), flowers and birds, and human figures. Some famous Chinese artists include Gu Kaizhi, Zhou Fang, and Han Huang.

What are the Types of Painting Subjects?

The types of painting subjects are history painting, portrait art, genre painting, landscape painting, and still life painting. 

The five main types of painting subjects are listed below:

What is History Painting?

History painting refers to artwork that portrays historical, mythological, or religious events. The main goal of history painting is to tell stories of a specific event or time. These paintings feature dramatic scenes, heroic figures, and grand compositions. Historic art was also used for educational purposes in the past. 

What is Portrait Art?

Portrait art is one of the most common types of painting. It portrays individuals and captures their personalities and emotions. Portraits can be of anyone, including ordinary people, historical figures, and famous personalities. These paintings mainly focus on facial features, gestures, and expressions. Portrait artists also use light and shadows to create depth and realism in their paintings. 

What is Genre Painting?

Genre painting portrays scenes from everyday life, particularly of ordinary people performing their daily activities. These paintings are depicted in a realistic manner for viewers to feel the scene. The main elements of genre painting include attention to detail, storytelling, and portrayal of human interactions and emotions.  

What is Landscape Painting?

Landscape paintings refer to artwork portraying natural scenery like mountains, rivers, and forests. It is a well-known type of painting, mainly used in interior design. Landscape artists capture the beauty of the natural world, weather, light, and atmosphere.

They also experiment with different color combinations to achieve the required mood. Landscape art usually has elements of calmness, sorrow, or serenity. 

What is Still Life Painting?

Still-life painting refers to the portrayal of lifeless objects. Any object that is “still” and can not move is the subject of still-life painting. Artists can explore different colors, forms, and textures to paint flowers, fruits, or other household items.

Still-life paintings can also contain symbolic elements for viewers to understand deeper meanings. This painting type requires careful observation and attention to detail to recreate the subjects. 

What are the Types of Painting Mediums?

The types of painting mediums are oil painting, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, color pencil painting, charcoal painting, black pencil painting, gouache painting, pastel painting, encaustic painting, fresco painting, spray paint painting, and digital painting. 

The most common types of painting mediums are listed below:

What is Oil Painting?

Oil painting refers to using pigments made in oils, mostly linseed oil. This painting medium was introduced in the late 15th century and is still used widely by artists. Oil paints are versatile in terms of blending colors, creating textures, and achieving a rich and glossy finish. Though oil paintings have a slow drying time, they are excellent for artists who like to constantly modify their paintings. 

What is Watercolor Painting?

Watercolor paintings refer to creating artwork with pigments dissolved in water. This painting medium is known for its transparency and simplicity. Though watercolors are popular, they can be very tricky to work with. Unlike oil paintings, you can not make changes to watercolor paintings once they are done. They require careful planning because corrections are not possible once the paint is dry. 

What is Acrylic Painting?

Acrylic paints are pigments with acrylic polymer emulsion. They dry quickly, are water-resistant, and give a good blending of colors. Acrylic paintings can have a wide range of textures and finishes, including smooth, glossy, and thick. However, since acrylics dry faster, they don’t give the margin to make corrections in your artwork. 

What is Color Pencil Painting?

Color pencil painting involves using colored pencils to create detailed and vibrant artwork. It is a modern painting medium but gives limitless options when it comes to art. It offers precise control over color and texture to create complex designs and fine details. Color pencil paintings usually have a matte finish and can resemble traditional paintings or drawings. You can also easily rectify your colored pencil paintings with erasers. 

What is Charcoal Painting?

Charcoal painting refers to using charcoal sticks or pencils to create bold and expressive drawings on paper. This medium is well-known for its deep and dramatic contrasts. Some of the most famous monochromatic paintings in history were created using this medium. Artists can also easily smudge or blend charcoal paintings to create atmospheric effects. 

What is Black Pencil Painting?

Like charcoal painting, black pencil paintings also involve using graphite or charcoal pencils to create monochromatic artwork. This painting medium offers versatility in shading, blending, and detailing. Black pencil painting also allows artists to achieve a wide range of effects, including subtle gradients and bold contrasts. 

What is Gouache Painting?

Gouache painting is similar to watercolors but uses opaque water-based paints. It offers better coverage compared to watercolor and allows one to achieve more bold and saturated colors. Gouache paintings look realistic, energetic, and have a matte finish. You can reactivate the paint with water even after drying. 

What is Pastel Painting? 

Pastel painting refers to using dry pastel sticks or pencils to create soft and velvety textures on paper. This medium offers vibrant colors and easy blending to create expressive and atmospheric artwork. Pastel paintings have a delicate yet powdery finish. You will have to prevent pastel paintings from smudging by covering your artwork in a frame or wax paper. 

What is an Encaustic Painting?

Encaustic painting is a medium that uses hot beeswax mixed with pigments to create artwork. This painting medium offers depth and a luminous effect because of the transparency of the wax. You can create stunning encaustic paintings by pouring the mixture of hot wax and pigment onto the paper. However, you will need special brushes and tools to create texture and details. 

What is Fresco Painting?

Fresco is a painting technique that involves creating art on walls and ceilings. Fresco painting is known for its durability because the colors become a part of the plaster as they dry. Moreover, fresco paintings have a matte finish and can withstand various environmental and atmospheric conditions. You can use any type of pigment for fresco painting. 

What is Spray Paint Painting?

Spray paint painting uses aerosol spray cans to apply pigments on surfaces like canvas, paper, or walls. This medium is a quick and efficient way to create large-scale artwork with bold colors and graphic effects. Spray painting was introduced in the 1960s by artists to express emotions, thoughts, and messages to people. Spray painting is also very similar to graffiti art. 

What is Digital Painting?

Digital painting, also known as digital art, is a modern technique that refers to creating artwork using digital tools and software. Artists create digital art on graphic laptops or tablets. Digital painting offers endless possibilities for experimentation with colors, textures, and effects. You can also make unlimited corrections to your paintings. 

Final Words

We should embrace the changes in today's art. Art is a great way to convey emtions that we are feeling. Art is created by humans and the most beautiful thing about it that it has no bounds.

"I think that the art world has changed so much in my lifetime. When I started, it was a very small world, and now it's a very big world. And I think that the nature of art has changed with it." - says a contemporary conceptual artist, Michael Craig-Martin.

If you want to own a painting of your own, but aren't sure of your skills, see our custom paintings. Paintings are the best way to preserve memories for years to come. They become heirlooms and are a more tangible way to remember good old days!