As an Artist you develop style as you're ability increases.There are many different styles but we do not choose them.The way we paint determines style very much and the way we paint,the manner of approach is often limited by our Techniques of applying paint to canvas.

Knowledge of How we Work

knowledge of how to apply paint is important to the quality of our finished work and it's ability to stand the test of time. We are lucky that we have the trials and errors of centuries of Artists work to rely on to ensure that we choose correct techniques during the working process.Developing the correct techniques and applying them properly can become a good habit that leads to real knowledge.

Types of Techniques

Today there are basically two types of technique used in painting in oils that are common. The direct technique of applying the paint "Alla Prima" where the paint is brushed on thickly and normally a painting is completed in one session. Thick layers of paint that are often quickly applied to build up a strong but loose composition that can be very expressive with heavy opaque colours laying across each other.
The other method is more painstaking but worth while for its results. The technique of Glazing layers of paint over each successive layer.Each layer is transparent and therefore requires drying time before the next layer is painted on top. The results are often a quality of depth in the colours that cannot be achieved through "alla Prima".

"Alla Prima"

Alla Prima Technique is often the chosen technique of Landscape painters. Allowing them to work rapidly and create wonderfully powerful but loose studies of their subjects in one session.
The results are often fresher and more expressive than carefully planned works done in the studio. You must be able to apply the paint quickly when you work with the direct approach. This is something that you will develop in time as you you understand how one colour over another will react to light and what it will probably look like when dry.
With this method it is better to use linseed oil which is stable and the naturally fastest drying oil for painting. Other oils are too stiff or will leave you with an unexpected effect after drying if you don't know their qualities.

Glazing Technique

Glazing with oil colours is the sort of work best done in the studio. The process is longer than the above technique and requires more planning and thought.Drawing is necessary. detailed sketch work will give you a strong frame work to work with throughout the painting process as the drawing will be fairly visible throughout the working time. The drawing should then be painted over with a sable brush or ink pen for stability. After drying the deepest shadow tones are painted in using natural Umber Brown Earth which dries quickly and will dry flat and even - don't mix any white paint into it, just pure colour thinned with turpentine. The shadow work should be worked up like shading in a drawing, so that the end result at this stage is a monochrome finish. When it is dry you can begin laying in thin glazes of colour which are mixed with a Dammar varnish solution, part linseed part turpentine.
The process usually takes several weeks or even months because the layers should be completely dry before the next layer is applied. Tha's why it's not suitable for working out doors on location.
With this process beautiful effects can be achieved that cannot be found in other techniques of painting. The quality of depth and reflective colour tones are unique in appearance.
Rembrandt and others used this technique effectively on impasto or direct paintings to create depth in shadows or call attention to certain parts of a painting.

The key to all painting technique is practice. Continue to practice, experiment and mix up ideas but don't try and break the rules until you know how far they can bend.Good luck.