Can I be more painterly ?

Most artists get to the stage of wanting their work to look more painterly, well I do and there is, of course, no 'magical' way to suddenly loosen up the way you work. Like everything else in painting it's a goal you have to work at, but one that is achievable through practice and persistence so here are some interesting tips I found to help you on your way to that loose and spontaneous style so many of us aspire to.

Tip 1. Use the 'wrong' hand:
If you're left-handed, put your brush in your right hand, and if you're right-handed, put it in your left. It'll feel awkward and you won't be able to paint as precisely as you can with your dominant hand. This lack of co-ordination also means that you can't get into that automatic paint mode where your brain says "I know what an apple [for example] looks like" and you paint an idealistic apple rather than the one in front of you.

Tip 2. Work in the dark:
Well, not complete darkness, but in reduced light where you can't see every last bit of detail. Try lighting a still-life with a strong lamp from one side (oblique light). Or if you can't change the light, squint your eyes so the lights and darks in your subject become stronger.

Tip 3. Leave stuff out: This works for me as I'm a 'minimal' artist anyway, preferring to tell a story with the least amount of detail I can get away with.
Our brains are quite adept at filling in missing details, so you needn't put down every single thing. Take a long hard look at your subject, trying to decide which are the essential bits. Put down these only, and then decide whether you want more detail or not. You'll be surprised at how little is necessary to capture the essence of something.

Tip 4. Don't paint outlines: This is a powerful tip to remember and can go a long way to helping you create the 'loose' look.
Objects are three-dimensional, they don't have outlines. If you're unsure about this, look at your body and see if you've got an outline or if you're 3-D. You do have an 'edge' when you look at e.g. your leg, but as you move, so this changes. Instead of drawing an outline (or painting one) and then filling it in, paint the object as a whole.

Tip 5. Let the paint drip:
Load your brush with lots of dripping color and let it run down the surface of your painting as you apply it to the 'right' place. Don't tidy up the drips. They add a fluidity.