In this blog post we are going to discuss how to find your artistic style, and why doing so is important.
What is Artistic Style
Artistic style is a group of decisions that you make during the art creation process. They include color, composition, brushstrokes, and any other elements that go into this creation.
When you combine these decisions together, you get a unique way of expression that only the artist can produce.
Why Finding Your Own Style is Important
Since artistic style is the unique way an artist expresses themselves, it’s important to find who you are as an artist. If you don’t discover your own style you could feel lost on your art journey.
Keep in mind that your style will likely change over time. As you discover new artists and styles. Or you simply get bored with what you’ve been doing with your artwork and try new things.
And that’s ok. Having your own unique style doesn’t mean you’re stuck there. As artists, we’re always experimenting and exploring new ideas and techniques.
Exploring Different Art Styles
One of the easiest ways to find your artistic style is by exploring different art styles. This could be popular styles throughout history, or the styles of less popular artists in life or on social media.
The key is to pay attention to what catches your eye. If you find a particular work of art appealing or interesting, ask yourself why.
What about it grabs your attention? Is it the colors? The composition? Or maybe it’s the subject matter. What about it appeals to your visual senses?
Do you like abstract art, or realism? Maybe you like both. Do you like bold, bright colors? Or do you prefer darker or more neutral colors? All of these things will make a difference in the style of art you create, so pay close attention to them.
How to Find Your Artistic Voice
Finding your artistic voice involves experimenting with various techniques, subjects, and styles while staying true to personal preferences and emotions.
It’s a journey of self-discovery through creative exploration, allowing influences to inspire rather than dictate.
Reflection, perseverance, and a willingness to evolve contribute to honing and expressing a distinctive artistic voice over time.
What else can you bring into your art from your other interests, hobbies, or passions?
Values and core beliefs. What do you believe in?
You’ll discover your voice naturally over time if you practice and continue working on your artwork.
Developing Your Own Artistic Style
To develop your own style you’ll need to practice and try new things. Experiment with different techniques and styles.
Make a Pinterest board and save images you’re attracted to, or get them from Google or Instagram.
Your style will be a combination of those artists.
Copy their work. Don’t steal their work, copy it for practice. Just like with music. If you want to learn how to play the guitar, you’d practice playing the songs you like.
Things to pay attention to:
- Color
- Texture
- Shapes and forms
- Composition
- Medium/technique
Which of these do you like or dislike from each artist? How does the artist use the elements of art in their work?
To develop your own style, don’t copy everything from one artist. Instead copy just the element you like the most from each artist.
What direction do you want to take your artwork? Look at the art you collected and ask yourself if it’s something you’d actually want to do.
You can admire someone’s work and not be inspired to practice it. And that’s ok.
Techniques for Expressing Your Style
Here are a few tips that can help you express your own style.
List out your goals, make a curriculum for yourself. Set goals and make a plan with a specific timeline.
This isn’t something that you do and check off your list. It’s an ongoing process that will change over time.
But you do need to know where you want your art journey to take you.
You may want to become a professional artist, or maybe a hobby artist is all you ever want to be. Both are perfectly fine. But they both have a very different path from beginning to end.
Once you’ve figured out where you want to end up, the only thing left to do is…
Practice, practice, practice.
What media do you like or want to try? How about themes or subject matter? What do you like? What do you hate?
Keep these things in mind when you’re deciding what to practice.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the biggest challenges an artist faces is comparison. Especially when admiring the work of others.
But this can be overcome by focusing on your own growth and keeping in mind they’ve been doing it a lot longer. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.
You can overcome any challenge with perseverance and consistency. Don’t give up and remember to enjoy the process.
Conclusion
Hopefully you feel empowered to take control of your art journey and start working to find your artistic style. Don’t forget to have some fun along the way. Afterall, most of us like creating art because it’s fun.
If you’re interested in a curriculum that’s already been designed for self-taught artists, check out the Your Artistic Journey course. It will take you step by step towards your art goals.
More Art Tutorials
- What is Art for Art’s Sake, and Why Does it Matter?
- How to Shade with Pencil
- Creativity Exercises for Artists
- Graffiti Drawing Challenge for Beginners
- How to Draw Anything 3D
