All artists have their own distinctive art style, from the grand masters of Western painting to modern digital artists. Finding your own art style, however, can take some experimentation and practice. In this article, we will help you on your journey to discovering, refining and eventually mastering your art style.
1. Examine What Inspires You
The first thing you should do when searching for an art style is to look inward and think about the kinds of things that make you happiest and most excited. Maybe you appreciate the natural beauty of a landscape, or are a fan of manga and anime. Regardless of the type of artwork, take some time to take note of what draws your eye.
The genres, artists and works can later help you refine your art style as they all have their own unique elements. Once you have identified a few works that you particularly appreciate, you can use them as a starting point to finding your own art style.
When looking at other art, think about what elements in it you would want to keep in your own pieces. Consider experimenting with different techniques and subject matter to find out which elements suit your artwork best.
2. Experiment and Play
It’s important to experiment with various techniques and materials when searching for an art style. You can learn a lot from simply playing and trying new things.
For example, try painting with different kinds of brushes or using various paints and mediums. Experimenting with different materials and techniques will help you discover the art style that truly suits your taste. When experimenting, don’t be afraid of trying something new or making mistakes.
You should instead embrace the exploration process and try different things without worrying about the outcome. Treat each artwork as if it were an exploration and not an attempt to achieve a perfect piece.
During this exploration phase, it’s best to leave your ego aside and accept that you won’t always create your best piece.
3. Refine Your Art Style
Once you’ve experimented and played with different art styles, gradually start refining your art style. It may take some time to develop a signature style, but it pays off in the end.
As you experiment, look for patterns and trends in your work. See which techniques work best and which elements characterized your art. To refine your style, start thinking about what makes each of your artworks unique, or which elements recur in your artwork.
Try to be consistent in your use of texture, colour, and line quality for example. Limiting yourself to certain artistic rules and conventions can help you refine your style.
4. Practice and Teach
To further develop your art style, it helps to practice regularly and even teach others. It’s helpful to practice your art style whenever you can, even if it means taking a few minutes a day to draw or paint.
Having a routine will help you become more proficient in the technique you choose. In addition to practice, teaching others about your art style and technique can help develop your style even further. Teaching gives you a better understanding of your own style and helps you refine your skills.
Exposing your art style to others can also help you identify further goals for improvement.
5. Compare Your Art to Others
Comparing your art completed to the work of other artists is an important part of understanding your art style and what sets it apart. Notice the different techniques, mediums, or materials used by other artists and compare those to yours.
Explore other techniques and how they look in the work of other artists. Once you’ve done this, try incorporating elements that you appreciate in other artworks into your own. By analyzing and comparing the characteristics of different artists’ styles, you can better refine your own art style.
6. Create Mood Boards
Creating mood boards is a great way to get inspiration and to figure out what look you want to go for in your own artwork. Mood boards are visual collections of images, color swatches, drawings and words that can help you collect your thoughts about the look of your art.
Start by collecting images of artworks that catch your eye and which are related to your art style. Once you have collected around 10-20 images, it’s time to start creating the mood boards. Look through the images and decide which themes, colors and styles you would like to explore, or incorporate into your own work.
You can also create multiple mood boards, each focusing on a different art style or theme.
7. Ask for Feedback
Once you’ve reached a certain point in your exploration, it’s a good idea to get another pair of eyes on your art. Ask some fellow artists to look through your portfolio and provide you with their honest feedback.
They may be able to identify patterns within your work and can bring a different perspective to the table. If you receive feedback that you disagree with, don’t be discouraged. Take what they say into account but don’t let that define you.
Everyone has their own opinions and art style, and it’s important to stay true to what you believe in. However, constructive criticism can also be an important source of inspiration to help you refine your art.
8. Pay Attention to Detail
Creating an attractive art style means paying attention to detail. A good art style can be easily identified by its details, from the line quality and colors used to the amount of contrast.
Learn to pay attention to details like these and incorporate them into your work in order to give it a certain overall look and feel.
9. Take Criticism in Stride
The best way to stay true to your own art style is to take criticism in stride, especially when it comes from people who know and appreciate art more than you. Don’t take criticism too personally but instead think of it as a starting point for improvement. Try to keep in mind the opinion of the person who provided the criticism and do your own research on how to incorporate it.
10. Know When to Take Breaks
Inevitably, you might come to a point where you feel disconnected from your own art style. This doesn’t mean that you have lost your art style forever.
When this happens, it might be a good idea to take a break and reflect on why you started creating art in the first place. Taking breaks from the artistic process can help you clear your head and open yourself up to new ideas.
11. Draw Inspiration From Life
Your own everyday experience and its beauty can also help you define your art style. Notice the colors and shapes of nature, take walks with a camera to record beautiful moments, or keep a sketchbook with you to practice drawing and painting objects and scenes.
Drawing inspiration from everyday life can give you ideas for your art style, and it’s a good way to get to know yourself and your surroundings even better.
12. Take Art Classes
Taking art classes is another great way to improve your art style and refine your technique. For example, if you’re a digital artist, take modern art classes to learn more about digital painting techniques. Taking lessons in a particular field can give you the knowledge and confidence you need to make informed decisions about the direction of your artwork.
13. Stick to What You Love
When creating your art style, it’s important to create art that you love. Art is a medium of expression, and it’s important that whatever you create appeals to you.
Don’t be tempted to copy trends or styles in order to keep up with what’s popular—stick to what you like and what resonates with you. Conclusion: Finding your own art style is an ongoing process and can take some trial and error. However, if you take your time, experiment with different techniques and materials, seek feedback and draw inspiration from life, you will be able to find a style that suits you.
Remember to create art that you love and that reflects your own opinion and emotions.