Unlocking your Own Art Style 🎡🏯🗽
A Messy Pathway towards an Artistic Identity, by Kimberly Valadez
When it comes to the topic of “Art Style”, some creators will agree that its importance stems from the ability to stand out as a creator and from having workpieces that are reminiscent of yourself. Others, like myself, see its establishment as the proof of one’s growth as a creator. Where this discussion usually ends, though, is on the question: How can I find my Art Style?
With time, anyone can learn to draw, paint, write, film videos, dance, sing, etc., you name it; but art is more than simply studying anatomy, learning techniques, mastering computer programs, or increasing one’s physical capabilities. As Christine Nishiyama writes in her article “How to Develop Your Unique Artistic Style”, “There’s an important mental side to making art that deals with voice, style, originality, and authenticity.” 1
So, many of you may be wondering, “What is an Art Style?” In a nutshell, it’s what makes Twilight feel like Twilight. Your art style is your voice, what allows your art to feel like you and for your audience to recognize you from it. While you may find tutorials on almost any topic, there’s no tutorial on finding your voice because no one really knows the exact steps. Whereas some are convinced that imitating your favorite artists is the best way to develop your own art style, I believe that it’s a lot more complicated than this.
A quick note: this is, by no means, the sole way to find your art style. It might not even be the best, so feel free to create your own path.
First things first, I feel like it's important to begin by addressing the elephant in the room: originality, or more like the lack thereof. No artist is ever entirely original. We are constantly being influenced by the world around us, but this influence isn’t something inherently bad.
If you’re drawn to certain artists, take this as an opportunity to study why exactly you are drawn to them. Take, for instance, your favorite songs. Do you love the song, or do you love the lyrics? Do you love the rhythm, or do you love its specific musical combinations? Try out your favorite artists’ styles and/or techniques to see if it is something you like. Experimenting with these and more will allow you to have a greater sense of what fits with you. Do not try to force yourself to imitate other artists. When you embrace your own voice instead of forcing yourself to be another, you will be a lot happier and your voice will be truer to who you are as a creator.
Now, let’s shift our attention to our own artistic works, new and old. Pay close attention to which elements keep appearing in your projects. This will lead you to discover what makes your works reflect you as a creator. These may include overall styles, patterns, color palettes, subjects, and specific techniques.
Combining both of our findings with a lot of practice will often result in a new art style. Of course, the keyword here is practice. Art styles take a lot of time to develop and are unique to every person, so consistently practicing and staying true to yourself is key if you wish to see improvement. Let go of your own expectations and simply have fun. A precise vision will limit your perspective, and therefore, create blind spots.
One common misconception is that creators are limited to one art style. Different styles appeal to different mediums in many ways. There are some techniques, for example, that work better for dancing and not for singing. Factors like the pacing of breaths and aerobic fitness often go unnoticed when we are busy just doing what we love, and it's impossible to control all of them. In this situation, the importance of practice comes into a renewed light because even across different mediums your own voice will still shine through even if you can’t see it at first.
Remember, developing an art style is a great accomplishment but never a requirement. Just like how we are never restricted to being one person all the time, as creators, we should never feel like we are denied from doing something else. Art styles are simply the ultimate expression of your own voice as a creator and the starting point of its betterment. ✨