The Art of Self-Expression: Finding Your Artistic Style
Just having a go. Go on. Have fun.
What is an Artistic Style?
Well, first, hello, welcome back to the blog, a section where I share all sorts of thoughts, processes and ideas that helped me when I started to take my art more seriously. Next to the actual process of picking up a pencil or paintbrush, knowing how to develop your style is the second biggest step…
An artistic style is simply a way of creating art that is your own. It will help distinguish between your work and others, combining techniques, influences, and can be anything from hyper-realistic to abstract, monochromatic to punchy colours.
Why is it Important to find your Artistic style?
For myself, there are a few reasons that spring to mind. One, as stated above, it helps you stick out from the rest. Two, the more unique your style, the more people will remember you, it will stick in their mind like a song from the radio. Three, when it is your own you will be able communicate the ideas better, what it made you feel, why did you react in this way. That in turn will help you express yourself, being confident to talk about your work to peers and prospective clients.
How to explore different art styles?
The best way to find your artistic style I have found, is to be a sponge and experiment, here are a few tips:
Look at other artists work. This is one of the easiest parts, yet one of the most frustrating as you can loose a lot of time lost in a dreaded type of doom-scroll . Find artists and styles that resonate with you. Personally I use Pinterest and Instagram, but you can really find things anywhere. Be careful of any art style trends, do not chase, but make art for you.
Make loads of Art. Experiment with anything! Try different techniques. Different mediums. Oils, Acrylics, Watercolour, Airbushing, using Spray Cans, mix and match, use more than one. Make space in an office or room at home. Find subject(s) you love. Is it cats, or lizards, barges or boats, mountains or sunsets. Set some time aside and have fun!
Trust the Process
This is one to pin to your forehead. Remember this every time you approach a project. Finding your artistic voice, as with anything in life, is a journey. It’s self-discovery and with that you need some patience, it takes time, it takes practice, allow yourself to make ‘mistakes’, even be proud of them. Then spend some time reflecting on what you have made. Write down what you like, was it the composition, the colours, the technique or the paper/canvas you created on? Its part of the process and none of it needs to be difficult. The more time you dedicate to your craft, the more your style will emerge.
Oh and be comfortable with work clothes you work in - that is very important!
Define your Style
By now, you should be looking at a broad range of work. Here are some tips I have used to narrow the style down.
Reflect. Are there any common elements that have stood out? Are there any Themes? Any colours that you are drawn to? Maybe its how the marks are made? Do you prefer heavy palette knife marks, or careful, detailed marks with a pencil?
Connect. Share your work with trusted friends, family, artists and communities. Other perspectives on what they see can provide valuable insight into something you may not have noticed. Asking for honest feedback should not dictate how you proceed though, it should sit alongside with how you wish to develop as an artist.
Influences and Inspiration. Analyzing techniques, subjects and composition from other artists is a great way to understand why it interests you and how you can incorporate this into your art. By using platforms such as Artsy, ArtStation and more. Your inspiration does not need to be only artists, but they can be Photographers, Fashion Designers, Interior Designers or Illustrators.
Refine. Be genuine with your approach, do not copy from others, be consistent in creating art and practice what you have learnt. Experiment with new ideas. Always carry a notepad and pen for those random ‘eureka’ moments on the commute or in the middle of a forest walk! Embrace what you have developed, be happy with it, it should feel good. You should feel like a kid in a candy shop. I know I do, even now! And remember to take risks, there are no ‘mistakes’ in making your art.
Enjoy!
Allow yourself to enjoy what you are doing, remind yourself why you are doing it! Personally, it was a way to continue creating without having to rely on a computer. Don’t get caught up on what you think others want to see. Create what you love and in the way you love it. Not every artist needs to be painting in ‘Oils’ either, as ‘that’s what the masters used’, I started with charcoal, pencil, watercolour and then acrylics. I now use anything from Oil Paints to Acrylics through an airbrush. I find the more I experiment the more fun I have. This will show 1000 times better than trying to please everyone.
We all start somewhere!
I use a gallery to help define my personal style. Knowing that I enjoy broad, expressive marks with not only Oils but also Pastel Chalks with wide range of colour keeps me true. You’ll see a lot of Hue, Tints and Tone. This took some time to find, develop and be happy with, but by following the above these tips will keep you in good stead.
Last but not least
With all that being said, by exploring with different styles, techniques and materials, alongside finding what inspires you and what subjects/themes you want to create, you will be embarking on a journey of discovery, a distinct style that sets you apart. Embrace it, let that artistic voice shine though.
Last tip! Do not compare yourself to others. You will naturally research artists you admire and may feel the ‘need to catch up’ or that ‘I’ll never be as good as…’. Everyone likes something different. I found this out the hard way.
If you have any questions, or would like to chat about how to start, just send me a message below or you can always contact me on my socials. I’m more than happy to connect! Lets be more social!
