Introduction
Developing your artistic style takes time. There are no shortcuts, you have to put in the work, explore, make mistakes, experiment, and hone into what really speaks to you. This is one of the most important aspects of your artistic journey--and there are no shortcuts. Settle in, and embrace the process.
Having a style is what sets you apart from the crowd. It means that your creative work, whether it's in visual arts, writing, music, or any other medium, possesses distinctive and recognizable characteristics that set it apart from the work of others. Your artistic style is like a personal signature and may include elements such as:
Here are the top 10 tips for Developing your own Artistic Style 1. Embrace the Process:Enjoy and Appreciate every step of your artistic journey. Whether you're trying new techniques, making mistakes, or experimenting with different styles, understand that growth comes from the process itself, not just the end result. Embrace the process and learning experiences along the way. 2. Experiment Fearlessly:Don't be afraid to try new things with your art. Experimenting means stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring ideas that might seem unusual or challenging at first. It's about pushing boundaries and discovering what you're capable of as an artist. Don't be afraid to fail or make mistakes along the way. In fact, these missteps often lead to unexpected breakthroughs and discoveries. Each experiment serves as a stepping stone toward refining your artistic voice. By fearlessly experimenting with different styles, methods, and concepts, you give yourself the freedom to explore untapped creativity. This process allows for continuous growth and evolution as an artist.
You have to do the ugly work to get to the pretty work.” -Megan Wimberley
Recommended for you- Artist’s Guide to Gallery Representation 3. Study the Masters:Take the time to learn from artists who came before you. Look at their techniques, styles, and the messages they convey through their work. Studying the masters can inspire you, teach you new skills, and give you insights into the rich history of art. By studying the masters of your craft, you can gain valuable insights and inspiration that will help you carve out your unique voice and style. This knowledge can fuel our creativity as we strive to build upon what has been done before. So take the time to learn from the masters, parse out what you like and don’t like, what draws you in, and what you skip. Through observation, you can learn a lot about your own preferences and vision. 4. Difference between imitation and inspiration:Imitation involves replicating the work or style of others without adding your own originality or personal touch. It may stem from a desire to follow trends, emulate someone else's success, fear to be on your own journey, or trying to bypass the work. While this approach can provide temporary satisfaction, it ultimately hinders your growth as an artist; and depending on the level of imitation could pose copyright issues, and harm your reputation. On the other hand, inspiration fuels creativity. It serves as a driving force that motivates and influences you to create something completely original. Inspiration from another artist's work can come from one element of the work that sparks an idea or makes you want to try something new. Inspiration is not trying to replicate another artist's work, style, or vision. The key difference is that you take these influences and interpret them through your own unique lens, and you tell your own stories, with your own vision, and approach. For example, inspiration could be getting an idea to paint a series depicting childhood on farms and ranches after you visit a photography exhibition of children working in family shops.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” --Oscar Wilde
A note on “Master Copies”: Master copies are when an artist tries to reproduce the work of a master artist to learn from their techniques. This has a long history in art education and is not an uncommon practice. However, there can be copyright issues here, especially if you copy a living artist's work. If you do so without permission you are not legally allowed to sell, claim, or even exhibit this work (that includes on social media). It is for your practice and eyes only. Besides getting in legal trouble it could harm your reputation as well. 5. Stay True to Yourself:Maintain authenticity in your artistic endeavors. Express your unique perspectives, values, and experiences rather than conforming to trends or external expectations. Be authentic in your art. Your style should reflect who you are, how you view the world, and what you want to express. Don't feel pressured to conform to what's popular or trendy. Your art is most powerful when it comes from the heart and represents your true self. By embracing your vision in your work, you can create work that leaves a lasting impact and helps you connect with the right audience.
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6. Seek Feedback and Critique:Don't be afraid to let others see what you're trying out in your art, and see how it lands with them. Remember, both positive and negative feedback can help you improve your artistic style and techniques. Also keep in mind that not all feedback may align with your vision, so trust in yourself and make choices that resonate with who you are as an artist.
Artist Pro Tip: Finding the balance between being open to constructive feedback and knowing when it isn’t the right feedback for you can be very challenging. At CGA we’ve seen first-hand how much constructive feedback can push an artist to the next level, and we encourage artists to be open to incredible growth that can come from opening yourself up to feedback. On the other hand, it is good to know when feedback just isn’t for you. Everyone has their own opinions and that is okay. If you are 100% confident that you accomplished what you set out to do, you have a strong vision, and you are happy with your technique and skill, then maybe the work just wasn’t for that particular person. Just be aware that ego can cloud a person’s judgment and result in knee-jerk reactions to feedback. If you are truly confident that what you are doing is spot on, then negative feedback won’t bother you, because you will just know that your work isn’t for that person. If it hits a sore spot, it might be worth considering, “Why does this feel so tender?” It may be that you are already aware of this area that could use some strengthening. Embrace that, lean into it, and put some attention to strengthening that area. (If you have feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, fear, anxiety, or imposter syndrome that are holding you back, a good therapist can help you find tools to overcome these challenges.)
7. Stay Curious and Open-Minded:Remain curious and open-minded about new ideas, perspectives, and artistic influences. Stay receptive to inspiration from diverse sources and be willing to adapt and evolve your style in response to new discoveries and experiences. Curiosity is what keeps your creativity alive and allows you to evolve and improve as an artist constantly.
“I was always an artist that tried to make my paintings look exactly how the subject looked. In 2019, I accidentally discovered Alcohol Ink. I was looking at videos on Yupo paper because I wanted to try adding salt to my watercolors for a different texture. I watched several YouTube videos and they all were using Alcohol Ink so I thought I would give it a try. What I liked about the ink was the bright, intense colors. Alcohol Ink was like concentrated watercolor. I also saw how I could apply texture and I loved it! The only thing was all of the videos were colorful washes on the synthetic paper. I wanted to stay true to my style which is western/wildlife art. We were all on lockdown because of Covid so I bought some Yupo paper and some alcohol ink. After it arrived I went into my studio every day and experimented. Alcohol Ink on synthetic paper just runs like water on glass. I had to learn how to control it and there were no videos or teachers to teach me how…“ -Charisse Rudolph ( @charissefineart )
8. Practice Consistently:Like any skill, art requires practice to master. Make a habit of creating art regularly. This doesn't mean you have to spend hours each day; even a few minutes can make a significant difference over time. Consistency is key to developing your skills and refining your artistic style over time. Establish a routine where you dedicate time to creating art regularly.
“I’m a self-taught stone mosaic artist. I don’t have the hand strength to cut tiles, so I use a wet tile saw to cut, shape, and fit together stone as if creating a jigsaw puzzle, then carve and sculpt the pieces to give them more detail before inlaying them. Pieces are glued and grouted in place on a stone background or cement board. I add minerals, crystals, and semi-precious gems to share their beautiful color and energy and to further accentuate the three-dimensionality. Recently I’ve included horse hair and porcupine quills to bring more authenticity and heart to the artwork…” - Theresa Rizzo
9. Engage with the Art Community:No one understands artists like other artists. When you spend time with other artists you can feel energized, rejuvenated, and inspired to keep exploring. Whether it’s getting together for a meetup, supporting your friends at their shows, or collaborating- being with other artists is important! It's a chance to inspire each other and be a part of a supportive community where everyone can grow and be innovative. You can learn so much from your art community, and you get to share your knowledge too! It’s a win-win! Recommended for you- Importance of Community for Artists 10. Stay Patient and Persistent:Remember that developing your own artistic style is not a destination but rather an ongoing journey. Be patient, keep going, and stay committed to your goals. Through this journey, you'll discover your unique artistic voice and create meaningful works that reflect your vision. Don't forget to share your tips and experiences in developing your artistic style in the comment section below!!
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, and never a second-rate version of someone else.” --Judy Garland
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1 Comment
2/15/2024 06:12:48 am
This is an excellent blog…filled with a lot of great advice that we can all think about and use no matter what stage we are at in our art career. I really enjoyed the read start to finish. Thank you!
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