Nurturing Your Uniqueness: A Guide to Finding Your Artistic Style
Every great artist has their style, something to their work that sets them apart from the rest. Discovering and cultivating your own style is not only a joyful experience unto itself, it is also an essential part of launching a sustainable career as a creative.
Explore Widely
Finding your artistic style often begins with exploration. Take the time to immerse yourself in various art forms, techniques, and mediums. Visit museums, galleries, and art exhibitions, both online and offline. Study the works of different artists from different time periods and cultures. Allow yourself to be inspired by a wide range of artistic expressions as this will help you identify elements and/or approaches that resonate with you.
Self-Reflection
A scary step, but one that you must still take. Understanding yourself helps you answer fundamental questions such as:
- What emotions, themes, or stories do you want to convey through your art?
- Are there specific subjects or objects that captivate your imagination?
- What colours, shapes, and textures resonate with you the most?
- How do you want your audience to feel when they view your work?
Engage in self-reflection to unearth your personal motivations, interests, and passions, as these will serve as the foundation for your artistic style. Otherwise you might find yourself chasing trends without ever getting to know what it is you truly enjoy creating.
Experiment and Practice
The journey to finding your artistic style is not linear and it often involves a lot of trial and error. Give yourself permission to experiment with different techniques and mediums. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, as they can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. The more you practise and create, the closer you'll get to discovering what truly speaks to you.
Analyse Your Work
As you create art, review your work critically. Pay attention to recurring themes, motifs, or elements that emerge across your pieces. Look for consistencies in your colour choices, brushwork, or composition. Identifying these patterns can help you recognize the beginnings of your artistic style.
Seek Feedback and Inspiration
Don't be afraid to share your work with others and seek feedback from fellow artists or mentors. Constructive criticism can offer valuable insights and different perspectives. You can also engage with the work of artists you admire, not to copy, but to draw inspiration from their approaches and techniques. This can help you refine and evolve your own style.
Embrace Imperfection
Remember that finding your artistic style is an ongoing process. It's normal to have periods of doubt and uncertainty. Embrace imperfection and understand that your style may evolve over time. Allow yourself the freedom to grow and adapt as an artist, and don't feel pressured to have to follow a set path that you previously committed to.
Stay True to Yourself
Your artistic style is a reflection of who you are as a person and as an artist. Don't try to conform to trends or mimic the work of others simply because they are popular. Authenticity is the key to a compelling artistic style. Stay true to your unique perspective, experiences, and vision.
Being an artist isn’t just about making art. It’s also a journey of self-discovery about putting a little bit of yourself out there for the world.
Embrace the exploration, the uncertainty, and the imperfection, for it is through these experiences that your artistic style will gradually emerge and flourish.
