How to Start Uncovering Your Style as a Beginner Artist: Part 1
Begin by letting go of some common misconceptions
“How to find your style” has got to be one of the most googled terms by beginner artists, don’t you think?
When you are first getting started with art, and especially when you want to make some money from that art, this is the all-consuming question.
It feels like a race. You have to get to your style as quickly as possible. But then when it doesn’t happen…you feel deflated, discouraged, and your joy and eagerness for art drains right out of you.
Sound familiar?
I know it does to me!
I’ve fallen into this trap more times than I care to admit over the last 5 years, but it was especially hard in the beginning.
A big part of that difficultly was some misconceptions I had that were holding me back and stifling my creativity. Misconceptions I have seen and heard echoed across the community time and time again.
Let’s debunk some of these misconceptions right out of the gate so that you can begin your journey to uncover your style with a clean slate!
Misconception #1: You can just pick a style you like.
You can’t force a style. It’s not something that works that way, unfortunately.
In my opinion, the only style you can force is one you copy from another artist. And in that case, it’s their style, not yours. This is very common beginner mistake, but we’re going to avoid that and save you so much time on your journey.
Learning from tutorials and classes is important, but it’s even more important that you learn and practice outside of class. If you are only making art based on one artist’s lessons you are inevitably going to make art like that artist. Which is okay at the beginning of your journey.
Learning from other artists is incredibly helpful (and even necessary for some people, like me, who don’t come from a traditional art background) when learning how to make art, but if you stay in this stage too long it can hinder your progress.
You don’t want to draw like XYZ artist (even though their work is gorgeous!), you want to draw like you.
Misconception #2: You have to wait until you have a style to do anything.
Pitch your work, share on social media, sell your art at markets or online, upload your work to POD etc.
You don’t need a style to do any of those things. Sure, it would probably help. A style makes your work recognizable. It helps people know what they can expect from your work. But it’s not something you should wait for to make art because…
You can’t uncover your style without making art.
And sure, you could hide all your sketches in your sketchbook until you’re ready to emerge from your artistic cocoon like the beautiful butterfly you are. OR you could share your journey out loud. Take us with you for the ride. Let the world see your work before you think it’s ready.
Hint: it’s probably ready way before you think it is. We are our own worst critics.
It’s also worth pointing out that some professional, successful artists work in multiple styles and never choose just one. They don’t stick to just one way of working, they have multiple interests and it works for them. That might be you too!
So you don’t have to pick one style and you definitely don’t have to wait for your style to arrive to start making your own art.
Misconception #3: Your style will just come naturally if you make a lot of art.
Maybe this one is true but I think there’s more to it than that. I think making a lot of art is one ingredient in the recipe, but it’s not the only ingredient.
You do need to make a lot of art. That part is non-negotiable. And I think, pretty hard to hear for a lot of beginner artists. Which, as a very impatient person, I get it. I wish it was super easy and fast too! But it’s not, and that’s actually a good thing.
Making art isn’t just about the finished result. It’s about the process and the journey of making it.
That’s one of the things that differentiates artists from AI and generated AI images.
AI doesn’t experience any enjoyment when generating images. It doesn’t feel anything, learn anything, or grow. But you do.
When you make art you feel things (good, bad, & neutral), you learn and grow with everything you make. Even if it’s small—so small, you don’t even notice it. Even tiny measurements of growth add up over time
Making lots of art is one of the most important ingredients, and definitely not one you can skip, but you also need:
Experimentation
Learning what you like
I think with a combination of those three things you will start to uncover your style. What do you think? Did I miss an ingredient that you think is vital or helpful? Or do you have any other misconceptions you want to break? Let us know in the comments!
In next week’s post I’ll go over the three steps you can use to start uncovering your style. See you there!
good post on this topic! i think your style is your obsessions + how you solve creative problems and how you enjoy working. i think people easily get caught up in being recognisable, ie marketable, when the heart of the matter is really being true to yourself in your art.