This is part 2, if you missed part 1, you can read it here:
There are three beginning steps to starting to uncover your style.
Notice I didn’t just say steps, the beginning part is important because there are inevitably more steps that come after! Those are up to you.
It’s also important to point out the words starting to. You’re using these steps to start uncovering your style. You’re not using these steps and then waves magic wand your style is uncovered!
Okay. I feel like we’ve sufficiently covered our legal bases there. Are you ready for the steps?
Step 1: Observe.
Observe lots of art. Find artists you love on Instagram and follow their work. Browse Pinterest, or Behance, or Etsy. Look at lots of art. Ideally from many different sources.
We aren’t looking to copy. We’re just looking to look. To see what other people are making. To see what already exists.
Do lots and lots of looking at lots and lots of art. Over time. This isn’t the kind of thing you do in one 10 minute session, but you can start there.
Step 2: Analyze.
Once you’ve begun observing, start noticing.
What pieces stand out to you? Which ones really catch your eye or make you feel all squiggly inside? Which pieces make you laugh or feel something strongly?
Now that you’re noticing, analyze.
Why does the piece stand out to you?
What specifically do you like about a piece?
Is it the color, the contrast, the line work, the way they draw eyes, etc.
This can be difficult to do at first. Sometimes it’s like a muscle that you need to build up. Over time you’ll be able to more easily identify what’s causing the squiggly feeling.
Step 3: Collect the shiny objects.
Once you’ve analyzed a piece and identified what you really like about it specifically. Collect that.
That’s your shiny object.
It’s the thing that caught your eye. The thing that made you feel joy, or called to you, or made you feel the squiggly feeling.
Collect as many shiny objects as you can.
Later you can start to piece them together to make…your style! One that comes from within you and contains all the shiny, lovely things that you worked so hard to find.
What have learned about style that you wish you knew earlier? Let us know in the comments!