FINDING MY STYLE
October 17, 2017
One of the most common inquiries I am asked pertains to how I developed my distinctive artistic style. It is a question that I had difficulty answering with the trite response of "just keep drawing and your style will eventually develop organically." It was an unsatisfactory answer because I had difficulty visualizing the concept of my personal style, which felt integral to my identity as an artist. Looking back at my previous works, there was an evident lack of consistency and direction, and I struggled to find my niche. I oscillated between striving for hyper-realism and simplistic drawings inspired by graphic design.
It was only after a long and arduous journey that I came to the realization that the emphasis should not be solely on the development of one's style, but instead on the refinement of one's craft. It was a paradigm shift that allowed me to focus on areas that needed improvement, such as anatomy, painting techniques, and color theory. I relinquished the notion of finding a signature style and instead allowed myself to explore and experiment without reservation.
This lesson was not learned easily, as it required a significant investment of time, effort, and resilience. Nevertheless, I did not allow my frustrations and demotivation to deter me from my passion. Instead, I used them as fuel to continue pushing myself to create art that I could be proud of. The journey to finding one's personal style is unique to every artist, and it is more about the process and growth than the end result.
Below on the right is a piece I painted when I was heavily inspired by graphic design and still trying to “find my style”. To the right, you’ll see a more recent piece where I incorporated some graphic design elements but went for a more realistic painting/rendering for the girl, creating an interesting visual contrast, which felt much more “me” at the time. It wasn’t intentional, I was just having fun.
After nearly a decade of cultivating my craft, I am now content with the work I produce. However, this contentment is not due to a specific style that I have discovered but rather my art's continual evolution. I find solace in the fact that my work is always progressing and evolving, reflecting my growth as an artist and as an individual.
In conclusion, my advice to aspiring artists is to focus on honing your craft and exploring your creativity without limitations. Do not be constrained by the need to conform to a particular style or trend. As you progress and mature, so will your art, and it will eventually reflect a style that resonates with you. So, my fellow artists, relax and let your art flow. And if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
