Finding your artistic style is a long journey beginning with an interest in art.
The style of an artist is a living concept continuously adapting to external and internal stimuli. As such, it is not "finding" an artistic style so much as "birthing" an artistic style. One artist in particular, Consuelo Okdie, believes style comes from within. "[Style] comes from your soul, " Okdie said. "The same way you have to just keep on working to learn techniques and improve on what you already know, you need to keep on working at being able to hear this muse."
Instructions
1. Study the work of different artists, authors, filmmakers, musicians and craftsmen in regards to your specific artistic outlet. "Your identity lies in the amalgam of the work of your favorites," according to Dr. Marlene Caroselli, author of Jesus, Jonas and Janus: The Leadership Triumvirate.
2. Line up (if you can) and examine your last seven pieces of work. Identify consistencies in form, technique, color, material, perspective and content.
3. Show your work to three individuals involved in the same art form. Ideally, one will be an artist, the second a critic and the third a gallery owner or collector. Acknowledge their feedback on your work in relation to the first step.
4. Determine your work's relationship to other artists in your field. How is your work similar? Don't be discouraged if your work is close to another artist you admire, as imitation is the first form of establishing style and technique. Identify the differences and individuality setting your work apart from others. Ask yourself what elements capture your individuality.
5. Consider your artistic message, if any. Find an artistic element to symbolize your message within your future works.
6. Notice changes in your excitement level as you work. "This is going to be your core creative zone," according to Arianne Goodwin, founder of the smARTist Telesummit. If you notice an element in your core creative zone exhibited in your other works, use it to your advantage to create what Arianne calls "your artistic fingerprint."
7. Change your work or work habits dramatically if it continues to resemble other works from different artists. "If you work big, go small," Goodwin said. "If you work indoors, go outdoors."
8. Dive into your subconscious to unlock your individual style. Take a small notebook with you wherever you go and record everything that may have an impact on your art, such as sights, sounds and other sensations.
9. Pick a date once a week to go on a solo expedition to explore something of interest to you. The interest does not have to be in your specific field of art. This is called "the artist date" and is essentially a day for you to get to know your inner artist.
10. Be honest. "Be yourself and follow your passions," Karen O'Lone-Hahn said. "Nobody likes a phony, and your most unique expression of creativity is uniquely you."
