Uncovering Your Unique Artistic Style: Learning to Paint with Individuality Why Your Artistic Voice Matters

Just as every author has a unique message to share with the world, so does every artist. I believe that it is this message, delivered through your art in the way that only you can deliver it, that is the “voice” we are seeking to develop. Your voice is made up of many things: the styles and techniques you employ, the subjects you choose to depict, the colors you select, the emotions you wish to convey, etc. Through the refinement of your “voice”, you can create art that transcends the need to simply demonstrate technical proficiency, and instead produce works that speak to you personally, as well as to others.

It’s important to study the greats, to understand different styles, but it’s equally important to marry that with your own voice. Your artistic voice is the missing link between technique and art.

Begin with inspiration.

You can start finding your style by looking at what your inspirations are.

Study Masters. Look at the artists that inspire you and study their work. This is more than just trying to copy their style. Look at why they made certain decisions about the composition, the colors, the atmosphere, etc. Understand why certain techniques can create impact and an emotional response.

Experiment in different mediums. Try oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolor painting, and mixed media. Each medium is conducive to certain techniques and styles, and you may find that one medium speaks to you more than another.

Observe the World. Notice what surrounds you in daily life, in nature, in architecture, in culture. Light, color, shape in the real world gives us the elements that we can use to mold our art.

Play and Explore

The only way to develop your own unique style is to experiment.

COMBINE STYLES: Combine different influences. Using impressionist brushstrokes with a modern palette or modern subject matter, for example.

Know the Rules, Then Break Them
Once you have a good handle on the basics, don’t be afraid to break the rules. Experiment with proportion, viewpoint, color. Juxtapositions that might seem wrong at first can make for a unique and original outcome.

Daily or Frequent Sketching and Studies. This is great for exercising your mind and practicing to express your ideas, without the risk of ‘ruining’ an entire piece. It’s also an excellent way to discover your style through constant experimentation on a smaller scale.

acknowledging individual tastes

Your artistic voice is what draws you to certain methods, topics and styles.

Favorite subjects Identify any consistent themes or subject matter that you find yourself returning to. Whether it be landscapes, people, abstraction, still life, etc. These are clues to your natural tendencies and are indicative of your personal style.

Color Choices. Note the colors that you are attracted to and use. This can be a part of your signature style and help tie your work together.

Brushstrokes and Texture
Note any tendencies in how you wield the brush, build layers, and utilize texture. It’s part of your visual signature and what makes your paintings unique.

Honing Your Skills

A person’s style of doing things is something that takes time to evolve. It is something that becomes a part of their nature with time and practice.

Repetition and Refining Repetition – I try to paint the same subjects or techniques multiple times to figure out what is successful and what isn’t. Through repetition, I find that my execution and personal style improves.

“Journaling & Reflection”: Record your experiments and the recipes and processes that you enjoy the most. Reflecting on these results will help you notice your trends and styles and ultimately your “voice”.

Feedback and Observation: Get your work critiqued by other artists, instructors, or online communities. It can help you see your art more objectively, notice what’s working well and what could use improvement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Imitation. Imitating other artists’ styles is a good thing, but you should not overdo it. You can take inspiration from other people, but make sure to inject some of your own personality and your own decisions to create a unique style.

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Finding your unique voice involves experimentation, “mistakes” and stepping outside your comfort zone.

Impatience
Style takes time to develop. Don’t rush it or you will produce spotty or strained work. Consistency, practice, and patience are important.