Wendy Scarbrough

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6 Steps to Finding Your Artistic Style - The Artist Life

How to find your artistic style 

Finding your artistic style is a process that often takes time and experimentation. I have gathered some steps and listed them for you. I hope that they will help you refine and develop your unique artistic style:

Experiment with different art mediums:

Try different art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture, or printmaking. This will help you explore what you enjoy and where your strengths lie. Even within a style, there are different ways to create. For instance, you can use watercolor, oil, or acrylics in painting. And within those, you can try more realistic to more abstract. The tools you use can make a huge difference as well. Finding a simple system and a limited set of colors has helped me rein in my style.

Look for inspiration for your art process:

Research other artists and styles to identify what you like and what resonates with you. This can help you develop a better understanding of your own preferences and style. Create a mood board or a board on Pinterest that you can reference and return to it over time to see how your preferences have changed or shifted.

Practice your art process regularly:

The more you create, the more you will learn about your strengths and weaknesses. Practice consistently and challenge yourself to try new techniques. Remember it takes time to develop a skill. So, spend some time and create at least 10-20 pieces in each style and with each set of tools before moving on. As you increase your skills you will find things easier and more enjoyable.


Identify your artistic themes:

Consider the themes and subjects that you are drawn to in your art. This can be anything from landscapes to portraits to abstract concepts. Again a mood board is a great way to identify your themes.

Develop your voice:

Think about what makes your art unique and try to incorporate that into your work. This could be anything from your use of color to your choice of subject matter. What are you passionate about in your everyday life? Do you garden or cook? Do you find yourself involved in movements or charities that could lead to subjects for your art creations? What do you talk about with others?


Seek feedback on your art:

Share your work with others and ask for constructive feedback. This can help you identify areas where you can improve and refine your style. You can join Facebook groups for artists that often allow you to post your art for critiques. Remember to keep an open mind. Look for communities or people who will be honest but in a healthy way. We don’t need to add a bunch of negative feelings to our art practice. So, keep that a safe space to be open and honest, but not rude or hurtful.



Remember that finding your artistic style is a journey, and it may take time and experimentation to develop a style that feels authentic to you. Keep practicing, exploring, and learning, and your style will evolve over time. And don’t be concerned if it changes over time. Look at your home. Did you buy decorations and never update or change them out? We are always growing and changing. Remember that we create for the process, not for the approval of others. I create for God. I use it as a time to spend and create with Him. He is my source. I realize that progress is slow and can take time though. Keep it up and reach out if you need some encouragement.