How to Find Your Art Style: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself

Hi my lovely creatives,

One of the questions I get asked most is: how do I find my art style? The thing is, many creatives already have a style without realising it.

The questions below are a simple exercise to help you see what is most prominent in your art. They can also help you decide where to pitch your work, and if they don't tell you your style yet, they show you where to put your focus going forward.

You don't need one art style to begin. You can play with your materials, try different things in your sketchbook and let your style appear over time. If you are just starting out, my guide to how to start a sketchbook is a good first step.

1. Are your motifs realistic or characterised?

Think about the subjects in your artwork. Are they close to real life, or do they lean towards characters and illustration? Look at what you love to draw and how you interpret it. Your choice of motif says a lot about your style.

2. Which colour palettes do you reach for?

Colour brings emotion and mood. Do you gravitate towards bright, bold colours, or a quieter, more limited palette? The colours you keep choosing are part of your style.

3. Do you add lots of detail or keep things simple?

Look at how much detail is in your work. Are your pieces intricate, or more simplified? Neither is better. The balance you prefer is part of what makes your work yours.

4. Is your composition a busy scene or a single subject?

Do you build scenes full of activity, or do you place one main subject in a calm, simple space? How you arrange things shapes the story your work tells.

5. What do you do with the background?

Do you surround your main subject with blended colour, or leave the paper white? Think about how your background changes the atmosphere of a piece, from a soft painterly wash to a clean, minimal backdrop.

6. Which icons and elements keep appearing?

Do certain shapes or symbols show up again and again, such as stars, squiggles or other little motifs? These recurring touches act like a signature and often carry personal meaning.

7. How do you add texture?

Texture can come from blooms, drips, dots, salt or dry brushstrokes, as well as pencil marks and collage. Think about how you add depth to your work, and whether it is loose and unpredictable or carefully controlled.

Look for patterns in your work

Once you have asked yourself these questions, lay out your existing work and look for patterns. Recurring motifs, palettes and composition choices are the building blocks of your style, a visual language that is yours.

If you don't have much work yet, don't worry. Ask the same questions about artworks you love, whether they are by other artists or your own early attempts.

The most important thing

Finding your style can feel daunting, so go back to why you started making art in the first place. The most important takeaway is to make art that you enjoy making. The more art you make, the clearer your style will become.

Want to try different materials while you look? My guide to mixed media sketchbook materials is a good place to play, and you can draw with other people in the Sketchbook Circle every Thursday at 6 PM UK time.

Irene