Developing your style—this is something that is given a lot of thought and that I get asked a lot of questions about. Truly, though, I dont think it needs to be. I’m writing this with some suggestions, but my biggest answer is just…to develop your style, live your life wide awake and with your eyes wide open and present to the moment. When you do that, when you see the world around you and you can develop your thoughts and feelings about your place in it, how you feel about it, where you want to go…then you have your style.
So first I’ll start with: Learn How To See. Look at the world as if you are seeing something beautiful, always. Whether it is a dirty city sidewalk or a golden field leading to the sea, see the beauty in all of it. It’s there. You might just have to look closer. And so look closer.
That’s another good one, actually: Look Closer. Think how you would paint this if you were going to paint it. “This” being either a piece of trash on that sidewalk or the golden field. zHow would you zoom in, or zoom out? What would you focus on? How would you show the light and the dark? What palette would you choose? Learning to look closer at everything around you is a fantastic tool for honing your personal style.
Thought number three: Look At Other Art. There are times when its good to have your blinders on, but when you are just starting out as an artist and wondering how to develop your style, looking at other artists’ work is really useful. Notice, in detail, what you like and what you dont. What work do you look at and wish that you had created it yourself? That’s a good clue.
Art History: A working knowledge of art history, going to museums, immersing yourself in the books and looking at art through the centuries—the different eras and styles—this will have a massive impact on you and your own style.
Now, Copy Some Art. Seriously, pick 5 artists dead or alive whose work you LOVE. When you see this work you wish it was you who created it. You feel that inspired type of jealousy that is equal parts appreciation and recognition. There are two ways to do this. One, you can actually copy some of the paintings. If you do this, its for your eyes only, especially if this work is by working artists. Though, of course, feel free to share with the artist, I’m sure he or she would be flattered. This is a wonderful practice but of course the resulting work is not the be shared with anyone or presented as “yours”. Secondly, and this is what I did in my own practice, is I would take any scene of my own choosing. a Road, for instance, or a beach, or a beautiful field. And I would paint it “in the style” of another artist whose work I love. I wouldn’t copy their work, but I would hold the feeling of it in mind while I worked. This was always a really interesting and useful exercise to me, because what always resulted was truly my own work. You might think you are painting like another artist but what you’ll find is that it becomes your own. And sometimes I would love it and others I would hate it and that let me know if this type of brushstroke, or this type or composition was something I should pursue further. I highly recommend both of these practices when you are just starting out.
Meditative Art Practices really open you up to your style and new inspiration and ideas. Meditation is great but you have to couple it with action. You can be peaceful and meditative but you have to go take action.Action leads to Imagination, creation, improvisation, spontaneity. I heard this from Jon Rappaport who is a journalist, not an artist per se, but I loved it and have adopted it into my practice and teachings. Take 100 pieces of white paper and black paint. Now paint whatever you feel called to paint until they are all painted. Thats it, that’s the practice. And as Jon advises—if nothing opens up within you by 100 paintings, keep going. Do 500. It will be more useful to you than reading 500 books. It’s magic y’all. Because the answers to your questions are inside of you. The style you seek is inside of you. It is you. Paint these quickly and see what comes to mind. See what actions you feel inspired to take. If you try this, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Do What You Want I’m a big proponent of this. The whole concept of personal style is a style that is something you want to create. If you are excited to create something then do it. If you’re not, then stop, please, dont waste your time. Because without excitement, anything you undertake is definitely the wrong path for you. Trust me. Go back and paint another 100 pages, anything until the excitement and inspiration arrives.
Relax on the jounrey: Be patient. Because its your journey, no one else’s. If you aren’t enjoying it then what’s the point? You aren’t truly meant to “arrive”. Finding your style is truly an ever evolving process, if you arrived and found your forever style, then you wouldn’t be growing. That said, as you go along, you will start to have a common style to your work, so that even as it evolves, an outsider audience could likely recognize different stages as being “you.” But becoming too attached to the idea of :finding your style” is going to limit you from the true beauty of the process.
Remember: You’re the receiver getting the transmission and if you aren’t getting the right one, then you must clear the airways so it can come to you. Adjust your self. Adjust your body habits, your home environment. Little things or big. Stand straighter. Sweep your floor. its your art, what are you going to create? You have an infinite variety of choices, and this is your choice. If you wait to be told where to go with your art from an outside source then you won’t ever get there.