How to find your art style

Finding a style to paint in?
It's often suggested that an artist should find his or her style but that's easier said than done!  I've heard the idea that an artist should find a style stated but not explained.  People don't tell you how to go about finding a style.  They tell you to find one but I've often found this instruction vague and frustrating.  There are so many many maaaaaaannnnyyy ways to put paint on a canvas.  How am I supposed to decide what I want to do?

I've spent time making many paintings.  One of my college professors once told me not to worry about creating a style.  I took his advice and didn't force myself into locking myself into a style right after graduating. However, if you want to sell art professionally you eventually have to find your style.  So, here are my suggestions for going through the process of finding your style.


1. Test out ideas
In the beginning it's good to try out different ideas.  Try out different medias or combinations of media.  Try out different brushes or other tools. Try using different techniques that you have learned in classes.

2. What's working vs. what's not?
Take a look at what's working and what's not.  Some things may be working better in your art than other things.  Sometimes it's obvious what's working but you shouldn't just depend on your own eyes.  It's good to have someone else, preferably another artist friend, take a look and give you some suggestions.  Go over the process of analyzing and critiquing your work more than once.

3. Keep trying
Keep making more work.  As you keep working you may decide that you definitely don't want certain things in your work.  Or you may see some things come up as a theme over and over again.  There may be things that you keep trying because you like how it's coming out.

4. When it looks like you it's ready!
Don't give up working on your art. It may take a long time and many works of art to figure it out.  As you keep processing your thoughts about what you are making things may start to form up.  If you start to see yourself in your style that means something is going in the right direction.

5. Keep it consistent
Once you decide on a style you have to keep it consistent.  In order for people to recognize your art as your art it needs to have similarities.  If you keep changing it people won't be able to recognize your work.  If you aren't ready to stay within a consistent style you can go back to #3 and keep trying different things out.