Dear Beginner Artist, On Finding An Art Style

 Many beginner artists have a question in mind: how do I find my art style? They act like it is a cutie mark from My Little Pony or some other magical concept that can be obtained rather than it being a part of who you are. If you randomly came across this article, then the chances are high that you are a beginner artist currently in this stage. And if that is the case, then this post may not have what you want to hear, but it definitely has what you need to hear. So, I'm not going to paint it as good news or bad news, I'm just going to lay it out for you.

You already have an art style.

Sure, it may be ugly, and it looks nothing like that anime you admire so much or the images in your head, but art styles are not a thing you obtain. They are a part of who you are. The ugly aspect of your artstyle comes from a part of yourself that currently lacks a set of fundamental skills that you will either learn slowly over time, or blitz right into improving with dedicated practice and study targeting those weak points. 

Take a look at this piece from my childhood, for example. 

When you compare it to how I draw to this day, you can easily notice that it is the same art style. 

Something you should be looking for is improvement. Find a way to make your art evolve so it becomes what you're envisioning it to be. If targeted studying sounds like a pain to you, then you can find a way to make it fun. For instance, I did the cube drawing exercise to help improve my sense of perspective, but I didn't just draw cubes over and over again. I dedicated an hour a day for a week on drawing Minecraft mobs, then proceeded to get burnt out. But after taking an extended break from drawing, you can tell that there is a drastic difference. My perspective may still be imperfect, but it is a far cry than how it was before.

Minecraft is something I enjoy, and a big point of the game is the fact that everything is made of cubes. Since I also had to draw at least some of the textures of the mobs, along with all the parts that make up the form, it added an extra challenge that drawing simple cubes would not have given, adding a layer of challenge just from putting in an effort in a way I enjoy and found fun.

This can work for any skill you want to practice. It depends on what you enjoy and if it can be connected to whatever it is you want to practice.

That is to also say that experimentation can go a long way in your creative journey. Try new things, take elements of other styles you see and see if it works for you. Even if the improvements are small, they are stepping stones to where you want to go. You won't realize how far you have gone until your future self looks back to your present.  

Don't Rush It

The rate which a person improves is a personal thing, and there is no set deadline. It depends on things like if they are actively practicing/learning and how much time they spend drawing. Art is not a race, it is a journey to embark. So, do not fret if you feel like you're not making any progress no matter what you do. You will often face periods of nothing, and then spurts of fast progress with a little regression following right after. This is normal for artistic growth, and it doesn't mean you're bad or not meant to do art. It just means you need to have a little more patience in yourself.

If other people are making you feel like you need to rush into getting good, or are generally being mean to you, then it's okay to keep your works private until you are comfortable with sharing them. The internet can get nasty with those who don't meet a certain arbitrary standard, which can take a toll on many artists both beginner and experienced. Finding a supportive community that can be kind to you, and even respectful feedback if you request it, will be great for your growth. Unfortunately, not everyone can find such a community either on the internet or in their local area.

If that is the case for you, then please check out my Bluesky (@dextivestudios.bsky.social) and either comment or message to me "croissant," so that way I know you're coming from this article and need a community. I will follow you back and add you to my tag list and mutuals starter pack. I will be happy to help fellow artists find their community using the small one I have gathered.

Conclusion

Your art style is going to be something wonderful, and that ugly phase is not something you should be ashamed of. It is a vital phase in your journey where you can experiment and try new things. You won't be here forever, although it will feel like you have been here for far too long before you find progress. Hopefully this blog does show you have made more progress than you think. That when you believed you were stuck with finding an art style, it turns out you were never stuck in the first place. It is already there, waiting for you to nurture it in whatever way works best for you.