Finding your style

When you look at a developed artist you can recognise their work straight away. Maybe it is in the way that they do their lineart, or it could be the facial expressions that characters have, (think the Dreamworks Smirk), or maybe it is the tropes that they use in their writing that distinguish them as that creator.

Each of us has a unique viewpoint on life and thus, our own style. But how does one establish that in their work?

Well, I hate to say it, but it ultimately comes down to practice. It eventually comes out on its own but I have some tips that helped me realise that I do, in fact, have a style.

Look at your favourite artists/writers!
List out all the people whose work you like and what it is about them that drew you in? Did you like the detail they put in their characters? Was it how they did the backgrounds or was it their use of colour? Could it be the manner in which the characters interact with one another?

When you begin to understand what it is that you like about your favourite stories you begin to see that reflected in your work.

Imitate!
Take some time out to get a sketchbook and write/draw the features that you like about someone’s work. See if they do tutorials on how they do their artworks. You’d be surprised how many are out there showing their tips and tricks to the world. So focus your practice on figuring out how your favourites do their thing! That has the added bonus of fast tracking your practice too! Just be sure you don’t plagerise! That hurts people's feels.

YouTube
This is a great way to find some shortcuts for your work. You’re gonna need them! There are so many awesome tutorials on improving lineart, backgrounds, dialogue, pacing; you name it, YouTube has it! Finding those small ways to improve your work gives you the sense that you’re moving forward and accomplishing something.

Learn by doing
This is the hardest part. Go forth and spread your creative seed! Get into the communities and begin posting your stuff and do your best to stick to a schedule. By getting into the habit of practicing you will begin to see dividends on your work pretty quickly. Trying to reach a deadline can sometimes bring out unexpected results! Just be sure to not burn yourself out.

How did you find your style? Let us know in the comments below! And join us on Sunday evening for our Quackchat at 5:30PM(EST). We’ll be following up on this topic so be sure to tune in and give other creators your tips on how you found your style!

Till next time lovelies!