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Michelle
Why “finding your style” is the wrong goal
After 14 years of teaching, the question I get asked most is this: “How do I find my style?”
It’s the biggest goal most people have when they start painting. And this post might feel a bit controversial, or leave you thinking “oh, that’s disappointing.”
If I created a course called “How To Find Your Style” I’d probably sell it out. It’s what everyone wants. But I’d be doing you a disservice, because it wouldn’t work. If anyone ever tries to sell you a course promising to find your style for you, don’t believe them.
Finding your style is a process of discovery. It’s trying things out, learning what you like and what you don’t, and that can take years. That’s not a bad thing. It’s actually the best stage. Once you find your style, especially if you start selling, it gets harder to make work that sits outside it. So enjoy this stage while you can.
And even then, styles change. Look at Picasso. His early work looks nothing like his later work. It’s the same for most artists throughout history.
Science and Charity, Picasso – 1897
Guernica, Picasso – 1937
So don’t rush to find “your style.” Instead, focus on learning the skills. Colour theory, brushwork, composition, and how to read a painting, that last one gets missed all the time. If you want to speed things up, take courses and study artists you admire.
I know this isn’t what you want to hear, so try this instead. Paint little and often, as much as time allows. Look at artists throughout history whose work you love, and talk yourself through what draws you to it. Sit and play with colour. Create small studies. Don’t rush to make finished pieces. Some of the biggest breakthroughs come from simple play.
Don’t be in a hurry to find your style. Enjoy this period of discovery. Give yourself time to find a process you enjoy and a way of working that lights you up. Visit galleries often.
Does this resonate with you? Have you been in a hurry to find your style? Does it worry you that you haven’t yet? Let me know in the comments, I read every single one.
If you’d like my free guide ‘From Copying to Creating’ it’s now available: get the guide
10 thoughts on “Why “finding your style” is the wrong goal”
I have never worried about my style I just carry on painting and trying all the mediums.Pastels were a delight to use,watercolour too.My most successful work has been graphite.I find acrylic the most forgiving.I do like to finish each piece.If my style changes so be it! Hopefully for the best.Loving the course.Yvonne Henderdon
Amazing to hear Yvonne and thanks for sharing. So pleased you are enjoy the course too. Happy painting. Michelle
Thanks for this Michelle. Maybe if I stop trying to find it, hopefully it will find me😂❤️ I do enjoy lots of different styles of painting
and I am never totally sure where I am headed with my paintings, so I will keep playing. Thankyou
Thanks Karen. Yes just keep enjoying the process of creating and as you say your style will find you when it’s ready. Enjoy.
Hi. I never really worried about finding my style so much as finding my place in crearing my art. I started painting and one day i stumbled across watercolors about a year ago. I have become a full time watercolorist and am currently exhibiting 26 paintings in an art gallery. I am also art friends with Amanda Nancy Smith and spent a year living in London in your beautiful counttry.
Thank you for this! My problem is that i want to try everything and every medium! And when i start a painting i need to finidh it properly. I wont allow myself to just play around. Drives me mad!
Trying different mediums are all part of the journey, get some scrap paper or something you’re less precious about and just set yourself 30 minutes tops to play before you get painting, it’ll really help.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m pleased to hear you don’t worry about finding your style and well done on exhibiting your work too.
Thanks for this Michelle. I’m only beginning now to realise what it is I like about paintings and not all of them either if you know what I mean. A lot of the time I can’t put my finger on what attracts me to them but for me it’s very early days in my painting journey. And you’re right, the journey/the process is what I really like most about painting. Seeing the finished painting can be disappointing for me but when I’m actually doing it, then I’m enjoying it more. The more I learn the more I realise I don’t know lol.
As always thanks for your support, it’s wonderful to be part of such an inclusive and supportive group with Brush Flow.
Thank you for sharing Rita. I still produce paintings I’m not happy with but you learn so much from the process and with each painting you’re improving and that’s the most important part. You have to enjoy the process and if you are than brilliant.
It’s lovely having you in the community. Michelle.