Learning technique is just the start of becoming an artist on the next level. Your artwork must convey your distinct sense of style and identify you as the creator. However, sometimes, you are unsatisfied with your style and would want to change it. The question of how to change your art style must have crossed your mind at some point.
How to Change Your Art Style: Step-by-Step
Changing your art style is similar to finding a style when you first began drawing. You are looking for a definite look that defines you, your personality, your quirks, and everything else about you. Here’s how you go about doing that.
Step 1: Go Back to the Basics
If you wish to change your art style, you undoubtedly already use specific techniques that have previously captured your attention. Going over the fundamentals will reacquaint you with other methods you hardly ever or never utilize.
Understanding the rules will enable you to work around and bend them. Understanding the essentials of drawing, such as shading, getting the perspective right, and the basic pen-stroke techniques, will pave the way for you to develop unique styles. You will be ready to enhance your style as it develops if you strengthen your mastery over these basic principles.
You must look at what remains constant in your previous work while deciding how to change your drawing style. Sometimes artists can become fixated on drawing using a particular approach, which limits the scope of their output. For instance, drawing exclusively in the cartoon style can keep you from finding other things you enjoy capturing on paper in a more realistic approach.
Going back to the drawing fundamentals will introduce you to new techniques.
Step 2: Look for Inspiration
Take in all kinds of art styles as you can. Use books, museum exhibits, popular art, cartoons, or websites devoted to different art styles. Don’t just focus on one type of art.
Pay attention to the works that make you want for more; they are the first indicators of the artworks that could affect your unique style. You will likely connect with and identify with a piece of art if it piques your interest since it speaks to you.
When looking for inspiration, seek variety. Check out graphic novels, art books, museums, and art galleries, or look up the works of renowned illustrators. The more art forms you are exposed to, the more likely you will develop a distinctive style that draws inspiration from various works.
Step 3: Listen to Your Artistic Voice
Allow yourself the flexibility to change your mind along the way, even if you have a specific idea in mind when you begin a drawing. Take a moment to reflect and be sincere about what is and is not working. Your style frequently attempts to be heard when it says, “Stop that now” or “Draw a row of flowers here.” Listen to that voice.
Step 4: Seek Feedback
Even though you have a distinct style, you must avoid letting your ego stand in the way of genuinely improving. Even though all art is subjective, there are steps you can do no matter your level of experience to enhance your skill.
Other artists will assess your work in many art classes and offer suggestions for improvement. Do not become discouraged by a proposal. Instead of getting irritated, consider how what is being stated might enhance your art.
Talk to people about your drawings honestly and openly; if you feel the advice is sound, follow it. If you find their suggestions sensible, it is likely that your subconscious already feels the same way. The new art style you are looking for might be within the feedback of others.
Step 5: Keep Drawing
Draw the same thing repeatedly—instead. As your personality or interests change, so will your drawing or art style.
Drawing or doodling while taking notes in class might help you hone your skills, but focused practice allows you to enhance your technique significantly. Make time to sit down and sketch something carefully in your ever-evolving style daily. To get the most out of your practice, make sure you’re in a setting where you feel comfortable.
Step 6: Keep Evolving Your Style
When you discover something artistically successful, you can be tempted to keep using that style indefinitely. While sticking to a particular niche or style makes some artists successful, you still have to follow your creative guts all the time. If your creative voice wants you to change something about your art, you must follow it.
Keep looking for inspiration, keep trying new methods, keep drawing, keep listening to your artistic voice, and keep seeking feedback as you go along. Every time you try something new, you are opening yourself to new possibilities, new styles, and new artistic growth.
Last Word
How to change your art style is not a simple matter that you can accomplish in a day or two. As you change, and as your personality and interests change, so will your art style if you keep experimenting. Let your artistic side roam free by trying out new basic art techniques, looking for inspiration, listening to your creative mind, incorporating sound feedback, repeatedly drawing, and keeping your style evolving.