Every artist has a distinct look to their art. It is this characteristic that sets them apart from their peers and their work recognizable to the world. Artists merge and employ the different techniques and methods they've learned through the years. After trial and error, eventually they will find their artistic style.

This is observable through the colors they use, composition, the subject matter or the medium of their choice. These are just some of the main elements that constitute one’s own personal style. Since it is unique to each individual, this could have a great impact on the artist’s brand, the artwork’s desirability to potential patrons, and overall public recognition.    

Don't confuse them with art movements because art styles can go beyond that. Art Styles can be reminiscent of the time period’s concepts and methods but ultimately, they are not part of the movement itself. There are a lot of different variations of art styles and listing them all is not the point of this article. We'll go through some of the popular art styles and discuss how to discover your own.

6 Art Styles That You Might Already Know

1. Realism

I think this one is self-explanatory. This kind of style is capturing the likeness and natural state of the subject. Realism is known for its intricate details and keen attention to the original figure. This also branches out to photorealism, where an artist replicates an image or photograph as precisely as possible. This is the closest to my own personal style, which I consider Surrealism. I do like to switch it up by choosing more vibrant colors and adding a bit of whimsical feel to my art. I enjoy combining natural subjects like flowers, stars, and animals with vibrant, futuristic color palettes. You can see it on my page freya.just.art. 

2. Abstract

On the opposite spectrum of the first, this style opts for simplicity. There usually isn’t a particular subject matter. Shapes and patterns are used to create an image. This style brings elements like composition, texture and values to the forefront and creates a striking art piece. 

3. Romantic

This type is from the Romanticism Movement. This is the period that championed the individual imagination, emotion and spirituality. Nowadays, it’s a style that is distinguishable with sharp contrasts, bright highlights and glossy finish.

4. Cartoon

Popular in a lot of animated movies and shows. From the big shots like Disney, Pixar and Cartoon Network. You can identify it by the exaggerated expressions and gestures in simplified forms. Cartooning is a preferred technique because it is easier to animate. 

5. Comic

If you’re a Marvel fan or were a child who grew up reading comic books, then this particular art style will be no stranger to you and might even evoke some fond memories. It conveys stories through a series of panels that contain scenes or the narrative. Artists use speech bubbles to indicate conversation, thought of onomatopoeia. Artists using this style try to emulate the popular comic books by heavily emphasizing line weight variance and shadows. For colored editions, they usually rely on bold but flat colors to enhance the line art.

6. Anime

We can trace the origins of this style back to Japan. It’s features include but not limited to: unique hairstyles and exaggerated physical features, vivid effects and colors. In recent years, a charming mix of 2D and 3D techniques. It is synonymous to a lot of anime shows that have become dear to many of its fans, the characters are immediately recognizable even to the less avid viewer. This clearly demonstrates the power of an art style. 

There are a multitude of art styles that are used by artists all over the world that have not been mentioned here. The ones I have enumerated are not even the tip of the iceberg. You can explore them on your own time and see what catches your interest and will fit your own preferences.

How To Develop Your Own Unique Art Style

Personal art styles can change as the artist gains more experience and wisdom both in their craft and their own lives. It is not uncommon for beginners or those who haven’t found their own style yet to use the work of the artist’s they admire and try to mimic theirs. There is no shame in using available work as long as you’re using it as a means to educate yourself and boost your progress. I find this one the most efficient way to learn and develop your own unique art style. So, how do we go about cultivating our own unique style? I compiled a few tips to help you get started.

1. Draw from your life experiences

Your unique style or narrative is embedded in your own story. It doesn’t have to be entirely new or complex. For example, simply rearranging the form of a leaf can become a unique subject and style. Your experiences are enough to inform your own preferences and stylistic choices. Let’s say you liked to read comic books when you were a child, you might find yourself leaning towards techniques that bring out those kinds of qualities and assimilate them to your own art. 

2. Follow a master’s footsteps

One way to discover your own art style is to study the work of other artists. I suggest selecting a couple of your favorite artists and looking through their works. From here, you can ask yourself: what specific aspect of this piece draws me in? Take note of the things you liked about it such as composition, the way they play with shadows, the line art, color scheme. Whatever it is, try to understand its main elements and try to mimic it in your drawing. There is nothing wrong with using reference as a tool for growth, expert artists also started out learning from other experts and masters they looked up to. 

3. Analyze your work 

It's a good idea to have a look at our own art. This in itself can be quite revealing. I suggest building a visual portfolio or gallery of all the pieces that you really like and then find out what they have in common. You can begin by focusing on the similar elements, color swatches or subject matter. Then, work your way to pinpointing your specific techniques, mediums and structure. Being intimately knowledgeable on the different aspects of your creation can help you understand your own artistic inclinations. Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can focus on the elements you want to stand out the most in your succeeding pieces. 

4. Don’t rush to find your style

Focus on learning the basics and establishing a strong foundation. In the long run, this will be useful and it will prepare you to explore the art world broadly. Give yourself some time to develop your fundamentals so that you have a better understanding of what you can and cannot do. Get to know yourself as an artist so that you can get to know the art you want to show the world.

5. Experiment with different techniques and styles

Another way to figure out your style is to try out different styles and mediums.  It’s one thing to see it on a finished artwork but another thing to use it to create your own. If you have access to different art materials, it won’t hurt to try it out. There’s also nothing wrong with not liking a certain technique or art material. It’s totally fine to not want to do landscapes, if portraiture is more up your alley. It’s cool if you vibe with a more caricature type of drawing rather than a hyper-realistic one. The important thing is to try it and learn from it.
If you’re planning to turn your art into a business venture, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one style because it can restrict you from trying new projects, subjects, and attracting diverse clients. To secure more clients and sustain a living as an illustrator, you need to be versatile. Remember, you’re serving the market at the end of the day. However, you can also aim to develop your style along the way and publish your work as much as possible. Remember, it’s a long game.

The Takeaway/Final Words

An art style is not just a way of expression but also a form of self-exploration. The artist embeds themselves in the very fiber of their art. In a way, we give a piece of ourselves every time we make something with our own two hands. Moreover, every decision an artist makes is attributed to their own quiet rumination and choices, intentional or otherwise. This is the reason why art styles can be really personal and unique to each artist. 

If you’re a novice, don’t worry if you haven’t found yours yet, take your time in exploring the abundant options available to you. Just keep practicing and you’ll get there eventually. If you’re more of an accomplished artist, you can still benefit from trying out new and unfamiliar mediums. A break from our usual routine can provide unexpected results.