Find your own artistic style.

The outside world uses the term style quite frequently. What does ‘style’ really mean, though, especially to your work? The general definition describes time-periods of common design principles, or a type, a manner in which you make things. This mirror is Rococo. That painting is a still-life. etc. For personal style, and in this case, art style, these definitions aren’t super helpful in accomplishing this artistic quest. So, this is my perspective on how you can work towards your needed answers. Everyone has the potential to find their own artistic style, it just might not be in the way you’d expect…

Style breaks down to your likes and dislikes, you are the ultimate authority on how and what you create. I think people can get hung up on trying to find their own style, and then they lose it. Or more accurately, they lose their style potential. It’s kind of like when you keep repeating a word aloud to yourself. The word turns into this weird sounding noise devoid of any real meaning anymore. You lose the appreciation you had to be able understand and use the word. Individual style can’t be forced. As you evolve and grow with your skills, so does your style, in silent camaraderie.

Style happens through work, and it develops, at a subliminal level, through the conscious and unconscious choices you make during the process. Some of which-- can be influenced by other works you enjoyed. That’s inevitable. With any creative endeavor, forms build alongside and upon others. That’s the very nature of the field. You are still in control of the reasoning behind these choices. As I’ve written before, artistic choices are made to convey the story, not support an image. If those “looks” fuel the story, then no issue. When you make all these choices, they are contributing to your method, which is in turn your “style”.

Certain techniques are not only one artist’s either. Maybe, we should instead look at art as an original concept based on unoriginal ideas. Aesthetic elements don’t lend themselves to be one person’s style alone. Just because you like to use 3 point perspective, or a center frame, doesn’t mean you’re copying Kubrick or Wes Anderson films. They didn’t invent these techniques, they merely like to implement them, and thus, they contribute to their overall style. Stop-motion and time-lapse techniques appear to be more prominent within vlogs and videos online nowadays. More visual interest is not a bad thing! This doesn’t mean they’re all the same in style, or more so, quality.

Now, those who choose to take these techniques with their main goal equivalent to a thought along the lines of: “I want this to be like ____”. Then, I think, you run the risk of problems. This aim only works if your objective was to recreate something exactly, for theory or parody— where the imitation serves a larger purpose to the story you’re now telling. If you’re copying “just because”, it’s not getting you closer to what you’re style could be. Imitating a style for the purpose of aligning to trends, or fitting in, I think is detrimental to your creative abilities and efforts. Is it easier? Sure. But, that doesn’t mean it is better. Or more importantly, gratifying to your own psyche in the long run.

I was asked once: “how could I make films, if I wasn’t a big film buff, or enjoyed watching new films that often?” I merely replied, “I just make them”. It’s simple as that, and the answer, though logical seemed surprising to who asked. I create what I want to watch. The follow up question was: “But how do you know about what’s relevant or new in popular Hollywood films?” ...I don’t. I’ll leave you with one, possibly relevant, quote by, writer / producer / director, Frank Capra: “Don’t follow trends, start trends”.

Other works, past and present, offer inspiration or new techniques to try. I’m not saying throw that all away. There’s so much great artistry out there, undiscovered and not. I just don’t get caught up in research and review as ways to find my style. I view it as a pastime or learning experience. If you’re recreating everything you see, or absorbing all this information rather than making it-- how do you truly develop your work? How can you make authentic creative decisions? How do you realize your own methodologies that take an idea to complete fruition? You have to give time to yourself and your thoughts, without external influence. Otherwise, you lose your meaning in a sea of everything else. During this time to yourself, you can’t just think either (remember that overthinking trap we talked about before?). You must create.

When someone pointed out that I have a certain style to my work. I, of course, appreciated the sentiment. Having your work be recognizable to your unique talents is a wonderful compliment. I, however, have no idea what that really means. Perhaps, it reads naïve to say, but it’s the genuine truth. I couldn’t write a presentation to say my top three visuals choices are these techniques, and that in my films you’re always guaranteed to see this look or this shot. There’s nothing wrong, in having those answers, either. As long as those methods are purposeful to what you make, and you’re not choosing or reusing them to fit into a type or appease an outsider.

All I know is, my work is the work I make, and I enjoy the process of its creation. That’s what matters. That’s what always will matter. Style will fall into place, as you work, and as others see your work. The ambition is self-fulfilling. To have that chance, I think you must stop looking for these answers now, and start making the artistic pieces that you later can find those answers within. Try something new, finish something you started. Begin another idea. Keep creating.