Finding Your Style

How to find your Style

Style is such a commonly used word in the illustration industry. What’s my style? How do I find my style? How do I know what is my style? Are some of the most commonly asked questions. I had asked them too when I was starting out in the industry. But how does one really find their style? And what is a STYLE?

Rekha Salin

When you look at the works of some of the artists, even without looking at the context or the name, you can instantly spot whose work it is. It’s just so UNIQUELY them, either could be the way you use your colors, the textures, the way you draw your characters, maybe you never draw their ears or their neck. It’s just what makes your work your own. Also, what is repeatedly done.

Often you hear people saying, keep practicing and your style will involve. Well, it’s true in a lot of cases, but is a very long road to find yourself with loads of trial and error. Your style is UNIQUELY YOU and is always inside you, but needs to be discovered or rather say uncovered. Pay attention to what excites you and what is that which is not. That’s what is uniquely you. Do master studies of artists whose works you really love.

Paying close attention to what is that which is exciting you, when you make a piece of art how it makes you feel, helps you identify your own likes and dislikes.

Below are a few of my works. You can see how my shapes are more rounded, cute and the way I use of texture and bright colors.

Rekha Salin

Sharing few of my favorite illustrators whose styles are so different from each other but are all very successful and so very beautiful.

Oliver Jeffers-such fabulous characters. Look at the way he does hands and the legs are like sticks. He has an amazing way of storytelling keeping it so simple but very effective .

Oliver Jeffers

Jon Klassen- very cleverly uses white space. I love his use of textures and color palette keeping his character shapes simple.

Jon Klassen

Rebecca Green- Detailed (at least for me), fills almost every inch. I love the way she does her characters, they are really so appealing and just so believable and beautiful.

Rebecca Green

There is no right or wrong style. There is a place and market for all styles and art forms. Style is not set on stone and constantly keeps evolving. Don’t get stagnant with just doing one kind of art or use of line or texture. Experiment, it helps me evolve and grow in your craft.