How to Find Your Style as an Artist

Have you struggled to find your style as an artist? If so, this video is for you. I believe we all have a unique voice and we can all make interesting, compelling and unique artwork. But to do it, we need to tap into the deeper parts of ourselves - and most of all, we need to stop looking outwards for the answers. We already have everything we need.
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[@velvetbees]

"When we see a piece of art that's unique, unlike anything we've seen before, and that resonates with something inside of us, we want to own it. The artist has expressed something unique to herself, but it's connected to something inside of us." Beautiful, Lousie. Thank you for saying that.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

you are so welcome!

[@xVentax]

‘When styles were being handed out, I guess I just didn’t get one’. That made me laugh a lot! 😂😂

[@babyem5539]

I never thought about my art like that before. You just opened my eyes to something I always struggled with. "But, nobody will like that, that looks hideous" Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful

[@annfahey7777]

You are a wise and wonderful teacher!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! 😃

[@JeanetteHouse]

“...you have to lower your standards.” Boom! There it is! That’s what trips me up. Great message, thank you. x

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It trips every one up - you are definitely not alone!

[@chellegriggs]

I 'literally' was just in tears tonight, while watching another art channel and said to my husband, "I'm afraid to start painting for fear of not having (what I call) 'The Eye'..." This video was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it! Truly everyone can ... I have seen the proof of this over and over again. BUT, it takes time so be kind to yourself as you are learning. Take classes and learn from good teachers and just keep on painting!

[@annettedonohue1295]

Louise... you are the voice of hope! You know what you are saying is true and your desire to share this truth is truly appreciated by all who have tuned in to see and hear you. Gratitude🙏🏼

[@brendaoquin]

This video could not have come at a more perfect time. I’ve been painting for over 7 years now and have become so frustrated. What’s my style and why haven’t I found it yet? Or, have I? Why am I even doing this? Why aren’t most of my paintings turning out? Why is it so frustrating? Ha! This video helped tremendously. Thank you so much. It’s artists like you that help encourage, prod along, and inspire us other artists who might be in a season of frustration. Thank you again for being here.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That makes me happy to hear - thank you!

[@heatherstrobel4732]

Thankyou for your explanation it was perfect. It was said exactly how I needed to hear it to understand. 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheKeefusoutdoors]

I love how you explain things in layman's terms but with such clarity. Thanks.

[@priscillawrites6685]

Excellent as always, Louise. Thank you.

[@mendyviola]

Just ran across this at the right time. I took up visual arts at the beginning of the pandemic as a way to cope and spend many lonely days. I started with adult coloring books, then colored pencils and tracing drawings and color matching to make realistic drawings, sumi-e, then realistic botanicals, then illuminated letters, calligraphy, etc, and now am doing abstracts. It’s a struggle to find my own personal niche, but the journey is worth it.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it! ♥

[@dennisobergfell6919]

Appreciate your words. You addressed things that have I’ve let hold me back and for the affirmation that discovery of ones style and what does and does not work in a painting can only really come from doing/trying, not from fear of failure or an inability to creates works like those made by artists I like.

[@wickchick1963]

Everything you said resonates with me! I instinctively feel the work I produce is not really ME, and it is exciting to me to think that I have my own voice! Thank you so much for this Louise I have downloaded your e-book and it shall be pondered and read many times as I learn who I am. Love from Sheelagh, Wick, Caithness x

[@lucyjones3493]

I so needed to hear this...THANKYOU Louise!!!

[@noumine]

You make a lot of sense. Thank you.

[@lauramarlow8664]

I want to thank you so much for this! I can’t wait to get to my studio and play now! This is exactly what I needed to hear.

[@experi-mentalproductions5358]

I think the best way to find your own style in any art form (painting, film, music, etc) is to consume other people's art, and instead of thinking about the things you like about them (although that is also a good idea), think about the things that you don't like, and the things that you would do differently.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Good idea :)

[@mariawrigley]

Great! Thank you! Your advice gave me lots of hope. 💙

[@patfros5902]

Like so many times, right to the point! Thanks Louise!

[@shirleywells-turner8562]

Thank you Louise for these inspiring words. I have spent years trying to find ‘my style’ and I still have come close. I attend a weekly art class and workshops regularly, but none has bought me as close as the words. I think I now have a starting point so thank you, thank you, thank you

[@mariakapatos9545]

Super great advise thank you Louise

[@jacprice1687]

Great advice! I teach this in my workshops too, yet in a "me" way of course. Thanks!

[@pamelabarron9468]

I'm so happy that I've found your youtube channel..You are so lovely and inspiring. What a wonderful positive gift you have for explaining the world of making art. I hope you have fared well amidst this unsettling time and are able to carry on. Thank you with all my heart.

[@y.a.6693]

Thank you so much, this video is exactly what I needed to hear today.

[@cyndybowen8328]

Thank You very inspiring

[@carissa813]

This video really speaks to me on so many levels. Thank you for taking the time to speak your heart on this. I'm going to put your points into practice with my art. Much love from Orlando, Florida 💖💖💖

[@kimjolleymixed-mediaartist7357]

I needed this today!! Thank you so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are welcome x

[@barbarageis1728]

Love it!!!

[@larainecentineo7388]

EXCELLENT!!! guidance for discovering my style! Thanks so much Louise! : > )

[@iuliamatteson8790]

Thank you 🙏 I needed this I’ve been trying to figure out my style. Looking forward to more of your videos. I already subscribed 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@deborahleech5965]

You summed it up so well in your reference to personality at the beginning - soooo relevant! Thankyou for your encouragement & continual generosity.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks for watching Deborah :)

[@sandrabiggin752]

Thanks Louise

[@velvetbees]

This is my second comment. One thing that helped me in college art classes was drawing quick sketches of something or an imaginary person, or just abstract shapes upside down. Then spinning the paper right side up to see it. Most of the time it was delightful to see how weird it looked. Other times I made paintings from what was there because it was so funky and cool looking. That does so many things. One is it tells you more about your own artistic aesthetic. Another thing is my college professor grabbed one of my oil pastel drawings and scribbled lines on it. I was so shocked and got mad at him. He said I could do better and challenged me to fix it. In trying to fix it, I discovered a whole new way of using oil pastels that I love. He did me a favor, and he absolutely did know what he was doing because he had me figured out. He was an excellent teacher. The best art prof I ever had.

[@sjmsutherland]

It took me many years to find my style, and now it's completely natural to work abstract expressionist and I love it!! I found that ignoring those nagging doubts in my head, and just going for it helped a lot. I just thought about what I liked to paint!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@philipforsyth9070]

brilliant! thank you for that message of hope.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it resonated with you!

[@bonniegarson80]

Right on👍

[@cristobalalicea8457]

Wow! You have said a simple thruth that we all have to keep in mind while you we are on the process of learning the art of painting.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Absolutely!!

[@katscreativelife]

Thank you for your videos! You are so inspiring!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@maryamvossoughi9341]

Thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@clareroberts3768]

Exactly what i needed to hear today. Thank you. 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@SingYourselfWell]

Wonderful, thank you Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome!

[@milagrosdecheco5190]

I just find your channel and I love everything that you share! Thank you !!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm so glad!

[@andrewfrost8866]

Thank you, you speak so much sense!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@adielyyari]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@ByPennyMorgan]

Thank you 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're welcome 😊

[@clairebeveridge]

This makes me feeling like I can do this. I always feel everything I do is learnt, it’s never natural talent. But this gives me hope. Thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it because everyone can be an artist. It's not always a learned process.

[@mariawrigley]

Thank you again! The only thing I want to paint is abstract art but, abstract with a MEANING!

[@janemerryman212]

Yes. You said it! That's my problem too. I want to do abstract art but where is the meaning? I know it must come from me, and that's what makes me feel so bad, I don't think I have discovered my meaning.

[@alanhillier1033]

What a great vid....straight from the heart👍🏼....subscribed

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks for the sub!

[@jilliantoombs6975]

I needed this conversation SO much. I've been struggling with giving myself permission to let go, "waste" time (though we know it's not a waste) and material and just make a bunch of art without worrying about the end result; focusing in on the process and what I can learn from it. Thank you for the perfect reminder Louise. It hit the nail on the head.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yolandaengelbrecht7754]

Hallo Louise. I so enjoyed your Find your Joy course. I am now doing ART2LIFE COURSE but still miss your gentle voice and advice and fearless expressive demos. would you still post more videos while you work please? Take care and be healthy. Yolanda

[@John-rb3yv]

They will want to own it! Resonating with a complete stranger.... WONDERFUL feeling Thanks!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're welcome 😊

[@irenedecara]

Your video was very helpful thank you so much!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kerryklaassen]

Louise, thank you for this inspiring video! I've been learning to paint for a year now, and I see that it is a journey.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@nadhirahothman]

Wow, this video is really helpful. I stopped painting because I thought I was not feeling inspired but I think I'm just afraid of screwing up or painting something that I might not even like! But thank you for the encouragement, I really need to just let loose and just start painting again.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful xx

[@wiseguy69696]

love your videos!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Matthew :)

[@susancampos8959]

Thank you for your encouragement on style for artwork to make it your own style. Absolutely. It comes through as to do your work and yes sometimes oops ! That does happen but put it aside some thing may come up to work with it another time. And start afresh with another piece. Just sharing what I have done . And sometimes I just leave as is. . Where did that come from I ask? Sometimes you get abstract without intentions. And surprises you. Time helps if you are consistent with your painting. I usually get in moods to paint . I really can not paint if I don't want too. . It's just does not happen. But when I do paint. Watch out IAM none stop it I complete it. So everyone has their rythems. Have fun and enjoy your Art. It's so enrichment to your soul. Brings colors to your mind.

[@claudiachappel3350]

Thank you for that too! :)

[@ThisPaintingLife]

No problem!

[@PB-mq6hu]

Louise, help! What do I do if I don't like my style? Is this a lack of confidence? Is it a sign I need more artistic maturity (ie. I have to get better with techniques). I have A.D.D. and so I sometimes feel like my art is just a spilling out of the tension in my brain. My pieces are generally very busy. I am trying to calm them down some. Maybe they are okay because they are a reflection of me? I am feeling somewhat lost right now. I greatly appreciate your thoughts on this!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I think that when we make art that truly feels like us, we tens to like it... on the other hand, if you have ADD, it's not surprising that your art feels busy. Your quest to qiet it down makes perfect sense ... now you have to explore that. try different ways of doing it. Look at art you love and notice how they achieve what they achieve. It's a journey xx

[@roxyolmstead3691]

Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Welcome!

[@bonniegarson80]

Thanks ❣️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're welcome 😊

[@Off-gridchic]

I've been scared to put paint to canvas. I love colors abnd I'm in love with nature. We live in the bush, in Manitoba Canada. I have always felt a connection with trees since I was a little girl. To me they all have their own personality. Abstract has interested me. I have wondered what it would look like if I used my hands to paint . You're pictures with deep reds , purples I really like. My favorite colors are the turquoise family. Anyway I enjoy your videos. Have a wonderful weekend.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Try your hands and see!

[@aliveinchrist1455]

thankyou SOOOO much! for giving me encouragement and permission to fail!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@ArtHealsTheSoul]

Yes absolutely I agree but what if I like a lot of different things all at ones ?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Then notice them and see what you can combine to create your own unique style x

[@ingridphillip5367]

I’m a new abstract artist! And yesterday someone asked me “what’s your medium style “ I didn’t know!! Because I was just painting 💕💕

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It's too early for you to answer that - you will get there :)

[@fooku5508]

Resonated in my brain as if my head were under Big Ben;s bells!

[@jjoy2866]

Thank you Louise ❤. That’s just so insightful. What do you do with artworks that don’t work out? Do you throw them out or do you keep them? Thank you. Have a lovely day. 💜🖌️🎨🖼️

[@ByPennyMorgan]

I was so fortunate to come out of the gate with commission orders on my 1st painting for a friend then I quickly got burned out. It was a subject I like a lot but doesn't light me up. Since then I have looked at so many other artists' works and purchased so many mediums, I think I've thoroughly confused myself. 😕 I need to really think about what you've shared here.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Hi Penny - this is very common and nothing to worry about, but yes, working towards your own style will be so much more rewarding x

[@willywonka1854]

😍

[@lucillefemine2339]

I'm gravitating toward abstract or semi abstract painting but I find it diffiult to perceive the emotions of other abstract paintings. I do admire them in terms of motion and color, harmony, etc. Well...maybe that's the point. But still, the idea of discovering or feeling what they are trying to say, it eludes me, even my own.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

We are all different that way xx

[@seidenschnabelfederflugel5441]

♥️🙏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you liked it!

[@regan3112]

helps me to remember the whole point of why paint in the first damned place!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

YES!

[@ByGraceThroughFaith777]

Style is overrated. When we let go of all mental constraints our "style" becomes impossible to suppress.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

exactly - just as I said :)

[@fulgentius371]

Thank you for mentioning God...

[@berniesteadman7676]

Thanks Louise, It's what I needed to hear!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!